Platformers

A Valley Without Wind is an indie action-adventure video game developed and published by Arcen Games. Set in a distant future following a devastating ice age, players step into the shoes of a random survivor navigating an unforgiving and procedurally generated world. The gameplay is heavily shaped by the choices you make as you explore, battle enemies, and build up your capabilities. Released on April 24, 2012, for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X, the game offers a blend of platforming, strategy, and exploration across a dynamic environment.

✦ Best for indie survival fans seeking deep strategy and procedurally generated co-op gameplay.

Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy brings together two iconic video game heroes as Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot team up to thwart the evil alliance of Ripto and Dr. Cortex. Developed by Vicarious Visions, this handheld title blends traditional side-scrolling platforming with a wide variety of quirky mini-challenges across familiar and unfamiliar realms. Players will experience diverse gameplay mechanics that go beyond standard platforming, including vertical shooters, tank driving, rapid-button-tapping challenges, and Breakout-style combat. With support for link cable multiplayer, the game offers cooperative and competitive minigame action for fans of both legendary franchises.

✦ Best for fans wanting a handheld crossover adventure featuring spyro and crash.

Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs is the third isometric platform game developed for the Game Boy Advance, blending classic platforming with richer RPG depth. Players explore the Dragon Realms and Rhynoc Lands, engaging in quests, managing a new inventory system, and discovering mini-quests as they work to close a dangerous space-time portal. Following a mishap with the Professor's invention, Ripto sends his rhynoc armies to conquer the Dragon Realms. As the final Spyro game released under the Universal Interactive label, it offers a fresh and expansive experience for fans looking for more than standard platforming action.

✦ Best for fans wanting a deeper gba platformer with rpg quests.

Spyro: Season of Ice is the first game in the series not developed by Insomniac Games and the first to appear on the Game Boy Advance. Featuring an isometric overhead perspective, the game retains Spyro's classic abilities like flame breath and gliding while introducing Mode 7 technology for its 3D-style flying bonus levels. Following the defeat of the Sorceress, an evil Rhynoc wizard named Grendor turns the fairies of the Dragon Realms into ice blocks to cure his headaches. Players control Spyro with the assistance of Hunter and Sparx to rescue the trapped fairies across diverse environments and thwart Grendor's plot.

✦ Best for fans of retro platformers wanting classic spyro action on gba.

Skylanders: Giants is the 2012 direct sequel to Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, blending physical toy collectibles with video game action. Players place real-world action figures onto the Portal of Power to bring them to life in the fantasy adventure. Featuring brand new characters known as Giants who are twice the physical size of regular Skylanders, the game introduces expanded gameplay mechanics, puzzles, and enemies. Developed by Toys for Bob and published by Activision, it continues the beloved action RPG and hack-and-slash franchise experience.

✦ Best for families and toy-collecting gamers wanting fun cooperative local multiplayer.

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.

✦ Best for fans of challenging 3d action platformers seeking a charming story.

Spyro: A Hero's Tail is the fifth console game in the original Spyro series, developed by Eurocom and published by Vivendi Universal Games. The title follows Spyro the Dragon as he attempts to defeat Red, a banished former Dragon Elder, with the help of allies including Sparx, Hunter, Sgt. Byrd, and Blink. Released in November 2004, the game is available on PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube, marking the first time the series appeared on Xbox and the first game in the franchise to be completely produced in Europe. Players experience classic platforming action across multiple playable characters while exploring the Dragon Realms.

✦ Best for platformer fans and retro gamers wanting classic single-player action.

Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly is the fourth installment in the beloved Spyro the Dragon series and the first to grace the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube. Players control Spyro as he journeys through the Dragon Realms to recover the newly arrived dragonfly guardians after Ripto's spell scatters them across the world. Featuring classic platforming gameplay alongside vehicle sections like the tank and Spitfire attack plane, the game presents a continuation of the franchise's formula. Despite its development hurdles and infamous technical issues upon release, it remains a notable piece of gaming history for fans of the purple dragon.

✦ Best for platformer fans and retro collectors wanting a classic spyro formula.

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.

✦ Best for classic platformer fans seeking a nostalgic 3d dragon adventure.

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.

✦ Best for fans of colorful 3d platformers and rewarding exploration collectathons.

Developed by Insomniac Games, Spyro the Dragon is a classic platform game originally released for the PlayStation. Players control the young purple dragon Spyro alongside his dragonfly companion, Sparx, as they embark on a grand adventure across the dragon kingdom. The evil Gnasty Gnorc has encased the land's adult dragons in crystal and stolen their vast treasures. With the help of Sparx acting as a health meter and gem gatherer, Spyro must traverse vibrant worlds, free the imprisoned dragons, recover the stolen gems, and ultimately defeat the villainous Gnorc.

✦ Best for retro gaming enthusiasts and platformer fans seeking vibrant 3d exploration.

Jet Set Radio Future is an action-packed platforming game set in a vibrant, cell-shaded futuristic Tokyo-to. Players control members of the GG's gang, using rollerblades to traverse the urban environment, perform daring tricks, and tag rival territory with graffiti while dodging relentless police forces. Featuring an iconic, genre-defining soundtrack composed by Hideki Naganuma, the game blends high-speed racing, sport-like acrobatics, and rhythm elements into a distinct cultural milestone. Its seamless open world and stylish aesthetic deliver an unforgettable arcade experience originally released for the Xbox console.

✦ Best for retro gamers and rhythm-action fans wanting fluid movement and music.