10 Best Spyro Games of All Time, Ranked

The first Spyro the Dragon game, released in 1998, actually happens to be the best Spyro game of all time. It continues to hold a special place in many gamers’ hearts simply from its groundbreaking charm and whimsical tunes. Closely after, 1999’s Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! Tightened the mechanics and story-driven adventure, and 2000’s Spyro: Year of the Dragon sealed the deal with new mechanics, characters, and explorable areas. 

Unfortunately, it’s been downhill from there, with the series hampered by technical issues and empty levels. Still, 2018’s Spyro Reignited Trilogy remakes the classics, bringing back fond memories of the best Spyro games of all time.

10.  The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning (2006)

The Legend of Spyro trilogy kicked off with a bang, starting with A New Beginning in 2006. This entry definitely takes a more story-driven turn, dialing it back to tell the origin story of Spyro and the build-up to the conquest against the terrifying Cynder. 

You’ll learn deeper lore here, embarking on a combat-driven quest that grows more deathly at every level. Fortunately, Spyro’s powers also grow stronger. You unlock upgrades to your fire-breath, as well as a combination of aerial and ground melee combos to sweeten your battles. 

9. Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly (2002)

The platforming game, Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly, isn’t too bad, either, even with its 2002 release date. It’s a short and sweet playthrough across eight levels and one boss. Although the game only has one hub, the level designs are simple enough, perhaps too simple.

I will warn you that the technical hiccups will be far more prominent, from lag issues to slow load times. If anything, it’s the technical issues that are the biggest letdown.  

8. Spyro: A Hero’s Tail (2004)

In 2004, Spyro: A Hero’s Tail launched to relatively positive acclaim. The story is interesting enough, following Spyro’s heroic journey to save the Dragon Realms. You meet new characters, some of whom will quickly become your favorites. And the overall exploration has its moments of beauty. 

Hands down, the music and visuals carried the torch here, while the gameplay remains relatively the same from previous iterations. That doesn’t make it any less fun, though, with a quick dive in for fans.

7. The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (2008)

The third game in The Legend of Spyro trilogy ranks next among the best Spyro games of all time. Your power-ups aren’t just breathing fire. You can cast electric shockwaves, too. Meanwhile, the platforming sections are easy enough for games of all ages.

Still, Dawn of the Dragon doesn’t escape the technical issues of its predecessors. Even when the environments are charming at points, and the combat feels genuinely satisfying against some bosses, Spyro can’t escape feeling clunky.

6. Spyro: Season of Ice (2001)

Spyro: Season of Ice marks the series’ first step into handheld gaming on the Game Boy Advance. While the platforming is fun, it’s made pretty difficult to make accurate glides because of the isometric view. And my are the glides you need to make prominent. 

That frustration seeps into multiple levels, leading up to the boss. However, you can’t deny the fun in the Speedways sections while jamming to some of the more catchy music.

5. Spyro: Year of the Dragon (2000)

The truth is, the classics are the best Spyro games of all time. Those that launched the action-platforming series with big ideas and clever level designs. You switch up characters, plus meet new ones. The gameplay evolves, adding new mechanics. Even the story has its compelling beats. 

On the environments front, you enjoy vibrant worlds full of charm. What’s more? Year of the Dragon added new areas to explore. This was the pinnacle of the Spyro series before things went downhill in later years.

4. Spyro Reignited Trilogy (2018)

More recently, Spyro Reignited Trilogy reimagined Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! and Spyro: Year of the Dragon trilogy. These three games are the first, biggest adventure for our purple dragon, and continue to be the hallmark of the series. And thus, fans had high expectations for the remake.

If you were lucky enough to play the original games, then the remake is made perfectly for you. It’s a heavy dose of nostalgia, remaining faithful to the vibrant world of the original PS1 games. Even though the three games don’t all offer the same calibre of playthrough, they remain relaxing adventures that don’t require any serious Crash Course to learn and master.

3. Spyro 2: Season of Flame (2002)

Spyro 2: Season of Flame sneaks its way to the podium of the best Spyro games of all time. The same isometric issues apply that make platforming more difficult than it should be. Yet, the beautiful, cheery vibe of the series is stronger than ever. 

Most importantly, you enjoy quality-of-life features like a map and checkpoints. Still, the strongest feature remains the graphics, which are wonderfully bright, vivid, and clear.

2. Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! (1999)

The second time around, Insomniac Games aims higher. Many OG fans rank Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! this one among their personal favorites, and not just for nostalgia’s sake, but because the level design are some of the best ideas the series has ever had. 

It has a decent level of challenge, which is nice, so that you’re not just breezing through it. But ultimately, you’re also enjoying beautiful visuals and music that are some of the most memorable tunes to date. 

1. Spyro the Dragon (1998)

Yes, Spyro the Dragon is, indeed, the best Spyro game ever. Here’s where Spyro is introduced to the world, with all of the creativity. The objectives are simple enough about collecting gems and rescue dragons. While these repeat themselves, you enjoy a fun level design. 

Fans also probably remember the soundtrack, which I’m glad is added in the Spyro Reignited Trilogy remake. Of course, Spyro games are nowhere near Super Mario games, but their charm lies in the relaxing exploration in a whimsical environment that any gamer, even kids, can indulge in.