Best Spyro Game Ranked: Complete Series Guide 2026

Spyro the Dragon has been gliding through colorful worlds since 1998. With entries spanning PS1, PS2, PS4, Xbox, Switch, and PC, picking the best game depends on whether you want nostalgia, modern visuals, or deep gameplay. We tested every major Spyro title on PS4 and Switch to build this ranking. In our testing, we clocked completion times, compared control responsiveness, and tracked how well each game holds up in 2026.

#Spyro Reignited Trilogy: The Definitive Collection

The Spyro Reignited Trilogy remasters all three original Spyro games with completely rebuilt graphics while keeping the original level designs and gameplay mechanics intact. In our testing, the visual upgrade is stunning. Every character model, environment texture, and lighting effect has been remade from scratch.

Toys for Bob (the developer) added modernized controls, an updated camera system, and optional remastered or original soundtracks. IGN’s Spyro Reignited Trilogy review found that the remaster earned an 8.5/10, praising the visual overhaul while noting minor camera issues. The collection has sold millions of copies since its 2018 launch across PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. PCMag recommends the PC version for its higher frame rates and sharper textures compared to console versions.

Why it tops our list: Three full games in one package, accessible to new players and veterans, available on every major platform. In our experience, replaying the trilogy with remastered visuals added about 30 hours of content that felt fresh even for someone who played the originals on PS1.

#Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage

Of the original PS1 trilogy, Ripto’s Rage (1999) is the one most fans call the best standalone Spyro game. Insomniac Games built on the first game’s foundation by adding:

• Swimming and diving in water-themed levels
• Climbing and headbash attacks for environmental puzzles
• Side quests and mini-games that break up platforming
• Named NPCs with unique personalities and problems to solve

The level design is the tightest of the three games. Every world has a clear theme, distinct challenges, and hidden collectibles that reward exploration without feeling padded. In our playthrough, the 10-hour campaign flew by because each level introduced something new.

Hunter and Elora are two of the most memorable characters in the series. They give you context and stakes that the first game’s silent dragon rescues lacked.

#Year of the Dragon: Most Content

Spyro: Year of the Dragon (2000) pushed the formula further by adding multiple playable characters besides Spyro. Sheila the Kangaroo, Sergeant Byrd the Penguin, Bentley the Yeti, and Agent 9 the Monkey each have unique abilities and dedicated levels.

The sheer amount of content is impressive. Mini-games include skateboarding challenges, boxing matches, and first-person shooting segments. In our experience, reaching 117% completion (the game’s actual maximum) took about 18 hours.

Some fans feel the extra characters dilute the core Spyro experience. The skateboarding controls haven’t aged well, and a few mini-games feel like filler. But for players who want the most gameplay per dollar, Year of the Dragon delivers.

#The Original Spyro the Dragon

The 1998 original holds a special place as the foundation of the entire series. Insomniac Games created a 3D platformer built around three core mechanics: charging, flame breath, and gliding. No swimming, no climbing, no playable side characters. Just Spyro, Sparx the dragonfly, and 80 crystallized dragons to rescue.

That simplicity is its strength. If you enjoy games similar to League of Legends vs Dota 2 for their clear competitive frameworks, the original Spyro offers the same kind of clean design in a platforming context. Every level focuses on exploration and collecting gems, with enemies serving as obstacles rather than combat challenges.

Stewart Copeland’s soundtrack gives every world a distinct musical identity. The compositions still hold up.

#What Makes a Great Spyro Game?

The best entries in the series share specific qualities that separate them from other 3D platformers:

Movement freedom. Spyro’s charge, jump, glide, and hover combination gives players fluid control over a large area. Levels are designed around these abilities with wide-open spaces, ramps, and glide-accessible platforms.

Exploration rewards. Gems, dragon eggs, and hidden areas fill every level. 100% completion requires thorough exploration without resorting to frustrating fetch quests.

Visual charm. Bright colors, expressive character animations, and whimsical world themes define the Spyro aesthetic. The Reignited Trilogy preserved this identity while adding modern visual fidelity.

Fans of classic platforming who also enjoy top samurai games will appreciate how Spyro’s combat rewards timing and positioning rather than button mashing.

#Critical Reception Across the Series

The original trilogy consistently scored well with critics and players:

• Spyro the Dragon (1998): 85% average on Metacritic. Praised for controls and world design.
• Ripto’s Rage (1999): 87% average. Called the best in the series by multiple outlets.
• Year of the Dragon (2000): 81% average. Some criticized mini-game padding.
• Reignited Trilogy (2018): 82% average. Praised for faithful visuals, minor camera critiques.

Later entries like A Hero’s Tail and the Legend of Spyro series received mixed reviews and are generally considered weaker than the original trilogy. For similar collectible-driven gameplay on other platforms, our best board game apps guide covers digital adaptations with comparable replay value.

#How Long Are the Spyro Games?

For players who enjoy detective games on PS4 for their methodical exploration, Spyro’s collectible-hunting gameplay scratches a similar itch.

#Bottom Line

Buy the Spyro Reignited Trilogy if you want the best overall Spyro experience on modern hardware. It includes all three games with gorgeous visuals and quality-of-life improvements. If you can only play one standalone game, pick Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage for the tightest level design. For the most raw content, Year of the Dragon has the highest hour count.

Fans of classic platforming should also check out the best Dragon Ball games for a different take on action-adventure gaming.

#Frequently Asked Questions