Cactuar Crush is a minigame in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. It’s first available in Chapter 9 from the Phenomenon Intel (Protorelics) in Corel Region. There are 4 Cactuar Crush minigames, each having a Normal and Hard Mode version. 2 of them are accessible in Chapter 9, the remaining 2 unlock later at the end of Chapter 12.
Normal Mode is when you play the Phenomenon Intel for the first time. Hard Mode is unlocked after finishing all 4 Phenomenon Intel in Corel. Then you can revisit the Phenomenon Intel locations to replay this minigame in Hard Mode.
Finishing all minigames in Hard Mode is needed to unlock all of Johnny’s Treasure Trove Items.
Cactuar Crush – Unlock Requirement
- Normal Mode is unlocked when doing the Corel Phenomenon Intel in Chapter 9 & 12 for the first time (4 total). The first 2 unlock in Chapter 9, the other 2 unlock at the end of Chapter 12.
- Hard Mode is unlocked after clearing all Corel Phenomenon Intel in Chapter 12. Then revisit the Cactuar Crush locations to replay them and pick the Hard Version.
- Refer to » All Phenomenon Intel (Protorelic) Locations.
Cactuar Crush – How to Play
This minigame has you defeat waves of Cactuars as Yuffie/Aerith within a time limit. The color of the Cactuars indicates what attacks they are weak to.
As Yuffie: Gladiatuars are weak to physical damage, Magituars are weak to Yuffie’s Ninjutsu magic. In normal mode you can get away with just spamming 
for AOE damage to finish Rank 1, which is good enough for clearing the Phenomenon Intel. To reach the highscore you’ll need to exploit the correct weakness on the enemies to defeat them faster.
As Aerith: You can cast Luminous/Shadow Ward with L2/R2. Then while standing inside the Ward can use light or dark magic. The bright Cactuars are weak to Luminous Ward, the dark Cactuars are weak to Shadow Ward. Attacking with Melee will fill the ATB gauge faster, then you can use ATB Commands such as Sorcerous Storm to defeat big groups.
Cactuar Crush – Hard Mode Strategies
After finishing all Phenomenon Intel in Corel region you will unlock the hard version of Cactuar Crush. The earliest opportunity is in Chapter 12 as that’s when the last 2 Phenomenon Intel spawn in Corel. See the video walkthrough above for all Hard Mode challenges.
For both characters: Equip Hermes Shoes Accessory for auto-haste (won from Titan Slam Grade II Chocobo Race in Gold Saucer) and a maxed out First Strike Materia (from combat simulator challenges). Also put the game on easy difficulty in the settings makes this easier. Also equip Magic Up / Speed Up / Strength Up Materia, these provide useful passive stat boosts for this minigame. If you reach Level 70 (max level) first it’ll be a bit easier as you’ll have better stats.
Yuffie: For big groups use Windstorm to draw them in, then use Art of War while they are all grouped together, for any remaining just use the appropriate physical/ninjutsu attacks to finish them off. For Gigantuars use the relevant weakness with and powered up Banishment deal a lot of damage. Windstorm / Art of War / Banishment are Yuffie’s weapon abilities, refer to Weapon Locations if you haven’t unlocked these yet. Then master the abilities (can farm them in the Gold Saucer Colloseum), then you can equip the abilities to any weapon.
Aerith: Attack with melee to charge your ATB faster (it’s faster than using magic) and then spam Sorcerous Storm to clear out groups. Against single surviving Cactuars use magic by casting the relevant Ward they are weak against. Remember that the color of the Cactuar Matches the Ward they are weak against. Always use 1 ATB charge to keep Transcendence powered up. Use Transcendence against Gigantuars (big Cactuars), it’s Aerith’s most powerful attack and deals a lot of damage. After Gigantuars use their Bodyslam and lay on the floor use a 2nd ATB charge on Transcendence to unleahs the attack (using 1 ATB readies the attack, using 2 ATB unleashes the attack). You need to get rid of the orange Catuars quickly or they will throw bombs which knock you around, losing you points and wasting a lot of time. Sorcerous Storm / Transcendence are Aerith’s weapon abilities, refer to Weapon Locations if you haven’t unlocked these yet. Then master the abilities (can farm them in the Gold Saucer Colloseum), then you can equip the abilities to any weapon.
For more guides check out Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Wiki.
I found for Aerith’s Hard parts, using Tempest (charge Square attack in a Ward) also helped, because it would do a lot of damage after pretty much every action. Might be worth trying to get one if the big cactuars refuse to Body Slam
Thanks for this tip. I found that Tempest was comparable damage to Transcendence (for this challenge) and faster, with no cost to ATB. It combos many crit hits on a Body Slam’d big cactaur
On the Yuffie ones, with doppelganger it’s even easier. Finished everything and still had 1+ minutes left