Cut the Rope Level 404 — Underground Box Walkthrough (3 Stars)
Level 404★★★★★
Guide by LevelWalks
When I ran through Cut the Rope myself, Level 404 was one of the puzzles where I had to put the phone down and think for longer than I wanted to admit. The walkthrough below is what I worked out, plus the reason the trick works.
## Cut the Rope — Underground Box, Level 4
**Box:** Underground Box | **Level:** 404 (Underground Box #4)
## Walkthrough
This level uses air cushions, rocket boosters, ropes, teleportation and candy transformers. The candy starts through the center and Om Nom is waiting at the bottom.
### Step-by-Step Solution
1. **First, observe the layout.** Look at where the candy hangs and trace a path to Om Nom. Note every rope, bubble, and obstacle.
2. **Cut the first rope** — the one holding the candy closest to the top. This drops the candy toward the first star.
3. **Use the air cushions** to redirect the candy toward the second star. Timing is important here — wait until the candy swings to its peak before activating.
4. **Collect the final star** by using the rocket boosters to swing the candy wide.
5. **Guide the candy to Om Nom.** If you miss a star, the candy should still reach Om Nom — just replay for a perfect score.
### Getting All 3 Stars
- Star 1: Drops naturally when you cut the first rope.
- Star 2: Requires precise timing with the air cushions.
- Star 3: The hardest one — you need to time the candy transformers perfectly before the candy falls past it.
## Tips for This Level
The Underground Box introduces air cushions which create upward currents that push the candy. Don't rush — watch the candy's momentum and plan two moves ahead.
## Why This Level Is Tricky
For the hardest levels, work backwards: where does Om Nom need the candy to arrive from? What's the last mechanic interaction before delivery? Trace backwards from Om Nom through each star to the candy's starting position. This reverse-engineering approach often reveals the intended solution path.
## Common Mistakes
Players frequently make these errors on Level 404:
- Treating each mechanic independently when the solution requires chaining them — e.g., a rope cut into a bubble into a cushion bounce.
- Not experimenting with cutting ropes in reverse order from what seems intuitive.
- Forgetting that some levels have optional mechanics (like extra bubbles) that exist to misdirect you from the optimal path.
Tips
- Cut ropes in order from top to bottom for the most control over candy movement.
- In the Underground Box, air cushions are key — learn their timing patterns.
- You don't need all 3 stars to progress, but replay levels later for a perfect score.
FAQ
- How do I beat Cut the Rope Level 404?
- Level 404 (Underground Box #4) uses air cushions, rocket boosters, ropes, teleportation and candy transformers. Cut the ropes in sequence, collect all 3 stars by timing your cuts, and guide the candy to Om Nom. See the step-by-step walkthrough above.
- How do I get 3 stars on Cut the Rope Level 404?
- To get all 3 stars, you need to collect each star before the candy reaches Om Nom. Star 3 is usually the hardest — it requires precise timing with air cushions.
