Spyro the Dragon took flight on the PlayStation in 1998, with big open worlds to glide through and gems to collect. Insomniac's original trilogy is still a favorite for players of all ages. Here is every main Spyro game in release order and the best places to start.
Spyro games in release order
| Year | Game | Original system |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Spyro the Dragon | PlayStation |
| 1999 | Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! | PlayStation |
| 2000 | Spyro: Year of the Dragon | PlayStation |
| 2001 | Spyro: Season of Ice | Game Boy Advance |
| 2002 | Spyro 2: Season of Flame | Game Boy Advance |
| 2002 | Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly | PS2 and GameCube |
| 2003 | Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs | Game Boy Advance |
| 2004 | Spyro: A Hero's Tail | PS2, GameCube and Xbox |
| 2006 | The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning | PS2, GameCube, Xbox, GBA and DS |
| 2007 | The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night | PS2, Wii, GBA and DS |
| 2008 | The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon | PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360 and DS |
| 2018 | Spyro Reignited Trilogy | PS4 and Xbox One (Switch, 2019) |
Years are the first North American release. Spyro also starred in Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (2011), the first of the Skylanders toys-to-life games, which is left out here. The Reignited Trilogy is a remake of the first three PlayStation games.
The original trilogy vs. The Legend of Spyro
The original trilogy by Insomniac Games is all about exploring: open worlds, gems to collect, dragons to rescue and a gliding, charging little purple hero. Year of the Dragon adds extra playable characters. The Legend of Spyro games from 2006 to 2008 rebooted the series as story-driven action games with combat and a darker tone. Most fans start with the original trilogy.
The Spyro games worth owning
Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! · $24.97
Many fans' favorite, with new abilities and more varied worlds.
Spyro A Heros Tail · $24.97
A return to the classic collect-and-explore style on PS2, GameCube and Xbox.
Which Spyro game should you play first?
Start with Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! on PlayStation. It's the most loved of the trilogy and very easy to get into. The original Spyro the Dragon is a great choice for younger players. On modern consoles, the Reignited Trilogy collects all three original games.
Spyro on original hardware
The original trilogy was made for the PlayStation 1, and a PlayStation 2 plays it too. Spyro's simple controls and lack of scary content make a PS1 or PS2 with these games a great first retro setup for kids.
PlayStation 2 (PS2) Slim Console · $189.97
Plays the PS1 trilogy plus Enter the Dragonfly and A Hero's Tail.
Frequently asked questions
What was the first Spyro game?
Spyro the Dragon, released for the PlayStation in September 1998. It was made by Insomniac Games, who later made Ratchet & Clank.
What is the best Spyro game?
Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! is the most common pick, with Year of the Dragon close behind.
Are Spyro games good for kids?
Yes. The original games are gentle, colorful and have no blood or scary content. Spyro can't really lose for long, and there's plenty to collect.
Does a PS2 play the original Spyro games?
Yes. The PlayStation 2 plays most original PlayStation discs, including the Spyro trilogy.
Who made Spyro?
Insomniac Games made the original PlayStation trilogy. Later games were made by other studios for Universal and then Activision.
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