Price: $5.99
Original Release Date: September 10, 1998
Recommended.
Of all the retro re-releases on the PS Store so far, this is the most ideally suited for the PSP. With frequent save points, fast load times, and generally solid gameplay, Insomniac's early platformer still manages to impress. The gameplay is admittedly on the simplistic side, but there is no doubt that nearly a decade ago, Insomniac was pushing some truly impressive tech. The graphics are silky smooth, and the Sypro character lives with animation akin to that of the Ratchet series. The game looks as good as an average PSP game (albeit running in 4:3).
Make sure you switch to control type 4 on the PSP. You'll be surprised at how well Spyro can be controlled. Platforming is a breeze, and the camera (controlled by the D-Pad) works surprisingly well (provided you switch to the Active camera system). Gliding and shooting flames comes with such ease that navigating the expansive colorful worlds is quite charming. Don't expect the game to get difficult, though. This is clearly a children's game, and the platforming (and especially combat) rarely test the player's mettle.
Save points do come every five minutes making it the ideal PSP game to download. At $6, this is a fantastic value for a classic. Fans of Insomniac's other games will do well in picking up this piece of PlayStation history.
Retro Review: 7.5
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-05-2007 @ 12:53PM
aaron_k7 said...
This is definitely a great game. It is pretty simple for sure, but you'll have a helluva time trying to complete the game 100% by collecting all the items. In that sense this game still provides a challenge.
And furthermore, Castlevania: SOTN is best suited for the PSP, simply because it rocks.
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11-05-2007 @ 12:58PM
Kspraydad said...
My kids are finally enjoying PSP with this and Crash...
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11-05-2007 @ 1:25PM
theMediaman said...
You should be putting the real cost of these games... "$6 plus $399 for a manditory PS3"
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11-05-2007 @ 1:34PM
Kspraydad said...
@theMediaman...
Don't be such a tool.
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11-05-2007 @ 2:12PM
NukeAssault said...
Syro's 1-3 were awesome!
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11-05-2007 @ 2:15PM
Alien said...
Yesss , yet another great addition for the PSP DL library :D
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11-05-2007 @ 3:48PM
VENOM said...
Ah, Spyro...such fond memories. Come to think of it, I really haven't played other Spyro games since the first one...
I'll definitely be downloading this one to my PSP as soon as I find a friend who owns a PS3.
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11-05-2007 @ 4:40PM
theMediaman said...
@Kspraydad
Constructive comments only please
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11-05-2007 @ 4:51PM
Kspraydad said...
@theMediaman
I was being constructive...probably the best advice I could've given you.
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11-05-2007 @ 5:41PM
Fascia said...
@theMediaman
Well...
$399 for the PS3
$170 for the PSP
$100,000 for the house you need to keep them in
$100 for the sofa set you need to sit on
$1000 for the HD TV you use for the PS3
$30/month for the electric bill
$20/month for the internet
$10 for food, water.
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11-12-2007 @ 5:36PM
Stza said...
ummm dude honestly 10 bucks wont buy that many hot pockets and Mt Dew ;)
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12-19-2007 @ 10:06PM
powermac6150 said...
Hi,
I would like to find out if its possible to download spyro the dragon from the playstation site and do a direct transfer to the PSP only NOT from the PS3.
Sincerely,
DREW
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1-04-2008 @ 10:43PM
Frank said...
Yes you can now dl a limited number of PS1 titles to your PC and then onto your PSP. You will need to dl and install the Sony Playstation Network Downloader, available on the Playstation web site store.
My so absolutely loves the original Spyro, and now that he has it on his PSP he is happy. Well worth $5.99.
F
1-04-2008 @ 10:35PM
Frank said...
drew,
Yes you can now buy Spyro and about 11 other PS1 releases, directly from Sony for download to your PSP through your PC.
Go the the Playstation store at,
http://store.playstation.com/store/index.vm
Scroll down click on PS1 classics. On the right is a link to the Playststion Network Downloader.
SDL and install this first, then go back to the store, buy your game, it will dl to PC then copy over to PSP.
Frank
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