Building comparison
head to head
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes BackvsSuper Mario World
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is execution, and it is a single point.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
Execution · Pure Mechanics
Refined Crash sequel with tighter movement and hidden gem-path routing.
Super Mario World
Execution · Pure Mechanics
Precise jump execution across fixed levels with secrets to memorise.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Super Mario World leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes BackSuper Mario World
Axis by axis
Execution8 vs 7
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back leans a little harder on execution, though the gap is small.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
Slide-jump precision across varied hazards
Super Mario World
Perfect inputs trivialise every jump, spin and cape flight
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
Scripted enemies and bosses
Super Mario World
Scripted Koopas adapt to nothing
Variance1 vs 1
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
Fixed levels with hidden but static secrets
Super Mario World
Levels are fixed; nothing hidden survives one playthrough
Optimization5 vs 4
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
Gem paths and box routes converge
Super Mario World
Secret exits and route knowledge add a modest solvable layer
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.