The Iron Checkpoint Crate serves to provide the player a second chance on a Gem Path without forcing the player to obtain all of the Crates on both the Gem Path and standard level. The Iron Checkpoint Crate also gives leeway to having additional levels without having to use Crates, keeping a standard of 39 clear Gems in Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and in Crash Bandicoot: Warped, two of the games that feature the Iron Checkpoint Crate, the third being Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced.

The crate itself functions no differently from a regular Checkpoint Crate. When the player comes into forceful contact with one, (via spinning, jumping, etc.) the word checkpoint will appear above the Crate, providing an area to start back from when the player dies instead of having to return to the beginning of the level. The difference is though, like all Iron Crates, the crate cannot be busted by any means, and is not required to be when obtaining a clear Gem. When this crate is used, it reverts to a standard Iron Crate, whereas a used Checkpoint Crate will remain unfolded on the ground where it was struck. This allows the Iron Checkpoint Crate to still be used as a platform, something the standard Checkpoint Crate lacks.