How Do You Get the Keys in Crash Bandicoot? Unlocking the Secrets to 100% Completion
Few gaming franchises spark as much nostalgic adrenaline as Crash Bandicoot. Whether you’re dusting off your PlayStation 1 or diving into the N. Sane Trilogy remake, one question echoes through every level: how do you get the keys in Crash Bandicoot? These elusive relics aren’t just collectibles—they’re gateways to bonus stages, secret endings, and the ultimate bragging rights of 100% completion. But unlike Wumpa Fruit or extra lives, keys don’t just roll into your path. They’re earned—through precision, patience, and pattern mastery.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to obtain keys in Crash Bandicoot, which levels hold them, what you must do to claim them, and why they matter. Whether you’re a returning veteran or a curious newcomer, understanding the key system is your first step toward conquering Cortex’s twisted challenges.
What Are the Keys, and Why Do They Matter?
In the original Crash Bandicoot (1996) and its sequels, keys are special items awarded only after completing bonus rounds called “Bonus Platforming Challenges” or “Cortex Bonus Rounds.” These aren’t hidden in crates or tucked behind corners—they’re rewards for beating timed obstacle courses accessed via secret entrances in specific levels.
Each key unlocks a previously inaccessible level, usually located in Cortex’s castle or hidden warp rooms. Completing these key-locked levels is essential for achieving 100% game completion. More importantly, they often contain the toughest platforming sequences in the game—true tests of skill that separate casual players from die-hard fans.
Where to Find the Key Entrances
Keys are tied to specific levels. In the first Crash Bandicoot, there are two keys, each hidden behind a secret portal:
- The Orange Key — Found in “The Great Gate”
- The Blue Key — Found in “Toxic Waste”
To access the bonus round (and earn the key), you must locate a hidden platform that triggers a teleporter. These platforms are invisible unless you jump or spin near them—a clever design that rewards exploration and experimentation.
Pro Tip: In “The Great Gate,” the portal is located near the end, just before the checkpoint crate. Jump toward the wall on the right-hand side after the swinging spiked balls—you’ll trigger an invisible platform that leads upward.
In Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, the system expands. There are five keys, each tied to a colored gem path. You must first collect the corresponding colored gem (by breaking every crate in a level without dying) to unlock the alternate route that leads to the key portal.
For example:
- Red Key → Requires Red Gem → Found in “Snow Go” via alternate path
- Green Key → Requires Green Gem → Unlocked in “The Eel Deal”
This layered progression system makes keys feel earned—not just found. It also encourages multiple playthroughs and mastery of each level’s layout.
How to Beat the Bonus Rounds
Once you enter the portal, you’re whisked away to a Cortex Bonus Round—a gauntlet of moving platforms, disappearing tiles, and deadly traps, all under a strict time limit. These stages are designed to test everything you’ve learned: timing, spacing, reaction speed, and nerve.
Here’s what you need to know:
- No checkpoints. One mistake, and you restart from the beginning.
- Time is tight. Usually around 60 seconds—you must move swiftly but precisely.
- Pattern recognition is key. Platforms often follow predictable cycles. Watch them for a second before committing to a jump.
- Use slides and spins strategically. Slides can help you squeeze under low barriers, while spins can break through weak walls or stun enemies (if any appear).
Case Study: The Orange Key Bonus Round (Crash 1)
This stage features a zigzagging path of floating platforms above a bottomless pit. The trick? Many platforms disappear after one second. The solution: don’t stop moving. Keep momentum, and trust that the next platform will appear just as you leap. Rushing causes falls; hesitation costs time. Balance is everything.
Keys in Later Games: Evolution of the System
The key mechanic evolves across the series. In Crash Bandicoot: Warped, keys are replaced by Power Crystals, but the concept remains—complete challenges to unlock sealed levels. In Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, keys return in spirit through Quantum Masks and timeline-altering puzzles, though not as literal key items.
Even in remakes like the N. Sane Trilogy, the original key mechanics are preserved faithfully—proving their enduring design brilliance. Modern players often find these bonus rounds brutally difficult, a testament to Naughty Dog’s uncompromising vision in the ‘90s.
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Many players get frustrated trying to find or complete key challenges. Here’s what usually goes wrong—and how to fix it:
-
Missing the hidden portal
→ Solution: Thoroughly explore every corner of key-associated levels. Jump against walls, backtrack after checkpoints, and experiment with spin attacks near suspicious gaps. -
Rushing the bonus round
→ Solution: Memorize platform patterns. Pause briefly at safe spots to plan your next move. Speed comes with familiarity. -
Not collecting required gems first (in Crash 2