Spyro the Dragon: Classics Collection

Spyro is a tiny purple dragon with so much attitude and the only one small enough to dodge a spell from the lame villain Gnasty Gnorc, turns out shit talking him on TV wasn't the smartest move, so now every adult dragon is frozen in crystal and you gotta free them by exploring six hub worlds packed with portals to around two dozen levels. The gameplay loop is simple: torch or ram enemies, pick up gems, rescue dragon elders and track down those annoying little thieves who swipe dragon eggs. Movement feels tight even without a DualShock, tho the glide mechanic takes a sec to get used to and the charge ability makes you feel like a little missile until you hit a wall and bounce off like an idiot. The difficulty is where it gets divisive, most of the main game is a breeze, bosses go down shortly and you'll drown in extra lives but some gem locations will have you scratching your head and those flight stages with time limits can actually test your reflexes. Visually, the draw distance is insane for the PS1, with almost no popping and the colorful art direction makes everything pop even more, voice acting is cheesy in that retro way and the music's this mix of bangin' drums, synth and organ that give each world a weirdly magical vibe. The biggest knock is that the story is basically nonexistent beyond that opening cutscene but for a breezy platformer that nails exploration and doesn't overstay its welcome, this game is still a gem flawed, a little too easy but packed with so much heart and style that you won't even care.

Spyro the Dragon: Classics Collection

Spyro the Dragon

GAME DATASHEET
Name	Spyro the Dragon
Genre	Platformer Action-adventure
Console	PS1, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC
Released	1998
Developer	INSOMNIAC
Publisher	SONY | ACTIVISION
Language	English | Spanish | French | Italian | German | Japanese

Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! / Gateway to Glimmer

The sequel takes everything fun about the original and cranks it up with better challenges, way more personality and sidequests that don't feel like a chore. You start with Spyro and his dragonfly pal Sparx trying to hit up a vacation spot called Dragon Shores but surprise! A portal mishap yeets them into Avalar, where a tiny but angry warlock named Ripto is causing trouble. Along the way you meet Elora, Hunter and the annoying Moneybags who charges you gems just to exist. The gameplay keeps the classic charge, flame and glide moves but adds swimming, climbing and a headbash attack, plus power ups like temporary flight. The levels are way more varied, you'll play hockey against a yak and save cavemen from lizards. Difficulty is noticeably tougher than the first game but it never feels cheap, graphics are colorful and smooth, tho some levels share similar vibes. It's not groundbreaking but it's got charm and enough variety to keep you glued until that satisfying final boss. Easily the best of the original trilogy.

GAME DATASHEET
Name	Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! Spyro 2: Gateway to Glimmer
Genre	Platformer Action-adventure
Console	PS1, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC
Released	1999
Developer	INSOMNIAC
Publisher	SONY | ACTIVISION
Language	English | Spanish | French | Italian | German

Spyro: Year of the Dragon

This one wraps up INSOMNIAC's trilogy with a bang, throwing in so much extra stuff it almost feels like a celebration. This time, an evil sorceress steals all the dragon eggs during the Year of the Dragon festival, so Spyro and Hunter have to get them back across four hub worlds packed with over thirty levels. The core gameplay stays the same but the big twist is you get to play as four other characters: Sheila the kangaroo who double jumps, Sgt. Byrd, a penguin who flies, Bentley the yeti who's slow but strong and Agent 9, a monkey with a laser gun. Their levels are fun but kinda rare, so you'll wish there were more. The variety here is insane tho, you'll have a tank battle, a boxing match, top down shooter stages as Sparx, skateboarding courses that feel like a proto Tony Hawk, even a new hockey game, tho not every minigame lands perfectly and the camera can be a jerk during precise moments but the difficulty feels fairer than Spyro 2's grind. Graphics are some of the prettiest on PS1 and the soundtrack stays quirky and addictive. It's more of the same formula but when the formula's this charming and packed with stuff to do, again, you won't even care.

GAME DATASHEET
Name	Spyro: Year of the Dragon
Genre	Platformer Action-adventure
Console	PS1, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC
Released	2000
Developer	INSOMNIAC
Publisher	SONY | ACTIVISION
Language	English | Spanish | French | Italian | German