You’re buzzing through the Gorilla Nebula, feeling like a platforming god, and then you see it. Or maybe you don't. That’s the thing about the Trunk of Funk Astro Bot level—it’s a sensory overload of neon, bass, and hidden corners that makes you want to stop and dance rather than hunt for collectibles. Most players breeze through the early stages of Team Asobi’s masterpiece thinking they've seen everything the jungle has to offer. They haven't.
Finding every bot and puzzle piece in this specific stage isn't just about twitch reflexes. It’s about slowing down. In a game that thrives on forward momentum, the Trunk of Funk forces you to actually look at the environment. Honestly, the level design here is a masterclass in "hiding in plain sight." You've got the giant tree—the titular funk-master—towering over the map, and it's easy to get distracted by the music.
What is the Trunk of Funk Astro Bot level actually about?
Think of it as the soul of the Gorilla Nebula. It’s the third main stage in the first galaxy, and it introduces mechanics that feel like a love letter to the DualSense controller. You aren't just jumping; you're feeling the haptic vibrations of the bark and the tension of the triggers when you interact with the environment.
The level centers around a massive, sentient tree. It’s got a face. It’s got rhythm. It’s basically a disco party in the middle of a rainforest. But for completionists, it's a bit of a nightmare if you don't know where to look. There are 7 Bots to find and 3 Puzzle Pieces tucked away.
One of the coolest things about this stage is how it utilizes the honey/slime mechanic. You'll find these golden pools that let you reach higher platforms, but if you're just rushing to the end-of-level flagpole, you’ll miss the best cameos. We're talking deep-cut PlayStation history hidden behind a few leaves and a well-timed spin attack.
The Bots Everyone Seems to Overlook
It’s frustrating. You finish the level, the screen pops up, and you’re at 6/7 bots. Where is that last one?
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Usually, it’s the one hidden right at the start. Most people just run forward. Don't do that. Right at the beginning of Trunk of Funk, there's a small area behind your starting position. If you don't turn around, you've already failed the 100% run.
- The "Hidden" Intro Bot: Right when you land, look behind the initial rock formations. He's just chilling there, waiting for a rescue.
- The Branch Camper: About halfway up the tree, there’s a section where you have to use the bouncy mushrooms. Instead of going up, look for a side path obscured by thick foliage.
- The Cameo Bot: Without spoiling too much, keep an eye out for a bot dressed as a certain iconic character from the Patapon series. To get him, you have to activate a specific rhythm sequence on the bark of the tree.
The game doesn't hold your hand here. You have to listen. The 3D audio in the PS5 headset is actually a gameplay mechanic. If you hear a faint whistling or a "Help!" coming from the left, stop moving. Rotate the camera. The Trunk of Funk Astro Bot experience is designed to reward the curious, not the fast.
Nailing the Puzzle Pieces without the Headache
Puzzle pieces are the bane of my existence in this game. They don't make noise like the bots do. They just sit there, glowing and mocking you.
In Trunk of Funk, the first piece is fairly simple—it's floating in the air during a rail-grinding section. If you miss the jump, you have to restart the checkpoint. It’s annoying, but manageable. The second piece is the real kicker. It’s tucked inside a destructible part of the tree’s "face." You have to use the spin attack on a specific set of glowing flowers to reveal it.
The third piece? It's near the end. When you're flying through the final floral tunnels, you need to stay to the upper right. If you’re too low, you’ll zoom right past it, and there's no turning back. You'll have to play the whole stage over.
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Why the Haptics Matter in This Stage
Team Asobi did something clever. They tied the "Funk" to the controller. When you're walking on different surfaces in the trunk, the vibration changes. Smooth wood feels different from the sticky honey.
Actually, the honey is key. You'll find spots where the honey is dripping down. Use your jetpack (the laser jump) to solidify or interact with these streams. It opens up shortcuts that lead directly to the harder-to-find bots. If you aren't feeling the "thump-thump" of the bass in your hands, you’re probably standing in a "dead zone" where there are no secrets.
Common Misconceptions About the Gorilla Nebula Secrets
A lot of players think you need power-ups from later galaxies to get everything in the Trunk of Funk Astro Bot level. That's a myth. Every single collectible in this stage is obtainable on your very first visit. You don't need to come back with the dog booster or the shrinking suit.
Another mistake? Thinking the enemies are just obstacles. Sometimes, an enemy is positioned specifically to show you where to jump. If you see a lone flying baddie hovering over a bottomless pit, he's usually a marker. Use his head as a springboard. It’ll lead you to a hidden alcove.
Deep Cut: The Patapon Connection
For the old-school Sony fans, the "Drummer Bot" in this level is a massive nostalgia trip. Patapon was all about rhythm on the PSP, and seeing that aesthetic brought into 4K on the PS5 inside a giant funk-tree is just... it's a lot. To save this bot, you actually have to mimic a rhythm. Pay attention to the floor panels. They light up in a sequence. If you mess it up, the bot stays trapped in the wood. It’s a small detail, but it’s why people love this game. It respects the history.
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Survival Tips for the Final Climb
The last stretch of the level involves a lot of verticality. The "funk" gets louder, the screen gets more colorful, and it's easy to lose track of Astro.
- Watch the shadows. In a 3D platformer, your shadow is your best friend. It tells you exactly where you're going to land.
- Don't spam the laser jump. The lasers are great for killing enemies, but they hover you. Sometimes you need to drop fast to hit a moving platform.
- The Big Flower: At the very end, before the goal, there’s a massive flower. Spin on it. Seriously. Just keep spinning. It releases a shower of coins and occasionally a hidden bot if you missed one earlier (though usually, it's just the coins).
The Trunk of Funk Astro Bot stage is essentially a test. It tests if you're paying attention to the music and the vibrations. If you treat it like a standard platformer, you'll finish it in four minutes and miss half the content. If you treat it like a playground, you’ll find everything.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Run
Stop rushing.
To 100% the Trunk of Funk, follow this specific flow on your next attempt. First, immediately turn around at the spawn point and grab that first bot. Second, when you reach the honey sections, don't just jump over the pools; stand in them and look for bubbles—these usually indicate a hidden item underneath the surface. Third, keep your volume up or use headphones. The positional audio is the most reliable way to find the bots trapped behind walls. Finally, make sure you hit every single glowing flower patch. Team Asobi loves hiding puzzle pieces under foliage that only reacts to your spin move. If you do these four things, you'll clear the stage with a perfect score and move on to the boss fight with everything you need.