Table of Contents

Unlocking Crash Bandicoot 3’s Hidden Treasures: A Guide to Secret Levels

So, you’re itching to uncover every nook and cranny of Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped, eh? You’ve come to the right place! Let’s cut to the chase and reveal the secrets to unlocking those elusive levels. Getting to them involves a combination of relic hunting and some clever platforming. There are two types of secrets to talk about:

The Secret Warp Room: This is accessed by collecting 5 Relics (any kind will do – Sapphire, Gold, or Platinum). Once you have these, a new platform will appear in the center of the main warp room. Ride it up, and voila, you’re in the Secret Warp Room! This room contains access to levels otherwise unavailable when you start the game.
Secret Levels: These are completely hidden within existing levels. Eggipus Rex is accessed from a secret path within Dino Might!, while Hot Coco is accessible from the future world.

Let’s dive deeper into each of these secret areas and their requirements. Prepare for some serious Bandicoot action!

The Road to Riches: Unlocking the Secret Warp Room

Relics: Your Ticket In

As mentioned above, the key to unlocking the Secret Warp Room is collecting 5 Relics. These are obtained by replaying levels after you’ve beaten them and completing a Time Trial. When you complete the Time Trial, you will be awarded with one of the relics, based on how fast you do. You’ll need to complete the level in a certain time set by the game. Completing a time trial will award you one of three relics.

Sapphire Relic: Beating the base time.
Gold Relic: Beating the Gold time.
Platinum Relic: Beating the Platinum time.

The beauty here is that the type of Relic doesn’t matter, just the number of them. So, feel free to start with some of the easier Time Trials to build up your collection. Once you have that magic number, a new platform will materialize in the hub world.

Ascend to the Secret Warp Room

The appearance of the platform is your visual cue that you’re ready to go. This platform will be right in the middle of the original warp room. Simply jump onto the platform and ride it upwards to access the Secret Warp Room! This is where two additional portals to the different areas will come into play.

Digging for Dinosaurs and Hitting the Slopes: Unlocking Secret Levels

Now, let’s talk about the two truly secret levels: Eggipus Rex and Hot Coco. These aren’t accessed through the Secret Warp Room, but are hidden within specific levels.

Eggipus Rex: Unearthing the Dinosaur

Eggipus Rex is hidden within the level Dino Might! Here’s the breakdown:

Obtain the Yellow Gem: This is the trickiest part. To get the Yellow Gem, you need to access the alternate entrance to Hang ’em High in the Secret Warp Room. Remember, you need at least 10 Relics to unlock the Secret Warp Room. Complete the secret warp room level.
The Dino Might! Secret: Once you have the Yellow Gem, replay Dino Might!. You will notice that the stage has changed slightly.
The Pterodactyl Ride: During the Triceratops chase sequence in Dino Might!, you’ll eventually come to an area where pterodactyls fly across the screen. The trick here is to let the second pterodactyl carry you away. If done correctly, it will fly you to the secret level.

Hot Coco: Hitting the Ski Slopes

Hot Coco is tucked away within a future-themed level. Details of where to access this level are as follows.

Find the Secret Exit: Locate a secret exit within Future Frenzy where a platform allows you to reach the secret warp room. It is easy to spot because it is near the end of the normal stage, and the normal exit is a portal, while this one is a platform.

These secret levels offer unique challenges and are well worth the effort to discover.

Mastering the Time Trials

Speaking of relics, mastering the Time Trials is crucial to unlocking everything Crash Bandicoot 3 has to offer. Here are a few tips:

Learn the Level Layouts: Familiarize yourself with each level’s design. Knowing the layout like the back of your hand will save precious seconds.
Utilize the Speed Shoes: Whenever you see a Time Crate, grab it! The Speed Shoes are essential for shaving off those extra milliseconds.
Master the Slide Jump: Practice the slide jump technique. Sliding then jumping allows you to maintain momentum and cover larger distances more quickly. This is critical for speedrunning sections with wide gaps.
TNT vs. Nitro: In Time Trials, TNT can actually be beneficial as it gives you a burst of speed when it explodes. Use Nitro sparingly as it will instantly kill you. Nitro is only useful if you can avoid it altogether.
Don’t Be Afraid to Restart: If you mess up early in a Time Trial, don’t be afraid to restart the level. It’s better to start fresh than waste time trying to recover from a mistake.

With these strategies, you’ll be blazing through those Time Trials and racking up Relics in no time!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further enhance your understanding of unlocking secret levels and content in Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped.

Do I need to get Gold Relics to unlock the Secret Warp Room?

No, any 5 Relics (Sapphire, Gold, or Platinum) will unlock the Secret Warp Room.
Can I unlock Eggipus Rex and Hot Coco without unlocking the Secret Warp Room first?

While you can’t directly access them from the Warp Room, you still need to access the Hang Em High level, which is in the secret warp room to unlock the Yellow Gem necessary for unlocking Eggipus Rex.
What happens if I die on the Yellow Gem path in Dino Might!?

You’ll simply restart at the last checkpoint, provided you have lives. Dying doesn’t prevent you from accessing Eggipus Rex as long as you have the Yellow Gem.
Is it possible to get all the Gems and Relics in Crash Bandicoot 3?

Yes, it is! Collecting all Gems and Relics unlocks a bonus ending.
What’s the hardest Relic to obtain in the game?

That depends on your playstyle. For most players, the Time Trials for levels with lots of Nitro Crates or precise platforming can be quite challenging.
Do I need to collect all the boxes in the secret levels?

Collecting all the boxes isn’t necessary for unlocking other secrets, but it does contribute to 100% completion.
What’s the significance of the colored Gems?

Colored Gems open up secret paths within certain levels, allowing you to access new areas and collect more boxes.
Does Crash Bandicoot 3 have a secret ending?

Yes, beating the game with all Gems and Relics unlocks a secret ending. You also need to beat all optional timeline levels. Players must also finish all the N. Verted levels, which unlock 6 new gems to achieve.
Is there a way to skip levels in Crash Bandicoot 3?

There are no legitimate in-game ways to skip levels.
How do I access the Time Trials?

Once you beat a level, a Time Trial icon will appear near the entrance portal in the Warp Room.
Are there any cheat codes that make the game easier?

Yes, there are cheat codes that can grant you invincibility, infinite lives, and more. However, using cheat codes might disable trophies or achievements on some platforms.
What’s the best power-up to use in Time Trials?

The Speed Shoes are essential for covering ground quickly. The Double Jump ability is also very useful for precise platforming sections.
How many levels are there in Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped?

There are a total of 37 levels, including five boss battles.
What is the Death Route in Crash Bandicoot?

The death routes are alternate routes in certain levels that can only be accessed by a special lift that has a crossbones symbol on it. Crash/Coco will only be able to access the lift with the crossbones by making it through a certain portion of the level without losing a life.
Why is educational gaming important?

Educational games offer a unique and engaging approach to learning. They promote problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity. These games can be an incredibly effective way to learn complex topics while having fun. The Games Learning Society is dedicated to exploring and advancing the intersection of games and education. For more information, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

Time to Warp!

Unlocking the secret levels and mastering the Time Trials in Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped is a rewarding experience. With patience, practice, and a little bit of know-how, you’ll be well on your way to completing the game and uncovering all its hidden treasures. Now go out there and show those levels who’s boss!

How do you get the secret levels in Crash Bandicoot 3?