The game features two game modes : Story and Challenge.
In Story mode, the player goes alternatively through flight, platform and boss levels. He progressively unlocks new levels, while learning pieces of the story and improving his characters abilities. He can go back to previously finished levels, to unlock new areas and power ups thanks to newly learned abilities.
In Challenge mode, only flight is available, the aim is to score high.

Screenshots made from a S60 Nokia serie.
Some Graphics and features may change depending on the device.

Screenshots made from a S40 Nokia serie.
Some Graphics and features may change depending on the device.

Screenshots made from a smaller version of a S30 Nokia serie.
Some Graphics and features may change depending on the device.

While playing in the swamps with his good friend Sparx, Spyro is attacked by strange creatures. Defeating them, he reveals the entrance to a secret ruined temple.

There, he meets a Guardian dragon. He tells him that he could be the dragon child of the prophecy. The guardian also tells Spyro he will teach him more of the story, as well as how to breath fire, if he can prove he is the Anointed One. To do so, Spyro has to retrieve the crystal shard from the home island of the Guardian.

Eventually succeeding and coming back, Spyro learns from the Guardian that 3 other Guardians are being held captive in their home islands, by a dark dragon girl named Cynder. Each guardian knows more pieces of the story and can teach Spyro a new magical breath. Each new breath helps Spyro in opening gates to other worlds. After freeing all the Guardians, Spyro has to vanquish Cynder in a final showdown in the secret temple.