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Entertainment • Video Game

Spyro the Dragon

"Spyro the Dragon" is a 1998 3D platform video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Spyro the Dragon is a 1998 3D platform video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. It introduced Spyro, a young purple dragon, as the central character of the long-running Spyro video game series.

Gameplay

Spyro the Dragon is an open-ended 3D platform game in which players explore large levels and collect items while completing objectives. Core gameplay includes platforming, combat, and rescuing dragons trapped in crystal.

Story

The game follows Spyro as he travels across the Dragon Kingdom after Gnasty Gnorc traps the other dragons and turns their treasure into an army of minions. Spyro’s goal is to defeat Gnasty Gnorc and restore the dragon realms.

Series

The 1998 game launched the Spyro franchise, which later expanded into sequels, spin-offs, and rebooted continuities. Sources note later entries such as The Legend of Spyro and the Skylanders series.

Character

Spyro is depicted as a young, energetic, adventurous purple dragon with abilities including breathing fire, charging enemies, and gliding. He is the titular protagonist of the series that began with this game.

Key facts

  • Spyro the Dragon is the first game in the Spyro series.
  • The game stars Spyro, a young purple dragon, and his dragonfly companion Sparx.
  • Its story follows Spyro as he journeys through the Dragon Kingdom to defeat Gnasty Gnorc and free dragons trapped in crystal.
  • The game is an open-ended 3D platformer with large levels and collectible items such as gems, crystallized dragons, and stolen dragon eggs.
  • Spyro later appeared in other Spyro titles, including The Legend of Spyro games, and as a guest character in the Skylanders series.
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Canadian context

Spyro is best known to Canadian readers as a long-running PlayStation video game franchise with broad North American release and popularity, though the series has no specifically Canadian origin in the provided sources.[1][5]

Frequently asked questions

What is Spyro the Dragon?
It is a 1998 3D platform video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation.
Who is Spyro?
Spyro is the titular young purple dragon who serves as the main character of the series.
What is the game’s story?
Spyro travels across the Dragon Kingdom to defeat Gnasty Gnorc after the other dragons are trapped in crystal and their gems are turned into minions.
What kind of game is it?
It is an open-ended 3D platformer with collectible-focused level design.
What abilities does Spyro have?
Spyro’s signature abilities include breathing fire, charging with his horns, and gliding across gaps.
Is Spyro part of a larger series?
Yes. It is the first game in the Spyro series, which later included sequels, reboots, and crossover appearances.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyro_the_Dragon
    Supports: Developer, publisher, platform, release year, gameplay style, story premise.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyro_(character)
    Supports: Spyro’s character description, abilities, and role as the series protagonist.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyro
    Supports: Series background, original creation, sequels, reboot history, and rights ownership.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyro:_Year_of_the_Dragon
    Supports: Example of an early sequel in the original series.
  5. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyro_(series)
    Supports: Series overview, later reboots, and remaster trilogy mention.