New Super Mario Bros. vs Spyro: Year of the Dragon
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
New Super Mario Bros. brings the beloved side‑scrolling Mario experience to a modern handheld, combining tight controls with vibrant 2D graphics. Players dash, jump, and collect coins across dozens of inventive worlds filled with secrets and challenges. The game supports both solo play and cooperative multiplayer, letting friends team up to tackle levels together while discovering hidden paths and power‑up combos. Its timeless design appeals to newcomers and longtime fans alike.
Spyro: Year of the Dragon is the third installment in the Spyro series and the final game in the franchise developed by Insomniac Games. Set in the Forgotten Worlds, the story follows the titular purple dragon as he attempts to recover 150 magical dragon eggs stolen by an evil sorceress. Players must utilize Spyro's signature moves alongside new vehicle controls for tanks, submarines, and speedboats. The adventure also lets you play as a wacky cast of supporting characters including Sheila the kangaroo, Sergeant Byrd the flying penguin, Bentley the Yeti, and Agent 9 the space monkey.
- Tight, responsive controls that feel classic yet fresh.
- Rich variety of power‑ups and level designs.
- Engaging multiplayer modes for up to four players.
- High replay value with secret exits and collectibles.
- Engaging and diverse platforming gameplay
- Charming cast of playable supporting characters
- Fun vehicle segments including tanks and submarines
- Classic nostalgic atmosphere and humor
- Limited online features; focus is on local play.
- Graphics, while charming, may feel dated compared to modern 3D titles.
- No built‑in level editor for user‑generated content.
- Lower critic score of 55 out of 100
- Limited to single player mode
- May feel dated compared to modern platformers
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to New Super Mario Bros.
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Alternatives to Spyro: Year of the Dragon
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Join Spyro in a thrilling 3D action platformer to save his friend Cynder.
Soar through the Dragon Lands and defeat Gnasty Gnorc in this classic platformer.
Join Spyro in Avalar to defeat the evil sorcerer Ripto in this classic platformer.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataNew Super Mario Bros. is the safer, critically acclaimed default with multiplayer support, while Spyro: Year of the Dragon trades higher acclaim for a 3D, single-player adventure featuring diverse vehicle and character control.
Key differences
- •Perspective and Style: Spyro is a 3D adventure featuring vibrant environments and vehicle controls, whereas New Super Mario Bros. is a side-scrolling platformer with over 80 levels and power-ups like the Mega Mushroom.
- •Multiplayer Support: New Super Mario Bros. supports local multiplayer for up to four players in co-op or competitive modes, while Spyro is strictly single-player.
- •Critical Reception: New Super Mario Bros. holds a 95/100 critic score, whereas Spyro: Year of the Dragon holds a critic score of 55/100.
- •Playable Characters: Spyro features multiple playable supporting characters like Sheila the kangaroo, Sergeant Byrd, Agent 9, and Bentley the Yeti, which is not a feature of Mario.
Gameplay & fun factor
New Super Mario Bros. offers tight, responsive controls, diverse power-ups, and a 95/100 critic score compared to Spyro's 55/100 score.
Platform availability
Not specified in the provided facts for either game.
Price & value
New Super Mario Bros. has an MSRP of $59.99 with high replay value, while Spyro's specific pricing amount is not specified beyond being paid.
Multiplayer / co-op
New Super Mario Bros. supports up to four players in local cooperative or competitive challenges, while Spyro is strictly single player.
Content & replayability
New Super Mario Bros. features over 80 levels across eight worlds with hidden secret exits, whereas Spyro focuses on 150 dragon eggs.
Difficulty & accessibility
New Super Mario Bros. provides responsive controls for both beginners and experts, while Spyro's accessibility details are not specified.
Graphics & performance
Both games feature charming aesthetics that may feel dated compared to modern titles, and detailed performance specs are not specified.
Choose New Super Mario Bros. if…
Gamers wanting a highly rated side-scrolling platformer with local multiplayer and power-ups.
Choose Spyro: Year of the Dragon if…
Players seeking a nostalgic 3D platformer with vehicle segments and diverse characters for solo play.
Common questions
Can I play Spyro: Year of the Dragon with friends?
No, Spyro is limited to single player mode.
Does New Super Mario Bros. support online multiplayer?
No, it has limited online features with a focus on local play supporting up to four players.
How much does Spyro: Year of the Dragon cost?
It is a paid, one-time purchase, though the exact dollar amount is not specified.