Spyro: Year of the Dragon - A History

[@Capydapy]

I could be wrong but I think the joke with Sheila the Kangaroo that you would think that she'll live in Australia, but she lives in Austria.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I never thought of that, went right over my head.. xD

[@Silentgrace11]

/brain explodes/

[@Lucifronz]

Huh... I had not considered that. I always thought the developers were just a bit clueless, but maybe it was me that was clueless all along.

[@bolladragon]

Oh my God.

[@neog8029]

Wow. That's...Did anyone catch that as a kid? That's so ingenious!

[@AdmiralOctopus]

"...and my personal favourite of the whole series" Damn, not even a minute in and I had to give this a like. Always happy to see another person claim Year of the Dragon as their favourite.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I know a lot of people like the second game, but this will always be my favourite! A more refined version of the second game I think. Now if only the realms had cut scenes. :D

[@MiharuTheFox]

Same! YOTD is actually my favorite game of all time. ^^

[@Silentgrace11]

This is my favorite, but I'm pretty sure that I have some bias because I have a more kindred nostalgia for it. We got Spyro 1 when I was really young (like 3 or 4) when any attempts to do anything with video games other than watch someone else play was met with death glares and inevitably getting bullied by my older sister, so I never really had a change to enjoy it much until I was older. Then we got Spyro 3 when I was 6, when I was much more ample to actually semi-competently play the game (although I usually just spent my time harvesting lives for my sister to play until I was older than that ^^"). I didn't even know Ripto's rage existed until I was 9 or so and bought it on my own accord, thinking it was the newest game in the franchise, only to become frustrated when I couldn't swim, climb, headbutt or adventure around with Sheila automatically like I could in the 3rd game. That made it a lot harder to love even though more than enough people argue that it's the superior game. Hilariously enough, the reason why I thought it was the new game was because I was planning on buying Spyro: Year of the Dragonfly when I went to the store that day, but since I still mostly only had ps1 games for my ps2 I instantly gravitated towards Ripto instead, assuming that that had to be the new game because what else could it be? xD

[@macpurcell21]

Toridori i definitely agree that Year of the dragon is the best in the series & i also see the love for spyro 2, it really captures that magical atmosphere..especially autumn plains but still spyro 3 was always number 1

[@Tomiply]

I actually think Spyro 2 is much better, as some of the mini games and character levels are infuriating in Spyro 3.

[@smoogieboogie1694]

This is one of my favorite videos ever now. Not only do you love Spyro 3 as much as me, which isn’t a sentiment that I see shared very often, but you went into so much detail about the game that made this such a fun and engaging watch. I do hope you continue this series eventually, but I understand if you don’t.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you for the kind words, Odd Gaming! I had so much fun making this video and I still have a buzz for Spyro, so I may actually do the 4th game after all. Would be interesting to do so as I haven't played that one since I was 10! :)

[@Dewdropmon]

One nice thing about the key thief beetles in Bug Bot Factory is you can "flame" at them to push them away from the key and as soon as you grab the key they explode. Makes that part of the level so much easier.

[@darkblade_113]

This game is also my favorite, it’s just so good! While I think I probably played Ripto’s Rage most as a kid, this one definitely edged it out as I got older (it’s still so close though). I think the additional playable characters is what ultimately swings it for me. Thanks for making these videos, I’ve been having a blast watching them, and I can tell you’ve put a lot of time in and are passionate talking about the series. These games remain some of my favorite of all time, and I recently finished playing through all three again on my PS3 (praise the slightly touched-up PS1 Classics available for download on PSN). Super excited for the Reignited Trilogy, as everything I’ve seen so far is amazing; and we’ve only seen footage from the first game!

[@HectorGonzalez-qx9nk]

These videos are amazing! Spyro holds a special place in my heart since the first game was my first video game ever, and I love seeing people like yourself put in the time and effort for the purple dragon! Keep up the great work!

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you for the kind words Hector and I'm glad you liked the video!

[@jaydenyugi9034]

Another excellent video Toridori! Spyro 3 is my favourite Spyro game out of all the three. I’m so happy to hear that it’s you’re favourite too. It really combines the best of both worlds from the previous games, it feels more grander, the additional characters add some needed variety, the story is the best out of the three, the soundtrack is awesome and the game just feels properly fleshed out with the varied realms and worlds. I think the most difficult mini game for me was The Haunted Tomb tank mini game. I hated that one so much! I found it so frustratingly hard! xD Also, you’re not alone with Sheila’s escort mission. That gave me some trouble too as did Bentley’s boxing. My favourite ones include all the Skateboarding ones, I enjoyed the skateboard races as well as the beanstalk mission and Fireworks Factory too. Honestly, I think Insomniac went out with a bang. Perfect way to end their journey with Spyro. There’s so much to enjoy from Spyro 3 and one of the most satisfying things is Moneybags finally getting his comeuppance! I can’t wait to charge him again in the Reignited Trilogy! 😈 I completely understand that you would want to end your Spyro retrospective videos here, although it would have been interesting to hear your thoughts on Enter The Dragonfly. Once again, thank you so much for the elaborative and detailed videos. Watching these have made even more excited to experience it all again in the Reignited Trilogy! :D

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you Jayden! It's really cool to hear so many people like this one as from what I've seen around the internet, others seem to prefer Spyro 2. Go Spyro 3 fans! The Haunted Tombs mini game gave me so much trouble as a kid and I was actually dreading doing that one. Luckily I'm better at the game now than when I was 8 years old, so it didn't give me too many issues. The yeti boxing match though? Uhhhhh, HATE it. How are you supposed to win against AI without just mashing Quick Jab?? Aha, when I first played Spyro 3 and found out you could charge Moneybags.. such a good feeling! Shame he still turns up in later games, hoped we got rid of him once and for all! And Enter the Dragonfly is still up in the air. Once I've had a few days to chill (as this video took me aaaaaaages) I might give it a go. Just got to find out if a PS2 emulator will run ok on my computer. :D

[@jaydenyugi9034]

Toridori Awesome! I’m really looking forward to it! :D From what I remember, the PS2 version was the worst version and that’s the version I played as a kid. It had super long loading times too along with an inconsistent frame rate and because it had rushed development thanks to Universal, there was so much content missing from both gameplay and story. The GameCube version is apparently recommended because it’s much better and has less issues but I never had the chance to try out that version. Despite all its glaring issues, it actually feels much more like a Spyro game that A Hero’s Tail ever did. It was the last game to use Copeland’s soundtrack and the original designs and voice cast too.

[@nicolais665]

The best spyro game💪

[@ToridoriGaming]

Yes!

[@nicolais665]

Toridori lol im still watching😂 love ur videos by the way

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you, I'm glad you love them! :D

[@TripleR6000]

Yes year of the dragon is the best

[@rhodrimayer3127]

I know I'm 3 years late but this is correct! 😄😍🥰

[@Zookstar1000]

While I do understand the preferences for Spyro 2 (and even Spyro 1), to me, Spyro 3 will always be the closest to perfection this series will ever get. From the engaging story, to the colourful cast of characters, to the luscious and enchanting environments and to the incredibly fun and refined gameplay. It gets better everytime I play it again and I still find new things to discover. Sure it has its tiny flaws (with some of the minigames) but I feel those shouldn't overshadow the absolute greatness that came with this game. Thats why it remains one of my favourite games to this day. Great history review overall. :D

[@ToridoriGaming]

Yes, another Spyro 3 fan! Glad you liked the video! I know why people love Spyro 2 as it set the foundations for further games with its mini games, cutscenes and so on, but I feel like Spyro 3 refined that. It's like the Pacha meme - 'when the Spyro game is just right'. I seriously cannot wait for the remake, I hope it does the original trilogy justice. :D

[@Zookstar1000]

The remaster will have the advantage of making the environments even more gorgeous and enchanting as well as improve on things that weren't perfect in the original trilogy. I do hope it does the third game justice though. Enter the Dragonfly sucked not just because it was rushed out the window but also because it had incredibly big shoes to fill, as with every other post-Spyro 3 game, though I will say I did really enjoy A Hero's Tail. :)

[@ToridoriGaming]

I've just played through Enter the Dragonfly for my next video, I haven't played it in years and oh boy, it hasn't aged well. There's some things I do love (the music, flying through speedways) but most of it is terrible and I'm reaaaaally trying not to be negative but it's so difficult not to be. :I

[@Zookstar1000]

Can't blame you. The music was good and some levels looked beautiful but it was dragged down by the many glitches, uninspired minigames, lackluster story and the fact that it was a follow-up to Spyro 3 meant it had A LOT to live up to.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I'm actually gonna do a bug/glitch montage at the end of my video to show how bad it is. Luckily I didn't get any glitches that were toooo bad, worst one was falling through a platform on those electric pole mini games. I agree about the story to a degree; I don't mind it being really simple as Spyro 1 was, but if you're gonna have a simple story you got to have decent gameplay, and this installment just doesn't. :(

[@ctrouble2309]

This is currently the best video on this game out there. Great work.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you. :)

[@OcarinaofKillingTime]

Thank you for making these retrospectives, they were all great! Also, good call on Year of the Dragon, it's my favourite too!

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you Frustrate, and I'm glad there is another YotD enthusiast! Tempted to still do Enter the Dragonfly but not sure. xD

[@OcarinaofKillingTime]

Do it! :D

[@nostradamusofgames5508]

I'm pretty sure Spyro 3 is every fans favourite, makes sense due to how refined and greatly expanded in content it is.

[@darrenconnolly8858]

The delightful fairy Zoey would appear to tel you that you're playing a hacked game and remind you what a terrible person you are lol. That part had me dying.

[@ToridoriGaming]

She made me feel so bad.. 😂

[@razvandobos9759]

@@ToridoriGaming I'm sorry Spyro but you seem to be playing a hacked version of this game. This might be a illegal copy. Since this copy has been modified, you may experience problems that would not normally occur in a legal copy.

[@katherynkarn8281]

Oh my god... I'm Canadian and didn't notice they had Canadian accents! Then again, I've also heard much better accents in other media. I also find people in southern Ontario sound hardly anything like our stereotypical accent lol though, if I pay attention, we do say "eh" pretty often, and so casually too.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Me and Doug were supposed to go ice fishing... eh. :D

[@razvandobos9759]

Someone said the polar bears had more of a Minnesota accent, which is America's little Canada.

[@forgoteness2]

I can see the amount of time you put into these and it is amazing

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you very much! :)

[@creamdream5255]

OMG MY FAVORITE SPYRO GAME I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO!!!

[@ToridoriGaming]

Sorry for making you wait! :D

[@superdarklink]

This game was my jam back in the day. It was the first game I ever perfected, and was a game both me and my sister would enjoy together. This one holds a special place in my heart.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I'm glad you're a fan of Year of the Dragon! So many people put it down over Ripto's Rage/Gateway to Glimmer, but it has a special place in my heart too. :)

[@mr.e341]

I remember playing this game when I was 3 years old. All I remembered was you could collect eggs from these hooded guys, and there was two Chinese dragons. You helped me remember what it was. Thank you. And then I got the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, I could finally relive when I was 3. (I have no idea how I managed to remember properly at that age.)

[@ToridoriGaming]

I'm impressed you remember that far back, I barely remember anything from before 5 years old!

[@thebigj3]

Yay! 😁 Year of the Dragon was the first OT Spyro game I played and it remains my favourite!

[@ToridoriGaming]

I cannot wait for the remake, hope they do it justice!

[@deralmighty8011]

I have both the black label original NTSC version and the Greatest Hits version. The black label version not only repeats Sunrise Spring's theme for Evening Lake, but also plays that one, not Spike's theme, during the battle with the sorceress. o_O Everything is as it should be in the greatest hits version, though.

[@MiroFloydtan]

Honestly, finishing this game as much older fella, i thought this game's Bonus left more to be desired. There should have been minigames/segments with all the animal friends in there. Super Bonus Round in general just felt really tacked on, i am not surprised if developers were forced to meet a deadline towards the end. But really, this video was great, full analyzing of the third purple dragon game. It was good to hear you analyze as many aspects of the game as possible.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Hey Miro, thank you for watching and commenting! I don't mind the Super Bonus Round but as you said, it should have included the other characters seeing as they make up a big part of the game. Plus I hated that skateboard race part...

[@BirdsDotGov]

Toridori I am also terrible at the skateboard race, but if you stand in one of the blue stars before the race starts, when you're not on a skateboard, you'll start the race with boost. My advice for that though is to turn the volume off because that sound effect after a minute or two gets annoying

[@thehereandnow8673]

You can actually skip half the course if you leap off a certain part in the skateboard race to have an easy win

[@ToridoriGaming]

Whereabouts? :O

[@thehereandnow8673]

@@ToridoriGaming been ages since ive done it but the track goes higher in a certain point and when you boost off a ramp and hold the boost whilst turning you can land near the start line just. I initially saw a speedrunner pull it off

[@BdresserGaming]

At 30:53 Agent 9 just watches the Sorceress just come out of the lava and is like everything is fine here. Nothing to worry about

[@ToridoriGaming]

We need the 'this is fine' dog!

[@avasam06]

Quick tip for the Yeti boxing game: plug in a second controller ;) Similar to missing gems, I played on the 1.0 version where the second egg of the first speedway is UNOBTAINABLE if you don't get it first try.

[@ToridoriGaming]

If I had a spare I would have but thanks for the tip! Sorry about your egg collecting. D:

[@ZoeBeingLPS]

Year of the Dragon was how I was first introduced to Spyro. We used to have a PS1 when I was a toddler, and I was only a few months old when that game was released.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Awww, do you remember anything about the game from when you were a toddler? Or is it all coming back after watching the video? :)

[@ZoeBeingLPS]

I remember very well as a toddler, actually. Back then, all I made Spyro do was breathe fire. I have a very good memory of a lot of things. My mother even once told me that before I learned how to speak, I started humming certain tunes. Spyro was one of the very first video game characters I was ever introduced to in my life. He's actually my favorite one. I love him so much that i made my own Spyro playlist on my channel of the different games I like from the franchise. I even wrote my own story for a Spyro game that they should make in the future and i worked on it for a little over 2 months. I own Spyro a Hero's Tail on my xbox, and I have a blast playing that game. I am happy that you replied, and I think you describe these games very well. I like them so much that I will even add them to my playlist. I am a big fan of that dragon, and I believe you must be a big fan too. If you are, I would love for you to share this # I made up and pass it on. #SpyroFanExtreme🌟

[@ZoeBeingLPS]

And if I could, I would love to try and share my made up Spyro story, and I think you would love to read it. A lot of my friends and teachers who I showed the story to absolutely love it.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I will share the # and yes I would like to see your Spyro story. What's the synopsis? :D

[@ZoeBeingLPS]

The name of the Story is Spyro - The Dragon Behind The Mirror. It's both an adventure and a love story, because it's a story I made that shows more of Spyro's gentle side and strong emotions for certain people. The story's about Spyro helping a girl from another world get back home. I named the girl after myself. I know there's already a character named Zoe in the games, but she's never really seen too much and there's not that much to her character. only giving Spyro tips and warnings, and also just saving progress. The Zoe character in this is a 16 year old human, who accidentally fell in an open portal that opened in a magic dragon mirror she found. She comes to Spyro's world and was painfully transformed into a dragon while travelling through the portal. I could probably try and email it to you, because there's a little too much to explain. Also I want to keep most of it a surprise for you. I have only a Goolgle+ account, and it would be very helpful if you could help me by sharing it with you on your email. I'll put my email in your discussion section on your channel.

[@Garrulous64]

Finally getting around to watching this one. It was very worth the wait.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Cheers me dears, though I can't remember what I even said in the video. Does that happen to you too when someone talks about one of your older videos? 😂

[@tonythen00b]

Agent 9's levels feel like tech demos of Ratchet and Clank, given the shooting and bomb-throwing. At least they did after going back after playing the first Ratchet and Clank game.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I never played Ratchet and Clank so I wouldn't know. Perhaps that should be next on my list!

[@zoetic1112]

I have never had any trouble with the yeti boxing fights and actually sorta liked it but I have seen so many people who say they absolutely hate it

[@ToridoriGaming]

I can't do it! Every time I jab he blocks it, if I try a harder punch he jabs me... the AI is a cheating git. Only way I've ever won is trapping him in the corner and spamming jab. :(

[@jonahbenson5755]

Please do more! These are awesomely fun to watch

[@ToridoriGaming]

I'm playing and recording through Enter the Dragonfly at the moment, it's taking me ages though as the game... isn't great. 😱😂

[@zoetic1112]

I honestly feel like Midday Gardens is more of a Sunrise/Morning feel than Spring Sunrise

[@VandrothSoryn]

The Sorceress' Lair music in the NTSC version is Sunrise Spring. It's so dumb

[@ToridoriGaming]

That is so bad! xD

[@ironmaidenomg666]

For some reason, I always fondly remember meeting the whale in Evening lake, had to run off to show my dad how cool it was! Greatly enjoyed the video :D Subscribed!

[@ToridoriGaming]

The whale was awesome, I used to swim around with him sometimes and just chill. :D

[@ironmaidenomg666]

I love the majority of people I've spoken to about playstation games have all had similar experiences. I've yet to find a person who hasn't locked Winston in the fridge in Tomb Raider 3

[@ToridoriGaming]

Winston creeped me out, he always went in the fridge when I played. Remember he'd sometimes make that farting noise when you jumped over him? :O

[@ironmaidenomg666]

That's the one! He was incredibly determined to serve you pixelated tea

[@g.n.s.153]

I guess I'm in the mainstream bunch that prefers Spyro 2 over this one. The side characters were a lot of fun with only Agent 9 not really clicking with me.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Agent 9 could have been so much fun but the aiming is terrible in Spyro 3. :/

[@JasonCameron774]

This game is iconic, the finality of Midnight Mountain was never lost on me.

[@LookingTheBest]

Yeah, I remember in my heart I knew this was the last time I would experience Spyro. It would be amazing to get another with Copeland making the music. You can’t really get around that the music is a very very large part of what makes these games amazing.

[@jimmyp1594]

After being British and encountering the non-PAL soundtrack at work, I can confirm that it is generally excellent. Each of the Midnight Mountain realms have brilliant music. I really hope they put all of those tracks in the Reignited Trilogy! (Well, except for Lost Fleet. It's quite... trippy...) Thanks again, Toridori! I've somehow managed to watch all three of your original trilogy videos today. I'm glad you also did end up doing Enter the Dragonfly (the first one of yours I watched). The content is great and this whole thing has inspired me to maybe record something similar at some point in the future. :D

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you for the kind words, Jimmy! I love the non-PAL soundtracks and hope they're put in the Reignited Trilogy too. After listening to the Lost Fleet one, isn't that just Sheila's Alp theme with a bit of spicing up? If I'm looking at the right one that is. :D You should definitely do some videos, it's really fun! :)

[@jimmyp1594]

Yeah, that's the track! I don't know, it strikes me as weird that they chose to remix Sheila's theme for a level with no Sheila. Also, I feel the addition of the keyboards makes the track a bit more spooky and uncomfortable, which doesn't particularly suit Lost Fleet as a level. It may suit Spooky Swamp, but its current theme is too good to replace... :D

[@TheJnmiah]

The third game was amazing! My cousins and I would literally play it all day and night as kids, it was a blast. Thank you for making this video, it was very interesting and I loved it.

[@magicalpotatoeforces]

You have a lovely voice. P.S. - Cloud Spires is also notorious for a missing gem glitch, on my game I can’t find a 5 gem- even with Sparx’s ability. I have a NTSC greatest hits version, which is weird. Also, I hate the cannon vehicle challenge in Haunted Tomb, the game changes to hardest mode by that point of the game for me so its literally THE hardest mini game I face every time. My cannons never hit the Rhynocs, only the stupid flaming barrel.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you, magicalpotatoeforces (great name btw)! Is Sparx not pointing to the treasure at all then? And yes I hated that mini game too, though luckily it was much easier for me this time around... I did die a lot of times on that realm though, so maybe the game dumbed down for me!

[@magicalpotatoeforces]

Toridori I’m not sure, all I know is I make my way through the rest of the game by that point and beat the Sorceress - I then go to Sparx’s level in Midnight Mountain to unlock the gem finder ability and go back and cannot find the gem. I have reset my game many times and I’m not sure why he won’t find my last 5 gem.

[@ToridoriGaming]

That really sucks! :(

[@flamingdragon1527]

Great Analysis on the game! You’re very enjoyable to listen to, have a charismatic personality and great when detailing certain areas. You’ve earned a subscriber and my upmost respect.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you Phoenix for the kind words and the subscribe! :D

[@flamingdragon1527]

Toridori Thanks!Also would it be okay if you could give your thoughts and opinions on the Legend of Spyro Trilogy?

[@ToridoriGaming]

At this rate I probably will, already finished my script for Enter the Dragonfly and editing the video as we speak. Then it'll be A Hero's Tail and finally the Legend of Spyro trilogy. Looking forward to them because it'll be the first time I've ever played them. :)

[@7EEVEE]

YASSSS, watching now, I liked it as soon as you uploaded but now I finally have time to watch. Hyyyyyype.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you Daniel! :D

[@MastaGambit]

With some of these minigames, the problem is more just that they seem to take so fucking long to complete. To be fair though, it's possible that this could just be due to either our perceptions as older gamers, or it could be due to the fact that games nowadays have changed to where things generally happen in a much more timely manner.

[@ToridoriGaming]

The skateboard mini games took me forever, but I actually found most took less time now. I guess because I'm a better at games than I was as a kid? Boxing mini game can burn though... :D

[@alfredroman5801]

I remember having trouble on Spike and expect Scorch and the Evil Sorcerous to be hard. Scorch was easy; the Evil Sorcerous, pretty difficult in the beginning, but easy when you get the flying saucer. The secret final boss can burn in heck.

[@ToridoriGaming]

That secret final boss was a major letdown for me. A UFO fight again, seriously!?

[@thedarknesscallingme]

Couldnt get enough of this game when i was a child, i played it so much i think the disc itself got worn out.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Glad to hear there's another Spyro 3 fan! What was your favourite thing about the game? :)

[@gnbman]

Thank you for defending our boy Agent 9! I feel the same way about his levels.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Poor Agent 9, he needs love too! They could've made his aiming a bit better though. :P

[@sr.alligator7569]

@@ToridoriGaming Agent 9's my favorite playable character, he almost starred in his own game!

[@CadDriftarus]

"Sony really didn't want to give Insomniac a break, did they?" Well, they wanted Insomniac to live up to their name.

[@toxiccrowgamming6875]

Your content is amazing keep up the good job :3

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you so much! :D

[@The_Seaborg]

Thank you for doing these Toridori, all 3 have been enjoyable to watch (even if they are so long) hearing your input was quite interesting, and it’s always nice to see another person and a fellow fans input on one of my favourite video game characters, hope you do more of these for other games

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you Seaborg! They've got progressively longer as time has gone on too, haha.. but I really enjoy making them. Maybe once I'm truly done and dusted with Spyro I should do this for other old games. :D

[@7EEVEE]

*cough* yesplease *cough*

[@ToridoriGaming]

Any suggestions? :D

[@The_Seaborg]

Toridori hmmm maybe jak and Daxter, ratchet and clank, or crash bandicoot?

[@ToridoriGaming]

Jak and Daxter, my childhood!

[@TyrannoNoddy]

I actually like Honey Speedway a lot TBH, I don't mind them reusing giant bugs, plus the honey look plus night background is just a great look to me. I have to admit the Hunter boat challenge got on my nerves though. Definitely agree Fireworks Factory is a fave tho. You forgot to mention how you need to beat the Homeworld's boss to unlock the Sparx levels in general, not just the last one. Also on the topic of glitches that ruin the game in early versions, there's also one where you have to complete the speedway races on first run otherwise when you retry, you don't get an egg even when you win the race (it might apply to time attack too but I'm not sure). This drove me mad as a kid, I literally had to buy a platinum copy just to get past that annoyance (though I lost my other copy anyway because of some weird moving stuff lol). The firefly escort mission annoys me, but I actually find it less grating than the Alchemist oddly enough. Maybe because Sheila makes it more fun to play, maybe also because if you don't have headbash in Spyro 2 you have to redo the alchemist one, but narrative wise at least the fireflies have the excuse for their clumsy moves because they light the bombs and have to move quickly while having poor eyesight. IDK why they can't just bring the bombs there first (maybe they're super explosive or rhynocs were around until Spyro dealt with them lol), but at least there's more logic behind it than that stupid alchemist who has no excuse to just sneak past the earthshapers (and I mean, his potion or whatever would be less risky if he simply went in a straight line right to Hunter XD). :P Also I agree the cat witch minigame is annoying, though at least the plot of it is fun with Sgt Byrd dating the fairy. XD Also the boxing game is annoying I agree, though at least the extra of after completing it you can have two player boxing matches is cool. Also I don't mind the vehicles for the most part, though I agree the skate/snowboard races are a chore. Come to think of it there's quite a few difficult minigames in Spyro 3, it might be the adaptive difficulty thing. I just got used to it I guess. I definitely agree Spyro 3 is the best of the soundtracks, I like the slightly different stuff it has to offer. I know some prefer stuff without Ryan, but I think it made it even better. Also one of my biggest hopes for the Reignited trilogy is that the game has the music added to the NTSC Greatest Hits version (same with the PAL High Caves music, I don't want slow Tree Tops lol), because as you say those tracks were great and every level except for the extra playable characters now has its own unique theme, even the Speedways. I kinda wish the Enchanted Towers theme played in the main level and only used the Sgt Byrd one when you change over to him, but hey maybe Reignited could do something about that. Even with the PAL/original NTSC soundtrack the reused themes still worked for their levels though, especially Spike's theme (a personal favourite) for the Sorceress. I'm not too big on the "it's for kids" argument to justify the simple story, but I agree it's not an issue nonetheless. It's definitely the best of the trilogy, and I actually like the Sorceress more as a main villain than Gnasty or Ripto because her motivations are more defined and serious (and as we see, really fucked up). I guess for me, I mainly come to games for gameplay, so as long as the story and characters work well enough like in Spyro I'm fine. Also Spyro 3 is my favourite of the series too :D

[@ToridoriGaming]

What! I didn't know about that speedway bug.. that would have been a nightmare for me on Harbour Speedway because I think I did that race like, 7 times... I thought the Alchemist was easier because his route was quite simple and you only had to do it once, whereas the firefly route gets dumber on the second round. I know they're short of sight but c'mon, why can't they walk in a straight line. And you can still do the Alchemist one without headbash, you just got to charge into the Earthshapers and knock them away. But I will agree, the Alchemist could have just walked to the left and saved himself (and me) all that hassle! The cat witches were a lot easier for me this time than when I was a kid, I could never finish it when I was younger and used to cry haha! Also I love the fairies in all the Spyro games so Charmed Ridge as a whole makes me really happy. Reminds me of Lofty Castle from Spyro 1. :3 Enchanted Towers music felt very lazy. It kind of worked I guess, given that the inhabitants were architects and builders, but I felt the song didn't fit the 'enchanted' vibe. There are those weird fat dragon things flying around and big wonky towers all over the place, I need more magic music! As you said they should have only used that theme for Sgt Byrd's mini game. Maybe we'll get some new music for it in the remake? :) So far the Sorceress is my fave villain because she's just so evil. Gnasty was ok but was really just a guy in a bad mood after being insulted, and I could never take Ripto seriously because he looked like an angry horned oompa loompa. Finding out the Sorceress actually wants the baby dragons for their wings, an act which would obviously kill or at least seriously maim them and cause them great pain... man that was evil and dark. D:

[@ultratechemployee183]

I'm surprised you didn't talk about getting all your gems back from moneybags. For say ahem....a small fee?

[@ToridoriGaming]

I know, can't believe I forgot to mention it! Though I was probably embarrassed to show the footage at the time as I fell off the map chasing him. :D

[@revan483]

You have opened my eyes to the Bond/Bird pun. Spent so much time playing this game and never got that.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I'm happy to have enlightened you! :)

[@JAYBOXPOWER1987]

The character I hated to play the most is Agent 9. The characters I love playing is Sheila, Bentley, and Sparx.

[@toirlangston7203]

JAYBOXPOWER and some people wanted to give Spyro a hard time because he's a quadrilateral I enjoy playing as Spyro in every game

[@TripleR6000]

Spyro year of the dragon is my favorite of the trilogy & my favorite game of all time . I’m glad Spyro 3 is your favorite of the trilogy also year of the dragon is the best. Evening lake & midnight mountain are the best hub worlds the music is really good

[@ToridoriGaming]

I'd happily live in Evening Lake 🥰

[@ashlynn13975]

Subscribed to your channel because of this video - Spyro 3 is also my favourite (so much so that I have a tattoo!) and when checking out the rest of your content it seemed great. Glad to find another great creator 🥰

[@soverysleepy]

the Canadian fellows Bob and Doug are references to the Mackenzie brothers from "SCTV" and the movie "Strange Brew"'

[@ToridoriGaming]

I didn't know this, thanks! :)

[@ninetailwarrior]

Ugh i know Midnight Mountain will look amazing in the remaster great job Tori !

[@ToridoriGaming]

I hope the music is just as good too! :)

[@lynottlives]

Anyone else hoping that the remake will add cutscenes at the start and end of each mission to match Spyro 2? That would be pretty amazing.

[@ToridoriGaming]

That would be awesome!

[@LegalVampire]

Spyro 3 was the first Spyro game I played as a kid, so it's the most nostalgic for me ☺️

[@Ratmiss796]

This game is my favourite too. Favourite music: icy peak Favourite level: frozen altars

[@ToridoriGaming]

Frozen Altars was great! -- apart from the yeti boxing match.. xD

[@PlanetZoidstar]

"Will we ever get a day off?" I see what you did there, Insomniac, with how much you were having to rush these games out. Still given how little them they had to make the Spyro trilogy it's amazing the games were as good as they were. I guess it comes down to working well under pressure. Though I feel Spyro 3 focussed too much on the minigames and it would have been nice to get a cutscene where Spyro actually confronts The Sorceress. To give all that buildup some payoff.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I would have loved cutscenes for Spyro 3's intro and outros on levels too, that would have been awesome!

[@Lettuce__321]

I personally like year of the dragon best cause it's the game I grew up with, I love the gameplay and MY GOD the music is the most nostalgic thing to listen to especially my favourite tracks spooky swamp, midday garden homeworld, and fireworks factory. Everything was just done right and even though the reignited trilogy us out and I completed every remastered game of spyro I still like to revisit the original games on my Ps2 :) I love how in depth you go with your reviews, they are so fun to watch and extremely descriptive and they are the things I watch the most on your channel I absolutely love them! :))

[@lorelk8782]

Lovely video once again! :) Would enjoy this series to continue though and see what you think about the other Spyro games.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you Kurt! I probably will do it, I'm just being lazy at the mo. xD

[@archiewebb9154]

1:19 it was universal they made Incredible time crunches

[@Slorborbius]

1000th like boiii, I really love ur content, it’s nice and calm and informative

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you ZamasuScape! :)

[@treeman73272]

Evening lake is also my favorite

[@ToridoriGaming]

Yay! :)

[@nathanapplegate5374]

I think I know the mini game you’re referring to in the bonus round. It’s the sled race isn’t it. Here’s a hint. To win the race, go to a blue speed star that is toward the beginning of the course. It’s on the first series of ramps where the first missile stars are. Get into one of those blue stars in that area and stand there until you receive 150 speed boost sound effects, then go to hunter and start the race. When the race begins, you will find that you have permanent supercharge. So long as you don’t crash or fall, you will have the super speed.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Is that a bug or intentional on the developer's part? :P

[@nathanapplegate5374]

I think it was intentional. The developers made a habit of putting glitches into the game as a back door of beating the game easier. There are countless cheat codes and glitches in the games. And I utilize many of them to either skip moneybags or get 99 lives or make a particularly difficult sled race easy.

[@karolkondracki4641]

I’ve been waiting for this video 😉 and really enjoyed it! I just realized how beautiful this all will look in Reignited Trilogy 😍

[@ToridoriGaming]

Glad you liked it Karol! I'm so excited for the remake, it looks gorgeous. What level are you most looking forward to in the Reignited Trilogy? :)

[@karolkondracki4641]

Autumn Plains. I know it’s a hub world but... I remember sitting on the castle tower listening to the wind and this beautiful soundtrack in Autumn Plains and it’s like a definition of bright side of my childhood. Something magical about this world...

[@ToridoriGaming]

Flying off that tower is going to be awesome!

[@victorenriqueperez]

Did anyone else used to run around and blast those bunnies with Super Fire Charge in Midday Gardens just for fun? :-)

[@ToridoriGaming]

That noise they make when you hit them!... xD

[@victorenriqueperez]

Toridori OMG YES!!! Haha, anyway I really enjoyed your spyro videos. Hope you have a nice day :)

[@ToridoriGaming]

You too Victor! :D

[@crispy8346]

My favorite speedways are honey and harbor speedway

[@salvatoredali4384]

Great video. I'm a little sad this retrospective is done but i'm excited to see what videos you make next.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I might still be doing Enter the Dragonfly! When I finished this video I was kinda worn out with Spyro, but feeling better now. :D

[@salvatoredali4384]

Oh that could be a fun video. I remember alot of interesting ideas and worlds in enter the dragonfly. Though the graphics haven't aged well and it's infamous for glitches.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Hope I don't run into any truly bad ones!

[@cobrabear6497]

This was my childhood, and my favorite game

[@Tony-Stockport]

Another great documentary. Thank you for all your hard work. I got hooked on the game as the father of a four year old (I'd have to send him to bed just so I could play some more! Lol) I can't wait for the reissue in September.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I'm glad you like the retrospectives TC! You need to get your kid involved too and take turns. :)

[@Tony-Stockport]

What I meant was that he was playing the game while I watched, he'd get me to do the stuff he was stuck on and that's how I got hooked. It's a great game to look at but it's even better as a player. I loved everything about it, especially the music. Watching your videos has brought it all back. I'll probably be dipping into your run-through when I get the PS4 version in September.

[@ProfCoolio]

Next time I play this game, I should listen to “Dance of the Hours” during the home worlds. What a brilliant idea!

[@GRex7777]

Sad to say, but this is actually my single least favorite game of the original 3, and it all comes down to the extra characters. I understand that a lot of people like the variety, and more power to ya for it, but I'm one of those people who plays a Spyro game for Spyro. The sheer number of ways this game can bug out and block off 100% completion also drives me nuts. All that said though, your videos have been excellent, and it's nice to hear some of the background to the games instead of just the game itself. Subbed.

[@ToridoriGaming]

That's fair enough, not everybody will enjoy the same games. I love this game so much but the original Spyro will always have a special place in my heart for just being about Spyro himself. And his buddy Sparx of course! Thank you so much for the sub. :)

[@GRex7777]

Same, as well as how the first game is the only one without forced 2nd trips to levels. In 2 and 3, you WILL leave and come back if you want to 100% the game, while in 1, EVERY level can be completed then and there, you don't need a power up for character you unlock later.

[@Ratchetti]

15:04 We had that happen, BUT my little brother did find the last gem eventually, it was randomly on the floor on the Sheila level. So if you happen to have that glitch there's still hope!

[@lostboyy18]

Also worth noting - Molten Crater is the homeworld of Gulp from previous game ;)

[@ToridoriGaming]

Poor Gulp, after playing through EtD I kinda feel sorry for him because Ripto treats him so badly. D:

[@StrongBodyNation_]

so good the remake was well deserved and much appreciated. also i didnt know about that missing gem glitch no wonder i could never find it when i was a kid i spent like 2hrs looking for it

[@vegetafan9922]

Why does everyone hate Mr.Moneybags when Banjo-Kazooie does the same thing with the Note doors!? He's never bothered me before because by the time I get to wherever he is I have more than enough Gems to give him!

[@ToridoriGaming]

Because he takes your gems which you worked hard to collect, and I've never played Banjo-Kazooie so I wouldn't know. ;)

[@steven310250]

Evening Lake in 4k! No lotion or tissues today, I'm going all out!

[@e0jay]

Is it the Bently boxing match the minigame in question? Is it? Yeah, fuck that minigame. I always avoid it until I can't anymore. I only managed to 100% the game once, I've been playing Spyro since I was 10.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Yes! I hate that mini game with a passion which is a shame because I really like Bentley. I should make a list of gaming moments that everybody hates and tries to avoid, because that would be number 1 aha!

[@MattGraves01]

Must be hard for people to get that skillpoint for it too! It's difficult to do but I played the Spyro games over and over again for years and my skill adapts due to my memory of predicting and knowing where everything is.

[@adamgreen9583]

I can’t understand why there was no cut scene between Spyro snd the Sorceress yet there is one before every other boss fight in the game , can someone please explain that myself to me ? 😳

[@ToridoriGaming]

Ran out of time maybe? Not sure tbh 😅

[@niemand7811]

Scabby babies need an explanation for everything I guess?

[@sincerelyjake3501]

Brilliant job covering the game.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Thank you Jake! :)

[@Alundra1998]

Hey Tori. I have added this video into my Watch Later list and I intend to watch it tonight as long as no other plans occur. I am just wondering as to whether or not you could eventually do a retrospective of Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly? I would like your thoughts on every iteration of Spyro and then your thoughts on the Spyro Reignited Trilogy after you have played it enough. I actually liked Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly, but I have seen a lot of people on the internet getting really annoyed with the way that game controls and one KZbinr listed all of the things that were wrong with the game. I would love to see your thoughts.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I'm still considering Enter the Dragonfly. I said at the end of this video I wasn't sure but definitely giving it some thought! Plus I only played it once and that was 16 years ago, so would be cool to play it again with a fresh pair of eyes. I know it gets a lot of grief for being a 'bad Spyro game' but I don't seem to remember hating it as a kid. :D

[@Alundra1998]

I did enjoy the game as well. I was not aware of glitches at the time, but I did have the Nintendo Gamecube version of the game and so I don't know if that makes any difference or not to the glitchiness. But yes, in all seriousness, I would love to know your take on each iteration if you would be up for doing it.

[@AzraelDarkness64Gaming]

Spyro the Dragon series is one of my favourite game series

[@ToridoriGaming]

Mine too! :)

[@toirlangston7203]

@@ToridoriGaming insomniac games needs to get his rights

[@DarkWarchieff]

Ah yes, the extremely /SATISFYING/ spooky swamp escort... Yeah let's not only light the bomb fuses, but also let the blind guy hold them. This mission makes no sense. These mushrooms are powered by agony, broken dreams and sadness, the demonic villains use it in defiance of their flattened destiny. why can't Sheila roll the bombs over and then light them?! She can like grab whatever the guy uses to light them? EDIT: changed fact error

[@ToridoriGaming]

"These mushrooms are powered by agony, broken dreams and sadness..." 😂

[@DarkWarchieff]

@@ToridoriGaming As kid I thought I was clever and safe... then the unholy trembling sound started and PLOP! KABOOM! There, all hopes gone.

[@razvandobos9759]

The very ending was a tad weak. I really wanted Hunter, Elora, Bianca, Professor, Agent 9, Bentley, Sgt. Byrd, Sheila, and ever Moneybags to join Spyro in the Dragon Realms seeing the baby Dragons join their fathers.

[@jerrireneahayden390]

I’ve never had an issue in spooky swamp with a missing gem. I play each original Spyro game at 100% no problem. I love the reignited trilogy too but it does have some bugs and glitches but I’ve still been able to complete them all at 100% as well.

[@razvandobos9759]

I really wish they kept intro and outro cut-scenes for the levels and bosses. I really wanted Spyro to interact with the Soceress.

[@MindMan424]

Spyro 3 was hard to complete ... Lots more challenges

[@ToridoriGaming]

Yeti boxing... yeti racing.. anything yeti related it seems.. >.>

[@Tomiply]

Everybody I know hated the cat witch mini game, too. In fact, bad mini games are what makes me prefer Spyro 2 slightly more than Spyro 3. Also, to be fair, when it comes to ratings, Spyro 3 is the highest rated in the series on GameRankings. Sure, technically, Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure on PC has a higher score, but that score is only based on two reviews, so it's in no way fair. Rather, one should look at the 360 port of Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, which is based on 32 reviews. That score is 80.95%.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I'm glad it wasn't just me, I really struggle with the third part of that mini game!

[@Sinmale1]

I still humming sgt. Birds theme today when im bored XD

[@ToridoriGaming]

Now it's in my head haha!

[@lordsquid6652]

15:10 Love it on how you say lovely

[@Laekith]

I had a pirated copy of this game as a kid and I could never beat it 100% because the game kept stealing my eggs. I basically know the game by heart now because of all the times I tried without turning off the PlayStation

[@ToridoriGaming]

The first glitch I remember on a pirated copy was the doors to the mini games in Spooky Swamp being shut. I thought I'd forgot to light all the lanterns or something but nope, game is mad at me! At least I'm sure it was a glitch...

[@Laekith]

Toridori Yeah it is. Also sometimes Sheila wasn't there which doesn't make any sense because you need to beat her level to get to Spooky Swamp

[@EmilXOM]

I love the way you said chompy and stingee lol. Cute bit of humour

[@justingaga84]

The 2 Spyro world's that give me an eye twitch mentioned here. Zephyr and Treetops.

[@protocol37-t1n]

Now, I know this video is 2 years old, but I am really glad that people agree with me when i say Spyro 3 is the best, as much as I love the other ones in the series, Spyro 3 will always hold a special place in my heart, playing as more characters other than Spyro is just so fun, I just don't really like how agent 9 controls but he still looks cool ( and Bentley is pretty slow ) but other than that, Spyro 3 is legendary, it has the best bosses,the best levels and so much variety, I played the third one absolutely all the time, year of the dragon will always be my favorite ( now let's forget about the yeti boxing, the canon mission in haunted tomb and the cat hockey, ok? )

[@akuhimesama0717]

The NTSC [black label] version is also missing the same tracks you mentioned, as well as a missing cutscene. These were only later included in the GREATEST HITS version of the game. I grew up playing Black Label, so I missed out on them myself, being REALLY SHOCKED to hear them in the Reignited Trilogy.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Which cutscene was missing, out of curiosity?

[@akuhimesama0717]

It's a short one where the sorceress yells at Bianca... hecc, I don't know which one.... let me try to find it I think I found the cutscene >> kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5-QpGOmoZmBbrM Then entire exchange right here looks foreign to me. But then again, I'm not TOO familiar with the game either. I ONLY replayed Spyro 3 within the past few months, and before then, only once or twice in my childhood, because I liked Spyro 2 more. In any case, I grew up playing Black Label, or Version 1.0, the one that has a lot of missing tracks, AND a missing cutscene that I learned about later. As for the missing tracks, I found a video talking about it. >> kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnqmmJqsmLCXaZI He talks about those samples, too, earlier on in the video, so I suggest you might want to take a look. And keep in mind, these are US RELEASES. Anyone who got version 1.0 got shafted here in America too, with content. (Like me :c, who never heard these tracks before, or saw that cutscene) ---edit: YES I got it right. here, if you check the description of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHunp5ibqLZ4m7c it will tell you that this cutscene doesn't play normally on the black label (first edition) of the North American copies. The one I grew up with.

[@ToridoriGaming]

Awww that's a shame as it's a good cutscene! I'm lucky the PAL version wasn't so borked and we were fortunate enough to get different tracks in Spyro 1. Though our Evening Lake theme sucked in Spyro 3, it was the Sunrise Spring one again. :(

[@akuhimesama0717]

@@ToridoriGaming That's odd because I would have thought they would have released it as the 1.1 version that FIXED those issues. ie, The Greatest Hits Label, here in the US. Did you watch the vid I linked that showed the music differences?

[@weka-tron3436]

the reason i prefer spyro 2 to this is it doesnt have a reward for 100%ing the game, which dissapointed me, i LOVED having infinite super breath, especially when it carried on into the second playthrough. but then after watching most of this video i think im startig to realise why they didnt.

[@ToridoriGaming]

I get what ya mean, I know Super Bonus Round was supposed to be fun but I hated some of its mini games - skateboard race *cough*. It would have made it worthwhile to do if their was a reward that carried over. Imagine free flying in each realm or something? :D

[@TJPlaysPS]

You always want to do lost fleet first because it has Hunter featured and later in Evening Lake, obviously hes captured, so its best to get this done in one visit without him captured

[@DarkWarchieff]

My first language was not on the list. These games were also my childhood so I had no idea what the hell was said or written. Still got to super bonus round. It was very difficult! This was less a problem for me in Crash Bandicoot as it's more obvious.

[@LegalVampire]

Unpopular opinion: I really like the frustrating side missions because it feels so satisfying when you finally complete it 😌 It gives you a real challenge instead of everything being too easy

[@niemand7811]

Another unpopular opinion. Nobody cares. You are not required to beat the mini games to finish the main game. DUH!

[@ZyliceLiddell]

I guess the devs were called *‘Insomniac games’* for a reason. 🤪

[@NomzNoodle]

Evening Lake is my favorite level theme 43:28