The Unspoken Truths of Classic Platformers: Unlocking Hidden Endings in the Spyro Series

For generations of gamers who grew up mesmerized by colorful worlds and lovable protagonists, nothing beats the nostalgic charm of classic platformer series like Crash Bandicoot or Super Mario Bros. Among these iconic franchises lies one often overlooked but equally fascinating entry - the critically acclaimed (yet commercially underperforming) Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage.

Released in 1999 for a host of platforms including PS1, PS3 and PSP among others, this third installment in the original trilogy has left many players scratching their heads over its cryptic ending sequence. What secrets lay hidden within those seemingly innocuous final minutes?

For fans who remember spending hours upon grueling hours collecting every single coin or completing each level without so much as a hint of mercy from that infamous purple dragon, you're not alone.

The answer lies in the game's innovative design philosophy - an approach that would later influence countless other platformers to follow suit. See, Spyro 2 wasn't just another mindless romp through procedurally generated levels; nope! It was actually a masterclass exercise in progressive difficulty and player engagement.

In essence, completing certain objectives within the game world could unlock special rewards or even entirely different endings altogether!

But what exactly did one need to do? Well, for those determined souls who managed to plough through every last challenge without any assistance from online resources (we salute you!), here's a brief rundown:

1. In Spyro 2: Riptyos Rage, collecting all 100 collectibles would indeed unlock the final boss fight against none other than... well, it was pretty obvious at this point! However, what many players weren't aware of is that beating Rippy (as we affectionately called him) also contributed towards earning those elusive 100 stars!

2. Fast forward to Spyro 3: The Eternal Night on the PS2 and PSP platforms where things got even more interesting... Completing all side quests while collecting every single item would grant access not only to an alternate ending but also unlock a secret boss battle against - you guessed it again!

But perhaps no game in this series better exemplifies this trend than Enter The Dragonfly on the Nintendo GameCube and Xbox consoles. Released to mixed reviews upon its launch back in 2002, many gamers wrote off Spyro's attempt at venturing into full-3D platforming as a complete flop.

However, hidden beneath layers of cringe-worthy voice acting and subpar graphics lay something truly special - an innovative take on collect-a-thons that would later influence future titles like Kirby Star Dream 3DS in terms of its emphasis on exploration and discovery!

So next time you dust off your old PS2 or PSP console to revisit some classic platforming action, keep an eye out for those hidden secrets waiting patiently just beyond the reach of even the most seasoned veteran player... You never know what surprises may await!

Spyro 2 ripto's rage