Shape Shifter's OK, especially if you know how to have fun with a not-so-fun game. But hey, it's Turbo, so love it or hate it, you should become familiar with it.
Just curious though: has anyone else discovered the phenomenon which allows you to jump in the air? It works like this:
1. Get a lot of crystals and the form of the Panther.
2. Jump up in the air.
3. At the height of your jump, press SEL to access the transformation screen.
4. Change into a different form, but:
5. WHILE MORPHING, hold button I to jump.
6. When the morph is complete, you will jump again from the apex of your previous jump.
7. Repeat until you reach your destination or you run out of crystals.
Using this method I often get level three panther, and I can free the last wizard in the Ring of Five and get to the last stage much quicker...once you get the gold dragon, you will be given the shark and rock troll automatically.
Try it!