While Spyro the Dragon is synonymous with the little purple guy, he was almost Pete the Dragon. Whether it be the worry that Disney might shut that name down — after all, Pete’s Dragon is quite similar — or that sounds way cooler (it does), history shows that Insomniac Games made the right call back in 1998. Toys for Bob Activision
While the dragon has many unique features about him, none stand out more than the strikingly deep purple skin (or scale) color he dons. While we can’t see Spyro donning any other color, Insomniac Games almost stuck with his original green color. Whether it be the worry that Disney might shut that name down — after all, Pete’s Dragon is quite similar — or that Spyro sounds way cooler (it does), history shows that Insomniac Games made the right call back in 1998. Toys for Bob Activision
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist,” is a phrase you’ve likely heard at least once in your life in regards to completing something simple. Surprisingly, for as simple as Spyro’s glide mechanic might feel, it’s far from it. In fact, it was so difficult to develop back in the 1990s that Insomniac Games actually hired a rocket scientist to ensure Spyro’s gliding was just right. Toys for Bob Activision
Before o the Dragon was released back in 1998, players were actually able to play a short demo for the game. They could only do so if they owned Crash Bandicoot Warped. By inputting up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right and then square, a third option on the Warped menu screen would appear that let you enter the Spyro demo. Toys for Bob Activision
You read that right. While Spongebob himself isn’t a part of Spyro, the voice behind the yellow sponge is because like Spongebob, is voiced by Tom Kenny in Ripto’s Rage and Year of the Dragon. As the fan favorite voice of Spyro, it’s no surprise that Kenny was brought back to voice the purple dragon in the Spyro Reignited Trilogy. Toys for Bob Activision
The original title, the Dragon, was released by Insomniac Games on September 9, 1998. The Spyro Reignited Trilogy was originally set to release on Sept. 21 of this year, which would have been roughly two weeks after his 20th birthday, but it was delayed to Nov. 13. So, when you pick up your copy of Spyro Reignited Trilogy, you’re playing as a character who’s been around almost long enough to drink a beer in America. Toys for Bob Activision
While Spyro the Dragon is synonymous with the little purple guy, he was almost Pete the Dragon. Whether it be the worry that Disney might shut that name down — after all, Pete's Dragon is quite similar — or that Spyro sounds way cooler (it does), history shows that Insomniac Games made the right call back in 1998.
Spyro the Green Dragon?
While Spyro the dragon has many unique features about him, none stand out more than the strikingly deep purple skin (or scale) color he dons. While we can't see Spyro donning any other color, Insomniac Games almost stuck with his original green skin design.
It Actually Took a Rocket Scientist
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist," is a phrase you've likely heard at least once in your life in regards to completing something simple. Surprisingly, for as simple as Spyro's glide mechanic might feel, it's far from it. In fact, it was so difficult to develop back in the 1990s that Insomniac Games actually hired a rocket scientist to ensure Spyro's gliding was just right.
Hidden Within Crash Bandicoot
Before Spyro the Dragon was released back in 1998, players were actually able to play a short demo for the game. They could only do so if they owned Crash Bandicoot Warped. By inputting up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right and then square, a third option on the Warped menu screen would appear that let you enter the Spyro demo.
Spongebob Is In Spyro, Kind Of
You read that right. While Spongebob himself isn't a part of Spyro, the voice behind the yellow sponge is because, like Spongebob, Spyro is voiced by Tom Kenny in Ripto's Rage and Year of the Dragon. As the fan-favorite voice of Spyro, it's no surprise that Kenny was brought back to voice the purple dragon in the Spyro Reignited Trilogy.
He's 20 Years Old
The original Spyro title, Spyro the Dragon, was released by Insomniac Games on Sept. 9, 1998. The Spyro Reignited Trilogy was originally set to release on Sept. 21 of this year, which would have been roughly two weeks after his 20th birthday, but it was delayed to Nov. 13. So, when you pick up your copy of Spyro Reignited Trilogy, you're playing as a character who's been around almost long enough to drink a beer in America.
Cinematic Inspiration
There are over 100 different levels in Spyro the Dragon and each one surprisingly feels different. That wasn't without trying, though. To ensure each level's uniqueness, Insomniac Games assigned themes to each level and each of these themes were based on a movie. Star Wars served as the inspiration for Cliff Town, The Beast Makers Hub was inspired by Apocalypse Now and so on.
Almost An Adult
In his original concept, Spyro the Dragon was going to be a tough, adult dragon, void of the playful cool-cat personality seen in the character today. Fortunately, the Spyro we got is more teenager than adult, more silly than serious, and more pro-skater than too-old-to-skate-these-days.
State-of-the-Art Enemy Design
When Spyro the Dragon was released, its enemies did something not many, if any, enemies did before: targeted the player. Play Crash Bandicoot or an older game and upon close inspection, you'll see that enemies simply perform one function over and over. In Spyro the Dragon, though, enemies were developed to target the player and either distract them or damage them, a first for the time.
He's Really Popular (But You Knew That Already)
As of this year, the Spyro franchise has sold over 11 million units worldwide. That number doesn't include the millions the Spyro Reignited Trilogy is sure to sell or the millions upon millions the Skylander games have sold through. Surprisingly, the first Spyro game, Spyro the Dragon, has sold the most of the original trilogy, with nearly 5 million of the total 11 million directly contributed to the first in the series.
About the author
Wesley LeBlanc
Wesley LeBlanc is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Multimedia Journalism. He has a passion for entertainment and the industry surrounding it. He's either playing video games or writing about them. When he isn't doing that, he's reading about them. Get a life, right?