Challenges are tasks that McCoy should fulfill in an area. There are 5 challenges in each area. In both Cactus McCoy and Cactus McCoy 2, there is a total of 12 areas, making 60 challenges in each.
Cactus McCoy and The Curse of Thorns[]
Area 1: Cactus Canyon[]
- Unwanted
- Fast Learner (time challenge)
- Brawler
- Bramble Breaker
- Marshall McCoy
Area 2: Prospector Mines[]
- Firefighter
- Impatient Miner (time challenge)
- Bare Knuckle Brawl
- Crate Carnage
- Keep It Going (juggling challenge)
Area 3: Rustler Railroad[]
- Luggage Bandit
- High-Speed Train (time challenge)
- Train Inspector
- Cherrybomber
- Combo Train (combo challenge)
Area 4: Shady Springs[]
- Chicken Wrangler
- Quick Escape (time challenge)
- Fireworks
- Tenderizer (juggling challenge)
- Sneaky McCoy
Area 5: Powderkeg Pass[]
- Boulder Bane
- Mountain Marathon (time challenge)
- King of the Hill
- Expert Climber
- Juggler (juggling challenge)
Area 6: Midnight Express[]
- Chicken Train Rumble (Rumble-finding challenge)
- Full Steam Ahead (time challenge)
- Break up the Band
- Crack That Whip
- Check Your Luggage
Area 7: Rattler Ravine[]
- Scorpion March
- Race to the Finish (time challenge)
- Snake Charmer
- Target Practice
- Weapon of Choice (juggling challenge)
Area 8: Brimstone Mine[]
- Mine For Gems
- No Time To Mine (time challenge)
- Rumble Room (Rumble-finding challenge)
- Bullet Dodger ("no death" challenge)
- Grim Reaper
Area 9: Deadridge Railway[]
- De-Thrown
- Locomotion (time challenge)
- Fight Fire with Fire
- Punch Your Ticket
- Hazardous Cargo
Area 10: Sunset Gulch[]
- Light the Torches
- Run Outta Town (time challenge)
- Cry Babies
- Big Bang
- Chest of Chicken
Area 11: Emerald Temple[]
- Temple Crasher
- Temple Trekker (time challenge)
- Idol Hands
- Shadow Walker ("no death" challenge)
- Going Medieval
Area 12: Emerald Shrine[]
- Sidetracked
- Let's Get This Over With (time challenge)
- Fisticuffs Finale
- Combo Master (combo challenge)
- Showdown Survivor ("no death" challenge)
Cactus McCoy 2: The Ruins of Calavera[]
Area 1: Tumblewood[]
- Egg on your Face
- Cut to the Chase (time challenge)
- Dirty Laundry
- Tumbler
- Clean up the Town
Area 2: Dustbin Road[]
- Fly the Flag
- Road Runner (time challenge)
- Cactus Decoy
- Exterminator
- Zippy
Area 3:Thistle Trail[]
- Lepidopterist
- Prairie Run (time challenge)
- Target Practice
- Big Bang
- Launch Into Orbit (juggling challenge)
Area 4: Prickly Prairie[]
- Wildflower Bouquet
- Quick Draw (time challenge)
- Lumberjack
- Shootout
- Alpaca Blastoff (juggling challenge)
Area 5: Southwind Express[]
- Train Conductor
- Express Train (time challenge)
- Look Out Below
- No Privacy
- Send Out the Clowns
Area 6: Blackstone Tunnel[]
- Rumble in the Tunnel (Rumble-finding challenge)
- Tunnel Racer (time challenge)
- Cart Carnage
- Elevator Operator
- Follow the Bouncing Ball
Area 7: Calamity Cave[]
- Douse the Flames
- Cave Racer (time challenge)
- Demolition Man
- Master Spelunker ("no death" challenge)
- Boulder Bash
Area 8: Port Scamwell[]
- Coconutty
- Speed Through Town (time challenge)
- Wildlife Rescue
- Bare Knuckle Brawl
- Matador
Area 9: Gridlock Canal[]
- Leaky Boats
- Canal Cruiser (time challenge)
- Naval Battle
- Staying Dry
- Anchors Aweigh!
Area 10: Makopa Jungle[]
- Green Thumbs
- Run in the Jungle (time challenge)
- Caught in the Crossfire
- Feed me, McCoy!
- On a Roll (combo challenge)
Area 11: Whiplash Rapids[]
- Angler McCoy
- Run the Rapids (time challenge)
- Rumble in the Jungle (Rumble-finding challenge)
- Skull Stepper
- Hunting with Crocs
Area 12: Calavera Ruins[]
- Temple Totems
- Rapid Rescue (time challenge)
- Cheat the Hangman
- Worthy Opponent ("no death" challenge)
- Out of Range