The Hot Springs stage in Kao The Kangaroo contains some of the most ludicrously well-hidden collectibles in the game. Read this guide to find them.

The Hot Springs is one of the most unique stages in Kao The Kangaroo. It has mechanics that are exclusive to this stage. You will be climbing on ephemeral platforms, sliding down frozen slopes, and battling a whole host of baddies in the process. The Hot Springs even ends with a unique mini-boss!

Related: Greatest Collectathon Games, Ranked

This stage isn't solely about platforming, though. Like every other stage in this game, it is also lined with collectibles. Unlike every other stage in the game, however, The Hot Springs arguably contains the single most devious collectible of them all in the form of its scroll. Luckily for you, we have done all the heavy lifting already. You just need to follow this guide!

Start by beating the door down on your left; there is a treasure chest in there. Begin working your way through the spa, taking out fingers as you go. You will eventually land in a room with a waterfall feature and a net overhead. Use the boomerang to freeze the water. Climb up and grab the first rune (1/4). Now, hop over to the net and climb across to get the heart piece. Lastly, there is an ice wall in this room. Melt it and claim the letter K.

In the next area, you will slide down an icy slope. Grab the coins and hop over the gaps. Once you finish this section you will be greeted by your second rune (2/4). On the right side of the stage is a checkpoint bell. This is where the most sadistic collectible in the entire game is hidden. Jump up onto the checkpoint bell, then hop onto the beam under the window. While on the beam, roll under the window; you will fall into a room that holds this level's scroll (1/1).

In this next segment, you will be introduced to the carryable dark crystals. These will cause platforms to manifest underneath you. To your right, there will be a room with a crystal (1/10) floating above a pool. Grab that crystal while dodging flying sheep.

Back to the dark crystal platforming segments. Continue until you see a crystal (2/10) across the way, step on the platform bouncing between the two spots and get that crystal. There is also an extra life behind the ice wall nearby. Roll into the next area; there will be an ice wall on your right. Melt it and enter the room it was protecting. Destroy the dark crystal and fight off some goons. You will be rewarded with an extra life. There is also a treasure chest in the back room.

Now, move toward the opposite direction of the ice wall you just melted. You find another carryable dark crystal. This one, however, can be turned off and on. Pay close attention to the platforms underneath you, as if there is a fully manifested platform underneath; it will disappear when it comes in contact with the dark crystal turned on. You will cross a bridge. To your left will be another crystal (3/10). Set the dark crystal down so that you can get it.

Continue across the bridge until you enter an area where you place the crystal on a pedestal. Now, in the this area, you can platform over to get a treasure chest. Head back to the next area and pick up another carryable dark crystal. Now, drop down into the area below. You will see the letter A across the way. Jump over and get to it.

The next segment is the final crystal carrying section. You will cross a long, convoluted bridge that will force you to frequently alternate between the crystal being on and off. Just be careful and you will find success. Once you are through it, freeze the water. Now you can skate around and collect the coins that were above the water. However, before you do, jump into the nearby cave.

In this area, you will encounter a familiar sliding block puzzle. You will need to freeze the water, so if you don't have an ice charge head back out and grab one (there are a ton floating around). Once you slide the block into place, hop up and find the Eternal Well.

You will need to take out 15 fringers here. Make sure to be careful around the bridges: they fade in and out. Your best bet is to stay on solid ground until you have taken all of them out. After that, carefully collect all five of the crystals scattered throughout this area (as well as the treasure chest).

Now, back to the lake you froze. You can head toward the entrance and claim the crystal (4/10) there. There is also a treasure chest opposite the Eternal Well. When you have collected everything, head through the doors. Once you go through the doors, you will hit the dark crystal and travel a frozen rail. Stay on the rail until the last second so that you can get the extra life.

From the rail, you can jump onto a slide to your right or your left (it doesn't really matter which). Once you reach the end of the slide, you will be greeted by the third rune (3/4). Now, work your way to the outside walls. Hop up and you can grab a heart piece. From the heart piece, you can jump over to the second floor of the building. Enter into the central room and grab the crystal (5/10). Now, look for an ice wall. Melt the wall and grab the letter O. There is also a treasure chest in a room nearby.

Exit through the doors next to the checkpoint. You will slide into an area that is covered in ice. There are fans to either side of you. There is a crystal behind both fans (6/9, and 7/9). There is another crystal (8/9) sitting on the right side of this stage. Finally, light the boomerang on fire, then throw the flaming boomerang at the frozen grappling point. Swing across the gap; you will encounter the final crystal (9/9) as well as a treasure chest.

Now, use the ground pound on the slab made of ice in the middle of the stage. You will then fall down into the area where you will fight a gang of fringers. Next, you will fight a mini-boss: The Pogo Bouncer. Just hop over its shock waves and punch it until it goes down. As a reward, you will be given the final rune (4/4).

Related: Platformers Every Gamer Needs To Play

Next: Kao The Kangaroo: Complete Guide And Walkthrough

James is a writer for TheGamer. He typically spends his time playing games, thinking about games, overanalyzing games, and sleeping. While he has an appreciation for all genres, he is especially interested in fighting games and RPGs. He also enjoys reading books and watching movies and will happily overanalyze those as well.