Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back/Piston It Away

A mostly side-scrolling level, where you have to avoid several pistons that rise and fall. There are also some rather insidious enemies. Some of them can only be defeated with a slide. Others have electrified spikes on the sides, which however, at regular intervals of time, they move above the head. So when the spikes are to the side you can defeat them with a jump, while when they move them up you have to use a spin or slide attack. In the second part of the level you will encounter blue machines that shoot bursts of energy if you step on the gray button next to them, in the direction indicated by the arrow. So move carefully and avoid getting on these gray platforms unless absolutely necessary. Shortly before the end, there are then scientists similar to those encountered in the first game, pushing metal panels. To defeat them by making them fall, you must hit them while they are not pushing.

You will find the crystal about halfway along the path, in a clearly visible position. The bonus area is located just ahead. Nothing very difficult, you just have to perform some long jumps to cross gaps and avoid Nitro boxes.

Getting the first gem
Shortly after where you took the crystal is a platform marked with a skull, which only appears if you get to this point without losing any lives. The platform will lead you to a secret area, similar to the rest of the level, but with a higher level of difficulty. Here you will also find enemies suspended in the void, which you must use to overcome the gaps. But you have to jump on them at the right time, when they have electrified spikes on the sides. Along the way you will find the gem and at the end you will come to an alternative exit.

Getting the second gem
Breaking all the boxes and getting the second gem requires intuition and attention. You have to pass the level normally, breaking all the boxes and without losing any lives. Ignore the platform with the skull the first time you pass it and don't kill the second enemy after it, the one right after the first blue cannon. At the end of the level, instead of going into the exit room, you have to go back to the platform with the skull. To reach it you have to exploit the enemy mentioned above. Then you have to get on the platform and be led to the secret area, because there are boxes to break here too. At the bottom of this area you will also find the detonator to blow up all the Nitro boxes. If you've broken all the boxes in both the main level and the secret area, the gem will be waiting for you in the alternate exit room.