History YMMV / Spyro2RiptosRage

** The robotic sharks in Aquaria Towers. They are surprisingly numerous in the level and can only be killed by using the level's Superflame powerup. If you don't activate the powerup, any attempt to take them on will result in them promptly swallowing you whole, [[OneHitKill costing you a life even if you have Sparx]]. There's no escaping them, either - they will even ''[[SuperPersistentPredator leave the water and phase through obstacles]]'' to chase you down and scarf you up. Oh, and they also guard several treasure chests. Good luck.

* EnsembleDarkhorse: Elora's quite popular for a character who only appeared in one game (aside from a brief cameo in the third game).

* BaseBreakingCharacter: As time goes on, Ripto finds himself under further scrutiny by fans. Many people consider him to be the best villain in the series thanks to his funny interactions with Spyro (which no other villain in the original trilogy has, strangely), [[DepravedDwarf unique design]], and [[AwesomeBosses/VideoGames amazing boss fight]]. Others, however, consider him to be one of the series' weakest antagonists, since he has very little impact on the story (as none of the enemies that plague the levels are stated to be affiliated with him (aside from AllThereInTheManual) and [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain his attempt at taking over Avalar never gets further than the castles in the Homeworlds]]), as much as Elora tries to [[ShowDontTell claim]] otherwise. And that's not even getting into how he was [[UnexplainedRecovery brought back for later games]]...

* DesignatedVillain: [[TheScrappy To a degree]], Moneybags. He may act quite smarmy and serves as the game's toll gate, but unlike him [[FaceHeelTurn working for the Sorceress]] in [[VideoGame/SpyroYearOfTheDragon the next game]], it's made clear that Moneybags is one of the four ambassadors of Avalar (alongside Elora, Hunter, and the Professor) and does ''not'' appreciate Ripto's usurping in the slightest. Sure, he sells Ripto some bombs that allows him to steal the Power Crystal and make a new scepter, but considering his beef with Ripto beforehand, it seems like it was done out of desperation.

** And of course, Moneybags. [[CashGate Take a guess why.]]

** Fisher the Breezebuilder's ''infamous'' trolley sidequest in Breeze Harbor. You're tasked with riding Fisher's trolley around a track to get 50 gears for him. Sounds simple right? '''Wrong.''' The controls tend to be unresponsive, and some of the gears require very precise movement - time it wrong, and you're back to square one. To make matters worse, you also have to hit switches and TNT barrels on the course using a cannon, often with little to no time to react. Expect to be traumatized with the phrase that Fisher says to you every single one of the hundreds of times you are destined to fail, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti_vGdM1EBo&t=45s "Trouble with the trolley, eh?"]]

** The Crystal Popcorn is another difficult challenge, involving obtaining a set amount of small crystals popping out of the ground before Hunter does. The first challenge is manageable, with only 10 crystals to collect. The second, however, not only adds five to the total, but greatly improves Hunter's AI to the point where he can pinpoint exactly where the closest crystal is about to pop up from. He also [[RubberBandAI rubberbands]] like crazy in this stage; the moment your lead on Hunter grows to around 2 or 3, prepare to be dumbfounded as he starts racking up crystals at an inhumanly fast rate and evaporating your lead faster than you can blink. It's a case of competing against a virtually [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard cheating AI]] in the worst way possible. Not to mention how quickly you'll find "You're pretty fast" burned into your head every time he beats you. [[EasyLevelTrick There is a trick, however]] — rather than go around on your own, follow ''Hunter'' around, and if he stops at a vent before the crystal comes out, stand on that vent. It's tough to pull off, but if done correctly, you'll instantly snatch the crystal once it emerges, before he even has a chance to get it. You even get a trophy for this in [[VideoGame/SpyroReignitedTrilogy the remake]].

** The Crystal Popcorn is another difficult challenge, involving obtaining a set amount of small crystals popping out of the ground before Hunter does. The first challenge is manageable, with only 10 crystals to collect. The second, however, not only adds five to the total, but greatly improves Hunter's AI to the point where he can pinpoint exactly where the closest crystal is about to pop up from. He also [[RubberBandAI rubberbands]] like crazy in this stage; the moment your lead on Hunter grows to around 2 or 3, prepare to be dumbfounded as he starts racking up crystals at an inhumanly fast rate and evaporating your lead faster than you can blink. It's a case of competing against a virtually [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard cheating AI]] in the worst way possible. Not to mention how quickly you'll find "You're pretty fast" burned into your head every time he beats you. [[EasyLevelTrick There is a trick, however]] — rather than go around on your own, follow ''Hunter'' around, and if he stops at a vent before the crystal comes out, stand on that vent. You'll instantly snatch the crystal once it emerges, before he even has a chance to get it. You even get a trophy for this in [[VideoGame/SpyroReignitedTrilogy the remake]].

** The Alchemist, a senile old man who seems to have a habit of [[TooDumbToLive trying to hug the violent, hostile, murderous Earthshapers on purpose]]. This old goat is your [[EscortMission Escort character]], and you need to guide him to help Hunter because he "accidentally" gave the cheetah CementShoes. Sure, you can blame his near-sightedness and old age, but after you get the [[spoiler: Permanent Superflame]] it turns out the "senile old man" was '''deliberately walking into every single Earthshaper in the area!'''

** The Crystal Popcorn is another difficult challenge, involving obtaining a set amount of small crystals popping out of the ground before Hunter does. The first challenge is manageable, with only 10 crystals to collect. The second, however, not only adds five to the total, but greatly improves Hunter's AI to the point where he can pinpoint exactly where the closest crystal is about to pop up from. He also [[RubberBandAI rubberbands]] like crazy in this stage; the moment your lead on Hunter grows to around 2 or 3, prepare to be dumbfounded as he starts racking up crystals at an inhumanly fast rate and evaporating your lead faster than you can blink. It's a case of competing against a virtually [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard cheating AI]] in the worst way possible. Not to mention how quickly you'll find "You're pretty fast" burned into your head every time he beats you.

* ValuesDissonance: Bombo is a ''very'' poor depiction of a Saudi Arabian, having a stereotypical accent, scorched {{red|is violent}} skin, and most unfortunately of all, [[MiddleEasternTerrorists being specialized in bombing]]. The ''Reignited Trilogy'' attempts to [[AuthorsSavingThrow alleviate this]] by having him be renamed to [[{{Bowdlerization}} Bob]], removing the accent, and redesigning him to look more like a [[JackassGenie genie]], but he regrettably still retains his proficiency in bombing.

* BaseBreakingCharacter: Ripto himself has started to become one. Many people consider him to be the best villain in the series thanks to his funny interactions with Spyro (which no other villain in the original trilogy has, strangely), [[DepravedDwarf unique design]], and [[AwesomeBosses/VideoGames amazing boss fight]]. Others, however, consider him to be one of the series' weakest antagonists, since he has very little impact on the story (as none of the enemies that plague the levels are stated to be affiliated with him (aside from AllThereInTheManual) and [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain his attempt at taking over Avalar never gets further than the castles in the Homeworlds]]), as much as Elora tries to [[ShowDontTell claim]] otherwise. And that's not even getting into how he was [[UnexplainedRecovery brought back for later games]]...

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation:

* BaseBreakingCharacter: Ripto himself has started to become one in recent years. Many people consider him to be the best villain in the series thanks to his funny interactions with Spyro (which no other villain in the original trilogy has, strangely), [[DepravedDwarf unique design]], and [[AwesomeBosses/VideoGames amazing boss fight]]. Others, however, consider him to be one of the series' weakest antagonists, since he has very little impact on the story (as none of the enemies that plague the levels are stated to be affiliated with him (aside from AllThereInTheManual) and [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain his attempt at taking over Avalar never gets further than the castles in the Homeworlds]]), as much as Elora tries to [[ShowDontTell claim]] otherwise. And that's not even getting into how he was [[UnexplainedRecovery brought back for later games]]...

* BaseBreakingCharacter: Ripto himself has started to become one in recent years. Many people consider him to be the best villain in the series thanks to his funny interactions with Spyro (which no other villain in the original trilogy has, strangely), [[DepravedDwarf unique design]], and [[AwesomeBosses/VideoGames amazing boss fight]]. Others such as WebVideo/ExoParadigmGamer, however, consider him to be one of the series' weakest antagonists, since he has very little impact on the story (as none of the enemies that plague the levels are stated to be affiliated with him (aside from AllThereInTheManual) and [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain his attempt at taking over Avalar never gets further than the castles in the Homeworlds]]), as much as Elora tries to [[ShowDontTell claim]] otherwise. And that's not even getting into how he was [[UnexplainedRecovery brought back for later games]]...

* ValuesDissonance: Bombo is a ''very'' poor depiction of a Saudi Arabian, having a stereotypical accent, scorched {{red|is violent}} skin, and most unfortunately of all, [[MiddleEasternTerrorist being specialized in bombing]]. The ''Reignited Trilogy'' attempts to [[AuthorsSavingThrow alleviate this]] by having him be renamed to [[{{Bowdlerization}} Bob]], removing the accent, and redesigning him to look more like a [[JackassGenie genie]], but he regrettably still retains his proficiency in bombing.

** The Agent Zero stealth mission is incredibly infuriating as you have to trail him and hide behind incredibly thin trees that if you're not completely behind, will reset you back to the beginning. The first part is tolerable, but the last half has a VERY pinpoint moment where you have to charge past him and stop right behind a tree.

* BaseBreakingCharacter: Ripto himself has started to become one in recent years. Many people consider him to be the best villain in the series thanks to his funny interactions with Spyro (which no other villain in the original trilogy has, strangely), [[DepravedDwarf unique design]], and [[AwesomeBosses/VideoGames amazing boss fight]]. Others, however, consider him to be one of the series' weakest antagonists, since he has very little impact on the story (as none of the enemies that plague the levels are affiliated with him and [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain his attempt at taking over Avalar never gets further than the castles in the Homeworlds]]). And that's not even getting into how he was [[UnexplainedRecovery brought back for later games]]...

** [=Charriii5=] theorizes in his [[https://youtu.be/biER0C6Ju5Y?t=1157 Everything Wrong With Spyro 2 video]] that Hunter is secretly working for Ripto and trying to sabotage Spyro's efforts. [=Charriii5=] notes that Hunter was the one who inputed the coordinates that led Ripto to Avalar, he was perfectly capable of stopping Ripto when he first arrived in Avalar, and did nothing to stop his siege of the Winter Castle. In addition, there are multiple instances of Hunter withholding the Talismans and Orbs needed to stop Ripto.

** [=Charriii5=] theorizes in his [[https://youtu.be/biER0C6Ju5Y?t=1157 Everything Wrong With Spyro 2 video]] that Hunter is secretly working for Ripto and trying to sabotage Spyro's efforts. [=Charriii5=] notes that Hunter was the one who inputed the coordinates the lead Ripto to Avalar, he was perfectly capable of stopping Ripto when he first arrived in Avalar, and did nothing to stop his siege of the Winter Castle. In addition, there are multiple instances of Hunter withholding the Talismans and Orbs needed to stop Ripto.

** The Alchemist side-quest in Fracture Hills. To start, it's an escort mission with the mandatory stupid A.I that will walk into the enemy's range without even trying to avoid them. Said enemies are [[KungFuProofMook Earthshapers]] that Spyro's attacks have no effect on. To make matters worse, if the guy went out of his cave and to the left, he could completely avoid the enemies and reach his destination in half the time. The sidequest is especially notable in that, if you kill all the enemies first with [[BraggingRightsReward Infinite Superflame]], you can easily notice the Alchemist always follows the same, pre-determined path, that is ''programmed to run into every single enemy''. That's right, you're supposed to escort him and keep him safe from ''all of them!''

** The Mystic Marsh orb where you have to retrieve the Spark Plugs from the Kangaroo Thieves. Three out of four are completely reasonable, but the forth is almost mind-wrenching as you have to chase him over a tree top. Missed a jump? Be ready to backtrack all the way out of the water back up. You think you can cut his way by jumping down early before he does? Nope, he can just turn around and ''fly back up''. As you can't do this, be ready to backtrack again..

** [=Charriii5=] theorizes in his [[https://youtu.be/biER0C6Ju5Y?t=1157 Everything Wrong With Spyro 2 video]] that Hunter is secretly working for Ripto and trying to sabotage Spyro's efforts. [=Charriii5=] notes that Hunter was the one who inputed the coordinates the lead Ripto to Avalar, he was perfectly capable of stopping Ripto when he first arrived in Avalar, and did nothing to stop his siege of the Winter Castle. In addition, there are multiple instances of Hunter withholding the Talismans needed to stop Ripto.

** [=Charriii5=] theorizes in his [[https://youtu.be/biER0C6Ju5Y?t=1157 Everything Wrong With Spyro 2 video]] that Hunter is secretly working for Ripto and trying to sabotage Spyro's efforts. [=Charriii5=] notes that Hunter was perfectly capable of stopping Ripto when he first arrived in Avalar and did nothing to stop his siege of the Winter Castle. In addition there are multiple instances of Hunter withholding the Talismans needed to stop Ripto.

** Charri5 theorizes in his [[https://youtu.be/biER0C6Ju5Y?t=1157 Everything Wrong With Spyro 2 video]] that Hunter is secretly working for Ripto and trying to sabotage Spyro's efforts. Charri5 notes that Hunter was perfectly capable of stopping Ripto when he first arrived in Avalar and did nothing to stop his siege of the Winter Castle. In addition there are multiple instances of Hunter withholding the Talismans needed to stop Ripto.

** AlternateCharacterInterpretation:
* Given that the Alchemist asks Spyro for help on an EscortMission that puts his life in danger (if the Alchemist gets hit by an Earthshaper it only breaks the potion) and his path is programmed to go towards every single Earthshaper, many fans believe the Alchemist is actually trying to get Spyro killed.
* Charri5 theorizes in his [[https://youtu.be/biER0C6Ju5Y?t=1157 Everything Wrong With Spyro 2 video]] that Hunter is secretly working for Ripto and trying to sabotage Spyro's efforts. Charri5 notes that Hunter was perfectly capable of stopping Ripto when he first arrived in Avalar and did nothing to stop his siege of the Winter Castle. In addition there are multiple instances of Hunter withholding the Talismans needed to stop Ripto.

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: Given that the Alchemist asks Spyro for help on an EscortMission that puts his life in danger (if the Alchemist gets hit by an Earthshaper it only breaks the potion) and his path is programmed to go towards every single Earthshaper, many fans believe the Alchemist is actually trying to get Spyro killed.

** The Agent Zero stealth mission is incredibly infuriating as you have to trail him and hide behind incredibly thin trees that if you're not completely behind, will reset you back to the beginning. The first part is tolerable, but the last half has a VERY pinpoint moment where you have to charge past him and stop right behind a tree.
* UnfortunateImplications: Ultimately PlayedForLaughs with the Tunnel of Love in Dragon Shores. It sounds innocuous enough, but one look at the participants, and the {{squick}} starts to show. Potential riders include, but are not limited to...
** [[BestialityIsDepraved Shaman Tok and George]]
** [[IncestSubtext Handel and Greta]]
** [[PaedoHunt Baby Turtles]]

** The Agent Zero stealth mission is incredibly infuriating as you have to trail him and hide behind incredibly thin trees that if you're not completely behind, will reset you back to the beginning. The first part is tolerable, but the last half has a VERY pinpoint moment where you have to charge past him and stop right behind a tree.

** Mystic Marsh isn't particularly difficult, but it takes an absolutely unreasonable amount of time to complete, as several gems are hidden in tall grass or in tiny water holes, some enemies require waiting to kill them and there are no less than three quests that require you to backtrack the whole level: one mystery bottle for more gems, one thief catching quest and one ChainOfDeals.

** Mystic Marsh isn't particularly difficult, but it takes an absolutely unreasonable amount of time to complete, as several gems are hidden in tall grass or in tiny water holes, some enemies require waiting to kill them and there are no less than three quests that require you to backtrack the whole level: one mysic bottle for more crystals, one thief catching quest and one ChainOfDeals.

** The Alchemist, a cynical old man who seems to have a habit of [[TooDumbToLive trying to hug the violent, hostile, murderous Earthshapers on purpose]]. This old goat is your [[EscortMission Escort character]], and you need to guide him to help Hunter because he "accidentally" gave the cheetah CementShoes. Sure, you can blame his near-sightedness and old age, but after you get the [[spoiler: Permanent Superflame]] it turns out the "cynical old man" was '''deliberately walking into every single Earthshaper in the area!'''