The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning

 GameCube
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Play Magazine
    85
    With any luck Krome's overhaul will prove lucrative enough to warrant them continuing the brand, flying Spyro into next-gen skies and who knows, perhaps a veritable rebirth. [Oct. 2006, p.54]
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  2. AceGamez
    80
    This new Legend is one you'll enjoy immensely while it lasts and crave once it's over.
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  3. IGN
    77
    The franchise has gotten a serious lift in nearly every area. The overall gameplay was extremely solid for a children's title, the overall presentation was baffling complex – with everything from scripted story events and innovative enemy entrances – and the overall audio/graphical design is definitely stronger than we expected.
  5. Worth Playing
    75
    A game worth playing if you're a dracophile, if you like the character or like animated movies, and if you're not averse to starting over with a fresh slate.
  6. Game Informer
    70
    Unfortunately, the entire affair is filled with repeated waves of what amount to the exact same enemies, and it doesn't take long for boredom to set in.
  7. Games Master UK
    70
    Plays more like a scrolling beat-'em-up, and you know what? It's pretty damn good fun. [Christmas 2006, p.62]
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  8. Nintendo Gamer
    66
    A button-masher that's unlikely to set you ablaze. [Dec 2006, p.39]
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  9. Boomtown
    60
    A step in the right direction. It's just plagued with mistakes that make it an uneven ride of missed chances. What makes it all the more galling is that it's presented so beautifully and uses the touch-screen in enjoyable ways.
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  10. GameZone
    60
    While this is one of the best-looking games we've seen and the combat, in and of itself, is designed well enough, the gameplay just isn't any fun after the first hour of play. If it isn't very fun, it isn't very good.
  11. The Sydney Morning Herald
    60
    Aussie expertise has produced the best Spyro game in many years, but the action gets repetitive and some old fans might be dismayed by the emphasis on combat.
  12. GameSpot
    58
    The title may say that this is a new beginning, but Spyro's latest adventure isn't much more than a collection of tired, overused platforming clichés.
  13. Nintendo Power
    55
    For now, we're left with another disappointing entry in a once-great franchise. [Nov. 2006, p.90]
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  14. GameSpy
    50
    Despite some smart moves on the part of the developers (voice talent, good graphics engine, franchise overhaul) none of them really pan out and bring much to the experience, leaving the game to flounder with its new but repetitive focus on combat.

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best GameCube Game of 2006
14
#14 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2006
7
#7 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 5 out of 19
  1. GamecubeLover
    Jul 22, 2016
    8
    A New Beginning brings back what I like about Spyro and it is still flawed and not as good as the playstation 1 trilogy but still is good.A New Beginning brings back what I like about Spyro and it is still flawed and not as good as the playstation 1 trilogy but still is good. Sierra Entertainment knew how to make a spyro game.… Full Review »
  2. Krossbone
    Jan 7, 2021
    9
    This game has a ton of stuff to adore in it. For one, the soundtrack is often booming, and when not fitting the theme of a big, epic battle,This game has a ton of stuff to adore in it. For one, the soundtrack is often booming, and when not fitting the theme of a big, epic battle, it helps build the ambience of whatever level you're in. The combat system has both a good bit of depth for older players but is simple and intuitive enough for younger players to understand and get ahold of. While the game suffers from a bit of repetition (a lot of repeated enemies and gameplay scenarios), it can, at times, break up the monotony with light platforming sprinkled throughout, and even with the repetition, how could I care that much when landing hits is so satisfying and successfully piling up combos is similarly great?

    Whatever the case, this game makes it pretty clear in Elijah Wood's interview (found in the extras menu) that what the game devs were going for was a story-based experience, so while this game has a few shortcomings (very minor ones) in the gameplay department, I feel the heart put into this game's production alongside the phenomenal story and in-depth combat makes this a game worth any Spyro fan's time who wants to give a darker but heartfelt reimagining of the franchise a try.    … Full Review »
  3. JPK
    Jun 7, 2019
    8
    Pretty Good Start
    This dark reboot of Spyro is dark done right (Unlike Shadow The Hedgehog that tried WAY TOO hard and went too far). Though    Pretty Good Start
    This dark reboot of Spyro is dark done right (Unlike Shadow The Hedgehog that tried WAY TOO hard and went too far). Though it may have shortcomings at some points. The fantastic voice acting, good graphics, and heart make up for it.    … Full Review »
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