Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex (also known as Crash Bandicoot 4) is a platform game, the sixth in the Crash Bandicoot series and was developed by Traveller's Tales and published by Universal Interactive Studios and Konami for PS2, Xbox and GameCube in 2001. The story centers on the appearance of Crunch Bandicoot, a genetically advanced bandicoot working for his creator Cortex, who is aided by a group of destructive masks known as the Elementals who are wreaking havoc on Earth, as Crash and Coco attempt to stop them.

Intro

[The 2000 Universal Interactive Studios logo is shown along with the URL reading www.universalinteractive.com, the logo fades out after a few seconds and the 1995 Konami logo appears, which fades out after a few seconds into a purple-blue space background and the copyright disclaimer is shown, after a few seconds, Nitrus Oxide zooms pass as the camera pans to Planet Earth with the text reading Universal Interactive Studios rotating in underneath]

Cortex: A Universal Interactive Studios Production!

[After 10 seconds, an unknown object flies pass the planet as the camera then pans to the Traveller's Tales logo (which is a male racoon [Quentin Cerebellum Townsend the Third] sitting on the edge of the cliff holding a red handkerchief with white polka-dots in one hand with his other hand resting on a gravestone with a left arrow and the initials "TT" on it, there is also a gold-orange moon behind the logo, the URL reading www.t-tales.com is shown briefly]

Cortex: Developed by Traveller's Tales!

[After a few seconds, another unknown object slowly flies in from the top left as the camera pans to rest on it, the object zooms up close to screen, engulfing it for a second before settling on the center, this is the title screen, the text (Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath Of Cortex) appears within the object]

Cortex: Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath Of Cortex!

[Selections for New Game, Load Game and the language selection then appear]

Dialogue

[The space station hovers in space with Planet Earth alongside, the camera briefly pans inside the space station before it cuts to a room where Uka-Uka is holding a convention of villains, yelling at them for their incompetence]

Uka-Uka (pissed): Imbeciles! Fools! Nincompoops! Can't you idiots do anything right?! According to this, (shows a chart with a line going down) your track record for spreading evil is pathetic!

Cortex: Uka-Uka, it's not our fault. That wretched Bandicoot is to blame!

Uka-Uka (growls): I will not let anything stand in the way of evil, especially not a brainless orange marsupial! Crash must be eliminated!

N. Gin: Uh, Uka-Uka? Need I remind you that Crash always finds a way to defeat us? Maybe he's just too good for us.

Uka-Uka: Enough excuses! You five idiots need to come up with one good plan, or else.

Cortex: How do I get into these situations? Ugh.

N. Tropy: There must be something we can come up with. (to Cortex) Say, Doctor, haven't you been tinkering with some kind of new secret weapon in your laboratory?

Cortex: I don't know what you're talking about, N. Tropy.

N. Gin: Dr. Cortex, I think he's referring to the super-secret weapon that you've been laboring over day and night since the last time Crash defeated you. (Dr. Cortex gets pissed with N. Gin)

Uka-Uka: Enough bickering! Do we have a plan?!

Cortex (reluctant): Well, in my scientific endeavors, I've been able to create a genetically advanced super-weapon of unbelievable strength, but the power source... is the final missing crucial element.

Uka-Uka: Hmm. Element...? Element...? Yes, the Elementals!

Cortex: Right. The Elementals, that's it! If released, their destructive energy could create enough power to bring my secret weapon to life. We'd have a weapon capable of crushing mountains, demolishing entire cities!

Uka-Uka: And wiping Crash Bandicoot off the face of the Earth forever!

Cortex: Get ready to face my wrath, Crash Bandicoot! (laughs evilly)

[Fade out to N. Sanity Beach, Coco Bandicoot is riding her jet-ski around in the bay, Crash Bandicoot is water-skiing behind her.]

Coco: Go, Crash! Yeah! Crash, you're getting great!

[Over on the shore, Aku Aku is relaxing, floating above a beach chair with a drink, with Pura building a sandcastle beside him. Suddenly, a loud explosion is heard, making Aku Aku and Pura jump]

Aku-Aku: What's happening? (sees an erupting volcano, realizes) No! It cannot be! (sees a growing thundercloud) Oh, no!

[The cloud covers the sun, alerting Crash and Coco of what's going on.]

Coco (gasps): What's going on? (looks back) Oh, no! Crash, look out!

[Crash turns to see a massive wave swelling behind him. The screen goes black and a crash is heard, along with colored sparks flying across the screen. Crash and Coco are shown washed up on the shore beside Pura. Crash shakes his head like a dog. Aku Aku pulls himself out from where he got buried in the sand.]

Aku-Aku: Is everyone all right? It appears that my evil twin brother, Uka-Uka, is up to his no-good tricks again. I must find out what he is planning. I will meet up with you later.

[In space, the Hyperspace Temple is shown floating. Uka Uka is shown in the clearing, looking around. Aku Aku appears in front of him without a word.]

Uka-Uka: Ah, hello, my feeble brother.

Aku-Aku: You have gotten my attention, Uka-Uka. What kind of diabolical scheme do you and Dr. Cortex have planned this time?

Uka-Uka: No schemes; Just some old familiar faces dropping by for a visit.

[the Elementals then appear; Uka Uka laughs evilly]

Aku-Aku (alarmed): No! Not the Elementals! Uka-Uka, why did you release them? Don't you know what happened the last time they were free?

Uka-Uka: So they were responsible for a few earthquakes, floods and that little Ice Age a couple of centuries back. You worry too much, brother.

Aku-Aku: You cannot restrain them, Uka-Uka. They are far too dangerous! This could spell disaster for us all!

Py-Ro (chortles): On the contrary, Aku-Aku. It spells disaster for you and that precious planet you care so much about. DESTROY HIM!

[The elementals close in on Aku Aku and fire beams of energy at him. Aku Aku withstands the blows, rights himself, and glares at Uka Uka.]

Aku-Aku: You won't get away with this!

Uka Uka (chortles): WHO'S GOING TO STOP US?!

[In Crash Bandicoot's House, Crash, Coco and Pura are drying off by the fire. Crash has a towel wrapped around his shoulders, and Coco is on her laptop. All three look up as Aku Aku arrives through the front door.]

Aku-Aku: Crash, Coco, it is just as I feared. Uka-Uka and Dr. Cortex have freed a group of destructive masks, known as the Elementals. We must find a way to stop them before they destroy the Earth, and all of its inhabitants. The only way to stop the Elementals' destructive nature is to imprison them with the use of ancient Crystals. Each Elemental can be returned back to their hibernation state with a total of 5 Crystals. We must act quickly. Coco, what is the status of the new portal chamber you've been working on?

Coco: It's almost finished. A few little adjustments here and there and it'll be ready to go.

Aku-Aku: Well done, Coco. This gives us the ideal opportunity to test it. We must hurry.

[Coco opens the pod bay doors of their garage, revealing a collection of machines. Crash and Aku-Aku look on with amazement on their faces. Coco types on a nearby keyboard, activating a couple of the machines in the room]

Coco: Okay. All systems are ready and operational.

Aku-Aku: It's time we evened up the odds in our favor.

[Crash points to himself questioningly, as Aku-Aku smiles]

[The Virtual Reality hub is shown]

Cortex (appears as a hologram image): Crash Bandicoot, my old nemesis. How the heck are you? Still gathering crystals? Old habits die hard, don't they? My days are being spent on something much more intriguing. Meet Crunch, my newest creation.

Crunch (appears as a hologram image): This is the creature who keeps sabotaging your master plan? HA! You gotta be kidding. I'll exterminate this field rat in no time!

Cortex (appears as a hologram image): Now, Crunch, your time with Crash will come soon enough. Isn't he brilliant? A testament to my true scientific genius; a real Bandicoot warrior, unlike you, Crash. Oh, well, we all make mistakes. Ta-ta for now.

[Upon entering the 1st level]

Rok-Ko (appears within the vortex): What are you looking at, fuzzhead? I'm Rok-Ko, the Earth Elemental. Uka Uka and Dr. Cortex woke me from my captive slumber, and now, I'm free to pulverize whatever gets in my way. Oh-ho, don't even think about getting those Crystals, runt. 'Cause if you do, I'm gonna bury you alive.

[Crash Bandicoot is in his glider]

Coco (through radio): Crash, the generators; shoot them down! It looks like Neo's using them to make his tornadoes!

[Upon entering the 3rd level]

Rok-Ko (appears within the vortex): You want a piece of me, Bandicoot? Huh? Huh? Do you? HA! Wuss.

[Upon entering the 5th level]

Rok-Ko: Oh, I am gonna shake, rattle and roll your Bandicoot butt!

[Upon entering the 1st boss level]

Rok-Ko (appears within the vortex): Well, well, looks like the Bandicoot's been busy collecting Crystals. I warned you, Bandicoot.

Crunch (appears within the vortex): Finally. I get to wrap my fingers around your puny, orange neck.

[Upon defeating Rok-Ko]

Uka-Uka (appears on the VR hub's screen): CORTEX! When are you and that super-weapon of yours going to put an end to that interfering Bandicoot?! You're beginning to test my patience!

Cortex (appears as a hologram image): Uh, uh, I'm working on it, Uka-Uka. Listen, Crash, you may have outsmarted Rok-Ko, but there are three more Elemental masks where he came from. And just as luck would have it, they are all significantly more powerful. HA! I have no doubt that the Water Elemental, Wa-Wa, will make sure you never see the light of day.

Crunch (appears as a hologram image): Yeah. The water boy and I are gonna take you out! Ooh, I'm gonna rip you limb from limb.

[Upon entering the 6th level]

Wa-Wa (appears within the vortex): Crash Bandicoot, you've got some nerve setting foot into my domain without an invitation! Don't talk back to me! I'LL FIX THAT ATTITUDE PROBLEM OF YOURS!

[Upon entering the 8th level]

Wa-Wa (appears within the vortex): Leave my levels alone!

[Upon entering the 10th level]

Wa-Wa (appears within the vortex): They're gonna have to hang you out to dry when I get through with you!

[Upon entering the 2nd boss level]

Wa-Wa (appears within the vortex, screams angrily): Get over here, you little ORANGE SPONGE!

Crunch (appears within the vortex): 'Cause we're gonna wring you out!

[Upon defeating Wa-Wa]

Cortex (appears as a hologram image): You are making a mockery of me in front of my minions! Not only have you defeated the Elemental masks, but you are still collecting those worthless crystals! Well, you've gotten this far, and this is as far as you're gonna get. Py-Ro, the Fire Elemental, will see to that.

Crunch (appears as a hologram image, to Cortex): Oh, Cortex, come on! I don't need some flaming mask to help me! I can take on Crash by myself!

Cortex (appears as a hologram image, to Crunch): Crunch, you will do as I say! You and Py-Ro will vanquish Crash, and his annoying friends.

[Upon entering the 11th level]

Py-Ro (appears within the vortex): I realize my brethren have had some trouble with you, my little orange friend, but I'm not quite sure why. Huh. Is it getting hot in here? Is it safe to be wearing that fur?! It looks FLAMMABLE!

[Upon entering the 13th level]

Py-Ro (appears within the vortex): Hmm, I have a taste for some deep-fried Bandicoot.

[Upon entering the 15th level]

Py-Ro (appears within the vortex): Hope you brought your sunscreen, 'cause you're gonna burn!

[Upon entering the 3rd boss level]

Py-Ro (appears within the vortex): Ah, the triumphant hero, Crash, reduced to a pile of smoldering ash.

Crunch (appears within the vortex): Let's finish this.

[Upon defeating Py-Ro]

Uka-Uka (appears on the VR hub's screen, pissed): CORTEX! WHY IS THAT MINDLESS MARSUPIAL STILL COLLECTING THOSE CRYSTALS?! HE'S DEFEATED ROK-KO AND WA-WA! I'M BEGINNING TO QUESTION THE VALUE OF YOUR SUPER WEAPON!

Crunch (appears as a hologram image): I don't need another mask's help! I can take this Crash punk out with my metal arm tied behind my back-! (He then yelps in pain)

Cortex (appears as a hologram image): Oh, Crunch, stop being silly. Uka Uka, he will use the Elemental Masks, no need for you to lose any beauty sleep.

[Upon entering the 16th level]

Lo-Lo (appears within the vortex): The Crash Bandicoot, eh? Oh, I've heard so much about you, and this is the hero I have to blow away? HA! Seems like a bunch of hot air to me!

[Upon entering the 18th level]

Lo-Lo (appears within the vortex): Is there a draft in here?

[Coco Bandicoot is in her spaceship]

Aku-Aku (through ship radio): Coco, Cortex has assembled an armada of space stations that are ready to strike the planet. Use the lasers on your ship to destroy them.

[Upon entering the 20th level]

Lo-Lo (appears within the vortex): Not used to the weather around here, are you, wimp?

[Upon entering the 4th boss level]

Lo-Lo (appears within the vortex): Hey, look! The orange boy likes to fly!

Crunch (appears within the vortex): Time to earn your wings, kid.

[Upon entering the 21st level]

Cortex (appears within the vortex): Well, here we are again. I wouldn't necessarily call this irony, but don't you think it's a little odd how we keep meeting under these same world domination circumstances? Why not just give up, and let me win for once?!

Crunch (appears within the vortex: Don't worry, Dr. Cortex. Now that my Elemental powers have reached maximum capacity, this little geek is gonna wish he was never created.

[Upon entering the 23rd level]

Cortex (appears within the vortex): Bring it, you brain-dead Bandicoot.

[Upon entering the final level]

Cortex (appears within the vortex): Crash, you've been a naughty boy, but now that's going to end.

[Upon entering the final boss level]

Cortex (appears within the vortex): Congratulations, Crash. You should be proud of yourself. Not only have you collected all the crystals in record time, but you've also defeated the Elementals. Let Crunch and me be the first ones to congratulate you.

Crunch (appears within the vortex): By pummeling your sad Bandicoot frame to a pulp. Come and get it.

[Crash defeats Dr. Neo Cortex and Crunch Bandicoot; before collecting all the gems and relics]

Cortex: Can't you ever let me win?! What do you want from me, you cretin?! (hits lever)

Uka-Uka (zooms to Cortex): CORTEX! You realize that Crash may have collected all the crystals, but he doesn't have the gems. With the gems, we can resurrect the masks one last time, and destroy that bandicoot once and for all!

[The credits then roll]

[Crash defeats Dr. Neo Cortex and Crunch Bandicoot; after collecting all the gems and relics]

Cortex: Can't you ever let me win?! What do you want from me, you cretin?! (hits lever, Uka-Uka zooms to Cortex looking pissed) No, Uka-Uka! I can explain!

Uka-Uka (pissed): It's too late for that now!

[Uka Uka then shoots a fireball at Cortex. Cortex ducks to dodge it, and it flies over his head, hitting something in the background with a bang.]

Cortex: Uh, I don't think you should have done that.

[The camera pans to reveal that the fireball had critically damaged a piece of the ship's machinery. Crunch Bandicoot is shown on the floor, weakened after the fight.]

Crunch (regains consciousness): Oh, no. Where am I? Hey, wait a second. That annoying scientist doesn't have control of me anymore.

[Crunch then sits up, looking around and wriggling his fingers to prove his point.]

Crunch: Where is that pathetic twerp?

[Crash and Aku Aku are shown looking at Crunch.]

Aku-Aku: There's no time for that now, Crunch.

Computer: Danger. Critical power overload in evil space station. Run for your lives.

[Hearing this, Crash, Aku Aku and Crunch turn and make a run for it]

Cortex: I think your energy bolt caused a slight chain reaction! It might be wise if we made our way to the escape pods-!

Uka-Uka (pissed): THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! If you hadn't ducked out of the way, none of this would have happened!

[Crunch, Crash and Aku-Aku are shown in the station's airlock.]

Crunch: This doesn't look good!

[Coco flies up to the port in her spaceship to pick up Crash, Crunch and Aku-Aku.]

Coco: Hey, any of you guys need a ride?

[Crash and Crunch nod as they and Aku-Aku enter Coco's ship, and they flee the doomed space staion back to Earth, cut to Crash Bandicoot's house, Crash, Coco, Crunch, Pura and Aku Aku are shown in the living room]

Crunch: Crash, Coco, Aku-Aku. I'm grateful to all of you. If it weren't for you, I'd still be under the control of Dr. Cortex. Thank you for believing in me, guys.

Coco (to Crunch): You're welcome, Crunch. (to Aku-Aku) Hey, do you think that's the last we'll see of Dr. Cortex and Uka-Uka?

Aku-Aku: I'd like to believe that, my children. But somehow, I doubt that very much.

[Cut to Dr. Neo Cortex and Uka-Uka in the Antarctic wastes, an escape pod is shown floating]

Uka-Uka (pissed): IDIOT! FOOL! NINCOMPOOP! YOU'VE LANDED US IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!

Cortex (getting zapped in the butt with energy bolts): OUCH! HOT! NO, WAIT! I CAN EXPLAIN! AH! I'LL GET MY REVENGE, CRASH BANDICOOT! JUST YOU WAIT!

[The credits then roll]

Game Over

[If Crash and Coco lose all their lives, the same room from the opening cutscene is shown with Dr. Neo Cortex nodding his head and waiting for the player to decide]

Cortex: Giving Up?

[The words GAME OVER then appear alongside the continue selection of CONTINUE and QUIT]

[If the player selects CONTINUE]

Cortex: Get ready to face my wrath, Crash Bandicoot! (laughs evilly)

[Or alternatively]

Cortex: Curse you, bandicoot!

[Crash then returns to the virtual reality hub with only 4 lives]

[If the player selects QUIT]

Cortex (laughs): At last the world is ours!

[Or alternatively, any one of these 4 dialogues]

Cortex: Quitting so soon? And on such an easy level, Oh well, Ta ta.
Oh dear. The lazy reluctant hero gives up. Go figure.
Well then, it's game over.
The world is finally ours! (laughs evilly)

[The title screen then returns]