The world of Spyro the Dragon has been a beloved part of many gamers' childhoods, with its colorful landscapes, lovable characters, and, of course, the titular purple dragon himself. For over two decades, the Spyro series has grown, evolved, and entertained fans of all ages. But have you ever wondered what order the games should be played in to get the most out of the Spyro experience?
In this article, we'll take a comprehensive look at the Spyro games in order, covering the mainline titles, spin-offs, and remasters. We'll also delve into the series' history, gameplay mechanics, and what makes each game unique.
Early Beginnings: The Original Spyro Trilogy
The Spyro series was born in 1998 with the release of Spyro the Dragon, developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. This 3D platformer introduced players to the world of Avalar, where the evil Gnasty Gnorc had imprisoned the dragons, and it was up to Spyro to rescue them. The game's success led to the creation of two sequels: Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! (1999) and Spyro: Year of the Dragon (2000).
Spyro the Dragon (1998)
The original game set the foundation for the series, showcasing Spyro's abilities, such as breathing fire, gliding, and charging. Players explored various worlds, collecting gems, freeing dragons, and battling enemies.Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! (1999)
The first sequel introduced new abilities, like swimming and head-butting, and expanded on the game's world and characters. Spyro 2 is often considered one of the best games in the series, with its improved graphics and engaging storyline.Spyro: Year of the Dragon (2000)
The final game in the original trilogy saw the introduction of new playable characters, like Bentley the Yeti and Agent 9 the Monkey. Year of the Dragon built upon the series' formula, adding new abilities and worlds to explore.The Dark Age: Enter the Dragonfly and A Hero's Tail
After the original trilogy, the series experienced a downturn with the release of Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly (2002) and Spyro: A Hero's Tail (2004). These games received mixed reviews and failed to recapture the magic of the original trilogy.
Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly (2002)
Enter the Dragonfly was developed by Equinox Digital Entertainment and Check Six Games, and it marked a departure from the series' formula. The game's poor reception was due to its lackluster graphics, weak storyline, and numerous glitches.Spyro: A Hero's Tail (2004)
A Hero's Tail was developed by Eurocom and released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube. Although it received better reviews than Enter the Dragonfly, the game's poor sales and mixed critical reception led to a decline in the series' popularity.The Rebirth: The Legend of Spyro Trilogy
In 2006, the series was rebooted with The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning, developed by Krome Studios and published by Sierra Entertainment. This new trilogy aimed to revive the series and attract a new audience.
The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning (2006)
A New Beginning introduced a new storyline, characters, and gameplay mechanics, such as melee combat and elemental powers. The game received positive reviews, praising its engaging narrative and improved graphics.The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night (2007)
The second game in the Legend series built upon the foundation established by A New Beginning. The Eternal Night introduced new characters, worlds, and abilities, and received positive reviews for its improved gameplay and storyline.The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (2008)
The final game in the Legend trilogy concluded the story of Spyro and his friends. Dawn of the Dragon introduced co-op gameplay, allowing players to control both Spyro and Cynder, and received positive reviews for its engaging storyline and improved graphics.Remasters and Collections: The Spyro Reignited Trilogy
In 2018, Activision released the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, a remastered collection of the original three games, developed by Toys for Bob. This collection updated the classic games with modern graphics, soundtracks, and gameplay mechanics, introducing the series to a new generation of gamers.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy (2018)
The Spyro Reignited Trilogy includes remastered versions of Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon. The collection received positive reviews for its faithfulness to the original games and its improved graphics and soundtracks.Conclusion: Join the Adventure
The Spyro series has come a long way since its inception in 1998. From its humble beginnings to its current reignited trilogy, the series has captivated audiences with its lovable characters, engaging storylines, and addictive gameplay. Whether you're a nostalgic fan or a newcomer to the series, there's never been a better time to join Spyro on his adventures.
We'd love to hear from you! Share your favorite Spyro memories, characters, or games in the comments below. Are you excited about the future of the series? Let us know!
What is the best Spyro game in the series?
+Opinions on the best Spyro game vary, but many fans consider Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! to be one of the best games in the series.
Are the Spyro games suitable for children?
+Yes, the Spyro games are generally suitable for children, with colorful graphics, lovable characters, and engaging storylines. However, some games in the series may contain mild violence and cartoonish humor.
Will there be a new Spyro game in the future?
+Although there has been no official announcement from Activision or Toys for Bob, rumors and leaks suggest that a new Spyro game might be in development. However, nothing has been confirmed yet.