Spyro: A Realm Beyond Announced as First Core Spyro Game in Nearly 20 Years
Toys for Bob has announced Spyro: A Realm Beyond, a new entry in the classic platformer series revealed at the 2026 Xbox Games Showcase, targeting a spring 2027 release on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. The studio, which became independent from Activision in 2024 following the Microsoft-Activision merger, used the transition to regain creative control after years of being assigned to support titles like Call of Duty and Overwatch 2. The announcement marks a significant return for the franchise and signals Toys for Bob's renewed focus on the whimsical platformer games it is best known for.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond was unveiled at the 2026 Xbox Games Showcase by Toys for Bob, the studio behind the Spyro: Reignited Trilogy and Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time. The game promises a significant evolution of the classic formula, emphasizing seamless transitions between ground exploration and aerial dragon flight within larger, more detailed open worlds. Screenshots suggest both vibrant, colorful environments and darker, more ominous settings, hinting at narrative contrast. Original voice actor Tom Kenny is confirmed to return as Spyro, preserving continuity with the beloved classic trilogy. Studio head Paul Yan explained that the game was built around preserving the fluid, momentum-driven movement that defines the series while expanding it into a new dimension. Toys for Bob's path to making the game was enabled by the Microsoft-Activision merger, which the studio leveraged to negotiate a buyout and spin off as an independent entity in 2024, escaping a corporate mandate that had redirected the team toward supporting blockbuster shooter franchises. The game is slated for spring 2027.
What's missing
No pricing or specific release date beyond 'spring 2027' has been announced.
How coverage differed
Kotaku framed the story primarily around Toys for Bob's corporate escape narrative, emphasizing the studio's frustration with Activision's mandates and the business circumstances of its independence. Engadget focused more on the game itself — its features, design philosophy, and franchise significance — treating the studio's independence as background context rather than the central story.
What different sources said
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