Spyro: Year of the Dragon vs The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.


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.
The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night is an action-packed 3D platformer taking place immediately after the events of A New Beginning. Players guide Spyro on a perilous quest to find his missing friend Cynder while rediscovering his lost elemental breath abilities. Alongside recovering fire, ice, earth, and electricity powers, Spyro learns the powerful Dragon Time ability to slow down combat. Featuring intense battles, blue gem upgrades, and engaging puzzles, the game delivers an epic adventure for fans of the purple dragon.
- Engaging and diverse platforming gameplay
- Charming cast of playable supporting characters
- Fun vehicle segments including tanks and submarines
- Classic nostalgic atmosphere and humor
- Engaging combat system with elemental breaths
- Innovative Dragon Time slowing mechanic
- Rewarding blue gem upgrade progression
- Charming story continuation for fans
- Lower critic score of 55 out of 100
- Limited to single player mode
- May feel dated compared to modern platformers
- Can be quite challenging for younger players
- Gameplay heavily leans on combat over puzzle variety
- Spyro begins without his previous powers
More alternatives & similar tools
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.
Alternatives to The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night
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Join Spyro on a 3D adventure to retrieve 150 stolen dragon eggs from the evil Sorceress.

Explore Spyro's true origins in an epic, combat-driven action adventure.

Join Spyro and Cynder in their epic final battle against the Dark Master.

Soar through the Dragon Lands and defeat Gnasty Gnorc in this classic platformer.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataSpyro: Year of the Dragon offers classic, varied platforming with vehicles and multiple characters but lower reviews, while The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night delivers stronger combat and higher scores at a modest price.
Key differences
- โขCombat focus: Year of the Dragon mixes platforming and vehicles; Eternal Night emphasizes elemental breath attacks and Dragon Time.
- โขCritical reception: Year of the Dragon 55/100 vs Eternal Night 65/100.
- โขRelease era and graphics: Year of the Dragon (2000) is older; Eternal Night (2007) has newer visuals.
- โขCharacter variety: Year of the Dragon lets you play as Sheila, Sergeant Byrd, Agent 9, Bentley; Eternal Night is Spyroโonly.
- โขPricing detail: Eternal Night lists MSRP $19.99; Year of the Dragon price not specified.
Gameplay & fun factor
Year of the Dragon provides diverse gameplay (platforming, vehicles, multiple characters) versus Eternal Night's combatโcentric design.
Platform availability
Both are singleโplayer only; no multiplayer or coโop options for either.
Price & value
Eternal Night has a disclosed MSRP of $19.99; Year of the Dragon price is not specified.
Multiplayer / coโop
Both titles are singleโplayer only.
Content & replayability
Year of the Dragon offers vehicle sections and multiple playable characters, increasing variety and replay value.
Difficulty & accessibility
Year of the Dragon is noted as less challenging; Eternal Night can be quite hard for younger players.
Graphics & performance
Eternal Night (2007) benefits from newer engine and graphics than the 2000 release of Year of the Dragon.
Choose Spyro: Year of the Dragon ifโฆ
Fans of classic platformers who want varied gameplay and nostalgic charm.
Choose The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night ifโฆ
Players seeking stronger combat, newer graphics, and a higher critical rating.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper?
The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night lists an MSRP of $19.99; Spyro: Year of the Dragon price is not specified.
Is either game suitable for younger children?
Year of the Dragon is rated ESRB E (PEGI 7) and is less challenging; Eternal Night is ESRB E10+ and noted as quite challenging for younger players.
Do either of the games support multiplayer?
Both titles are singleโplayer only.