Summary
Toys For Bob and Activision delighted fans of theSpyro the Dragonseries in 2018 when they announced that the originalSpyrotrilogy was being remastered. The iconic games were given a fresh coat of paint and looked fantastic on modern consoles.Spyro Reignited Trilogyfollowed inCrash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy’s footsteps,which also remastered three classic PS1 titles.
Both games sold very well, andCrash Bandicoothas since had a brand-new game,Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time. SinceCrash 4was developed & published by the same teams that made theReignited Trilogy,fans have hope that the purple dragon will receive a new game of his own in due time. This hype might have players itching to try out a fewgames similar toSpyroin the meantime.
Updated on June 30, 2025, by Nathan Hilditch:Spyrowas reportedly set to make another crossover with famous peerCrash Bandicoot, in aToys For Bobsequel toCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time.But both series were thrown into the air when that game didn’t meet Activision’s sales expectations. Following the developer’s split from Activision and new partnership with Xbox, the rumor mill has once again been whirling. With nothing concrete yet for fans, here’s a solid selection to satiate those appetites.
Pumpkin Jackis clearly inspired by anotherPlayStation 1classic, the decidedly less marketableMediEvil. This action adventure title actually has a lot more in common with Spyro’s core gameplay than many platforming games to which the series is usually compared.
There are plenty of 3D platforming sections, but the game is primarily focused on combat with a selection of melee and ranged options. It’s a loving homage to 3D action platformers of thePS1era, and it delivers on that nostalgic fun in spades. The levels offer the same illusion of freedom as theSpyroseries, appearing open-ended, although they do essentially force the player down a linear path.
Another love letter to the era that birthedSpyro, this game offers a specific focus drawn from theDonkey KongandCrash Bandicootseries.Nikoderiko: The Magical Worlddelighted fans of classic 2Dand 3D platformingwith an excellent adventure that combines elements of both.
The real magic is how individual levels seamlessly shift perspective between the two, creating fluid and responsive platforming in a constantly evolving challenge. The art style is also charming and nostalgic. The primary antagonist, Baron Grimbald, would not at all look out of place being charged down by Spyro.
Blue Firehas a lot more thumb-numbing platforming challenge than the reasonably shallow difficulty curve of theSpyroseries, but for those up for the challenge, it does offer some great 3D action platforming. The deliberately floaty physics engine takes a bit to get to grips with, but once players begin to unlock new traversal abilities, the complexities of the system bear fruit.
Blue Fireallows for a huge amount of control in the air. When wall grabs and runs are factored in, it’s possible to surge through significant sections of the 3D world without ever touching the floor, an excellent aid for backtracking in particular. The real challenge lies in the optional void levels. The protagonist also unlocksa ranged fireball attack, so a handy bit of dragon crossover there.
Another Crab’s Treasureis an impressive attempt to transplantthe popular soulslike formulato a colorful 3D platformer. With that in mind, it’s worth mentioning that combat is a significant focus with a complex system of skills and buffs and significant difficulty spikes that won’t be familiar to those looking for an ardentSpyroexperience.
Challenges are borderline unfair at times, although fans of the old-schoolCrash Bandicootseries should be familiar with that concept in level design. The platforming is far from an afterthought though; sections are well-designed and intrinsic to progress. The protagonist is equipped with a grapple and hover mechanic, not unlike Spyro’s glide, to navigate the tricky sections.
PAC-MAN WORLD: Re-PACis surprising in many ways. It’s considerably harder than its presentation suggests and an unexpectedly excellent leap into 2.5D platforming forNamco’s iconic mascot, who has often failed to reinvent himself in so many other genres in a bid to stay relevant.
PAC-MAN’s control scheme is tricky, with a springboard bounce in lieu of any kind of conventional double jump and a charged dash mechanic required to clear large gaps. Both have combat applications along with the ability to throw collected pellets and players will quickly be met by common enemy types immune to some or all of these attacks. Boss fights are also varied, from the traditional slugfest, to Kart racing, to a side-scrolling shooter. There are a lot of elements that recall the golden age of action platforming and the game is well worth its brief runtime.
Astro Botis not so much a love letter to a particular era of platforming history as it is to the entire back catalog ofPlayStation.Spyro the Dragonis not an officialPlayStationmascot likeCrash Bandicoot, but the series still falls very much under the same mood so excellently recreated by this modern throwback.
The full sequel to thePlayStation 5tech demo was met with unanimous critical acclaim upon release, not just for its nostalgic fantasy but for how Astro Bot successfully modernizes and revitalizes tropes of the 3D platforming genre. It really doesn’t matter which specific 3D action platformer is a given favorite,Astro Botoffers something for all fans from across the genre.
HAL Laboratory’sKirbyis an eternal delight. That said, regardless of their undeniable quality, the 2D entries do not have enough in common withSpyroto justify specific recommendations, except for a general “Planet Robobotis a great platformer so play it” shout-out. Fortunately,Kirby and the Forgotten Landjust about makes the cut, all the while being among thefranchise’s greatest releases. For the Pink Fluffball’s first full-blown 3D adventure, HAL aimed to find a middle-ground between the tried-and-true and innovation, resulting in an experience that feels like the start of a new era but not also a rejection of the former.
Sent to a strange, post-apocalyptic reality, Kirby has to work his way through a varied selection of linear levels in search of Waddle Dees, bosses to fight, and enemies to consume. As always, the adorable protagonist gets plenty of opportunities to copy abilities, and this time even inanimate objects are viable. While not quite as open as mostSpyrostages,Kirby and the Forgotten Landis packed with little secrets that encourage players to thoroughly explore each level to ensure they find everything.
3D platformers have been rare since the PS3 era. Except for a few Nintendo staples, these projects are just not substantial enough moneymakers to warrant regular investment, and the indie scene can only produce so much content to keep a genre afloat. Due to this scarcity, 2022’sKao the Kangarooreboot was more than welcome, even if the IP was not a platformer heavyweight during its 2000s heyday. And, after spending a few minutes with the modern reimagining, it should quickly become apparent whyKaois both obscure but also reliable enough for a revival:Kao the Kangaroois a 3D platformer.
To be exact,Kao the Kangaroois a bog-standard 3D action-platformer. It takes obvious inspiration from bigger franchises likeMario,Crash Bandicoot,Ratchet and Clank, and, yes,Spyro. While not coming close to matching any of those titles’ masterpieces, it also understands what makes them work and does a decent job of replicating their strengths. The result is a forgettable but enjoyable kids' game that might also entertain older players who want a throwback to a bygone era.
If there was ever aproduct of the 1990s, it was Gex the Gecko. He was one of the decade’s several anthropomorphic animal mascots, and while his games never quite hit the level of Spyro’s PS1 adventures, Gecko’s games are by no means bad. His second and third outings are perfectly solid 3D platformers.
Gex 3: Enter The Gecko, in particular, has a ton of vehicles and alternate gameplay styles that will remind players of theSpyrosequels. The controls are not quite up to the level of Insomniacs' games, butGex 3should still be able to spark people’s nostalgia for the classic days of 3D platformers.
An impressive throwback to 3D platformers of yesteryear,Demon Turfhas style, tight controls, and a fun protagonist. Driven by a desire to rule the Demon World, Beebz sets out to conquer four zones, each of which contains a myriad of levels leading to an eventual boss fight.
Within these stages, which overflow with visual flair, Beebz engages in challenging platforming sections along with the occasional combat scenario. The latter is nothing special, but the former compares favorably to most modern platformers.
