Astro Bot is basically a giant love letter to the last thirty years of PlayStation history. It's colorful. It's loud. Honestly, it's probably the most "pure" fun I've had with a controller in my hands since the original Mario Odyssey. But Team Asobi loves to hide things. They don't just put collectibles in plain sight; they tuck them behind layers of physics-based puzzles and subtle environmental cues that you'll walk right past if you're just rushing to the flagpole. One of the most talked-about spots for collectors is the Trunk of Funk Astro Bot level, found within the Tentacle System.
It’s a swamp. A vibrant, neon-soaked, weirdly catchy swamp.
If you’re looking for every bot and puzzle piece here, you’re going to have to get comfortable with a giant tree and some very specific mechanics. Most players hit a wall because they forget to look up, or they assume a platform is just part of the background decoration. It isn't. Everything in this game is interactive. If it looks like it might react to a punch or a spin, it probably will.
What is the Trunk of Funk Astro Bot Level Actually Like?
When you first crash-land into the Trunk of Funk Astro Bot stage, the music hits you first. It’s got that signature infectious beat that makes you want to leave Astro idling just to hear the track loop. The level is built around a massive, sentient tree. This isn't just a backdrop; the tree is the level. You start at the base, navigating through murky waters and avoiding those annoying enemies that spit projectiles or try to lunge at you from the muck.
The central mechanic here involves the "Honey" power-up. Or rather, the nectar.
By sucking up this golden liquid, Astro becomes a heavy, squishy ball. It changes the gravity. It changes how you jump. Suddenly, those bouncy mushrooms aren't just platforms—they’re launchers. You’ll use this weight to press down massive buttons or break through fragile floorboards that lead to hidden sub-areas. It's a classic platforming trope, but executed with the DualSense’s haptic feedback, it feels tactile. You can actually feel the "slosh" of the liquid inside Astro as you tilt the controller.
Locating Every Hidden Bot in the Trunk of Funk
You’re here for the bots. I get it. There are seven of them in this level, and while a few are basically handed to you, the others require some genuine curiosity.
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The first one is almost a gimme. As you’re moving toward the massive tree, keep an eye on the right side of the path. You’ll see some suspicious-looking greenery. Spin attack through it, and there’s your first rescue. But things get trickier once you enter the actual "trunk" part of the Trunk of Funk Astro Bot experience.
The Mid-Level Scramble
Once you’re inside the tree, look for the section with the moving platforms covered in honey. There is a bot hanging out on a high ledge that looks unreachable. To get him, you have to utilize the honey's weight at the exact peak of a mushroom jump. If you mistime it, you just flop. It's frustrating. You'll probably do it three times before you nail the arc.
- The Classic PlayStation Cameo: Keep an eye out for a bot dressed as a character from a cult classic PS2-era game. Without spoiling the surprise, let's just say fans of "Patapon" or "LocoRoco" style aesthetics will be happy.
- The Hidden Alcove: There's a point where you have to use a seed to grow a vine. Instead of climbing the vine immediately, look behind the giant flowerpot. There’s a narrow gap in the bark.
- The Bubble Challenge: Toward the end of the vertical climb, you'll see bubbles rising. One of them has a bot trapped inside. You need to use the hover jets (the laser feet) to pop it precisely while mid-air.
Why People Get Stuck on the Puzzle Pieces
Puzzle pieces in the Trunk of Funk Astro Bot level are arguably harder to find than the bots. There are three of them. The first is hidden right at the start, behind the initial landing zone. Most people run forward toward the tree. Don’t. Turn around. Walk into the "camera" and you’ll find a small path leading to a piece tucked behind a rock.
The second piece requires the honey power-up. There’s a section with a see-saw platform. You need to stand on one end, get heavy, and then quickly dash to the other side as it tilts. It’s a timing puzzle that feels a bit like the old-school "Sly Cooper" or "Jak and Daxter" challenges.
The third piece? It’s near the top. When the tree starts "singing" and the platforms move in rhythm with the beat, look for a golden glowing spot in the wood. You have to use your spin attack on it while the music reaches a crescendo. If you miss the timing, the spot disappears and you have to wait for the loop to reset. It's a bit of a test of patience, honestly.
The Nuance of Team Asobi’s Level Design
What makes the Trunk of Funk Astro Bot stand out isn't just the collectibles. It's the "feel."
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If you look at technical breakdowns from GDC (Game Developers Conference) talks by Team Asobi members, they talk a lot about "toy-like" design. They want the world to feel like a physical object you're touching. In this level, the way the honey drips, the way the tree bark sounds when you run across it, and the way the DualSense triggers resist when you’re "heavy" all contribute to an experience that feels more "real" than a standard 4K texture might suggest.
There's a level of craftsmanship here that honestly puts other AAA platformers to shame. The "funk" isn't just in the music; it's in the movement.
Common Misconceptions and Troubleshooting
I’ve seen people complaining on Reddit and ResetEra that their "bot count" is stuck at 6/7 even though they’ve scoured every inch of the tree. Usually, the "missing" bot is the one hidden in the very first room of the interior. There is a "ceiling" made of breakable glass that you can only see if you tilt the camera straight up.
Another tip: don't ignore the squirrels.
Wait, that sounds weird. But there are small robotic squirrels running around the branches. While they aren't collectibles themselves, they often lead you toward hidden areas. If you see a squirrel disappear into a hole, try to follow it or attack that hole. Team Asobi uses animal movement as a subtle breadcrumb trail for the player.
A Quick Check-List for 100% Completion:
- Did you check behind the waterfall at the base?
- Did you use the honey to sink to the bottom of the first deep pool?
- Did you hit the "singing" bird on the branch halfway up?
- Did you find the hidden "Ape Escape" bot? (He's a sneaky one).
The Final Ascent
The end of the Trunk of Funk Astro Bot stage involves a frantic climb where the "floor" is essentially rising honey (or rising water, depending on how you view the swamp). You can't dawdle. If you missed a bot during the main climb, it is much harder to get them during this sequence. However, the game is generous with checkpoints. If you die, you usually respawn right before the last major platforming bit.
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One thing to note: the "special" bot in this level—the one that requires a specific DLC or "Astro's Playroom" save data—doesn't count toward the base 100% for the level itself, but he’s worth grabbing for the trophy.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playthrough
If you’re going back in to clean up your save file, here is exactly how to handle it.
Start by ignoring the enemies. Most of them are just there to slow you down. Focus entirely on the "Honey" mechanic. Many players try to stay "light" to jump further, but in this level, being "heavy" is almost always the key to uncovering secrets. Look for floor panels that have a slight shimmer; these can only be broken by a heavy Astro falling from a height.
Next, pay attention to the audio. If you hear a high-pitched "help me!" beep, stop moving. Use your headphones or the controller speaker to triangulate. The 3D audio in the PS5 is surprisingly accurate here. If the sound is coming from "below" you, it means there’s a sub-floor you haven't found yet.
Finally, remember that you can replay these levels at any time from the map. Don't stress if you miss something on the first run. The game is designed to be experienced in layers. Once you have the movement down, finding the Trunk of Funk Astro Bot secrets becomes a second-nature rhythm.
What to do now:
- Load up the Tentacle System on your world map.
- Enter the Trunk of Funk and immediately turn 180 degrees to find the first puzzle piece.
- Keep the Honey power-up active as much as possible to test the weight of floor tiles.
- Listen for the "SOS" chirps near the mid-way checkpoint inside the tree.
- Watch the squirrels; they are the best guides in the game.