Aku Aku Crate

The Aku Aku Crate, when broken, releases Aku Aku, a magical witch doctor mask who aids Crash and friends in one of two ways. In most instances, the Aku Aku mask released can have a layering effect of benefits, meaning the more Aku Aku crates are broken, the more powerful and beneficial Aku Aku becomes. In the first two Crash Bandicoot games, Aku Aku masks are occasionally found outside of crates, like how Wumpa Fruit usually is, and how 1-ups occasionally are.
*When one crate is broken, Aku Aku will appear at the player's side. Aku Aku can take one hit for the player before disappearing. (Hits do not include falling into holes, crushed by boulders, etc.)
*When an additional crate is broken, Aku Aku will then turn a gold color (or start to glimmer in Crash Twinsanity). In this state, Aku Aku can take a single hit before reverting into his original state, giving him the ability to take two hits total. In the prototype of Crash Bandicoot, however, breaking two crates will cause Aku Aku to enter his invincible state instead of three. When invincible, he will retain his gold coloration.
*When a third crate is broken whilst having the gold Aku Aku, Aku Aku will attach himself to the player's face, allowing them to become invincible for a short amount of time. In this state, the player can eliminate almost any enemy, but is still vulnerable to holes and other similar obstacles. The player can also destroy nitro crates and TNT crates without getting damaged by just a single touch. However, in Twinsanity, Aku Aku cannot destroy enemies, does not protect against explosives, and lasts for a much shorter time. When the invincibility ends, Aku Aku reverts back to his gold state. This process can be repeated as long as the player hits an Aku Aku crate when Aku Aku is in the gold state. (In Crash Twinsanity, Aku Aku does not change colors).
There are certain obstacles in some games that act differently when the player has Aku Aku invincibility. For example, in the Egyptian levels in Crash Bandicoot: Warped, the doors that normally open and close based on a timer will remain open when the player has Aku Aku invincibility. The amount of time that Aku Aku invincibility lasts depends on the game:
*In Crash Bandicoot and Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced, Aku Aku invincibility lasts 20 seconds.
*In Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, Aku Aku's invincibility lasts 20 seconds. However, Aku Aku invincibility also terminates when Crash goes on the jet board, and picking up a third Aku Aku mask while already on the jet board does nothing but play a sound effect.
*In Crash Bandicoot: Warped, Aku Aku invincibility lasts 20 seconds. In Time Trial mode, it lasts a bit longer (around half second) as Crash doesn't leap when he breaks the third Aku Aku crate.
*In Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex, Aku Aku invincibility lasts 10 seconds.
*In Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure, Aku Aku invincibility lasts 20 seconds, except when Crash is riding on Polar, in which case it only lasts 8 seconds.
*In Crash Twinsanity, Aku Aku invincibility lasts approximately eight seconds.
Aku Aku crates can also release a translucent version of Aku Aku, who can aid the player as a lighted guide the dark levels: Lights Out and Fumbling in the Dark in the original Crash Bandicoot game. This lighting power of Aku Aku is temporary, and after a certain amount of time, Aku Aku will no longer light the path. This Aku Aku does not have the layering effect of the standard Aku Aku. If a crate is broken while the player still possesses a lighted Aku Aku, then Aku Aku is able to stay by the player's side for another standard length of time. This Aku Aku, however, is still able to take a single hit for the player, but disappears after being hit, leaving the player without light.
In Crash Twinsanity, when playing as either Doctor Neo Cortex or Nina Cortex, the Aku Aku Crate summons Uka Uka instead. He functions the same way as Aku Aku, glimmering when the player has two free hit points and granting invincibility when three masks are collected. Uka Uka has the same limitations of Aku Aku as well.
==Other Names==
*Witch Doctor's Mask Box - Crash Bandicoot
==Descriptions==
===Crash Bandicoot===
*Manual
"These lovelies help insulate Crash from most bad moves. When possessing a Mask, Crash is shielded from one enemy's attack or contact. Collect three Masks to earn a temporary invulnerability from all minor dangers."
===Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back===
*Manual
"When possessing a Mask, Crash is shielded from a single attack from, or contact with, an enemy. If he collects a second Mask, he can take two hits, or contact with, two enemies. Collect three Masks to earn a temporary invulnerability from all minor dangers."
===Crash Bandicoot (99X)===
*Manual
"Smash this and get a shield that will protect against 1 enemy attack."
===Crash Bandicoot: Warped===
*Manual
"Aku Aku's spirit aids Crash and Coco through their adventure. Collect the masks hidden throughout the game and he will protect you. 1 mask is good for 1 hit point, 2 masks for 2 hit points and collect three masks for temporary invincibility."
===Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex===
*Manual
"I hear ya knockin' so I’m gonna let ya out! Smash these crates to release the Aku Aku spirit. He will aid Crash and Coco by protecting them. Collect 1 mask for one hit point, 2 masks for two hit points, and 3 masks for temporary invincibility."
*Bradygames strategy guide
"Open these crates to get extra protection."
===Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure and Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced===
*Manual
"Break these open to release the Aku Aku spirit. He will protect Crash from enemies. Collect 1 mask for one hit point, 2 masks for two hit points, and collect 3 masks for temporary invincibility."
*N-Tranced - Prima strategy guide
"Protects Crash from one hit. He can have up to two Aku Akus protecting him. If he collects a third, he becomes temporarily invincible until the third Aku Aku disappears."
===Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage===
*Manual
"Break these open to release the Aku Aku spirit mask. Aku Aku will protect Crash from enemies and hazards, giving Crash an added hit point."
===Crash Twinsanity===
*Manual
"Gives play 1 extra hit-point."
*Prima strategy guide
"Break Aku Aku crates to gather Aku Aku masks, which protect your character from certain kinds of damage. But what sort of damage do they protect you from?
Falling off the world is always lethal. So is falling in lava, deep water, or any noxious liquid. Explosions are always lethal too. 
Enemy attacks are another matter. If you have one Aku Aku mask, you can absorb one enemy attack without ill effects. If you've gathered two masks, you can absorb two hits. And if you collect a third mask, you become invincible for about five seconds. (After your invincible time is up, you're reduced back to two masks.)
Aku Aku masks give you an edge during tough levels, so Aku Aku crates are almost as useful as Crash crates."
==Appearances==
*Crash Bandicoot
*Crash Bandicoot (manga)
*Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
*Crash Bandicoot (99X)
*Crash Bandicoot: Warped
*Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
*Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure
*Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced
*Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage (iron version only, wooden version appears as a card)
*Crash Twinsanity
*Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
*Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
*Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!
==Videos==
The Translucent Aku Aku Crate|A run through of Fumbling in the Dark, where the Translucent Aku Aku Crate is featured
==Gallery==
akuakucb1.png|An Aku Aku crate in Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot Aku Aku Invincibility.png|Aku Aku's Invicibility in Cortex Strikes Back and Warped
crash2akuakucrate.png|An Aku Aku Crate from the instruction manual of Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
Crash Bandicoot 2 Cortex Strikes Back Aku Aku Crate.png|An Aku Aku Crate from Cortex Strikes Back
99x aku aku crate.png|An Aku Aku Crate in Crash Bandicoot for the 99X
Crash Bandicoot The Huge Adventure Aku Aku Crate.png|An Aku Aku Crate from Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure
Crash Bandicoot Purple Ripto's Rampage Aku Aku Crate.png|Aku Aku Crate sprite from Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage
Crash Bandicoot Purple Ripto's Rampage Iron Aku Aku Crate.png|Iron Aku Aku Crate sprite from Crash Purple
Twinsanity aku aku crate.png|An Aku Aku Crate in Crash Twinsanity
JP twinsanity render crates 2.png|Renders of various crates from the Japanese Twinsanity manual
Aku Aku Crate N. Sane Trilogy.png|An Aku Aku Crate from the Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy
Crash and Aku Crates.png|An Aku Aku Crate next to a Crash Crate
B8DB1471-705E-4258-88F4-34178582313F.jpeg|An Aku Aku Crate from the Pre-Console version of N. Sane Trilogy
crash 2 japanese aku crate.png
Japanese Crash 1 Aku Aku Crate.png
==Names in Other Languages==
==Trivia==
*In all games up until the N. Sane Trilogy and excluding The Wrath of Cortex, Aku Aku was incorrectly depicted on the crate. Even as far back as Crash Bandicoot, he was portrayed as having 5 feathers on top of him, while his in game models have always had 4.
es:Caja Aku Aku
fr:Caisse Aku Aku
it:Cassa Aku Aku
ja:アクアク箱
pt:Caixa do Aku Aku
ru:Ящик Аку Аку
Category:Items
Category:Crash Bandicoot
Category:Crash Bandicoot (manga)
Category:Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
Category:Crash Bandicoot (99X)
Category:Crash Bandicoot: Warped
Category:Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
Category:Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure
Category:Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced
Category:Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage
Category:Crash Twinsanity
Category:Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Category:Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
Category:Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!