Introduction
Crossy Road, the endlessly charming and deceptively challenging arcade game, has captured the hearts of mobile gamers worldwide. Its simple premise – guiding a character across busy roads, train tracks, and rivers – belies a depth of gameplay and a surprising amount of content. While the basic gameplay loop is addictive enough, what truly keeps players coming back for more is the allure of the unlockable characters. But beyond the readily available roster lies a hidden world of secret characters, coveted collectibles that demand dedication, skill, and a bit of luck to acquire. These elusive figures add another layer of intrigue to the game, transforming a simple arcade experience into a rewarding treasure hunt. This guide aims to demystify the process, offering a comprehensive walkthrough to help you discover all the secret characters lurking within the world of Crossy Road.
What are Secret Characters in Crossy Road?
So, what sets these secretive sprites apart from the regular character selection? Unlike the characters you can purchase with coins earned in-game, or those unlocked through daily gifts, secret characters in Crossy Road require specific actions, conditions, or a keen eye to uncover. They aren’t simply bought; they’re earned through gameplay, often in unusual and unexpected ways. Think of them as easter eggs hidden within the game’s code.
The appeal of these secret characters lies not just in their rarity, but also in their unique attributes. They frequently boast distinctive appearances, setting them apart visually from the standard roster. Some have special sound effects that are different and fun to listen to, while others exhibit altered behaviors, adding a new dimension to the Crossy Road gameplay. For instance, certain secret characters might move slightly faster, jump higher, or leave a trail of breadcrumbs behind them. More importantly, to unlock those secret characters you require interaction with the game, and that makes it more exciting.
General Tips for Finding Secret Characters
Before diving into the specifics of individual character unlocks, let’s establish some foundational strategies that will improve your chances of success in your quest for crossy road secret characters. These general tips will help you sharpen your senses and approach the game with the right mindset.
Play Often and Variously: Consistency is key. The more you play Crossy Road, the more opportunities you’ll have to encounter the necessary conditions for unlocking secret characters. Don’t just stick to one character or one environment. Experiment with different characters, explore different worlds, and embrace the game’s variety. This increases the likelihood of stumbling upon the trigger needed for a secret unlock.
Keep the Volume On: Sound is your friend. Many secret characters have specific audio cues associated with their appearances or unlock conditions. A subtle sound effect, a distinct melody, or even a distorted noise could be a sign that you’re on the right track. Playing with the sound muted means missing out on vital clues. Don’t underestimate the power of your ears.
Pay Attention to the Environment: Vigilance is paramount. The world of Crossy Road is filled with subtle details that can hold the key to unlocking secret characters. Keep a close watch on your surroundings. Look for unusual objects, patterns, or events that stand out from the norm. A random object in the background might just be the thing you need to find.
Experiment and Interact: Don’t be afraid to try new things. Crossy Road rewards experimentation. Try tapping on objects, moving in specific patterns, or performing unusual actions. Sometimes, the key to unlocking a secret character is simply figuring out how to interact with the environment in a unique way. Many players use the method of continuously tapping the screen in the hopes of triggering some action, it is all trial and error until you unlock the character.
Check Updates: Hipster Whale, the developer behind Crossy Road, is constantly adding new content to the game, including new characters and unlock methods. Make sure you have the latest version of Crossy Road installed to ensure you have access to all the available secrets. Keeping an eye on gaming forums or social media can also alert you to new discoveries.
The Complete List of Secret Characters (Organized by how to unlock them)
Now for the meat of the guide: a breakdown of how to unlock various secret characters in Crossy Road, organized by the methods involved. This is where your patience, persistence, and keen eye will be put to the test.
Coin-Based Characters
Some of the most elusive secret characters are unlocked by accumulating a specific number of coins or performing actions related to coins within a single game. These characters often reward skillful gameplay and encourage players to maximize their coin collection efforts.
Fortune Chicken
This character is a good example of a coin-based unlock. To get the Fortune Chicken, you must play as the Lucky Cat. While playing as the Lucky Cat, the goal is to collect two hundred coins in a single game. This requires skillful maneuvering, efficient coin grabbing, and a bit of luck to survive long enough. Playing on a device with a bigger screen will increase your chances of achieving this, as a bigger screen allows easier movement of your character. Once you hit the two hundred coins, the Fortune Chicken will appear.
Other Coin Characters
Keep an eye out for other characters that might be tied to coin-related achievements. The game is constantly updated, so there’s always a chance for new coin-based unlocks to be added.
Character-Specific Unlocks
These characters are unlocked by playing as a specific character and performing a particular action or encountering a specific event within the game. These unlocks often require a deep understanding of the character’s unique abilities or playstyle.
Nessie
The legendary Loch Ness Monster makes an appearance in Crossy Road, but only if you know how to find her. To unlock Nessie, you must play as the Scottish Piper and hop across the water. You need to look for Nessie’s head popping out of the water. The head will then disappear, meaning that you now have Nessie in your roster.
Other Character-Specific Characters
Characters like the Mallard, Gifty, and many others have unique unlock conditions tied to their specific abilities or themes. Experiment with different characters and see what secrets you can uncover.
Environmental Interaction Unlocks
Some secret characters are unlocked by interacting with specific elements within the game’s environment. These unlocks often require players to explore the game world carefully and pay attention to their surroundings.
The Dark Lord
This ominous character is unlocked by playing as the Tourist and entering the black temple. The black temple is not always present, but will sometimes randomly appear as you are playing. Once you enter the black temple as the Tourist, you will unlock the Dark Lord.
Other Environmental Unlocks
Keep an eye out for other environmental interactions that might lead to secret character unlocks. Look for hidden pathways, unusual objects, or specific patterns within the environment.
Time-Sensitive Unlocks
These characters are only available for a limited time, often during specific holidays or events. These unlocks encourage players to stay engaged with the game and participate in seasonal activities.
Holiday-Specific Characters
During holidays like Christmas or Halloween, Crossy Road often introduces special characters that can only be unlocked during that time. These characters often have festive themes and are a fun way to celebrate the holidays in-game. For example, during Christmas, you might find Santa Claus or an Elf as unlockable characters. During Halloween, ghosts, skeletons, and other spooky characters might make an appearance. Keep an eye on the game’s updates during these holidays to see what new characters are available.
Event-Specific Characters
Crossy Road sometimes holds special events that offer unique characters as rewards. These events might involve completing specific challenges, participating in competitions, or simply playing the game during a certain time period.
Detailed Guides to Finding the Most Difficult Secret Characters
While many secret characters can be unlocked through general gameplay and experimentation, some require more specific strategies and knowledge. Here are detailed guides to unlocking some of the most challenging secret characters in Crossy Road:
How to Unlock the Crab
The Crab is one of the more challenging secret characters to unlock because it requires the player to travel in one direction for a very long time. To unlock the Crab, pick a character that you enjoy, the choice of character does not matter. The player needs to then continuously move in one direction for a minimum of 50 hops without moving in any other direction. The most difficult part is getting to 50 hops without moving in another direction. Because of traffic or moving platforms, players often need to move left, right, up or down to avoid getting run over or falling off. When starting this challenge, make sure that there is ample space in one direction to move without obstacles in the way. It is also recommended that the Crab unlocking is not done while moving upwards, as you will be restricted to the screen space. After you achieved a 50 hop streak in one direction, the crab will unlock.
The Fun of the Hunt: Why We Love Secret Characters
The allure of secret characters in Crossy Road goes beyond simply collecting them. It’s about the thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of discovery, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with unlocking a rare and elusive character. These secrets transform the game into a rewarding experience, encouraging players to explore its depths and engage with the community. The community shares tips on social media and in forums, and that increases the collectiveness of the secret characters.
Conclusion
Finding secret characters in Crossy Road is a fun and rewarding experience that adds depth and replayability to the game. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to unlocking all the secrets that Crossy Road has to offer. So keep exploring, keep experimenting, and keep your eyes peeled for those elusive characters. Good luck, and happy crossing! Don’t forget to share your own tips and experiences in the comments below!
