Spyro the Dragon 1–3

Alongside the rugged marsupial Crash, the PlayStation also needed something warmer — and so a little purple dragon flew in, charming players with his laid-back ease and colorfulness. Spyro the Dragon, the work of Insomniac Games from long before Ratchet & Clank and Spider-Man, became the console's second great platforming icon and still brings a smile today.

Where Crash raced through narrow corridors, Spyro opened up sprawling, airy worlds full of gliding, flying and exploration. The trio of games bet on smooth, intuitive controls — Spyro charged with his horns, breathed fire, glided through the air and collected gems scattered across magical landscapes. The pace was pleasantly relaxed, the design welcoming, and the world simply invited carefree discovery. Therein lay the charm: Spyro was not about frustration, but about the joy of movement and exploring every nook.

Each installment expanded the foundation. The sequels added new abilities, side characters and minigames that varied the passage through worlds, and gradually one of the technically and content-wise most polished platforming series of the era took shape. Insomniac demonstrated a sense of fluidity and visual charm that made Spyro's worlds feel alive and colorful even on the hardware of the first PlayStation.

Alongside Crash, Spyro became a symbol that the PlayStation could also do playful, family-oriented games full of heart. The dragon built a devoted fanbase that never abandoned him — proof of which is the modern remake Reignited Trilogy, which captured the original trio in beautiful graphics and introduced it to new generations.

Today Spyro's games hold up as a textbook example of a relaxed, well-controlled 3D platformer. The charm, colors and calm they exude age only a little.

Why play it: A charming and smooth platforming trilogy about a purple dragon, a laid-back counterpart to Crash and one of the most beloved icons of the PS1.