Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back similar games & best alternatives

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Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

PlayStation 3, Android, PlayStation, PlayStation Portable • 1997

Should you play it?

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back is the second game in the Crash Bandicoot series, and the sequel to the original game. The gameplay is largely similar to that of the original, as players make their way through a limited environment whilst breaking crates that contains bonuses. The goal of the game is to gather 25 crystals for Crash's nemesis, Doctor Neo Cortex. The crystals are scattered between 25 different levels accessible via Warp Rooms, which are hub areas of the game. A level is cleared by collecting its respective crystal and reaching the end of its path, which returns Crash to the Warp Room.

What works

  • Tight and responsive controls
  • Innovative warp room level selection
  • Varied level design and environments
  • Balanced difficulty curve
  • Catchy music and charming visuals

Things to keep in mind

  • Some camera and perspective issues
  • Boss fights considered too easy
  • Limited story depth
  • Repetitive level themes
  • Lack of multiplayer or social features

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

More expressive

Games that feels like Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back but with more self-expression and customization

More violent

Games that feels like Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back but with more combat and destruction

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From the same developer

From the same developer, ranked by motivational fit.

Similarity map

How to compare these games

Compare nearby games

Each card is a nearby game on the similarity map, compared with Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. Swipe sideways to move between games. Titles already listed in What to play next are left out.

  • Cover and title: open that game’s page.
  • What works / keep in mind: the same highlights as the desktop comparison panel.
  • Bars: the main motivational differences versus this game.
How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Swipe to compare nearby games with Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. These titles are not in What to play next.

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence.

Last update: 02/09/2026