Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure Starter Pack
© 2011 Activision, Inc.
Note: See also Skylanders Giants (CTR Nov. 2012). Here's an innovative new twist to video game controls: a wireless plate-sized controller (called the Portal of Power) that you sync with your PS3, just like another game controller. Skylanders Spyro's Adventure combines a video game with collectible toys, with a set of 32 plastic figurines (three come with it) that interact with the game using a "Portal of Power". The toys "come to life" within the game for you to control when placed upon the Portal of Power. You take on the role of a powerful Portal Master and can control 32 different characters, including the fire-breathing dragon Spyro. As you explore the 3D world, you fight creatures, collect gold and solve puzzles while trying to save your world from Kaol, the evil Portal Master. Each interaction figure remembers your shared experiences and leveled-up abilities, allowing you to customize and power-up your toys, and bring them to life on a friend's Portal of Power for co-op play and player-versus-player arena battles. This feature makes this one of the most innovative toy/video game marriages to date. You can change characters at any time, allowing you to utilize different interaction figures and strategies each time you play. Each interaction figure is classified by element type, i.e. Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Life, Undead, Magic, and Tech, and each has their own challenges that are unlocked as more characters are collected. Our testers, who were veteran Spyro players, liked the game.
$50, PlayStation 3, Wii
Teaches: logic
CTR Rating: 90%