Spyro is getting his first new game in almost two decades

Toys for Bob has announced Spyro: A Realm Beyond, the first completely new entry in the mainline platforming series since 2008. The game will launch in Spring 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and the Nintendo Switch 2.

The announcement arrived during the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7. It confirms the recently independent studio is partnering with Microsoft and Activision to continue the franchise they revived with the 2018 Reignited Trilogy. Tom Kenny is also returning to voice the main character. He has held the role since the original PlayStation era.

Full flight mechanics

Spyro has a slightly updated design for this outing. He looks a bit older. His wings are larger, and he has a pronounced crest of spikes. His new physical proportions tie directly into the game's core mechanical shift: unrestricted flying.

Older games in the series restricted flying to specific speedway levels or required temporary power-up gates. A Realm Beyond allows players to take off at any time. Studio head Paul Yan described the system as "true dragon flight" in a recent interview. Players can chain together dives, climbs, and tight turns to navigate the world. Toys for Bob built the game's environments around this vertical freedom.

The story drops Spyro into an unfamiliar realm where he gets stranded. His attempts to find a way back home are interrupted by a new enemy faction called the Scavs. They operate out of floating fortresses and use dark magic powered by purple crystals. This is a departure from the typical Rhynocs or Gnorcs seen in the original games. The Scavs appear to be a more organized, militaristic threat.

Spyro runs through bright, desert-like canyons filled with cacti and natural rock arches. He is later seen gliding over a blue river that cuts through ancient stone ruins.

The vibrant art style matches the tone established in the Reignited Trilogy. The Scavs introduce a darker visual element. Their menacing dark tower floats amidst storm clouds and lightning. This establishes a clear contrast with the colorful platforming stages.

An independent studio

Toys for Bob spun off from Activision earlier this year to become an independent developer. They quickly secured a publishing deal with Microsoft to fund their next project. The studio previously handled the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Crash 4: It's About Time, and the Spyro Reignited Trilogy under Activision's corporate umbrella. They also created the Skylanders franchise in 2011. That series initially launched as Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure.

The game was revealed at an Xbox event and will be available on Game Pass on day one. It is still a fully multiplatform release. PlayStation and Nintendo players will get the game on the exact same day. The platform list also includes the Nintendo Switch 2, making it one of the first officially confirmed games for Nintendo's upcoming hardware.

It has been a long gap for 3D platformer fans. The original PlayStation trilogy defined a specific type of collect-a-thon. Outside of remakes and the toys-to-life spinoffs, the purple dragon has been dormant since The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon almost two decades ago. A fresh game built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5 gives the character a chance to exist outside of pure nostalgia. Modern mechanics like unrestricted flight and larger, more vertical level design could push the series forward in a way that remakes simply cannot.