Gaming Target - Game Boy: Spyro: Season of Ice

Written by Matt Swider on June 22, 2001

First Impressions: Spyro breaths, ice melts, and the game's done? How many levels they get out of that?

Over the past couple of years, the character of Spyro has appeared each Fall on the on several Playstation from Insomniac Games and SCEA. However, it seems that the license is up and Digital Eclipse, along with Universal Interactive Studios is bringing the purple dragon to the other 32-bit system; no, not Sega Saturn, but Nintendo's Game Boy Advance. Digital Eclipse recently released Rayman Advance during the systems launch, and is now working on an X-Men title, which should be released around the same time period of their Spyro game. In taking note from their past experience of the GBA, you can almost be assured that you will be satisfied with their Spyro action title if it's type of game appeals to you, and from its recent appearance at E3, there should be no doubt.

The story of this Spyro title will be brand new, taking place after a victory of his recent enemies, as the dragon and his friend enjoy a nice vacation on the Dragon Shores. Yet, as you might expect, Spyro's leisurely retreat from his hero business is soon ended as Zoe sends a message out to Spyro. Our hero finds that a Rhynoc wizard has imprisoned Zoe and frozen other fairies throughout the Fairylands in order to complete his spell, which requires one hundred fairies. Along with Hunter and Sparx, Spyro must return the Dragon Realm back to normal to help save Zoe and the fairies, and teach the wizard a lesson or two.

Although the originals were set in 3D, Spyro seems to have transformed into an isometric overhead platformer, yet still remains brilliant on the Game Boy Advance graphically. The visuals found in the portable version are much like the Playstation titles in terms of its vibrant color. Spyro himself moves fluidly with nice animation as you navigate him through his pseudo-3D quest spanning 30 levels like Lava Prairie, Hummingbird Village, Honey Marsh, Roman Holiday, Star Park, and Age Speedway.

There are a couple bonus missions if you collect enough gems in the game as Spyro, where you can play as Sparx. In addition to the Spyro's main story game and the bonus missions, the other segment of the game is a Mode 7 where you fly around navigating Spyro through rings, which is also found in the Playstation platform as well.

Controlling Spyro is also similar to the Playstation games, as you can walk, run, jump and even glide in eight different directions. Tapping on the button once will enable him to jump, whereas doing it twice will have Spyro glide in the air. Hitting the button another time will give him a last, extra leap just before landing. As far as attacks go, Spyro can either perform a headbutting move, or breath fire to ward off enemies as his goes around collecting the fairies.