Spyro: Year of the Dragon

 PlayStation
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Oct 10, 2000
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 424 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 371 out of 424
  2. Mixed: 40 out of 424
  3. Negative: 13 out of 424
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  1. Pureray
    Aug 27, 2013
    10
    I shall never forget this game, it brings such great childhood memories, and still is a great game, Year of The Dragon showed something different then the other 2 spyro games before this, well you weren't able to play as different characters and a whole lot of fun mini games. I suggest you play this or any other spyro game that was for ps1, purchase it off of the Ps store today!
  2. CrystalFissure
    Nov 15, 2012
    10
    This game is absolutely incredible. Spyro: Year of the Dragon has it all, especially when it was first released. Graphically, it maxes out the PS1. Musically, Stewart Copeland and additional producer Ryan Beveridge did a great job continuing with that Spyro-esque sound with the strummy chords and all that.

    Gameplay wise, it excels. There's six (technically 7) playable characters in the    This game is absolutely incredible. Spyro: Year of the Dragon has it all, especially when it was first released. Graphically, it maxes out the PS1. Musically, Stewart Copeland and additional producer Ryan Beveridge did a great job continuing with that Spyro-esque sound with the strummy chords and all that.

    Gameplay wise, it excels. There's six (technically 7) playable characters in the game, and they are each very unique. I'll say this: Spyro STILL has the best swimming mechanic and any game, and Spyro the Dragon is probably the best controller platformer in existence. The engine is perfect.

    The story wraps up the original series in an efficient way, I just wish there were more great Spyro games like the first three.    … Expand
  3. RoccoRasco
    Feb 12, 2003
    10
    Best of the series, a blast!
  4. Jonny
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    This game was brilliant. the imaginative levals just make you want to play it through the night. and the music is catchy.
  5. Kasey
    Dec 27, 2006
    10
    This is by FAR my favorite game but I hate those new ones. I like the old Spyro sparx and hunter and the others. Those new ones dont even have the same voice...WHATS UP WITH THAT!?.
  6. InsaneMonkey
    Nov 19, 2010
    9
    The only PS1 game better than this one is Spyro: Ripto's Rage. That's all. I am putting more words like this one to meeeeeet the minimum requuuiiirement of 150 charrractttersssss.
  7. akelz7
    Jul 2, 2011
    9
    Ah, yes. The last great Spyro game, and by far the best of the Spyro games. This game has it's share of defining moments from the fun as all hell flying mini-game (hell all mini-games were good), to ramming and burning Moneybags in order to get all of your gems from the bastard, to every boss battle, especially the ending fight, which is still among my favorite bosses ever. It has flaws,Ah, yes. The last great Spyro game, and by far the best of the Spyro games. This game has it's share of defining moments from the fun as all hell flying mini-game (hell all mini-games were good), to ramming and burning Moneybags in order to get all of your gems from the bastard, to every boss battle, especially the ending fight, which is still among my favorite bosses ever. It has flaws, sure, but they are almost unnoticeable due to the greatness of this game.… Expand
  8. Brad91ley
    Feb 22, 2012
    10
    wow what a great game from my youth! I remember playing this for months on end! such an immersive world created and a great soundtrack to boot! easily my favourite ever ps one game!
  9. rubin
    Mar 30, 2012
    9
    Superb platformer game, probably the best one on PSX along with Rayman 2: The Great Escape, Croc 2 and Crash Bandicoot games. Spyro can now gang up with 5 other animals/beasts (a monkey, a yeti, a kangaroo, a penguin and even Sparx!) to solve variety of masterfully designed levels and puzzles. The graphics were excellent for it's time, and the soundtrack, produced by Steve Copeland, is aSuperb platformer game, probably the best one on PSX along with Rayman 2: The Great Escape, Croc 2 and Crash Bandicoot games. Spyro can now gang up with 5 other animals/beasts (a monkey, a yeti, a kangaroo, a penguin and even Sparx!) to solve variety of masterfully designed levels and puzzles. The graphics were excellent for it's time, and the soundtrack, produced by Steve Copeland, is a timeless classic. It's a shame Insomniac have sold the rights to this title and focused on producing generic FPS games instead.… Expand
  10. AGoodGame
    May 31, 2018
    10
    Spyro 3 is one of my favourite 3D platformers of all time it's fun game play and awesome areas to explore just make for an amazing game, the soundtrack, boss battles and other gaming modes just make for a great time.
  11. MichaelH.
    Feb 26, 2002
    10
    One of the best games on the playstation, a must to all gamers.
  12. AshtonM.
    Oct 18, 2001
    10
    This game is so easy I beat the whole game, and it was incredible!
  13. Bentleytheyeti
    Jun 26, 2003
    10
    Even if I was'nt the main character, I managed to buy a club for Bartholomew of a fat bear so he could beat up that mean Sorceress!
  14. koolkris200
    Mar 18, 2012
    10
    this game is fun because there's egg you collect and you get then get new dragon which is cool then you can win more and get more dragons this game is cool
  15. GamecubeLover
    Jul 3, 2016
    10
    100% the best Spyro game of all time! Why the gameplay is awesome the graphics are great for it's time and the controls feel free and the platforming really does rival Crash. This game is perfect.
  16. Ashadha
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    By far the best Spyro in the collection. I enjoyed the immersive levels and the intricate puzzles in order to find all the secrets. A must-buy!
  17. MarkD.
    Nov 10, 2006
    9
    This series got better with each sequel untill this - the best cutesy platformer on the PlayStation.
  18. KendylKlownfish
    Apr 30, 2011
    10
    Year of the Dragon is arguably the best Spyro game to date. Pros: Fantastic graphics; rich, colorful visuals; charming characters; a surprising amount of depth in level design. Cons: The control and camera are often wonky.
  19. gamersan
    Oct 13, 2013
    10
    spyro year of the dragon is one of my favorite games for the ps1. the levels are all memorable, the musics great and the 5 playable characters none of which feel tacked on and the story is great. well its a not epic RPG story but a nice simple story that is easy to follow and perfect cut scene to game play ratio. meaning the they aren't too many cut scenes to bog the game down but enoughspyro year of the dragon is one of my favorite games for the ps1. the levels are all memorable, the musics great and the 5 playable characters none of which feel tacked on and the story is great. well its a not epic RPG story but a nice simple story that is easy to follow and perfect cut scene to game play ratio. meaning the they aren't too many cut scenes to bog the game down but enough to have a story that flows thru the game. lastly the graphics for its time the graphics where amazing, colorful worlds and nice to look at enemies and characters. to simply put spyro year of the dragon is a must buy for your gaming collection and hell buy the other 2 ps1 spyro games there pretty good to.… Expand
  20. SpyroPurple01
    Mar 5, 2014
    10
    The Spyro trilogy was my first set of games ever. I never got tired of playing these games. Spyro 3: Year of The Dragon was a awesome sequel to Spyro 2: Riptos Rage! So, practically, this game describes my childhood, along with many others. The game added many new features to keep it fun, but still not turn away from the other two original Spyro games. It is definitely worth your time andThe Spyro trilogy was my first set of games ever. I never got tired of playing these games. Spyro 3: Year of The Dragon was a awesome sequel to Spyro 2: Riptos Rage! So, practically, this game describes my childhood, along with many others. The game added many new features to keep it fun, but still not turn away from the other two original Spyro games. It is definitely worth your time and money to get this game! That is why I give this game a full 10/10.… Expand
  21. Basquilly
    Mar 14, 2016
    9
    I must acknowledge that as this was the first game I ever played I am probably somewhat biased towards it. However, I truly believe that this is one of the finest examples of classic Playstation games, on par with crash bandicoot. It goes without saying that it does show it's age so many years after its release, but for its time it wasn't far from perfect.
  22. Lord_V
    May 17, 2016
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon is game, that is still great, after all these years. This game is of my all favorite PlayStation games, best on PS1.

    Gameplay is fairly simple. Spyro can use fire breath or ramming to harm enemies. He can temporarly gain more abilities and skills he learned in previous game are usable from the start. This mechanic is simple and it works. Spyro is easy to control and that is good, since there is a lot to do.

    Spyro is not only playable character this time, there is several other playable characters that all work little differently.
    Sparx the Dragonfly is playable in 2D style shooter levels.
    Sheila the Kangaroo is playable in 3D and 2D sections and she is little simpler than Spyro, but few abilities are in constant use.
    Sgt. Byrd is penguine that can fly. His sections are very different cause you can fly freely and blow enemies apart with rocket laughter.
    Snowman Bentley is juggernaut that breaks everything with his huge club. He is not very good in jumping stuff, but his brutal strength covers that.
    Agent 9 is monkey that uses laser pistol and his sections are shooters. Few sections are played in FPS style.
    Hunter is cheetah who is used in Speedways. Every section is different, with somekind of vehicle or equipment.

    Enemies are also very well made, much better than previous games. Sorceress is well made main villain but her thugs are even better. They can be challenging, but never unfair. Buzz, Spike and Scorch are very different battles, but each so fun and well made.

    Worlds are all different, there that unique touch in levels and missions. Few mission are similar to previous, but there is so much variety, that it keeps game fresh. Spyro 3 is pretty large game and if you want to get to the Bonus world, you need to collect all Dragon eggs and all Gems, that is challenge, but with Sparx, you can gain abilities, that will make it much easier.

    Spyro: Year of the Dragon is game that gives so much. It is well made game from beginning to end. Real masterpiece.

    + Spyro
    + Multiple playable characters
    + Well made villains
    + Variety in levels and missions
    + So much to do

    - Some minor details

    95/100

    Masterpiece    … Expand
  23. jamesboy
    Feb 26, 2019
    9
    Spyro Year of the dragon is a terrific game, lots more levels to explore, a new cast of colorful characters, and extra variety of challenges and tasks to complete. However, as much as I adore this game, their is far to many vehicle sections. I can not stand the vehicles, the hunter challenges, and submarine vehicles suck. And not to **** but their are a lot more difficulty spikes thoroughSpyro Year of the dragon is a terrific game, lots more levels to explore, a new cast of colorful characters, and extra variety of challenges and tasks to complete. However, as much as I adore this game, their is far to many vehicle sections. I can not stand the vehicles, the hunter challenges, and submarine vehicles suck. And not to **** but their are a lot more difficulty spikes thorough out the game. I would honestly prefer Spyro 2 than this. In conclusion this is still a fantastic game. 9.5/10… Expand
  24. Nameless2131
    Feb 6, 2020
    9
    10/10 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  25. Ristamatt
    Feb 17, 2020
    10
    Best game of the original trilogy! Wonder, wonder and another wonder, but this third is the best one! Gem!
  26. Ardho
    Aug 31, 2021
    9
    this game no one knows here, i tried to play and it's crazy it's really good, fell in love right away
  27. ElRagnarLocro
    Mar 31, 2022
    9
    Al igual que con Crash, las dos primeras entregas no se encuentran para valorar (7.9 y 8.2 en mi opinión).
    La tercera entrega de Spyro sin duda culmina la trilogía excediendo de calidad a sus dos predecesores por bastante. Todo es mejor en esta entrega, la historia, los diseños de niveles, los coleccionables, la jugabilidad, la variedad que aportan los nuevos personajes, Spyro 3 es sin    Al igual que con Crash, las dos primeras entregas no se encuentran para valorar (7.9 y 8.2 en mi opinión).
    La tercera entrega de Spyro sin duda culmina la trilogía excediendo de calidad a sus dos predecesores por bastante. Todo es mejor en esta entrega, la historia, los diseños de niveles, los coleccionables, la jugabilidad, la variedad que aportan los nuevos personajes, Spyro 3 es sin dudas el mejor Spyro que existe, y un muy buen exponente de los plataformeros tridimensionales.
    Nota final: 9    … Expand
  28. Rayman
    Jan 5, 2013
    10
    Not as good as perfect Spyro 2: Gateway to Glimmer, but still a great sequel. I miss the cutscenes, when you enter the level or get out of level. Gameplay is still fun, even though it gets a little bit slower, when you are playing with other than Spyro. I also like music, story and levels. 10 out of 10.
  29. M.M.
    Sep 30, 2002
    9
    This is a great game and I highly recommend this to all gamers. The only part that doesn't exceed my standings is that moneybags is still in the game! I don't mind him once in awhile but he's in every level more than at least once. Your practically giving away your gems for one simple move or other things that can be learned other ways. Other than that this game rocks! I This is a great game and I highly recommend this to all gamers. The only part that doesn't exceed my standings is that moneybags is still in the game! I don't mind him once in awhile but he's in every level more than at least once. Your practically giving away your gems for one simple move or other things that can be learned other ways. Other than that this game rocks! I love how sparx now has his own level! Great job! … Expand
  30. JonE.
    Oct 13, 2001
    10
    A true breakthrough in the world of gaming. Excellent play and story line. BEST EVER!
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best PS1 Game of 2000
5
#5 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 2000
7
#7 Most Shared PS1 Game of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Happy Puppy
    80
    Its true 3D exploratory gameplay, its vast and varied level designs, its colorful cast of characters, and its picture-perfect control create a fantastic atmosphere.
    Read full review
  2. Spank!
    70
    A good, solid 3D platformer that won't disappoint fans of the purple dragon, but may leave fans of the genre feeling a little empty.
  3. Daily Radar
    100
    More creative minigames, a slightly higher difficulty level, superb level design and some of the best realtime graphics the PlayStation has ever seen all make Year of the Dragon a winner.
See all critic reviews »