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)
aaron_k7 @ Nov 5th 2007 12:53PM
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.
Kspraydad @ Nov 5th 2007 12:58PM
My kids are finally enjoying PSP with this and Crash...
theMediaman @ Nov 5th 2007 1:25PM
You should be putting the real cost of these games... "$6 plus $399 for a manditory PS3"
Kspraydad @ Nov 5th 2007 1:34PM
@theMediaman...
Don't be such a tool.
NukeAssault @ Nov 5th 2007 2:12PM
Syro's 1-3 were awesome!
Alien @ Nov 5th 2007 2:15PM
Yesss , yet another great addition for the PSP DL library :D
VENOM @ Nov 5th 2007 3:48PM
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.
theMediaman @ Nov 5th 2007 4:40PM
@Kspraydad
Constructive comments only please
Kspraydad @ Nov 5th 2007 4:51PM
@theMediaman
I was being constructive...probably the best advice I could've given you.
Fascia @ Nov 5th 2007 5:41PM
@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.
Stza @ Nov 12th 2007 5:36PM
ummm dude honestly 10 bucks wont buy that many hot pockets and Mt Dew ;)
powermac6150 @ Dec 19th 2007 10:06PM
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
Frank @ Jan 4th 2008 10:43PM
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
Frank @ Jan 4th 2008 10:35PM
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