NINJA GAIDEN II

Self Explanatory, The Crystal Skulls in this game are collectibles that increase your karma score by 3% with each one you pick up, you only need to get 10 to unlock this achievement. Below is a video showing all the crystal skull locations. NOTE: Your skulls save to YOUR PROFILE, meaning that once you collect a skull on one save it will not appear again unless you delete all of your save data. You can check how many skulls you have at any time by going to the pause screen.


Here's a video that still works at the time of writing this guide and is even in HD!

If the video above ever becomes unavailable, or if you prefer a text guide: below are brief descriptions of each location of the skulls

The locations descriptions below were written by Zakaroth from GameFAQs, all credit goes to him for the fantastic descriptions and the ingenious use of save points as a point of reference

Chapter 1--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crystal Skull #1:
Save Point part: Between 1st and 2nd.
Right after the chest that contained The Art of the Inferno scroll, there is a
platform. It's clearly in sight. To the right you can see that the wooden floor
extends a bit further. Stand at the edge and Wind Run (A + X) to the other side.

Crystal Skull #2:
Save Point part: Between 2nd and 3rd.
After the garden fight scene (with the cherry blossoms), cross the bridge and
follow the path. You will get to a part where there are two archers ninja’s on
a small wooden balcony. Use a Flying Bird Flip against the last cherry blossom
to get to the platform. The crystal skull is on the balcony in the left corner.

Chapter 2--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crystal Skull #3:
Save Point part: Before 1st.
After defeating a dozen of ninja dogs (meh? ninja dogs…?) follow the path until
you reach a river. The skull is underneath the bridge in the water. Should be
in sight.

Crystal Skull #4:
Save Point part: Between 4th and 5th.
In the room with the large golden dragon statue. Go to the top floor, on the
platform where your facing the dragon. Now wall jump to the right. After
killing the enemies , slash the walls. In the next room is a wooden cupboard
that contains the skull.

Chapter 3--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crystal Skull #5:
Save Point part: Before 1st.
This one is located at the top of the first iron stairs in the level. Hard to
miss.

Crystal Skull #6:
Save Point part: Between 3rd and 4th.
At the corpse that contains The Technique of the Invisible Path. Apply it to
reach the platform with the Archer Ninja on it. The skull is on there as well.

Chapter 4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crystal Skull #7:
Save Point part: between 1st and 2nd.
After you get out of the subway part and back on the surface, continue on until
you reach a small path between the sea and some rubble. Make a right turn and
enter the alley in front of you. Then take turn left. If you look up a bit you
will see the skull upon a balcony. To get there make a wall jump against the
light brick wall and jump over to the building wall (Technique of Unrivaled
Soaring) . You should end up on the balcony next to the skull.

Crystal Skull #8:
Save Point part: between 2nd and 3rd.
After you obtained the Jewel of the Demon Seal (2#) you need to continue on,
following the road until you notice a opening in the iron walling to your
right. The Skull is on a ridge, simply jump over to get it.

Crystal Skull #9:
Save Point part: In the room of the 5th save point.
This skull is in the same room as the Lives of the Thousand Gods #4. Climb the
iron staircase until you are at the foot of the stairs that ends at the 5th
save point. Now stand on the small piece of strait path and face the wall on
the opposite side of the room (you shouldn’t be able to see much due to the
iron railing blocking your few), position so that you have the elevator shaft
at your right side. Now jump (A + X), you should jump parallel to the left
wall. If done correctly you will end up on a iron support bar. Jump two bars to
your right and grab the skull.

Chapter 5--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crystal Skull #10:
Save Point part: Before 1st.
At the location of the Kusari-gama, go around the corner - to the water. Now
cross the water to the boat at the other side. The skull is on the boat.

Crystal Skull #11:
Save Point part: Between 1st and 2nd.
After the marked street enter the next area through the door, right after the
first save point, face to your right. The skull is on the table.

Crystal Skull #12:
Save Point part: Between 1st and 2nd.
After collecting the Gatling gun, continue down the canal, right after you pass the first boat you see on your right, turn to the right and destroy the jellyfish mines that are waiting in the small area there. The skull will be underwater to the left of the jellyfish mines.

Chapter 6--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crystal Skull #13:
Save Point part: Before 1st.
At the beginning of the chapter, on the main temple roof on the opposite side
of the maramusa shop. Walk up the sloping roof tiles and jump down through a
crack in the stone. You should be standing next to the skull.

Crystal Skull #14:
Save Point part: Right before the 2nd save point.
Right after you leave the bone cave area you will see a guillotine. Slice the
rope to drop it, revealing a crystal skull in the hole under the blade.

Crystal Skull #15:
Save Point part: Between 5th and 6th.
In the Library room, right after the 5th save point. Go to the upper left
corner. Slash the second bookcase to reveal the crystal skull.

Chapter 7--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crystal Skull #16:
Save Point part: In the room with the 2nd save point.
When you enter the room you will see 3 Special Op. Ninja’s standing at a
control console. Destroy the console to reveal a crystal skull.

Crystal Skull #17:
Save Point part: Between 4th and 5th.
After collecting the Tonfa go through the door. As soon as the pathway widens
look to your right. The skull is in-between some rubble.

Chapter 8--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crystal Skull #18:
Save Point part: Between 1st and 2nd.
The skull is located at the foot of the building where the rocket soldiers are
shooting from the windows. Right after the first 2 minefields. Hard to miss.

Crystal Skull #19:
Save Point part: Between 2nd and 3rd.
After using the bell key to enter the second bell tower - go down the stairs.
The crystal skull is in a niche half way down, next to some candles.

Crystal Skull #20:
Save Point part: Between 2nd and 3rd.
Inside the train at the subway station – in the right most room, where you find
the Dignitary’s ID Card. The skull is on a small table in front of the bar.

Crystal Skull #21:
Save Point part: Between 4th and 5th.
In the large clockwork area, which requires you to jump among gearwheels, you
will eventually reach a large farad wheel with iron bars in-between. These will
lead to a vertical gear with the crystal skull in the center. Hard to miss.

Chapter 9--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crystal Skull #22:
Save Point part: Between 1st and 2nd.
In the large lake directly after the first save point – The skull is on the
wooden base behind the right searchlight.

Crystal Skull #23:
Save Point part: Between 1st and 2nd.
In the area after opening the underwater gate with the golden disc - Use the
tree branches to swing to a narrow path. Follow it until you reach a rope
extending over the water. Hang on to it and follow it halve way. Now look to
the right, you should see two branches and behind them the skull on a small
plateau. Use the branches to get there.

Crystal Skull #24:
Save Point part: Between 3rd and 4th.
After you defeated the worm boss you will come to a shallow lake, containing
smaller worms. Defeat them and head right. The skull is on a small patch of
sand.

Crystal Skull #25:
Save Point part: After 4th.
At the river where you get the cut scene showing some dead Black Spider Ninja's
drifting in the water – Go underwater and swim along the left coastline,
close to where you started. You should come across a corpse with the crystal
skull on it.

Chapter 10-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crystal Skull #26:
Save Point part: Between 2nd and 3rd.
In the area after the first acid pit – You can see the skull by looking up a
bit. To get there wall run against the left wall and jump over to the right.
Then turn around and wall run against the wall that is now on your left. This
way you will reach the stone platform, with the skull on it.

Crystal Skull #27:
Save Point part: Between 3rd and 4th.
Right after the 3rd save point you enter a large landscape filled with Black
Dragon Fiends. Jump from the first ledge and you will lend on to a plateau.
Continue down the stone staircase. Keep your eyes on the left side as you near
the ground. You will see two stone pillars, in front of them is the skull.

Chapter 11-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crystal Skull #28:
Save Point part: Between 2nd and 3rd.
In the building with the Maramusa statue – climb up the stairs and jump through
the window. You will see a large gate to your right. Before the gate head right
again and head into the alley. Look behind the corpse in the far most corner,
the skull is behind a wheel.

Crystal Skull #29:
Save Point part: Between 3rd and 4th.
When continuing on after the 3rd save point you will come to a pool of water.
Dive in and follow the underwater path, this will lead to a grassy area. To the
left is a small wooden structure. Slash it to reveal the skull inside.

Crystal Skull #30 – The Final One!:
Save Point part: Between 4th and 5th.
When leaving the ninja fortress you see a rope connecting to the cliff on the
other side. Instead of immediately crossing the canyon jump down. Then head to
the far left, into a small cove. The skull lies there on the ground. (this is
where you obtain the Art of the Firewheel in Ninja Gaiden 1)

BONUS!! Chapter 13-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giant Crystal Skull:
Save Point part: Before the 1st.
If you collected all 30 crystal skulls there will be a giant crystal skull in
this chapter. It is located at the end of the three main hallways, at a
T-split. You can’t miss it, if you have all 30.

For this achievment, you must collect 10 of the 30 hidden skulls dotted around the levels in Ninja Gaiden.

The best website to help you find the locations is http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22...

Credit to Xbox360achievments for the walkthrough