Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! vs Spyro: Year of the Dragon
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! is the second installment in the beloved Spyro the Dragon series, transporting the iconic purple dragon and his dragonfly companion Sparx to the vibrant land of Avalar. Summoned by the Professor, Hunter, and Elora to help rid the realm of a tyrannical sorcerer named Ripto, Spyro must explore diverse worlds, solve puzzles, and restore peace to the local inhabitants. Building upon the gameplay of the original title, players utilize Spyro's familiar flame, charge, and glide abilities while embarking on a massive collectathon adventure. Journey through imaginative realms, undo Ripto's chaotic magic, and collect talismans and orbs to unlock the path to the final showdown and earn a long-awaited trip to Dragon Shores.
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.
- Engaging and colorful level design
- Memorable cast of characters and humor
- Rewarding exploration and collectible mechanics
- Challenging and fun boss fights
- Engaging and diverse platforming gameplay
- Charming cast of playable supporting characters
- Fun vehicle segments including tanks and submarines
- Classic nostalgic atmosphere and humor
- Removal of the side-rolling ability from the first game
- Can be repetitive for players who dislike collectathons
- Fixed camera angles can occasionally be troublesome
- 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 Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!
View all →
Soar through the Dragon Lands and defeat Gnasty Gnorc in this classic platformer.
Rescue the stolen fireflies and restore dragon fire in this portable isometric platformer.
Embark on a quest across a mystical archipelago to defeat the sorcerer Shandar.
Alternatives to Spyro: Year of the Dragon
View all →Join Spyro in Avalar to defeat the evil sorcerer Ripto in this classic platformer.
Join Spyro and Cynder in their epic final battle against the Dark Master.
Spyro's portable debut brings isometric platforming action to the Game Boy Advance.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataSpyro 2: Ripto's Rage! (Product B) is the safer default with a strong 87/100 critic score and solid platforming, while Spyro: Year of the Dragon (Product A) offers extra vehicle sections and more playable characters but scores lower (55/100).
Key differences
- •Critic scores: 87/100 for B vs 55/100 for A.
- •Vehicle gameplay: A includes tanks, submarines, speedboats; B does not.
- •Playable character variety: A lets you control Sheila, Sergeant Byrd, Agent 9, Bentley; B sticks to Spyro plus supporting NPCs.
- •Level design focus: B emphasizes expansive world exploration and collectibles; A focuses on retrieving 150 eggs across Forgotten Worlds.
- •Camera handling: B notes occasional fixed‑camera issues; A has no camera complaints listed.
Gameplay & fun factor
B delivers engaging level design, memorable boss fights, and rewarding exploration, backed by an 87 critic score.
Platform availability
Both are classic PlayStation titles; no platform differences specified.
Price & value
Both are one‑time paid, but B’s higher critic score gives better perceived value.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both are single‑player only.
Content & replayability
A adds vehicle segments and multiple playable characters, increasing gameplay variety.
Difficulty & accessibility
B’s higher critic score suggests better overall design and fewer dated mechanics.
Graphics & performance
Both released around 1999‑2000 on the same hardware; no performance differences noted.
Choose Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! if…
Players seeking higher critical acclaim, polished platforming, and richer exploration.
Choose Spyro: Year of the Dragon if…
Players who want extra vehicle sections and multiple character control.
Common questions
Which game has better reviews?
Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! has a critic score of 87/100, compared to Spyro: Year of the Dragon's 55/100.
Do either of the games support multiplayer?
No, both titles are single‑player only.
Is there any vehicle gameplay in Spyro 2?
No, vehicle segments are only listed for Spyro: Year of the Dragon.