Spyro is known for having incredible world design, smooth platforming challenges, and a mountain of collectibles for gamers to pick up. It’s a legendary series with a dedicated fanbase, and luckily, there are plenty of games with a similar vibe.
If you’re on the hunt for Spyro alternatives, we’ve got you covered. We’ve handpicked the games in this list with Spyro fans in mind, focusing on mechanics, collectibles, and gameplay.
Here are the 14 best games like Spyro to check out today.
14. Sly Cooper Collection
Sly Cooper is another PlayStation mascot with a trilogy of beloved games. While the core elements of platforming can be found in both Sly Cooper and Spyro, Sly Cooper leans much more into the stealth aspects of its game.
Not only will players need to complete tough platforming challenges, but they will need to do so without being detected by enemies.
Another thing that links Sly Cooper to Spyro is the inclusion of multiple playable characters.
In Sly Cooper, players can take control of both Bentley and Murray. In Spyro, players can play as Sheila, Hunter, and Sargent James Byrd, just to name a few!
Each of these characters comes with its own unique movement and gameplay styles, and it is up to you to decide how to utilize their kits most effectively.
If you loved Spyro 3 and its inclusion of a huge cast of playable characters, the Sly Cooper series might be just what you are looking for.
13. Super Mario 3D All Stars
Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a collection of legendary Mario games that Spyro fans simply can’t miss out on. It includes Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy.
Super Mario 64 revolutionized the platforming genre, and almost every game that came after it can thank the plumber for setting the standard.
Super Mario Sunshine is where Mario perfected his movement. There are tons of ways to maneuver about a level in Super Mario Sunshine.
Super Mario Galaxy took a step back from the freedom of open world levels to take players on a magical tour instead. The worlds are more linear, but the music, spectacle, and overall majesty of the game are on a completely different level from anything that came before it.
If you love 3D platformers, there is no excuse for not having played any of these games yet! Especially now you can play all three of them on the Nintendo Switch.
12. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is one of the flagship titles for the PS5.
The game doesn’t feature anything too challenging but it draws players in with amazing graphics and fun, easy-going gameplay.
The great thing about Spyro is that you are free to explore each level at your own pace. Unlike other games that have time limits pushing you towards the end as fast as possible, Spyro games are all about taking your time to explore and find collectibles.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure mimics this concept perfectly and will never punish players for stopping to smell the roses (or possibly collect them)! It’s a delight to play.
11. Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
The original Yooka-Laylee is more in-line with a traditional Spyro game. In Yooka-Laylee, you will travel across various worlds, collecting items, unlocking new abilities, and turning into different forms.
However, Yooka-Laylee’s inherent need to act as a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie does hold it back somewhat.
That being said, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a great follow-up game.
The game takes inspiration from Donkey Kong Country, but it still has a unique identity and feels exciting to play through.
Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a game built around uniquely challenging platforming challenges. All of these culminate in the titular Impossible Lair, which players are actually free to tackle from the very start of the game.
If you enjoy a challenge, feel free to take on the last level whenever you like.
However, casual players can play through the game to increase their health for the final showdown.
10. Okami HD
Okami HD is one of the most unique adventure games around. In this game, you play as a wolf and journey across various levels, taking on challenging boss fights.
One of the big appeals of Okami has always been its stunning visuals. Incorporating traditional Japanese brush strokes into its combat makes gameplay both interesting and gorgeous.
Okami HD cranks up all these ideas to the max, and each world feels even more amazing to explore.
Both Spyro and Okami have you taking control of a quadrupedal main character. Because of this, there are a lot of interesting mechanics that only a four-legged creature could tackle.
If you liked playing as a dragon in Spyro along with everything that came with playing as a mythical creature, Okami is a great alternative.
9. Sonic Mania
Much like Spyro, Sonic has had a somewhat rough ride over the years.
What the Spyro Reignited Trilogy did for Spyro, Sonic Mania did for Sonic.
Sonic Mania is a fan title that takes everything players love about the blue blur and serves it up in a single game.
No Werehogs, no convoluted plots, and no Sonic Boom Knuckles will be found here. Just tight platforming gameplay, incredible music, and lightning-fast speed!
Plenty of sections in Spyro require using high speed. Chasing down the egg thieves requires you to almost constantly charge and the speed boost sections require pinpoint accuracy while traveling much faster than usual.
If you enjoy tackling reactionary platforming challenges at an elevated speed, Sonic Mania is the game for you! It’s one of the best classic games like Spyro to pick up and play today.
8. Ape Escape
Ape Escape is a fun collect-a-thon game in which you can explore various locations and track down a bunch of escaped apes.
The game focuses on collectibles, and each ape sits in a calculated spot to lead players through the different locations of each level.
Much like Spyro, gems, eggs, and dragon statues act as markers for where you should be going next at any given point in a level.
There’s never a worry of getting stuck at a roadblock in either of these games, as keen-eyed players just need to keep their eyes peeled for the next collectible to grab.
If you loved the collection aspect of Spyro and enjoy scouring levels to drain each world of its resources completely, Ape Escape is the game for you.
7. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet and Clank has always been a game series that focuses on fast-paced action, unique platforming challenges, and collectibles. Where you collect gems and eggs in a game like Spyro, in Ratchet and Clank, you will be collecting an arsenal of weapons!
The original Ratchet and Clank games have garnered a cult following over the years. The witty dynamic between Ratchet and Clank is something that has not been replicated in the newer games.
Even after Ratchet and Clank received their most recent rebranding, fans still praise the older games for their better writing and more varied gameplay.
That being said, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is a step in the right direction for this new era of Ratchet and Clank.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart fleshes out the gameplay, includes even more weapons and unique mechanics, and has a brilliant storyline. It’s a worthwhile pick for Spyro fans.
6. Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is the culmination of years of Mario platforming goodness.
Super Mario Odyssey takes everything great about Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and both Super Mario Galaxy games to create something truly magical.
The controls are as smooth as butter in this game. Mario has just as many creative movement options here as he did in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine.
Furthermore, the overall spectacle and soundtrack rival Super Mario Galaxy in certain locations, with grandiose themes and bombastic background music,
Super Mario Odyssey has tons of content to keep players occupied for hours on end. If you loved the vast open worlds of Spyro and the detailed platforming challenges, titles like Mario Odyssey are a must-play.
5. Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby games are great fun for those looking to blow off some steam with a casual and less intense experience.
Even though Spyro games are technically designed for children, certain sections can get pretty difficult and require some quick reactions or dedicated focus.
Kirby games have always been easy, but this by no means makes them boring. Sometimes, it’s nice to kick back and relax with something a little less challenging.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land brings Kirby into the modern world and has him use his abilities to take over present-day appliances. These range from a car to a fan, and even a refrigerator!
If you enjoy exploring open worlds, taking out enemies, and collecting items all in a more casual experience, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the Spyro alternative for you.
4. Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated
The original Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom struck a chord with fans of the series and video games alike.
The game managed to perfectly blend creative and entertaining gameplay while also including tons of hilarious references.
Fans had been pleading for a remake of the original Battle for Bikini Bottom for quite some time, and after the developers saw there was an audience willing to pay for a remake, they went ahead and made one.
Unfortunately, it felt more like a HD port than a full reimagining.
The game does not do much to update the gameplay, and considering the original game came out in 2003, you can imagine how choppy the controls feel in certain locations.
That being said, if you hold no attachment to the original Battle for Bikini Bottom game, Rehydrated is still a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It’s a little clunky in places and it’s missing a few speedrunning glitches from the original, but it’s still a blast to play.
3. Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy
Crash and Spyro go hand in hand. They have shared similar games in the past, such as Crash Bandicoot Orange and Spyro Purple, and have an almost pseudo rivalry akin to the likes of Mario and Sonic.
Both Crash and Spyro received full HD remakes of their first three games. The Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy expertly reimagines each stage from the original games.
Not only have the levels been given a fresh coat of paint but several other additions are present as well. For example, it is now possible to complete time trial runs of the original game.
If you love the tough platforming challenges found in Spyro games, Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy can deliver more of what you love in spades. It’s one of the most interesting platforming games around.
2. Banjo-Kazooie
Disregarding spinoffs, ports, and the travesty that is Nuts & Bolts, the Banjo-Kazooie franchise consists of two mainline games.
It is a testament to the solid gameplay that touched the hearts of a generation and spawned a cult following that Banjo-Kazooie is still talked about to such a large degree.
It is often said that Super Mario 64 walked so that Banjo-Kazooie could run. Improving upon everything the plumber set out to do, Banjo-Kazooie has unique worlds, creative dialogue, fluid controls, and amazing music.
The bear and bird duo managed to find their way into Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, but this wasn’t enough for die-hard fans. Now, Banjo-Kazooie is also available for download via Nintendo Switch Online as well!
Banjo-Kazooie is a “collect-a-thon” much like other Rare N64 titles such as Donkey Kong 64.
Much like Spyro, the game is built around collectibles that lead you through the levels.
If you loved exploring the various worlds of Spyro and scouring every last corner to collect every item, Banjo-Kazooie is the game for you.
1. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
Crash Bandicoot and Spyro go hand in hand. The Spyro Reignited Trilogy and Crash N.Sane Trilogy are both great remakes of classic games.
Crash Bandicoot 4 is also an amazing return to form and includes just as many unique mechanics, tough platforming challenges, and smooth gameplay as the first three games.
Crash Bandicoot 4 improves a lot on the strong foundation laid out in the original trilogy.
Several quality-of-life improvements have been included in this title to make the gameplay less frustrating. Even something as simple as adding a shadow for Crash when he’s in the air allows players to land their jumps far more effectively.
There is a ton of collectibles and hours of replayability for completionists looking to 100% this game. Arguably, there is too much content, and some casual players have lobbied complaints that the game becomes too difficult when trying to collect everything.
This Crash title is an absolute must-play for any fans of the original Spyro games.
