Castle Crashers guide

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(Image credit: The Behemoth)

Use this Castle Crashers guide to discover all of the unlockable characters, animal orbs, and weapons available, as well as some tips to get through this hack-and-slasher.

Castle Crashers unlockables

Animal Orbs

The Beholder:Increases magic
Bipolar Bear: Mauls friend and foe who are near death
Bitey Bat: Noms on the enemy's head
Burly Bear: Increases strength
The Cardinal: Helps find hidden objects(such as weapons, items, etc.)
Chicken: Increases strength, defense,and agility
Frogglet: Grabs food for its master
Giraffey: Increases exp. by 5%

All The Known Weapons

Group 1

Thin Sword - Minus 1 Strength, Plus 1 Agility
Purchase in the Castle Keep.
Thicker Sword - Plus 0 Strength
Dug up in the desert level.
Barbarian Sword - Plus 2 Strength, Minus 1 Magic, Plus 5 Defense
Purchased in the Barbarian store.
Double Blade Sword - Plus 3 Strength, Minus 2 Magic, Plus 2 Defense
Dug up after a cat statue.

Group 2

Silver Sword - Plus 1 Strength, Minus 1 Magic, Plus 3 Defense (Chance of critical)
Hidden in a hut in the Full Moon level.
Cleaver - Plus 5 Strength, Minus 2 Magic, Plus 2 Agility
Purchased in the snow store.
Black Razor - Minus 1 Magic, Plus 2 Defense
Hidden behind the bushes near the entrance to the industrial castle.
Carrot - Minus 1 Strength, Minus 2 Magic, Plus 3 Defense
Dug up in the Home Castle level, in front of a burning hut.
Rust Sword - Minus 1 Strength, Plus 2 Agility
Dropped by thieves in the Forest Entrance level.
Golden Sword - Plus 4 Magic, Plus 1 Defense
Dug up in the Marsh level.

Group 3

Two Pronged Sword - Plus 3 Magic, Plus 3 Defense
Unlock the Brute by beating the game with the Eskimo. The brute starts with this weapon.
Hook Sword - Plus 3 Magic, Plus 1 Defense, Minus 1 Agility
Dug up near the beginning of the Industrial Castle.
Buster Sword - Plus 3 Magic, Plus 3 Defense, Minus 1 Agility
Dropped by Medusa in Medusa's Lair.
Falchion - Plus 1 Strength, Plus 3 Defense
Dropped on the roof of the Sand Castle.
Spike - Plus 1 Magic, Plus 2 Defense, Plus 2 Agility
Bring the Cardinal to the Industrial Castle and he will grab this weapon after you beat the boss if you don't grab the telescope immediately.
Square Edged Buster - Minus 1 Magic, Plus 3 Defense, Plus 2 Agility
Dug up between two sets of stairs in Medusa's Lair.
Rapier - Plus 1 Strength, Plus 1 Magic, Plus 1 Agility
Dropped in the Industrial Castle.
Barbarian Axe - Minus 1 Magic, Minus 1 Defense, Chance of critical
Dropped by Barbarians in the Castle Keep.

Group 4

Pitchfork - Plus 1 Strength, Minus 1 Agility
Dug up from under a haystack in the Home Castle.
Crescent Sword - Plus 2 Strength, Plus 3 Magic, Minus 1 Defense
Dug up near the end of the Sand Castle Interior level.
Golden Key - Minus 1 Strength, Plus 3 Magic, Plus 3 Agility
Play through Full Moon with the Cardinal.
Bone Saw - Minus 1 Strength, Plus 1 Magic, Plus 3 Defense
Dug up in the Wedding Crash level.
Round Mace - Plus 0 Strength
One of the Knights starting weapons.
Wooden Club - Plus 5 Strength, Plus 5 Defense, Minus 5 Agility (Chance of critical)
Dropped by Bears in the Tall Grass Field level.
Blue Mace - Minus 2 Magic, Plus 6 Defense (Chance of critical)
Dropped by enemies in the Industrial Castle.
Spiked Club - Plus 1 Strength, Plus 1 Defense, Plus 1 Agility
Dug up in the Flower Field level.

Group 5

Fish - Plus 2 Strength, Minus 1 Magic
In the Tall Grass Field level use a sandwich to move a boulder in the side of the cliff just before you climb up the side of it.
Wrapped Club - Minus 1 Strength, Plus 1 Magic, Plus 1 Defense
Found behind a pillar in the Thieves' Forest.
Black Mace - Minus 2 Strength, Plus 3 Defense, Plus 6 Agility
Dropped by Skeletons in the Marsh level.
Black Paddle - Plus 5 Strength, Minus 2 Agility
Purchased in the Volcano store.
Green Mace - Plus 5 Magic, Minus 2 Defense, Plus 3 Agility (Chance of critical)
Dropped by Green Knights in the Marsh.
Baseball Bat - Plus 2 Strength, Plus 1 Defense
Dropped by the beekeeper in the Flowery Field.
Black Morning Star - Minus 3 Strength, Plus 6 Magic, Plus 1 Defense (Chance of critical)
Dropped by the Red Demons in the Lava World.
Tenderizer - Plus 2 Strength, Minus 1 Agility
Found in a chest in the Thieves' Forest.

Group 6

Leaf - Minus 1 Strength, Plus 3 Magic, Minus 1 Defense
Dug up in the Forest Entrance level.
Black Rod - Plus 0 Strength
One of the starting Knight's weapons.
Wizard's Wand - Plus 1 Magic, Minus 1 Defense, Plus 3 Agility
Purchased from the Church Store.
Branch - Minus 1 Strength, Plus 2 Magic, Minus 1 Defense
Purchased from the Thieves Store.
Vine - Minus 1 Strength, Minus 1 Defense, Plus 2 Agility
Found in a chest in the Forest Entrance level.
Lightsaber - Plus 1 Agility (Shock Ability)
Dropped by the knights in the Cyclops Castle and Wedding Crash levels.
Wooden Cane - Plus 4 Magic, Minus 1 Defense
Purchased from the Church Store.
Spoon - Minus 1 Magic, Plus 2 Agility
Starting weapon of the peasant character.
Skeleton Leg - Minus 2 Strength, Plus 5 Agility
Dug up in the Snow Store, but you need Pazzo to find it.

Group 7

Alien Ray Gun - Plus Nothing
- Only obtainable for normal characters through a glitch -
Start a profile where the Pitchfork has not been unlocked and begin a two player game. Play as the Alien and proceed through the first level until you can dig up the Pitchfork. The Alien will grab the Pitchfork and drop his Ray Gun, which player two can now pick up.
Harpoon - Plus 5 Strength, Plus 2 Magic, Minus 3 Agility
Dropped by Eskimos in the Snow World.
Lance - Plus 4 Strength, Plus 2 Defense, Minus 2 Agility
Purchased in the Snow Store.
Sai - Minus 2 Defense, Plus 6 Agility (Chance of critical)
Dropped by Ninjas from the Pirate Ship.
Unicorn Horn - Minus 3 Strength, Plus 6 Magic, Plus 1 Defense
In the Wizard Castle Interior, kill the Painter while there is a Unicorn in the room
Steak - Plus 4 Strength, Minus 2 Magic, Plus 4 Agility
Hanging on the wall in the Ice Castle.
Sausage - Plus 1 Strength, Plus 1 Magic
Dug up in the Desert Chase level.
Lobster - Minus 1 Strength, Plus 1 Agility
Dug up on the beach in the Tall Grass level.
Umbrella - Minus 2 Strength, Plus 3 Defense
Dug up in the Tall Grass level, in front of the first miniboss.

Group 8

Battle Axe - Plus 0 Strength
One of the Knight's starting weapons.
Black Katana - Plus 2 Magic, Plus 7 Defense
Dropped by the Winged Knight in the Wizard Castle interior.
Crystal Sword - (Chance to freeze)
Dug up in the Ice Castle, but you'll need Pazzo to find it.
Candlestick - Minus 1 Strength, Plus 1 Magic (Chance of fire damage)
Dug up in the Marsh level.
Black Hammer - Plus 1 Strength (Chance of critical)
Hidden inside one of the gravestones in the Marsh level.
Fishing Rod - Minus 1 Strength, Minus 1 Magic, Minus 1 Defense
Found: The Marsh Minus Take the cardinal into The Marsh. You'll get it in the section after where the flying knight comes in.
Wrench - Plus 1 Strength, Minus 1 Magic (Chance of critical)
Hidden behind one of the Gray Knights working on the catapults.

Group 9

Spear - Minus 2 Strength, Plus 4 Agility (Chance of critical)
Hidden in a fish statue in the Medusa's Lair level.
Glowing Red Rod - Minus 4 Strength, Plus 5 Magic, Plus 5 Defense (Chance of critical)
Dropped by Black Mages in the Wizard Castle interior.
Chicken - Plus 2 Magic, Minus 1 Defense, Plus 1 Agility
Dug up in the Snow World.
Flaming Sword - Plus 2 Strength, Plus 2 Magic, Plus 2 Agility (Chance of fire damage)
Dropped by the Evil Wizard after the final battle.

Animal Orb Info

Beholder
Location - Full Moon
If you play through this level with the Cardinal, he will fly into the second house on the path up the mountain and bring you a golden key weapon. This key can unlock the padlocked door in the ark, and inside you'll find the Beholder.
Effect - Gives a large boost to magic.

BiPolar Bear
Location - Snow World
On the ramp up to the cave, there is a sign with the horn on it. If you blow the horn, BiPolar Bear will come out of the cave.
Effect - Mauls enemies (and Friends) who are near death.

Bitey Bat
Location - Pipistrello's Cave
After defeating the boss bat, you get Bitey Bat.
Effect - Chomps enemy's heads.

Burly Bear
Location - Tall Grass Field
Just before you climb up the cliff, use a sandwich to pull a boulder out of the cliff side. Once inside the cave use several bombs to break open a crack in the wall, Burly bear is in the crack.
Effect - ???

Cardinal
Location - Industrial Castle
Kill the brute on the top floor of the castle to get the Cardinal.
Effect - He retrieves hidden weapons for you.

Chicken
Location - Flooded Temple
There's an X on the first section of dry land in this level. Look for two giant fish statues in the background. Dig on the X.
Effect - Increase strength, defense, and agility.

Frogglet
Location - Marsh
Halfway through the first graveyard, the X is directly in front of an open crypt, just before the wall goes back and the area widens.
Effect - Picks up items with his tongue.

Giraffey
Location - Desert
Giraffey needs to be dug out of the sand. He's in one of the last X's before you exit the level.
Effect - Helps you level up faster.

Hawkster
Location - Tall Grass Field
On one of the huts (just before you fight the bear who gives you Rammy), there's a sign with the horn on it. If you blow the horn there you'll get Hawkster.
Effect - Attacks fallen enemies.

Install Ball
Location - Alien Ship
Play through the ship until the countdown begins. After you deactivate the first green laser gate (by shooting the controls on the other side of it), there's a hidden door at the top of the screen. Inside this hidden room you'll find Install Ball.
Effect - Blasts enemies who come near him with his photons.

Mr. Buddy
Location - Home Castle
In the very first room, where you get a tutorial from the helpful people, you can dig Mr. Buddy up from a pile of straw with an X on it, near the back of the room.
Effect - Helps you dig faster.

Meowburt
Location - Parade
Enter the Cyclops cave after the parade chase sequence. Then just walk back out the entrance to the cave. Meowburt is standing there like a pie.
Effect - Increases your agility.

Monkeyface
Location - Church Store
Purchased for 750 gold from the Church Store.
Effect - Increases your luck finding items.

Owlet
Location - Forest Entrance
Just before you exit the deadlands you can find him behind some bushes marking the entrance to a cave. You can see the musical notes he's singing pop up from behind the bushes.
Effect - Retrieves hidden fruit from trees.

Pazzo
Location - Snow Store
Purchased for 750 gold from the Snow Store.
Effect - Helps you find buried treasures.

Piggy
Location - Swamp Village Store
Purchased for 585 gold from the Swamp Village Store.
Effect - Makes food give you more health.

Rammy
Location - Tall Grass Field
Taken from the large bear with the banner after you beat him.
Effect - Knocks down enemies.

Scratchpaw
Location - Sandcastle Interior
Scratchpaw is behind the second barred window in the back of the room. You can get to him by bombing a crack in the wall.
Effect - Increases your strength and agility.

Seahorse
Location - Thieves Forest
Seahorse is waiting for you in a small river, before the deer poops.
Effect - Allows you to move quickly through water.

Sherbert
Location - Animal Ark
Sherbert is hiding near the ceiling in the back of the Animal Ark. You need to do a magic jump to reach him (hold RT and press A when after leveling up your magic to the appropriate level).
Effect - Helps you jump higher.

Snailburt
Location - Marsh
Towards the end of the level, he's right out in the open so you can't miss him.
Effect - Increases your defense but decreases your agility.

Snoot
Location - Cyclops's Fortress
Bomb the cracked wall in the first room.
Effect - Increases your strength.

Spinny
Location - Volcano Store
Purchased for 680 gold in the Volcano Store.
Effect - Increases your defense

Troll
Location - Thieves Forest
Behind a wall, you can see him peeking out. Use 3 bombs to set him free.
Effect - Slowly regenerates your health.

Yeti
Location - Snow World
As you go down the ramp and check behind the huts. Yeti is hiding behind one of them.
Effect - Protects you from being frozen

Zebra
Location - Desert Chase
Taken from the guy on the camel. You see him run off and have to chase him down. Hit him to knock him off his camel, and then kill him to take Zebra.
Effect - Helps you find food in grass

Unlockable Doodz!

Alien Hominid - Have the full game of Alien Hominid HD on your Xbox 360 HDD.
Barbarian - Beat King's Arena
Beekeeper - Beat the game with The Barbarian
Black Knight - Beat the Game with Grey Knight
Brute - Beat the game with The Eskimo
Civilian - Beat the game with Peasant
Eskimo - Complete Icy Arena offline.
Fencer - Beat the game with Mechanic
Grey Knight - Defeat the Barbarian Boss.
Mechanic (Gear Knight) - Beat the game with Blue Knight
Ninja - Beat the game with The Red Dragon Knight
Peasant - Complete the "Peasant Arena".
Periwinkle Knight - Complete the "Volcano Arena".
Red Dragon Knight - Beat Game with the Orange Knight
Royal Guard - Complete the game as Green Knight.
Skeleton - Complete the game as Red Knight.
Thief - Beat Thieves' Arena

Get The Boomerang

Play the forest level with the Cardinal and he will retrieve the boomerang for you around the part where you see the owl in the background.

Insane Mode

Insane Mode - Beat the game once with any character. When you clear the Barbarian level a new path will be open to you. Taking the path will unlock Insane Mode.

Castle Crashers tips

Kissing Nothing

Any time you have to kiss a princess [Works with last princess]

First, and most obvious, kill a boss where you end up kissing a princess. Use the sandwich before kissing her, then kiss her. When the timer runs out, you will be able to freely move around. Kiss her when there is 2 or 3 seconds left for maximum time before it send you back to the map.

Walk On Water

Catfish Boss

At the catfish, make sure you have a sandwich. Jump on something so you're not swimming and use the sandwich. You might need to get hit first, but you will get off the thing you were riding and start walking on water. This continues even after the sandwich wares off.

Skip Full Moon

To skip the level "Full Moon," after starting the level, press start and exit the game to the map screen. When you return, you'll be able to pass by the stage as though you had already beaten it.

The Painter

Bring bipolar bear to the painter boss and once he goes crazy, bi-polar will kill all the drawings as fast as it can leaving the boss to you.

The Developers

Alien Ship

When you start the level, destroy the barrier and go left. There should be pods with people in them. The first 2 from the left are Tom Fulp and Dan Paladin!

Bouncebackery

Hit A the moment you are knocked on your back to spring back up quickly. You can't do this for falls, but it can help you sometimes.

Don't Use BiPolar Bear In The Arena

BiPolar Bear will not do anything in Arena Mode.

Easy Experience (Bat Boss)

During the Bat boss, there is an easy way to get experience.

1.) You should have the boomerang (get this by playing the forest stage with the cardinal)

2.) Fight through the cave, quite short with slimes

3.) Back up to a corner when the boss is coming. Start charging your boomerang.

4.) When he lands throw it just before he is in front of you.

5.) Block and enjoy your easy experience.

Easy Experience (Catfish Glitch)

First, get the boomerang. Once you have it, go to the Catfish.

When the Catfish comes up from the water, move above or below him and begin charging your boomerang. The Catfish will spit out a hairball and move towards you. Before he gets all the way in front, throw the boomerang. Don't move at all. Just hold block (LT).The boomerang should get stuck in the Catfish's fin and a big 1 should pop up. Repeat the process to continue to gain easy experience.

Easy Money

To get easy money quick replay the first boss over and over. It takes less then a minute and you get over 100 gold.

Iain Wilson
Guides Editor

Iain originally joined Future in 2012 to write guides for CVG, PSM3, and Xbox World, before moving on to join GamesRadar in 2013 as Guides Editor. His words have also appeared in OPM, OXM, PC Gamer, GamesMaster, and SFX. He is better known to many as ‘Mr Trophy’, due to his slightly unhealthy obsession with amassing intangible PlayStation silverware, and he now has over 500 Platinum pots weighing down the shelves of his virtual award cabinet. He does not care for Xbox Achievements.