Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs delivers a surprisingly deep gameplay loop for a Game Boy Advance platformer. At its core, you’ll spend most of your time guiding Spyro through a series of levels filled with tight platforming challenges, enemy encounters, and environmental puzzles. The addition of RPG-like upgrade mechanics breathes new life into the familiar formula, allowing you to enhance Spyro’s fire breath, charge attack, and even unlock new elemental abilities as you collect gems and complete side objectives.

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One of the standout features is the ability to switch between three playable characters—Spyro, Agent 9, and Sgt. Byrd—each bringing their own playstyle to the adventure. Spyro excels at close-quarters combat and exploration, Agent 9 offers ranged attacks with his blaster and grenade launcher, and Sgt. Byrd’s gliding and bomb-dropping abilities open up unique aerial paths. This variety keeps the gameplay fresh, as certain areas or collectibles can only be accessed by a specific character, encouraging you to revisit levels once new abilities are unlocked.

Beyond the main story missions, the game peppers in optional challenges and collectibles that reward exploration. Secret gems, hidden doorways, and mini-puzzles unlock upgrade points for your breath abilities, which add a satisfying sense of progression. Additionally, mastering Sgt. Byrd’s bonus levels—once you’ve unlocked them—provides a fun multiplayer-style challenge that extends replayability and invites friendly competition.

Graphics

Considering the technological constraints of the Game Boy Advance, Attack of the Rhynocs boasts vibrant, detailed sprite work that brings both the Dragon Realms and the invading Rhynoc Lands to life. Levels are packed with colorful backgrounds, varied terrain types, and animated environmental hazards that feel dynamic rather than static. The art direction leans into Spyro’s trademark charm, with expressive character sprites and memorable boss designs that stand out even on the handheld’s modest display.

Parallax scrolling backgrounds add depth to the 2D environments, giving each world a distinct atmosphere—icy caverns shimmer with frosted ceilings, while rocky outcrops in the Rhynoc Lands feel rough and foreboding. The spell effects, particularly Spyro’s upgraded breath attacks, display bright flares of flame or swirling elemental bursts that are impressive for the platform’s palette. Enemy animations are fluid enough to telegraph attacks, which is crucial for timing your dodges and counters.

Performance-wise, the frame rate remains largely stable, even when multiple enemies and effects are on-screen. Occasional slowdowns occur in the most crowded areas, but they seldom disrupt the flow of gameplay. Overall, the graphics strike a fine balance between visual fidelity and performance, making Attack of the Rhynocs one of the more visually appealing titles in Spyro’s portable library.

Story

The narrative of Attack of the Rhynocs is deceptively straightforward yet provides a solid motivation for Spyro’s globe-trotting adventure. One of the Professor’s experiments has ripped open a portal between the peaceful Dragon Realms and the warlike Rhynoc Lands, giving Ripto an open invitation to invade. As Ripto’s armies pour through the rift, Spyro must race to seal the breach before the Dragon Realms fall under Rhynoc domination.

While the story doesn’t delve into complex character arcs or deep emotional beats, it perfectly suits the game’s brisk pace. Brief dialogue exchanges between levels inject humor and personality—Spyro quips about his foes, Agent 9 cracks galactic one-liners, and Sgt. Byrd’s military jargon adds comedic flair. These interactions keep the tone light and engaging, ensuring the narrative never drags even as you backtrack for hidden secrets.

The game also uses environmental storytelling effectively: dilapidated Rhynoc war machines scattered in Dragon Realms levels hint at how quickly the invaders strike, and the shifting color schemes reflect the growing influence of Ripto’s forces. Boss encounters, though not overly dramatic, are framed as key battles to stem the tide of invasion, giving each showdown a clear purpose within the overarching conflict.

Overall Experience

Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs stands out as a robust and entertaining handheld platformer that successfully expands the series formula. The mix of platforming, light RPG progression, and three distinct playable characters ensures that gameplay never becomes stale. Unlockable multiplayer-style Sgt. Byrd levels and a wealth of hidden upgrades add considerable replay value, rewarding completionists and casual players alike.

Though the story remains simple, it’s well-crafted to support the gameplay and maintain momentum throughout. Combined with colorful graphics and stable performance, the game feels polished and thoughtfully designed. Fans of the Spyro franchise or those seeking a portable adventure with a good balance of challenge and accessibility will find much to love here.

In summary, Attack of the Rhynocs is more than just a competent port of Spyro’s core mechanics—it’s a fresh, portable spin on the purple dragon’s world that leverages new features without sacrificing the charm that made the series a classic. Whether you’re chasing every secret gem or simply breezing through the main story, this Game Boy Advance entry delivers an enjoyable, bite-sized journey through the Dragon Realms and beyond.

Retro Replay Score

7.1/10