View source for Spyro (character)

{{short description|Video game character}}
{{rewrite|date=August 2023}} 
{{Infobox character
| name = Spyro
| image = File:Spyro.png
| caption = Spyro as he appears in the ''[[Spyro Reignited Trilogy|Reignited Trilogy]]''
| creator = Craig Stitt<ref name="PSUnder">{{YouTube|id = kVFMpBDIuzc|title = The Making of Spyro the Dragon (From PlayStation Underground)}}</ref>
| series = [[Spyro]]
| species = [[European dragon]]
| first = ''[[Spyro the Dragon]]'' (1998)
| designer = Charles Zembillas
| voice = {{Collapsible list|title=[[English language|English]]
| [[Carlos Alazraqui]] (1998)<ref name=GameRev>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/sony/spyro_the_dragon|title=Spyro the Dragon - PS|last=Dick|first=Kevin|date=1999-03-04|publisher=[[GameRevolution]]|page=1|access-date=2008-06-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725152920/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/sony/spyro_the_dragon|archive-date=2008-07-25}}</ref>
| [[Tom Kenny]] (1999–2002, 2018–19)<ref name="Newsweek"/>
| [[Jess Harnell]] (2004)
| [[Elijah Wood]] (2006–08)
| [[Josh Keaton]] (2011–15)
| [[Matthew Mercer]] (2016)<ref name=Twitter>{{cite tweet|user=matthewmercer|author=Matthew Mercer|number=786991693664878593|date=14 October 2016|title=I see that Skylanders: Imaginators just released! I am pleased to be voicing the purple dragon himself, Spyro! #SkylandersImaginators}}</ref>
| [[Justin Long]]<br>(2016–18)<ref name="SkylandersAcademy VA">{{cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151106005832/en/ |title=Activision Blizzard Launches Activision Blizzard Studios to Create Original Film and TV Content Based on Iconic, Globally-Recognized Franchises |publisher=BusinessWire.com |date=2015-11-06}}</ref>
| [[Jason Ritter]]<br>(Dark Spyro, 2016–18)
}}
{{Collapsible list|title=[[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| [[Akiko Yajima]] (1999–2000)
| [[Manabu Ino]] (2013–present)
| Masahito Kawanago (2016–18)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.production-ace.co.jp/sp/movie/skylanders/ |title=海外アニメ『スカイランダーズ・アカデミー』Netflixにて配信中 川中子雅人、水越健 出演 |publisher=production-ace.co.jp |date=October 2016 |access-date=2016-11-13 |archive-date=2018-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929114725/http://www.production-ace.co.jp/sp/movie/skylanders/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}
}}
'''Spyro''' is a fictional character and the titular [[protagonist]] [[Spyro|of the same name]] video game series, including ''[[The Legend of Spyro]]'', and a guest character in the ''[[Skylanders]]'' series, first appearing in ''[[Spyro the Dragon]]'' in 1998.

Spyro is an energetic, young, male, purple [[European dragon|dragon]]. He is known for his ability to defeat enemies by breathing fire and charging at them, and his ability to [[Gliding flight|glide]] to otherwise unreachable areas in the game world. Spyro is often accompanied by his best friend Sparx, who is a [[dragonfly]].

Spyro was created by Craig Stitt and designed by [[Charles Zembillas]] for [[Insomniac Games]], the developers of the first three games in the series. The character has endured in popular culture as a mascot of the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] video game console alongside [[Crash Bandicoot (character)|Crash Bandicoot]], having appeared in several games together with him. Both characters were owned by [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]], under the former video game division [[Vivendi Games|Universal Interactive]] and have since become an intellectual property of [[Activision]], through the merger between Vivendi Universal Games and Activision to create [[Activision Blizzard]].

== Development ==
After developing ''[[Disruptor (video game)|Disruptor]]'', Insomniac president, Ted Price, contacted Zembillas to design a playable dragon character for a video game. Zembillas had previously designed Crash for [[Naughty Dog]], whose offices were just across the hall from Insomniac's at Universal Interactive Studios.<ref name="GamesTM">{{cite web|title=Behind the scenes of Spyro The Dragon|url=https://www.gamestm.co.uk/features/behind-the-scenes-of-spyro-the-dragon/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809040315/https://www.gamestm.co.uk/features/behind-the-scenes-of-spyro-the-dragon/|archive-date=August 9, 2017|publisher=[[gamesTM]]}}</ref>

Spyro was originally named "Pete" and colored green during development, but the name was dropped to avoid infringing on the trademark ''[[Pete's Dragon (1977 film)|Pete's Dragon]]'', which was owned by [[The Walt Disney Company]]. His color was changed to purple so as to avoid blending in with any grassy areas.<ref name=GamesTM/><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3173/lessons_in_color_theory_for_spyro_.php|title= Gamasutra - Features - Lessons in Color Theory for Spyro the Dragon|publisher= [[Gamasutra]]|date= May 2, 2000|author= John Fiorito, Craig Stitt}}</ref> He was made younger to appeal to children, needing "to be cute, but at the same time, mischievous, bratty, unpredictable, and something of an upstart."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theanimationacademy.com/spyromenu.htm |title=The Origin of Spyro - Preliminary Concept Designs |publisher=Theanimationacademy.com |access-date=2014-02-05}}</ref>

Spyro was given the ability to glide infinitely to give him "something he could do that no other platformer could", making the game's worlds significantly larger and providing more incentive for exploration. According to programmer Peter Hastings, [[NASA]] rocket scientist Matt Whiting was hired to program Spyro's controls so that he could move as smoothly as possible.<ref name=GamesTM/>

Price claimed in an interview that Insomniac stopped developing ''Spyro'' games after ''[[Spyro: Year of the Dragon]]'' because Spyro didn’t have hands and therefore his actions were limited.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Buffa|date=September 30, 2008|title=Resistance 2 on PlayStation 3 Features - GameDaily|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/games/resistance-2/playstation-3/game-features/resistance-2-interview-with-ted-price/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203172108/http://www.gamedaily.com/games/resistance-2/playstation-3/game-features/resistance-2-interview-with-ted-price/|archive-date=December 3, 2008|publisher=[[GameDaily]]}}</ref>

===Voice portrayal===
Spyro was originally voiced by [[Carlos Alazraqui]] in ''[[Spyro the Dragon]]''.<ref name=GameRev/> Alazraqui explained in an interview with [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] that he tried to make Spyro's voice sound like "a kid at camp that everybody likes."<ref name="EGM Oct. 1998">{{cite magazine |last=Boyer |first=Crispin |date=October 1998 |issue=111 |pages=122–123 |title=Spyro the Dragon |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |location=Lombard, Illinois |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] }}
</ref>

He was later replaced by [[Tom Kenny]], who has been voicing the character since 1999, beginning with ''[[Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!]]''.<ref name="Newsweek">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/spyro-reignited-trilogy-remaster-news-interview-1038258|title = The 'Spyro Reignited Trilogy' looks, sounds and plays just like you remember it| website=[[Newsweek]] |date = 23 July 2018}}</ref> In later years, he was voiced by [[Jess Harnell]] in ''[[Spyro: A Hero's Tail]]''; [[Elijah Wood]] in ''[[The Legend of Spyro]]'' series; [[Josh Keaton]] in ''[[Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure]]''; and [[Matthew Mercer]] in ''[[Skylanders: Imaginators]]''.<ref name=Twitter/>

In the television series ''[[Skylanders Academy]]'', he was voiced by [[Justin Long]]. As Dark Spyro, he was voiced by [[Jason Ritter]].<ref name="SkylandersAcademy VA"/>

In the Japanese versions of the games, he was voiced by [[Akiko Yajima]], [[Manabu Ino]], and Masahito Kawanago.

== Characteristics ==
{{more sources|section|date=January 2023}}
=== Personality and backstory ===
Spyro originates from the Dragon Kingdom in ''Spyro the Dragon'', and lives in the Artisans homeworld. He is very brash, being eager to defeat the game's villain, Gnasty Gnorc. In ''[[Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!]]'' and ''Year of the Dragon'', Spyro is more mature and laidback, though he continues to trash talk enemies such as Ripto.

In ''The Legend of Spyro'', which takes place in a [[reboot (fiction)|different continuity]], Spyro was raised by dragonflies alongside Sparx after his egg was lost during an attempt to destroy his brood. He comes from a rare line of purple dragons, who are able to physically harness the power of the four [[classical element]]s. Here, Spyro is described as willing to help his friends and strangers with whatever problems they may have, without desire for reward. Spyro is adventurous, curious about his past, and eager to shape his future, in which he is expected to become something of a chieftain. Spyro also has an evil alter ego known as "''Dark Spyro''", who is stoic, ruthless, and animalistic, and manifests when Spyro is consumed by the "''Dark Aether''", a force born from negative energies.

In the ''Skylanders'' franchise, Spyro is described as strong-willed and young at heart, but has a headstrong and arrogant attitude. Much as in ''The Legend of Spyro'', he comes from a rare line of purple dragons in a faraway land few have ever traveled, and his adventures and heroics were chronicled by the "Portal Masters of Old". He was eventually invited to join the Skylanders by Master Eon and now lives in Skylands, remaining as one of its most valued protectors.<ref>[https://www.skylanders.com/characters/spyro Skylanders: Spyro Character First Edition]</ref> Spyro can also become Dark Spyro in ''Skylanders''; this incarnation is in better control of himself and uses the darkness to fight evil, but is always at risk of being consumed by it.<ref>[https://www.skylanders.com/characters/dark-spyro Skylanders Dark Spyro Character]</ref>

=== Relationships ===
Spyro and Sparx have been best friends ever since they were still in eggs. Sparx follows Spyro and acts as his health indicator, and helps him collect treasure scattered throughout the game world. If Sparx disappears, Spyro will be left vulnerable, but Spyro can replenish Sparx by finding butterflies for him to eat, which are usually acquired by attacking smaller animals such as sheep. Spyro generally respects the other dragons, but is impatient with more senior ones and often tries to leave as they are talking.

In ''Ripto's Rage!'', Spyro meets Elora the [[Faun]], Hunter the Cheetah, and a mole known as the Professor, who assist him in various missions. A fairy named Zoe appears to help Spyro save his game progress. In ''Year of the Dragon'', Spyro meets a rabbit sorceress named Bianca, whom he initially distrusts but later becomes his ally and Hunter's girlfriend. Spyro disapproves of their relationship calling it "a sad sight". In ''Year of the Dragon'', Spyro meets Sheila the kangaroo, Sgt. Byrd the flying penguin, Bentley the [[Yeti]], and Agent 9 the laser-wielding monkey, who appear as additional playable characters after Spyro frees them from captivity.

Spyro's most persistent enemy is Ripto, a tyrant who hates dragons. He also has a negative relationship with Moneybags, a bear whom he often has to pay treasure to for goods or services. In ''Year of the Dragon'', Moneybags often suffers abuse at Spyro's behest and is attacked by him for trying to sell a stolen dragon egg. In ''[[Spyro: A Hero's Tail]]'', a pink female dragon named Ember has a crush on Spyro, who is not interested.

In ''The Legend of Spyro'', Spyro is Sparx's foster brother. An older "Dragon Guardian" named Ignitus acts as a sort of father figure to him. Spyro develops a strong bond with Cynder, a black female dragon who is at first his enemy but later becomes his love interest.

In the main ''Skylanders'' canon, Spyro is good friends with fellow Skylanders Gill Grunt and Trigger Happy, and acts as the Skylanders' leader whenever Master Eon is unavailable. In the [[Netflix]] series, ''[[Skylanders Academy]]'', Spyro is best friends with Stealth Elf and Eruptor, two fellow cadets who became Skylanders along with him.

=== Abilities ===
In most ''Spyro'' games, Spyro's main attacks consist of charging with his horns or breathing fire to defeat enemies and destroy treasure chests. Spyro can use his wings to glide, though he needs to utilize certain powerups to be able to fly freely. Spyro can also use powerups that allow him to charge at high speeds and enhance his fire breath, as well as breathe ice, jump to higher places, and become [[Glossary of video game terms#God mode|invincible]].

In ''Ripto's Rage!'', Spyro learns new abilities from Moneybags in exchange for treasure. These include the ability to swim underwater, where Spyro can charge at enemies, but can only blow bubbles instead of fire. He also learns to climb up certain walls using his claws, and a maneuver called the "headbash", wherein Spyro dives straight downward with his horns. Spyro retains these abilities in later games.

In ''[[Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly]]'', in addition to his fire breath, Spyro can collect magic runes that allow him to breathe lightning, ice, and bubbles that he can use to catch lost baby dragonflies. In ''A Hero's Tail'', Spyro rescues fairies that grant him the power to breathe lightning, water, and ice.

In ''The Legend of Spyro'', Spyro can breathe and manipulate fire, ice, electricity, and earth. Once he learns to use all four elements, he can use a fifth energy-based element known as "Aether", which only purple dragons can use. In ''[[The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night]]'', Spyro acquires the "Dragon Time" ability, which allows him to slow down time. Spyro can fly infinitely in ''[[The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon]]'', having become a teenager, and is also playable as Dark Spyro when consumed by Dark Aether.

In ''Skylanders'', Spyro has the ability to control all of the elements of the world of Skylands but prefers to use fire. He can harness nearby darkness, allowing him to become Dark Spyro.

== Other media ==
Spyro appears in [[Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage and Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy|''Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy'' and ''Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage'']], where he meets Crash Bandicoot and teams up with him to defeat Ripto and [[Doctor Neo Cortex]], who are trying to take over both of their worlds. Spyro also appears as an unlockable character in the [[Game Boy Advance]] version of ''[[Crash Nitro Kart]]'', and makes [[cameo appearance]]s in ''[[Crash Twinsanity]]'', ''[[Astro's Playroom]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamepur.com/guides/every-cameraman-reference-in-astros-playroom|title=Every cameraman reference in Astro's Playroom|website=Gamepur|language=en|access-date=2020-11-12}}</ref> and ''[[Astro Bot]]''. Additionally, he makes a playable guest appearance in ''[[Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled]]'' as post-launch [[downloadable content]].<ref>[https://sea.ign.com/switch/150457/news/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-gets-spyro-new-tracks-in-post-launch-dlc-e3-2019 Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled Gets Spyro, New Tracks in Post-Launch DLC - E3 2019]</ref>

Spyro also appeared as a playable character in ''[[Crash Team Rumble]]'', along with Elora and Ripto.

Spyro appears briefly in a commercial for ''[[Ty the Tasmanian Tiger]]'' alongside Crash and [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]. All three are in full body casts in the hospital with [[boomerang]]s in their bodies, apparently having been put there by Ty.<ref>{{YouTube|id=qzsC1qSqFDo|title="Ty The Tasmanian Tiger Tv Commercial Trailer 2002"}}</ref>

Spyro also appears in novels and certain issues of the ''Skylanders'' comic book series by [[IDW Publishing]]; including his own mini comic series, ''Spyro & Friends''. Furthermore, he is the main protagonist in the animated [[streaming television]] series, ''[[Skylanders Academy]]''.

=== Merchandise ===
[[Handheld electronic game|Handheld LCD games]], themed after ''Spyro'' as well as ''Crash Bandicoot'', were packaged in [[McDonald's]] [[Happy Meal|Mighty Kids Meals]] in 2005 to promote ''A Hero's Tail'' and ''Crash Twinsanity''.<ref>{{YouTube|id=KsCwpgAogRg|title="Crash & Spyro McDonald's Happy Meal ad 2005 (US)"}}</ref> ''The Legend of Spyro''-themed toys were packaged with [[Wendy's]] [[Kids' meal|Kids' Meal]]s in 2007 to promote ''The Eternal Night''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dobson|first=Jason|date=October 12, 2007|title=Random Spyro toys invade Wendy's kids meals|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/random-spyro-toys-invade-wendys-kids-meals/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222203143/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/random-spyro-toys-invade-wendys-kids-meals/|archive-date=February 22, 2014|access-date=April 5, 2010|publisher=[[Joystiq]]}}</ref> Spyro has also appeared in ''Skylanders''-themed plush toys and [[Mega Brands|MEGA Bloks]] sets.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tyler |first=Lewis |url=https://www.licensing.biz/news/9124/Mega-Brands-announces-Skylanders-Giants-deal |title=Mega Brands announces Skylanders Giants deal |publisher=Licensing.biz |date=2012-05-31 |access-date=2014-02-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729153548/http://www.licensing.biz/news/9124/Mega-Brands-announces-Skylanders-Giants-deal |archive-date=2013-07-29 }}</ref>

''Spyro''-themed figures were released in 2018 by First4Figures and Activision to promote ''Reignited Trilogy''. Merchandise related to the ''Spyro'' franchise were released by Numskull alongside the game's launch.<ref>{{Citation|title=Spyro Reignited Trilogy Merchandise Revealed - IGN|date=14 August 2018 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/08/14/spyro-reignited-trilogy-merchandise-revealed|language=en|access-date=2020-06-03}}</ref>

== Reception and Legacy ==
[[GameRevolution]] criticized Spyro's voice in ''Spyro the Dragon'', comparing it negatively to the [[Taco Bell chihuahua]], who was also voiced by [[Carlos Alazraqui]].<ref name=GameRev/> ''[[IGN]]'' praised Spyro's design, saying he is "cute but not sickeningly cute",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/07/16/the-greatest-playstation-games-ever-3d-platformers|title= The Greatest PlayStation Games Ever: 3D Platformers - PSX Feature at IGN|publisher= IGN|author= IGN Staff|date= July 16, 1999}}</ref> later criticizing him as "just a little bland, and not the kind of mascot that I would ever fall in love with... he's kind of like a blend between a big puppy and a donkey, painted purple."<ref name="IGN game2">{{cite web|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/11/19/spyro-2-riptos-rage|title= Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage - PlayStation Review at IGN|author= Doug Perry|publisher= IGN|date= November 19, 1999}}</ref> [[UGO Networks|UGO.com]] listed Spyro on their list of "The Cutest Video Game Characters", stating "The purple little guy was cute, but not cute enough to win the Great Playstation Mascot War of 1998."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/the-50-cutest-video-game-characters?page=2 |title=The Cutest Video Game Characters - UGO.com |publisher=[[UGO Networks|UGO.com]] |author=Chris Littler |date=October 12, 2010 |access-date=2011-03-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628031036/http://www.ugo.com/games/the-50-cutest-video-game-characters?page=2 |archive-date=June 28, 2013 }}</ref> The 2011 ''[[Guinness World Records#Gamer's edition|Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition]]'' lists Spyro as the 39th most popular video game character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/68759/TOP_50_VIDEO_GAME_CHARACTERS_OF_ALL_TIME_ANNOUNCED_inGUINNESS_WORLD_RECORDS_2011_GAMERrsquoS_EDITION.php|title=Top 50 video game characters of all time announced in Guinness World Records 2011 Gamer's Edition|publisher=Think Services|work=[[Gamasutra]]|date=February 16, 2011|access-date=April 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022093831/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/68759/TOP_50_VIDEO_GAME_CHARACTERS_OF_ALL_TIME_ANNOUNCED_inGUINNESS_WORLD_RECORDS_2011_GAMERrsquoS_EDITION.php|archive-date=October 22, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2012, ''[[GamesRadar+|GamesRadar]]'' ranked Spyro, "one of the most relatable mythological creatures of all time", as the 92nd "most memorable, influential, and badass" protagonist in games.<ref name=gr>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/top-100-video-game-heroes/|title=100 best heroes in video games|publisher=[[GamesRadar+|GamesRadar]]|access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref> In the same year, he was ranked 9th in ''[[Complex Networks (company)#Complex|Complex]]'''s "The 25 Most Kickass Dragons in Video Games" list, with writer Obi Anyawu stating Spyro "is truly an original just from his size and color alone."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/02/the-25-most-kickass-dragons-in-video-games/#18 | title=The 25 Most Kickass Dragons in Video Games | author=Anyawu, Obi | date=February 3, 2012 | work=[[Complex Networks (company)#Complex|Complex]] | access-date=January 30, 2014}}</ref> Ravi Sinha of ''GamingBolt'' named Spyro on his appearance at ''Skylanders'' as 2nd of their "Worst Video Game Character Design", stating that "Cute, innocent, fire-breathing Spyro didn’t deserve his terrible redesign. Beloved by many old-school PlayStation fans, Spyro was brought into Skylanders with much fanfare. His actual design seemed intended to make him more…dragon-like? Instead, it made Spyro look borderline frightening yet still goofy as opposed to, you know, a hero."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Worst Video Game Character Designs That Were Totally Disliked By Gamers|url=https://gamingbolt.com/worst-video-game-character-designs-that-were-totally-disliked-by-gamers|access-date=2022-01-06|website=GamingBolt|language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[HobbyConsolas]]'' also included Spyro on their "The 30 best heroes of the last 30 years."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Herranz|first=Sonia|date=2021-03-01|title=Los 30 mejores héroes de los últimos 30 años|url=https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/30-mejores-heroes-ultimos-30-anos-816865|access-date=2022-01-06|website=Hobbyconsolas|language=es}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Spyro}}
{{Skylanders}}
{{Insomniac Games}}
{{Crash Bandicoot series}}
{{Portal bar|1990s|Video games}}

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