Gameplay:
Crash Bandicoot 2's gameplay is largely similar to that of the original. Players make their way through a limited environment whilst breaking crates, each of which containing some kind of bonus. Breaking all of a level's crates earns the player that level's clear gem. The player can collect additional clear and colored gems by finding and touching them. If a player collects all of the gems in the game, the secret ending is activated.
Crash has several moves: jump, spin attack, body slam, slide, duck, crawl, and an extra-high jump performed by sliding or ducking and then jumping. Previously, sliding and body slamming (which both include the O button) were not possible in the original, because both square and O activated the spin attack. Stepping on a question-mark platform/trap door takes Crash to a bonus level. Going to special locations, where something is somehow out of place, brings Crash to one of five secret levels.
If the player manages to reach a certain point in some levels without losing a single life, the player can hop onto a platform with a Skull and Crossbones logo on it. This takes Crash to another path in the level of the main path and contains boxes and other secrets one might notice not being found on the main path. Several levels with this have a special gem other than the one for breaking all the crates in a level.