Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy [GBA]

Fire-breathing, purple dragon Spyro has already starred in a couple of Game Boy Advance titles. Spyro: Fusion (aka Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracies) is a little different, though. Rather than an isometric experience, it's a simpler sideways-scrolling platformer that still includes all of Spyro's characteristic moves.

Spyro: Fusion, like fellow release Crash: Fusion(aka Crash: Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage), blends 2D platform action with a large number of mini-games scattered around each level. Heads up, though -- there's little point in buying Spyro and Crash: Fusion for the mini-games, as they're very similar.

Thanks to his wings, Spyro provides a more satisfying platforming experience than Crash. Being able to fly for short distances opens up many options, and the extra couple of attacks that Spyro has makes combat more interesting, too. The game is harder, though -- Crash's platforming segments seem merely a way to skip between mini-games, but with Spyro, they're more of a challenge.

Spyro's mini-games share many of the problems experienced in Crash: Fusion. They can be unforgiving, and one mistake often means sending the player back to the start. Also, in the early levels, the mini-games tend to be more boring and unimaginative than Crash's.

The game is just as impressive to look at, though. Spyro, while small, is very detailed, down to his tiny wings. There's no shortage of variety in the levels; you'll be visiting a castle, an icy palace, and one of Crash's jungle paradises. The music, while a bit on the annoying side, fails to be totally irritating -- not a common thing among cutesy GBA platformers.

Good multiplayer support is another strong point. A number of the mini-games can be played with up to four players and just one cartridge -- always a welcome bonus. There's also a two-player game that can be played between Spyro: Fusion and Crash: Fusion owners.

It's a shame that a better marriage of Crash's imaginative and compelling mini-games and Spyro's interesting platforming segments couldn't be found. If you're determined to pick up one of these games, Crash is a slightly better choice, but both the platforming and mini-games have been done better in other titles.