Tuesday December 17 2002:

Gamers.com Review of ETD - "More of the same, but not quite as good..."

Friday December 5 2002:

Spyro Enter the Dragonfly TV adds - Spyro Enter the Dragonfly television adds have been airing on Nicolodeon for the last few nights. "He's not just a fire hazard anymore."

Sunday December 1 2002:

IGN gives Spyro 2: Season of Flame an Editors' Choice Award - On November 12th the second Spyro game for GBA received an Editor's Choice Award from IGN. This game really deserves all the praise it is receiving because how hard UI and DE worked to improve on SOI and to really listen to Spyro fans. Read more here.

Saturday November 30 2002:

GameSpy reviews Enter the Dragonfly

Wednesday November 27 2002:

Vivendi Universal is selling it's publishing but keeping games - How will this affect future Spyro games?
Source: GameSpy Daily

Friday November 22 2002:

Tech TV Review of ETD - 2 out of 5 stars

Thursday November 21 2002:

T H E + E N T E R T A I N M E NT + D E P O T reviews Season of Flame - They just can't stop saying nice things about this game. Could it be that the GBA game is doing better than the console games?

Tuesday November 19 2002:

SpyroHints.com is back! - The site that started it all has finally been updated after more than a year. I thought the guy had died but he just isn't into the GBA games. Now that there is a new console Spyro he's back in action. I started my site to fill the void when his seemed to be dead. Spyrohints.com is more of a FAQ site while this one is like an encyclopedia, plus I cover the GBA Games. It's a good site so check it out.

Monday November 18 2002:

IGN's Review of the Gamecube version of Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly - A lot is just copied from the PS2 Review.

Sunday November 17 2002:

The GameSpot Review - They posted the exact same review for both versions (PS2 and GameCube) without reference to the version being reviewed or any specifics for either console. This is review is worse than the IGN review as they are pointing out more bugs and gave it a very low score. On the bright side there are some new screenshots for both versions. A GameFAQs Review

Tuesday November 9 2002:

IGN gives Spyro: ETD(PS2) a bad review

Tuesday November 5 2002:

Enter the Dragonfly has shipped! - I just got notice that my copy has been shipped to me but I don't even have a PS2 or GameCube yet. Oh Well. Just don't expect info on it till I get one.

Season of Flame Review - another very positive review form Digital Back Spin. (90/100)

Friday October 25 2002:

Season of Flame Released in Europe.

Gamepro mini site - This little promotional site has lots of new screens, wallpapers, character art and a screen saver. There is also a contest to win a trip to E3 2003.

Wednesday October 23 2002:

All the news since I've been gone - I've been gone for a week so let's see whats been happening:

Spyro Website Updated! - SpyroTheDragon.com has changed quite a bit. Go and check it out! There's info on all the games, new screen shots and movies.

Enter the Dragonfly Preview - Gamepro has a short preview of ETD and some new screenshots. For the record, Spyro has never been "Sony's".

Season of Flame Reviews - There is a positive review at GamersHell and this time a real review from Gamepro. Someone should let Gamepro know that previews come out before the game is released and reviews come out after. Both reviews feature new screen shots.

Real box art! - Five online video game sellers are using this cover art for the US version of Enter the Dragonfly. Check out who is reflecting in Spyro's eye! See the large version at amazon.com.

European Release Dates - According to amazon UK:

SOF - was:10/25/2002, now:11/1/2002
ETD - was:11/25/2002, now:11/29/2002

Voice Your Opinion - Spyro is once again in the poll at UniversalInteractive.com! So go there now and vote for either of the new Spyro games!

Another Vivendi Rumor - GameSpyDaily is reporting another rumor that Vivendi Universal may be selling its publishing unit Vivendi Universal Publishing(includes Vivendi Universal Games) due to excessive debt. It is a just a rumor.

Tuesday October 15 2002:

Season of Flame reviews at GamingHorizon and GameSpy

Friday October 11 2002:

IGNs SOF review - IGN(Craig Harris) has finally reviewed Season of Flame and it's mostly positive. Read it here.

GameSpots SOF review - Another good review. But it's the first time GameSpot has even noticed this game. Get all the screenshots while your there before they lock 'em up.

Thursday October 10 2002:

New Enter the Dragonfly Gamecube screen shots - IGN has five more screen shots from the Gamecube version of Enter the Dragonfly. Since the PS2 and Gamecube versions should be virtually identical, PS2 users may want a look as well.

Season of Flame European release changed - Season of Flame is now scheduled to be released on October 25 in Europe. Source: PlanetNintendo

Season of Flame Reviews and stuff - Here's a couple of reviews of Season of flame. They are not very kind but let them scoff.

GamePro - This is more of a preview but it is the first GamePro has mentioned this game. Plus there are some screen shots you may not have seen.

GameFAQs - Ouch! That hurts. obviously not a fan.

Thursday September 26 2002:

I got my copy of Spyro2: Season of Flame today! - Watch for walkthrough updates on this site.

Wednesday September 25 2002:

Spyro2: Season of Flame shipped yesterday! - The second GBA did ship yesterday so watch for it in stores soon.

First SOF cheat code revealed... but you gotta work for it! - Go to http://speedway.spyrothedragon.com/ and play the "Super Spyro Speedway" game. Score 2000 points and get the code!

Tuesday September 24 2002:

Spyro2: Season of Flame released! - The second GBA game should have been released today. Watch for more information.

Friday September 20 2002:

Vivendi not for sale! - Vivendi is not going to sell it's game division! Read more here.
Source: GameSpyDaily

Thursday September 19 2002:

What is the real boxart? - I have found yet another version of the ETD Box art at EBgames.com. This one is only slightly different from the European one. Will this be the real one?

Keep watching SpyroTheDragon.com. There should be a surprise coming next week...

Monday September 16 2002:

SpyroTheDragon.com is back. - well it's back but I have heard from UI that there may be something new coming for the release of SOF...

Saturday September 14 2002:

SpyroTheDragon.com seems to be down? - It has been down for at least 3 day now. I wonder if they are up to something...

Tuesday September 3 2002:

New Enter the Dragonfly images. - I just found these at IGN on my usual search for Spyro news. There was no story associated with them when I found them. One picture in particular to look for called "Render: He has a Club" looks light a stronger, more primitive version of Ripto.

Friday August 30 2002:

New Enter the Dragonfly Details revealed at ECTS. - IGN has an article on some of the features of Enter the Dragonfly (for PS2 and GameCube) such as minigames:Simon Says rhythm game like Parappa the Rapper, and some sort of climbing game. Also Sparx will be helping Spyro with tutorials and hints.

MiniGame:Sparx Panic videos (SPOILER) from ECTS - Also form IGN we get footage of one of the minigames in Season of Flame (for GBA) featuring Sparx. This is one of the 2 games you unlock, this one by getting 100%, so this is a pretty big SPOILER. We have no details on the game you unlock for defeating the main boss.

Monday August 26 2002:

European boxart? Maybe... - from Amazon UK
They look more official than the US ones on Gamestop.com (see August 6 news) but they look similar to those and each other and are kinda simple looking compared to previous titles. Also the the Season of flame cover is different than the official US cover though the previous GBA title had the same artwork in the US and Europe. Thanks to Smitty for bringing this to my attention.

European Release Dates - from Amazon UK
Season of Flame (GBA) - 10/18/2002
Enter the Dragonfly (PS2,GCN) - 11/15/2002

US Game Cube Release Date - EBgames.com
Enter the Dragonfly (GCN) - 11/21/2002

Monday August 19 2002:

Spyro Spin-Offs poll results.
RPG: 12.5
Racing: 3.5
Fighting: 7
Shoot'em Up/FPS: 2
None: 3

Thursday August 15 2002:

Season of flame boxart revealed! for reals!
Amazon.com is now displaying what appears to be official box art for Spyro 2:Season Of Flame which is due to be released on September 24.

Lower Prices - at EBgames.com
Season of Flame - 9/24/02 - $29.99 (was 39.99)
Enter the Dragonfly(PS2) - 11/5/02 - $49.99 (was $50.99)

Strategy guides - EBgames.com and GameStop.com have Strategy guides for each new Spyro game scheduled for release one week before their respective games.
Season of Flame Strategy Guide - 9/17/02 - $14.99
Enter the Dragonfly Strategy Guide - 10/30/02 - $14.99

Wednesday August 14 2002:

Vivendi expands!? - about a week after we hear the Vivendi Universal Games may be up for sale we hear they are actually expanding. They are in the process creating a new label for Teen and Mature games.
Source: Gamers.com

Monday August 12 2002:

Season of Flame Preview and new media at IGN. - IGN seems to be looking forward to Spyro 2: Season of Flame for GBA. They have a near final version of the game and have made several videos and screenshots. We see Sheila in action, Spyro using a super ice power up, A few glimpses of Agent 9 and some of the opening story.

Wednesday August 7 2002:

Exclusive Spyro Screen Shots!
I just received these exclusive screen shots from Universal Interactive. From Enter The Dragonfly we get to see 4 different levels, Spyro in a tank and some cool environmental effects like snow, water and clouds. In Season of Flame we see Sheila in action and two more levels with Spyro.

Enter The Dragonfly
Season of Flame

Thanks Ricci and Marcus!

Vivendi Universal Games for Sale?!? - I saw this on GameSpy. Vivendi Universal may be selling it's US game studios which includes Universal Interactive. Gamers.com says that fingers are being pointed at SEGA as a possible buyer. Let us hope this does not hurt our friends at UI.

Tuesday August 6 2002:

Box art revealed! NOT! - GameStop.com has made some mockups of the boxart for the 2 upcoming Spyro games. They are just for display purposes and probably look nothing like the actual boxart that is still unknown. So why am I reporting this? Because I'm bored and I thought it was funny.

Thursday August 1 2002:

GBA Mark 2 Rumor - GameSpy is reporting another rumor of a new GameBoy Advance with improved screen and contrast control, but no backlight.

Friday July 19 2002:

PocketStation Discontinued - Sony announced that they are stopping production of the PocketStation.
Source: GameSpy

Wednesday July 17 2002:

New Features in Season of Flame. - from Ricci Rukavina at Universal Interactive:

• Over 22 Larger Improved Levels, over a dozen minigames, 4 playable characters (Spyro, Agent 9, Sheila, and Sparx), 2 bonus games and multiple endings and a cast of over 100 characters and enemies.
• Mapping System (Fog of War style)
• Brand New (rewritten from the ground up) Engine featuring particle effects for Spyro's breath abilities, Enemies, Objects, animating tilesets, improved collision detection, and increased Sample Rate for Music and SFX.
• Much improved enemy AI, Primary Tasks, and secondary puzzles.
• Spyro has over 2000 frames of animation.
• New switchable breath abilities: Flame (Standard), Ice, Electric. And New move Super head charge. (breaks boulders). Switching breath abilities is a major new dynamic introduced in this game.
• Dynamic Collectibles (Fireflies must be caught).
• Power-up Gates including SuperIce, SuperFlame, SuperElectric.
• 3 Boss Levels.
• Moving Platforms, Ice Skating Ability.
• Secret Bonusgame for Defeating Ripto and finishing the game. (infinitely replayable).
• Secret Bonusgame for finding 100 fireflies and all 8000 gems. (infinitely replayable).
• Ambient SFX
• 3 save game slots (64Mbit 64k EEPROM)
• New 25 point diamond gem introduced (replaces the confusing magenta gem).
• Improved Atlas with task icons (so that you know what you've completed)
• Boss Defeat gives Spyro New Super head charge ability (smash boulders), Extra Hit Point, and a Level Warp Ability through Atlas.
• Fairy Checkpoint System (so that progress is saved)
• New Interior Areas
• 19 Brand new Music Tracks

Tuesday July 16 2002:

Season of Flame goes GOLD! - This is directly from Ricci Rukavina at Universal Interactive: Spyro2:Season of Flame has gone gold and should be released very soon. we should have a complete list of improvements over Season of Ice and maybe some exclusive screenshots. For those who don't know, software is "GOLD" when it is in it's finished state and ready for duplication or manufacture.

Also check out the Digital Eclipse web site for new info And screenshots. Biggest News: Multiple Saves!

Monday July 15 2002:

Oh the People you will meet - I knew when I started a Spyro Web Site that I would start getting emails form all kinds of people with interesting stories. So far the most interesting story is that of Artem Astafyev.

Artem lives in the Ukraine and he worked on the water effects for Spyro: Enter The Dragonfly. He had never seen his work in a completed level and was searching the web for info on Spyro 4 when he happened to find my site. I told him where to find some screens and movies of the game and he told me a little about his work and himself.

He is part of a group of programmers currently known as MDS Ukraine. The newer game systems are hard to get in his country. They worked on a special PS2 Development platform with levels that only contained water. (They had seen many other levels but none with their water.) Until recently he had only known the project as 'Spyro 4'. Working with a 10 hour time difference and some mistakes by their manager, lead to them breaking with Check Six and though they seem to liked their work, they had to give the PS2 DVP back.

They have two other projects in the works; a 3D action game called "Human Alien Hybrid" and a boat racing game called "Glide Face" which I think looks marvelous. Check out screen shots here

MDS Ukraine is currently looking for a sponsor so they can finish their work.

Wednesday July 10 2002:

More on Spyro on GameCube - IGN(same screenshots as GameSpot)

Tuesday July 9 2002:

Spyro on GameCube - Just announced today Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly will be released nearly simultaneously on both GameCube and PS2. The 2 versions should be identical.
IGN
GameSpot (also has screenshots)

Monday July 8 2002:

Voice Your Opinion: Spyro Spin-Offs? - Would you like to see Spyro branch off into other genres? What type of Spin-Off would you like to see?:A: RPG / B: Racing / C: Fighting.Go to any of the Spyro boards atGameFAQs and voice your opinion in the 'POLL: Spyro Spin-Offs?" topic. Or you can just email me at the9thdr@yahoo.com.

Monday July 1 2002:

Pocket Station Update - I got my first PocketStation on Friday. As far as I can tell the US version does not notice the PocketStation is attached. There may be a way to access it using a GameShark code like many US games require. I'm still waiting for my boot disc, then I can check out the Japanese Spyros.

Wednesday June 26 2002:

Here is some news from someone in marketing at Universal Interactive. They are working on a franchise website right now and and are hoping to launch sometime in July. The site should include pages for the first 3 games as well as the new ones.

He also said that SOI was the #3 selling GBA game last year and outsold Tony Hawk!

Saturday June 8 2002:

Interview with Ricci Rukavina - in response my statement that Universal is slow in responding I got an email from Ricci Rukavina (Creative Director/Producer for Season of Ice) at Universal Interactive. We've exchanged a few emails and here are some answers to my questions about the new Spyro games:

Q: How did you happen to find my web site?

A: I always surf the net looking for fun Spyroey things.

Q: Are there any plans for a major TV campaign for the upcoming games?

A: Yes, they should begin airing around the holiday season.

Q: Ratchet & Clank seems to be making quite a splash with the press, and everyone seems very excited. I can't wait to play it either. Do you think it will steal the spotlight from Spyro?

A: No, I think there is room for any new platformer - I myself love the genre and Insomniac consistently pushes the platforming genre to amazing new heights. I really can't wait to get my hands on it.

Q: I read the article on IGN and this is the first I heard of the "mapping engine" feature for Season of Flame. I frequent GameFAQs.com and notice a lot of people getting lost in the levels, was this feature added because of user feedback?

A: Yes, I wanted to add this feature in the last game, but we were really pressed for time with SOI so it was sacrificed in the name of getting spyro level designs down and making the game fun. I am really happy with the new game - I think we've added a ton of new features and made the levels more fun with much better enemy AI, a ton of puzzles and mini-games this time around - There are over 25 levels in this game with really great minigames. We've even managed to squeeze in Spyro Hockey! (You heard it hear first!)

Q: I know Bob Baffy and Ed Cosico are working on music for Season of Flame, Will there be new music for Enter The Dragonfly and who will be composing it?

A: The Composer for ETD is none other than the wonderfully and amazingly talented Stewart Copeland, who has also worked on the past three PlayStation games. Spyro just isn't Spyro without Stewart.

Q: was there a specific request on the part of Universal to have similar features in both the GBA and PS2 games? (ie: the breath attacks)

A: I came up with the idea for switching breath abilities in the GBA game simply because I thought it would be a fun twist to Spyro (carrying along a power up with him so to speak for puzzles, etc.), and the PS2 guys thought this would be cool, so it was added to the PS2 version as well a long time ago.

Q: Will we see Spyro games on other consoles or on PC & Mac?

A: Hmmm... well there are none in development at the moment but you never know!

Q: Are there plans for taking Spyro into other genres?

A: mums the word at the moment. =(

Q: What about future plans for Spyro?

A: mums the word at the moment. =(

Q: Do you know anything about the PocketStation features of Spyro and Spyro 2?

A: Sony really wanted this feature supported in the Japanese games and from what I understand worked really close with Insomniac to get this implemented. It is definitely supported in Spyro X Sparx Tondemo Tours, but I cannot remember if it is supported in Spyro The Dragon or not.

Thank you very much Ricci!

Tuesday May 28 2002:

IGN has an article on Spyro 2: Season of Flame, and the biggest news they have is that it will have an automapping feature. Also Spyro will be able to swim. They have screen shots and movies but you can get all of them at www.spyrothedragon.com by downloading the "Press Kit".

Sunday May 26 2002:

Lower Prices for Games: Two stories at IGN suggest we may be getting our next 2 Spyro games for less. The first one says that Sony has lowered the price of PS2 games from $50 to $40 US. This has not been officially confirmed by Sony. The Second says that the cost of GBA 64Mbit cartridges is going down and that this will lead to games costing $30 and $20 US.
Sony lowers the price of games
Lower cost for GBA cartridges

IGN gives some Impressions of ETD from E3: The only real news about Spyro from E3 is some impressions at IGN. They confirm the stuff we already no such as Plays like the original, multiple breath attacks (fire ,ice, lightning, bubbles), Old friends (Hunter, Bianca, Zoe, Moneybags). One piece of good news is that it will have 25 levels instead of the before mentioned 12.

Wednesday May 22 2002:

New Spyro Web Sites: I've found these new release sites full of new screens and movies for the new Spyro Games and new release dates:
Press Site - Download the Press Kit and get most of the movies and screen shots
Enter The Dragonfly 11/02 - Make sure you get Trailer 1 here.
Season of Flame 9/02 - Make sure you get Trailer 1 here.

Tuesday May 21 2002:

The First Day of E3 2002! - Watch for news on upcoming Spyro games.

Wednesday May 15 2002:

Talking to the Developers - Believe it or not those responsible for creating Spyro do answer their email and some are willing to talk a little.

Digital Eclipse has been the most sociable. They are working hard to create a new experience in Season of Flame with very different levels and lots of new mini games. They wouldn't mind making Spyro games in different genres (RPG? Racing? ) if Universal is up to it. Robert Baffy, one of the music composers who worked on Season of Ice says that he and Ed Cosico worked hard to give the music the same feel as the Stewart Copeland Tracks on the PlayStation games. Bob and Ed are also working together on the sound track for Season of Flame. We've even discussed the technical limitations and possibilities of the GBA in regards to music.

Craig Stitt of Insomniac Games has this to say about those who have taken over the Spyro saga:
"I do not envy Digital Eclipse and Check Six Studios. They have their work cut out for them. I have heard good and bad things about the GBA version of the game but haven't played it myself, and I haven't seen enough of the PS2 game to have an opinion yet. I wish them both luck."

Check Six Studios is finally admitting that they are working on a Spyro game after everyone knew for months. They refuse to say anything about it though in case Universal is watching.

Universal Interactive will occasionally respond very late. I sent them an email months ago asking about future Spyro games. About a week after Enter the Dragonfly and Season of Flame were announced I got an email saying to watch for something around Christmas.

Last but not least, Mark Cerny did reply when I asked what part Cerny Games had in the Spyro series. I have not written to Naughty Dog but we know they work closely with Insomniac and they share ideas and technology. So if you have questions about the development and publishing of video games go ahead and drop an email, you might get a response. Don't ask for tips though, that's not their job.

Tuesday May 14 2002:

Sony Lowers Prices on PS1 and PS2!
PlayStation One: $49.99
PlayStation 2: $199.99

Wednesday May 8 2002:

Spyro Collector's Edition is available at most video game sellers.

Tuesday May 7 2002:

This is the day that the Spyro Collector's Edition was to be released. Was it? Who knows? No promotion equals no sales Sony! PlayStation.com still has no description.

Friday May 3 2002:

I just got the Japanese version of Spyro the Dragon. It not only supports the PocketStation it comes with a second game (possibly a demo) that does not appear to be Spyro related, and a very nicely illustrated instruction book. I still haven't received my PS X-changer disc or my PocketStation so I haven't played it yet.

I'm going to work on translating the manual, if anyone can read Japanese and wants to help let me know. The PocketStation game appears to involve Sparx.

Thursday April 25 2002:

Not much going on with Spyro so let's turn to business news. According to an article at ps2.ign.com Vivendi Universal Publishing made a profit last quarter. VUP publishes Spyro.

Also Insomniac Games has totally updated their Web site!

Saturday April 20 2002:

Ebgames.com is now taking pre-orders for Spyro Collector's edition.

Friday April 19 2002:

Spyro Collector's Edition - Sony just put up the cover art for this and it looks like it's all 3 PlayStation games packaged together. It says it's on one disc which I find hard to believe.

Tuesday April 16 2002:

Ratchet and Clank - Well since we aren't getting much in the way of Spyro news lets look at what Insomniac is up to. Ratchet and Clank is the next game from Insomniac Games, the creators of Spyro. From the 2 screen shots it looks kinda cool but probably will not get the 'E' rating. Supposedly based on the Jak and Daxter engine by Naughty Dog, It is no surprise it has been called "Jak and Daxter with guns".

Source: Gamers.com

Monday April 15 2002:

Spyro Collector's Edition? - I have no idea what it is but I found it at PlayStation.com. It is scheduled for release on May 7 along with Crash Collector's Edition.

Tuesday April 9 2002:

Ebgames.com is now taking pre-orders on both new Spyro games. I would wait until after E3 to pre-order
SOF : 39.99
ETD : 50.99

Thursday April 4 2002:

Gamers.com has some first impressions of Enter the Dragonfly.

Wednesday April 3 2002:

GameFAQs has a Season of Flame Board!

IGN is reporting Release Dates:
Season of Flame: September 2002
Enter the Dragonfly: 10/8/2002

Wednesday March 27 2002:

GameSpy's Fileplanet.com has 4 videos for Season of Flame. - Though it says Season Ice these are definitely for a new game. (Fileplanet now correctly identifies them as Season of Flame clips)

Tuesday March 26 2002:

GameSpot has more screen shots and movies. - The screen shots are free but you have to pay to keep the movies.

Now IGN has movies to download for Free!

Monday March 25 2002:

IGN has more screen shots and first impressions of Spyro Enter the Dragonfly. Of course you gotta pay IGN to see more than a few of them at once. They are giving an ETA of November.

Friday March 22 2002:

Rumor! - GameStop.com is showing ETAs for the new Spyro games.
Season of Flame: 9/24/2002
Enter the Dragonfly: 10/8/2002

Friday February 28 2002:

GameSpot has 1 more Screen Shot than GameSpy.
Enter The Dragonfly at Game Spot

Thursday February 27 2002:

Game FAQs opened Enter the Dragonfly board.

Wednesday February 20 2002:

GameSpy has Screen Shots
Season of Flame
Enter the Dragonfly

Tuesday February 19 2002:

Universal announced two new Spyro games to be released in 2002
Spyro: Season of Flame in Q3 for GBA
Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly in Q4 for PS2

Note: All news below this point happened prior to the creation of this site. It is included here for historical context.

January 2002:

Rumors abound that the developer for the PS2 Spyro game will be Check Six Studios.

October 30 2001:

Spyro the Dragon: Season of Ice released
Developer: Digital Eclipse

November 30 2000:

Spyro: Year of the Dragon released
Developer: Insomniac Games

August 29 2000:

Universal Interactive announces plans to bring Spyro to PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA and PC.
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/084/084193p1.html

November 2 1999:

Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage released
Developer: Insomniac Games

September 10 1998:

Spyro the Dragon released
Developer: Insomniac Games