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Skylanders
GenresPlatform, role-playing
Developers
CreatorToys for Bob
ComposerLorne Balfe
PlatformsAndroid, iOS, Apple TV, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One
First releaseSpyro's Adventure
October 13, 2011
Latest releaseRing of Heroes
December 12, 2018

Skylanders is a toys-to-life action-adventure video game franchise developed by American video game developer Toys for Bob and published by Activision.[1][2]

Skylanders games are played using NFC-enabled collectible figurines of playable characters, alongside a specially themed NFC reader dubbed the "Portal of Power", which reads and writes data stored on a microchip within the base of the figure. This includes the corresponding character to use during gameplay, as well as ingame upgrades and statistics, allowing figures to retain their game data across different games in the series.

Each Skylander is associated with one of ten elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Magic, Tech, Life, Undead, Light, and Dark. Skylanders of different elements are stronger in certain areas of the game, and can unlock areas of the game hidden behind "Elemental Gates".

Plot

[edit]

The games take place in the Skylands, a realm of floating islands located at the center of the universe that is often threatened by evil forces who seek to rule it and gain access to all worlds.[3] For generations, a band of heroes known as the Skylanders have worked with the Portal Masters to defend Skylands from evil and protect the Core of Light. Spyro is among the known Skylanders. Each of the known Skylanders is associated with the different elements of Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Light, Dark, Magic, Tech, and Undead. The dark and light element Skylanders debut in Skylanders: Trap Team when the Core of Light is restored.

Preceding the events of each game, the Skylanders are sent away from their home world to Earth by the antagonistic force Kaos, becoming frozen in the process due to the lack of magic in the 'human world'. In most games, they are mistaken for toys in this state, causing them to be sold at toy stores.

The player(s) take on the role of a Portal Master, utilizing the Portal of Power to send the Skylanders back to their home so that they may battle against the Dark Portal Master Kaos, a recurring villain in the series, as well as his army and other recurring villains.

Characters

[edit]

Skylanders

[edit]

There are a total of 160 playable Skylanders. They are arranged by their game of debut, with some being in special groups.

Core Skylanders

[edit]
  • Spyro the Dragon (voiced by Josh Keaton in the first five games, Matthew Mercer in Skylanders: Imaginators) is a purple dragon and a legendary Core Skylander. He first appeared in the titular franchise.
  • Bash (voiced by Keith Silverstein) is a rock dragon of the earth element.
  • Boomer (voiced by Joey Camen) is a dynamite-throwing troll of the tech element.
  • Camo (voiced by André Sogliuzzo) is a plant dragon of the life element.
  • Chop Chop (voiced by David Lodge is an Arkeyan skeleton of the undead element.
  • Cynder (voiced by Tobie LaSalandra) is a dragon of the undead element.
  • Dino-Rang (voiced by Keith Silverstein) is a boomerang-wielding dinosaur of the earth element.
  • Double Trouble (voiced by Alex Ness) is a tiki-masked sorcerer of the magic element.
  • Drill Sergeant (voiced by Thomas Bromhead) is an Arkeyan drill machine of the tech element.
  • Drobot (voiced by Alex Ness) is a dragon of the tech element who wears a robotic suit.
  • Eruptor (voiced by Keythe Farley) is a lava monster of the fire element.
  • Flameslinger (voiced by Keith Szarabajka) is an elf archer of the fire element.
  • Ghost Roaster (voiced by John Kassir) is a skeletal ghost-eating ghoul of the undead type.
  • Gill Grunt (voiced by Darin De Paul) is a harpoon gun-wielding "gill-man" of the water element.
  • Hex (voiced by Courtenay Taylor) is an undead elf of the undead element.
  • Ignitor (voiced by Dwight Schultz) is a fire spirit knight of the fire element.
  • Lightning Rod (voiced by Alex Ness) is a storm Giant of the air element.
  • Prism Break (voiced by Peter Lurie) is a crystal rock Golem of the earth element.
  • Slam Bam (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) is a four-armed Yeti of the water element.
  • Sonic Boom (voiced by Lani Minella) is a griffin of the air element.
  • Stealth Elf (voiced by Audrey Wasilewski) is an elf ninja of the life element.
  • Stump Smash (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) is an Ent of the life element with mallet-shaped hands.
  • Sunburn (voiced by Troy Baker) is a phoenix/dragon hybrid of the fire element.
  • Terrafin (voiced by Joey Camen) is a dirt shark of the earth element.
  • Trigger Happy (voiced by Dave Wittenberg) is a gold gun-wielding gremlin of the tech element.
  • Voodood (voiced by André Sogliuzzo) is an orc of the magic element.
  • Warnado (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) is a turtle of the air element.
  • Wham-Shell (voiced by Chris Parson) is a crab of the water element.
  • Whirlwind (voiced by Salli Saffioti) is a dragon/unicorn hybrid of the air element.
  • Wrecking Ball (voiced by Ryan Cooper) is a grub worm of the magic element.
  • Zap (voiced by Jeff Bergman) is a water dragon of the water element who was raised by electric eels.
  • Zook (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) is a Bamabazooker of the life element who wields a bamboo-made bazooka.
Debuting in Skylanders Giants
  • Chill (voiced by Julie Nathanson) is an unspecified humanoid of the ice element.
  • Flashwing (voiced by Tara Strong) is a crystal dragon of the earth element.
  • Fright Rider (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) is an undead elf jouster of the undead element who rides a skeletal ostrich.
  • Hot Dog (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui) is a fire dog of the fire element.
  • Jet-Vac (voiced by Greg Ellis) is a Sky Baron of the air element who wields a powerful vacuum device.
  • Pop Fizz (voiced by Bobcat Goldthwait) is a gremlin alchemist of the magic element who drinks a potion that turns him into a stronger form.
  • Shroomboom (voiced by Matthew Moy) is a one-eyed agaric mushroom of the life element who wields a slingshot.
  • Sprocket (voiced by Elizabeth Daily) is a Goldling of the tech element.
Debuting in Skylanders SWAP Force
  • Bumble Blast (voiced by David Sobolov) is an anthropomorphic beehive of the life element.
  • Countdown (voiced by Richard Tatum) is a walking bomb launcher of the tech element.
  • Dune Bug (voiced by Nolan North) is a rhinoceros beetle of the magic element.
  • Fryno (voiced by Robert Cait) is a fire rhinoceros of the fire element.
  • Grim Creeper (voiced by Lex Lang) is a ghost of the undead element.
  • Pop Thorn (voiced by Chris Edgerly) is a pufferthorn of the air element.
  • Punk Shock (voiced by Tara Platt) is an electric eel of the water element.
  • Rip Tide (voiced by Patrick Seitz) is a fish of the water element.
  • Roller Brawl (voiced by Cree Summer) is a vampire roller derby player of the undead element.
  • Scorp (voiced by Rino Romano) is a scorpion of the earth element.
  • Scratch (voiced by Kat Cressida) is a cat dragon of the air element.
  • Slobber Tooth (voiced by Dave Fennoy) is a turtle/dinosaur of the earth element.
  • Smolderdash (voiced by Grey DeLisle) is a fire spirit of the fire element.
  • Star Strike (voiced by Misty Lee) is an alien of the magic element.
  • Wind Up (voiced by Bob Bergen) is wind-up toy robot of the tech element.
  • Zoo Lou (voiced by Gideon Emery) is a bear of the life element.
Debuting in Skylanders Trap Team
  • Bat Spin (voiced by Eliza Schneider) is a vampire of the undead element.
  • Blackout (voiced by Brian Bloom) is a black dragon of the dark element.
  • Blades (voiced by Robin Atkin Downes) is a knight-armored dragon of the air element.
  • Cobra Cadabra (voiced by Sunil Malhotra) is a king cobra of the magic element who travels in his own basket.
  • Chopper (voiced by Dave B. Mitchell) is a small Tyrannosaurus of the tech element who rides around in the Gyro-Dino-Exo-Suit.
  • Déjà Vu (voiced by Betsy Foldes) is an unspecified humanoid of the magic element.
  • Echo (voiced by Kimberly Brooks) is a water dragon of the water element with seahorse-like traits.
  • Fist Bump (voiced by Travis Willingham) is a rock panda of the earth element.
  • Fling Kong (voiced by Nick Shakoour) is a monkey of the air element.
  • Flip Wreck (voiced by Jess Harnell) is a bottlenose dolphin of the water element.
  • Food Fight (voiced by Billy West) is an anthropomorphic artichoke of the life element that wields a tomato launcher.
  • Funny Bone (voiced by Scott Whyte) is a skeletal dog of the undead element.
  • High Five (voiced by Tom Kenny) is a dragon/dragonfly hybrid of the life element.
  • Rocky Roll (voiced by Billy West) is a rock digger and living boulder duo of the earth element.
  • Spotlight (voiced by Misty Lee) is a dragon of the light element.
  • Torch (voiced by Salli Saffioti) is an unspecified fire-haired humanoid of the fire element.
  • Trail Blazer (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) is a fire unicorn of the fire element.
  • Tread Head (voiced by Sean Schemmel) is an unspecified short creature of the tech element who rides a tread-covered motorcycle.

Giant Skylanders

[edit]

The Giant Skylanders are larger than the normal Skylanders and use their immense strength to their advantage.

  • Tree Rex (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) is a giant ent of the life element and leader of the Giant Skylanders.
  • Bouncer (voiced by Bumper Robinson) is a giant robot of the tech element.
  • Crusher (voiced by Kevin Sorbo) is a giant rock golem of the earth element who wields a stone hammer.
  • Eye-Brawl (voiced by Travis Willingham) is a flying eyeball and headless giant duo of the undead element who have a symbolic relationship.
  • Hot Head (voiced by Patrick Seitz) is a giant fire golem of the fire element.
  • Ninjini (voiced by Laura Bailey) is a giant elf genie of the magic element who is an expert at ninjitsu.
  • Swarm (voiced by Danny Jacobs) is a giant hornet of the air element.
  • Thumpback (voiced by Dan Neil) is a giant baleen whale/toothed whale-like behemoth of the water element.

SWAP Force

[edit]

The SWAP Force Skylanders gained the ability to exchange halves of their bodies with each other after being caught in the eruption of a magical volcano.

  • Blast Zone (voiced by Jess Harnell) is a furnace knight of the fire element and leader of the SWAP Force.
  • Boom Jet (voiced by Roger Craig Smith) is an unspecified sky surfer of the air element.
  • Doom Stone (voiced by Travis Willingham) is a stone statue of the earth element with a tornado for legs.
  • Fire Kraken (voiced by Billy West) is a Chinese dragon of the fire element.
  • Free Ranger (voiced by Joey Camen) is a storm chicken of the air element.
  • Freeze Blade (voiced by Billy West) is an ice feline of the water element who specializes in ice skating.
  • Grilla Drilla (voiced by Chris Fries) is a Drilla of the life element with a drill in place of legs.
  • Hoot Loop (voiced by Robin Atkin Downes) is a magic owl of the magic element.
  • Magna Charge (voiced by Gregg Berger) is an Ultron robot of the tech element.
  • Night Shift (voiced by Maurice LaMarche) is a vampire boxer of the undead element.
  • Rattle Shake (voiced by Troy Baker) is a rattlesnake cowboy of the undead element.
  • Rubble Rouser (voiced by Jake Eberle) is an armored rock golem of the earth element.
  • Spy Rise (voiced by JB Blanc) is a robot of the tech element with spider-like legs.
  • Stink Bomb (voiced by Tom Kenny) is a mutant skunk of the life element.
  • Trap Shadow (voiced by Marc Worden) is a Smilodon of the magic element.
  • Wash Buckler (voiced by John DiMaggio) is a Mermasquid of the water element.

Trap Team

[edit]

The Trap Team serve as the prison officers of Cloudcracker Prison and wield weapons made of Traptonium.

  • Snap Shot (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) is a Crocagator of the water element and leader of the Trap Team.
  • Blastermind is an alien of the magic element.
  • Bushwack (voiced by Roger Craig Smith) is a tree elf of the life element.
  • Enigma (voiced by Steve Blum) is an unspecified creature of the magic element whose face is concealed by his cloak.
  • Gearshift (voiced by Susan Eisenberg) is a robot of the tech element.
  • Gusto (voiced by Jess Harnell) is an unspecified humanoid of the air element.
  • Head Rush (voiced by Audrey Wasilewski) is an elf of the earth element who wears a viking helmet with Traptanium horns.
  • Jawbreaker (voiced by Ike Amadi) is a robot of the tech element.
  • Ka-Boom (voiced by Dave Burchell) is an unspecified red-skinned humanoid of the fire element.
  • Knight Light (voiced by Josh Keaton) is an unspecified winged humanoid of the light element.
  • Knight Mare (voiced by Courtenay Taylor) is a dark centaur of the dark element.
  • Krypt King (voiced by David Sobolov) is an Arkeyan armor of the undead element that is possessed by the spirit of a knight.
  • Lob-Star (voiced by Kevin Schon) is a lobster of the water element.
  • Short Cut (voiced by John Kassir) is a short unspecified humanoid of the undead element.
  • Thunderbolt (voiced by Jonathan Adams) is an unspecified cloud creature of the air element.
  • Tuff Luck (voiced by Marcella Lentz-Pope) is a caracal of the life element.
  • Wallop (voiced by John DiMaggio) is a bear-like creature of the earth element and the best friend of Snap Shot.
  • Wildfire (voiced by Keythe Farley) is a golden lion of the fire element.

SuperChargers

[edit]

The SuperChargers are Skylanders who pilot their own vehicles.

  • Spitfire (voiced by Diedrich Bader) is a flame spirit of the fire element, the leader of the SuperChargers, and driver of the Hot Streak.
  • Astroblast (voiced by Neal McDonough) is an unspecified humanoid of the light element who flies the Sun Runner.
  • Dive-Clops (voiced by Maurice LaMarche) is a flying eyeball of the water element in an atmospheric diving suit, the twin brother of Eye-Brawl's eye half, and pilot of the Dive Bomber.
  • Fiesta (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui) is a calaca of the undead element and driver of the Crypt Crusher.
  • High Volt (voiced by Josh Duhamel) is a robot of the tech element and driver of the Shield Striker.
  • Nightfall (voiced by Nika Futterman) is a dreadwalker of the dark element and pilot of the Sea Shadow.
  • Smash Hit (voiced by Rob Paulsen) is a warsupial of the earth element and driver of the Thump Truck.
  • Splat (voiced by Brittany Snow) is a faun of the magic element and pilot of the Splatter Splasher.
  • Stormblade (voiced by Stephanie Lemelin) is a lark of the air element and pilot of the Sky Slicer.
  • Thrillipede (voiced by Patrick Seitz) is a millipede of the life element and pilot of the Buzz Wing.

Senseis

[edit]

The Senseis are Skylanders who mastered different fighting skills and helped to train the Imaginators.

  • Air Strike (voiced by Charlie Schlatter) is an unspecified humanoid of the air element. He is accompanied by his blue zephyr falcon Birdie. Air Strike specializes in brawler training.
  • Ambush (voiced by JB Blanc) is a tree knight of the life element. He specializes in knight training.
  • Aurora (voiced by Britt Baron) is a human of the light element and the niece of Master Eon. She specializes in swashbuckling training.
  • Barbella (voiced by Cynthia McWilliams) is an unspecified humanoid of the earth element. She specializes in sentinel training.
  • Boom Bloom (voiced by Sara Cravens) is a mutant plant of the life element. She specializes in ninja training.
  • Buckshot (voiced by Edward Bosco) is a sky-faun of the magic element. He specializes in bowslinger training.
  • Chain Reaction (voiced by Charlie Adler) is a robot of the tech element who wields chainsaw-like swords. He specializes in swashbuckling training.
  • Chopscotch (voiced by Hynden Walch) is a ghoul of the undead element. She specalizes in smasher training.
  • Ember (voiced by Stephanie Sheh) is an unspecified humanoid samurai of the fire element. She specializes in sentinel training.
  • Flare Wolf (voiced by Cameron Bowen) is a fire wolf of the fire element. He specializes in bazooker training.
  • King Pen (voiced by Rino Romano) is a penguin of the water element. He specializes in brawler training.
  • Mysticat (voiced by Jocelyn Blue) is a sphinx of the magic element with a centaur-like build. She specializes in sorcery training.
  • Pit Boss (voiced by John Kassir) is a pit viper of the undead element. He specializes in sorcery training.
  • Ro-Bow (voiced by Sean Schemmel) is a one-eyed robot archer of the tech element. He specializes in bowslinging training.
  • Starcast (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) is a four-armed alien of the dark element. He specializes in ninja training.
  • Tidepool (voiced by Moira Quirk) is an unspecified humanoid of the water element. She specializes in quickshot training.
  • Tri-Tip (voiced by Brad Abrell) is a Triceratops of the earth element. He specializes in smasher training.
  • Wildstorm (voiced by Keston John) is an unspecified humanoid of the air element. He specializes in knight training.

Recurring

[edit]

In addition to over 160 playable Skylanders, there are a number of recurring characters throughout the series. The most important of these NPCs, on account of appearing in every game, are:

  • Master Eon (voiced by Daniel Hagen) is a human and the previous portal master who lost his corporeal form when the Core of Light was destroyed.
    • Hugo (voiced by Michael Yurchak) is Master Eon's assistant.
  • Flynn (voiced by Patrick Warburton) is a Mabu pilot.
  • Cali (voiced by Sumalee Montano) is a Mabu.
  • Tessa (voiced by Kari Wahlgren) is a fox from Woodburrow who first appears in Skylanders: Swap Force. She served as a guide to Flynn and the Skylanders when they were on the Cloudbreak Islands. By the end of the video game, Tessa succeeds the unnamed chieftess. Tessa later appeared in other Skylanders games to help out the Skylanders.
    • Whiskers is a large kestrel who is Tessa's friend. He serves as her mode of transportation ever since she rescued his chick form from some Chompies.
  • Buzz (voiced by Travis Willingham) is a Mabu trainer who operates Skylanders Academy as seen in Skylanders: Trap Team. In his podcast series, Skylanders voice actor Alex Ness stated that Buzz is Flynn's father.[4]

Villains

[edit]
  • Kaos (voiced by Richard Steven Horvitz) is a dark Portal Master and the main villain of the franchise. He is served by an army of Cyclopes, Dark Elves, Spell Punks, and Trolls.
    • Glumshanks (voiced by Chris Cox) is Kaos' troll servant who begrudgingly assists him.
  • Arkeyan Conquertron (voiced by George Takei) is an evil giant robot working for the Arkeyans who was reactivated by Kaos in Skylanders: Giants.
  • Kaossandra (voiced by Christine Baranski) is a dark Portal master. She is the mother of Kaos whose shadow was first seen in Skylanders: Giants and fully appeared in Skylanders: Swap Force.
  • The Doom Raiders are a gang of evil villains who were imprisoned in Clockcracker Prison until Kaos freed them in Skylanders: Trap Team. In Skylanders: Imaginators, four of its members were offered suspended sentences by Master Eon if they would help train the Imaginators.
    • Golden Queen (voiced by CCH Pounder) is a living gold statue of a queen and the leader of the Doom Raiders who can turn anything into gold.
    • Gulper (voiced by Jamieson Price) is a gelatinous sea slug and member of the Doom Raiders from the Gelatinous Caverns who can grow to large size upon drinking soda.
    • Chompy Mage (voiced by Alex Ness) is a wizard and member of the Doom Raiders. He can summon Chompies and even turn into a giant Chompy.
    • Chef Pepper Jack (voiced by Darin De Paul) is an anthropomorphic chili pepper, renegade celebrity chef, and member of the Doom Raiders.
    • Dreamcatcher (voiced by Tara Platt) is a floating head from the Land of Dreams with dream-manipulation abilities and member of the Doom Raiders.
    • Dr. Krankcase (voiced by Quinton Flynn in Skylanders: Trap Team) is an unspecified creature with mechanical legs and member of the Doom Raiders. He is a mad scientist who used a glowing goo to make wood come to life.
    • Luminous (voiced by Liam O'Brien) is an unspecified humanoid and member of the Doom Raiders with light-based abilities.
    • Nightshade (voiced by Gavin Hammon) is an unspecified humanoid, a professional ninja/thief with shadow-based abilities, and member of the Doom Raiders.
    • Wolfgang (voiced by J.P. Karliak) is a werewolf guitarist and member of the Doom Raiders.
  • The Darkness (voiced by Ike Amadi) is the overarching antagonist of the franchise who gains a physical body in Skylanders: SuperChargers.
  • The Brain (voiced by Greg Proops) is a floating brain who appears in Skylanders: Imaginators.

Games

[edit]
Release timeline
2011Spyro's Adventure
Universe
2012Cloud Patrol
Lost Islands
Battlegrounds
Giants
2013Swap Force
2014Trap Team
2015SuperChargers
2016Battlecast
Imaginators
Creator
2017
2018Ring Of Heroes

Spyro's Adventure (2011)

[edit]
Main article: Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure

Spyro's Adventure is the first game in the series and features 32 Skylanders, four for each of the eight elements (Light and Dark were not added until the fourth game). The Skylanders seek to restore the Core of Light, which Kaos destroyed, by collecting the Eternal Sources of each element and other components.

Giants (2012)

[edit]
Main article: Skylanders: Giants

Giants is the second installment in the series and a direct sequel to Spyro's Adventure. It introduces a new team of Skylanders called the Giants; canonically the first Skylanders who are larger than normal Skylanders. The Giants were assembled to stop the Arkeyans' reign and are large and strong enough to lift, throw, and destroy trees and rocks, as well as being able to break walls that can normally only be destroyed with bombs. They must stop Kaos after he reactivates the Arkeyan Conquertron and attempts to take over Skylands by resurrecting the Arkeyans.

Swap Force (2013)

[edit]
Main article: Skylanders: Swap Force

Swap Force is the third installment in the franchise and takes place in another part of Skylands called the Cloudbreak Islands. It introduces a new group of Skylanders called the Swap Force, who have the ability to swap their top and bottom halves to mix and match abilities. Together, the Swap Force and the Skylanders fight to prevent Kaos and his mother from ruining the magic restoring performance of the Elementals on Mount Cloudbreak.

Trap Team (2014)

[edit]
Main article: Skylanders: Trap Team

Trap Team is the fourth installment in the franchise. It introduces two new elements, the Light and Dark elements, as well as a new group of Skylanders called the Trap Masters, who wield powerful weapons made of Traptanium, the strongest material ever discovered in Skylands. They were charged with guarding the dangerous inmates of Cloudcracker Prison until Kaos busted them out. Trap Team also features the new trap mechanic, allowing players to trap specific in-game enemies in Elemental Traps, which are shards of Traptanium from Cloudcracker Prison. The trapped enemies can then be summoned as playable characters for a limited time. The Skylanders and their trapped foes fight together to stop Kaos and the Doom Raiders.

SuperChargers (2015)

[edit]
Main article: Skylanders: SuperChargers

SuperChargers is the fifth installment in the series. It introduces a new group of Skylanders called the SuperChargers, who pilot special vehicles of the Land, Sky and Sea. The Skylanders must stop Kaos and his Sky Eater, as well as The Darkness, which has its own plans. SuperChargers also featured a multiplayer racing game mode similar to the Mario Kart games, which can be played online or via local multiplayer. SuperChargers was the last game to be released on tablets, the Wii and the 3DS (with the latter two receiving a distinct game, SuperChargers Racing, that focused exclusively on the racing mode) and is the only mainline Skylanders game to receive a digital release.

Imaginators (2016)

[edit]
Main article: Skylanders: Imaginators

Imaginators is the sixth and currently final main installment in the series, which was developed by Toys for Bob.[5] It was released on October 13, 2016, in Australia and New Zealand, on October 14, 2016, in Europe and on October 16, 2016, in North America.[6] It was the only game in the series released for the Nintendo Switch. It introduced two new kinds of Skylanders, the Imaginators and the Senseis. The Imaginators are player created characters with a customizable look and ability set. The Skylanders must stop Kaos, who, with the help of Brain is using Mind Magic to create his own evil Skylanders called Doomlanders. Crash Bandicoot and Doctor Neo Cortex make guest appearances as playable characters, marking their first appearance in a video game since Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2 in 2010.[7] Their figures were initially exclusive to the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 starter packs, but were later released as a stand-alone double pack.

Spin-offs

[edit]

In 2011, Activision released Skylanders Universe, an online browser-based multiplayer game that allowed players to interact in Skylands, play minigames, customize their own island, and log their Skylanders collection. Players could connect their portals to their computer to summon their Skylanders, like in the core series. The service has since been discontinued.

Activision released spin-off games on mobile devices,[8] including Cloud Patrol, Battlegrounds, Lost Islands, Collection Vault, mobile ports of Trap Team and SuperChargers, Battlecast, and Ring of Heroes.

Development

[edit]

Skylanders is a reboot/spinoff of the classic video game franchise Spyro the Dragon. After Activision merged with Vivendi Games and acquired all of its IP rights, the Toys for Bob studio was tasked with creating a new Spyro title. Ideas included a dark, gritty reboot featuring bloody violence, which was almost immediately scrapped due to internal negative responses. They settled on creating an innovative, family-friendly game that relied on the communication between toys and the virtual world.[9] Launching the first Skylanders game cost Activision around $100 million, roughly the same budget given to games like Call of Duty.[10]

Version differences

[edit]

As the Skylanders franchise has been released on numerous platforms, with various versions developed by different developers, there are significant differences between them.

The most notable differences are found in the Nintendo 3DS versions, which have unique stories and gameplay more focused on platforming. Additionally, they use a separate, smaller portal that communicates via the console's infrared. In the first two games, players had to "load" two figures, and were able to swap between them at any time using the touch screen until a new Skylander is loaded to replace them. Beginning with Swap Force, every figure scanned is permanently saved into the game. In Trap Team, villains are captured using the touch screen instead of using real-life traps, which the 3DS portal does not support.

The first two games were developed with the Nintendo Wii in mind, with the HD versions being ports with slightly enhanced graphics. In contrast, starting with Swap Force, the games were developed for the HD consoles, with the Wii version having heavily downgraded graphics. In addition, Superchargers on Wii and 3DS was a distinct game titled Superchargers Racing, which only included the racing portions. Imaginators skipped these two consoles entirely.

While portals are typically interchangeable between platforms, the Xbox 360 and Xbox One versions of the game require their own portal respectively due to restrictions imposed by Microsoft.

The Nintendo Switch version of Imaginators does not use the Portal of Power; instead, the figures are scanned using the NFC on the game controller. Similar to the 3DS versions of the previous games, scanned figures are saved and can be switched through a menu. Traps are not supported, and Vehicles only unlock Imaginite Chests.

Media

[edit]

Novels

[edit]

Cavan Scott wrote a series of books, beginning with Skylanders: The Machine of Doom, which takes place before the events of Spyro's Adventure. He would later write the Skylanders: The Mask of Power series, which also serves as a prequel to Spyro's Adventure. Another series, Skylanders: Book of Elements, focuses on two elements in each installment, with Shubrik Bros. Creative writing the first and Barry Hutchson writing the second.

Art Books

[edit]

Two art books, Strata: The Art of Skylanders: Swap Force and Clutch: The Art of Skylanders: Superchargers, were produced by Vicarious Visions. As employee exclusives, the only way to obtain them is through online sellers or charity events.

IDW Publishing

[edit]

IDW Publishing created a comic series associated with the Skylanders franchise which takes place in between games.[11] The series was reportedly cancelled to avoid conflicting with Skylanders Academy, which used a different canon.

TV series

[edit]
Main article: Skylanders Academy

In 2016, it was announced that Activision Blizzard Studios would produce an animated television series based on Skylanders.[12] The first season debuted on Netflix on October 28, 2016, the second season on October 6, 2017, and the third and final season premiered on September 28, 2018.[13][14] On April 30, 2019, it was announced that Skylanders Academy was cancelled.[15]

Possible film

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Activision has commented on the possibility of a movie based on Skylanders.[16] On May 6, 2014, Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg announced that the Activision team had an interest in "jumping on the film adaptation bandwagon" and adapting Skylanders into a film.[17]

Future

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Following the release of Imaginators, the franchise went into hiatus, with speculations surrounding a seventh console installment. Nevertheless, future projects within the Skylanders universe were limited to the recent mobile game titled Ring of Heroes until its closure in 2022. The studios worked on other unrelated games until Activision Blizzard was acquired by Microsoft in January 2022. Activision CEO Bobby Kotick stated that Microsoft had interest in reviving some of the old studios' hit franchises, including Guitar Hero and Skylanders.[18]

Reception

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Aggregate review scores
Game Metacritic
Spyro's Adventure 3DS: 82/100[19]
WII: 81/100[20]
X360: 78/100[21]
PS3: 77/100[22]
Giants X360: 80/100[23]
WIIU: 80/100[24]
WII: 78/100[25]
PS3: 77/100[26]
3DS: 59/100[27]
Swap Force WIIU: 89/100[28]
X360: 83/100[29]
PS3: 83/100[30]
PS4: 79/100[31]
3DS: 68/100[32]
Trap Team iOS: 90/100[33]
WIIU: 86/100[34]
XONE: 78/100[35]
PS4: 78/100[36]
SuperChargers iOS: 88/100[37]
WIIU: 87/100[38]
PS4: 81/100[39]
XONE: 76/100[40]
Imaginators PS4: 79/100[41]
XONE: 78/100[42]
WIIU: 77/100[43]
NS: 72/100[44]

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[19][20][21][22] Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure was nominated for two Toy Industry Association awards: "Game of the Year" and "Innovative Toy of the Year".[45]

Skylanders: Giants received "generally favorable" reviews on most platforms according to Metacritic;[23][24][25][26] the Nintendo 3DS version received "mixed or average" reviews.[27] However, the reviews in general were slightly lower than that of the previous game, especially for the Nintendo 3DS version, which received the lowest Metacritic score in the series.

Skylanders: Swap Force received "generally favorable" reviews for most platforms according to Metacritic;[29][28][30][31] the Nintendo 3DS version received "mixed or average" reviews.[32] The Metacritic scores for the game were the highest and most positive of the series on most platforms.

Skylanders: Trap Team received "generally favorable" reviews for most platforms according to Metacritic;[34][35][36][33] the iOS version received "universal acclaim". Despite the scores from Metacritic being slightly lower than that of the previous game on most platforms, the iOS version received the highest Metacritic score in the series.

Skylanders: SuperChargers received "generally favorable" reviews according to Metacritic.[38][39][40][37] The game was also nominated for two awards: Best Family Game at The Game Awards 2015 and Favorite Video Game at the 2016 Kids' Choice Awards.[46][47] Despite its positive reception, Activision reported in February 2016 that the game did not meet sales expectations.[48]

Skylanders: Imaginators received "generally favorable" reviews for most platforms according to Metacritic;[42][41][43] the Nintendo Switch version received "mixed or average" reviews.[44] Despite the generally positive reception, the game sold only 66,000 copies during its launch month.[49]

As of February 2015, the Skylanders series has crossed the threshold of $3 billion in sales, with 175 million toys sold since 2011, making the series one of the top 20 highest-selling video game franchises of all time.[50][51] As of June 2015, over 250 million toys were sold.[52] As of 2016, over 300 million toys have been sold and the franchise has become the 11th biggest console franchise of all time.[53]

References

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[edit]
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Skylanders

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Skylanders is a action- franchise developed primarily by and published by , which pioneered the genre by integrating physical collectible figurines with digital gameplay through a device called the Portal of Power. Launched in with Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, the series is set in the fantasy realm of Skylands, where players control a team of elemental heroes known as Skylanders to battle villains and solve puzzles. The franchise expanded rapidly with annual mainline installments, each introducing new characters, gameplay mechanics, and toy varieties, including Giants (2012), Swap Force (2013), Trap Team (2014), SuperChargers (2015), and Imaginators (2016), alongside spin-offs like mobile titles such as and the digital card game Skylanders Battlecast. By 2016, Skylanders had generated over $3 billion in revenue and sold more than 250 million toys worldwide, making it one of the most successful entertainment franchises of its era and influencing competitors in the category. Beyond video games, the property extended to merchandising, including apparel and books, and an animated television series, , which premiered on in 2016 and ran for , further immersing fans in the Skylands universe through stories of the Skylanders' adventures against threats like . The innovative blend of physical play and digital interaction targeted children, emphasizing collection, customization, and elemental-based , though the core series concluded after Imaginators amid shifting market trends in gaming.

Overview

Concept and Innovation

Skylanders is a pioneering franchise that integrates physical collectible figures with digital gameplay, creating an interactive experience where players control characters by placing real-world toys on a specialized device. Launched in 2011 with Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, the series was developed by and published by , pioneering the toys-to-life genre by blending toy collection with action-adventure gaming. Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure innovated by using NFC/RFID-enabled figurines placed on the "Portal of Power" peripheral to import characters into the game, with progress (levels, upgrades, gold, and items) stored directly on the figures for portability across consoles and game copies. The action-adventure gameplay involves controlling over 30 elemental characters divided into eight elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Life, Magic, Tech, Undead) to explore levels, battle enemies, collect treasures, solve puzzles, and restore the Core of Light. Key novelties include seamless character switching at the Portal, local two-player co-op multiplayer, elemental gates requiring specific elemental Skylanders for access, customizable hats providing stat bonuses, and collectible variants such as chase figures. This groundbreaking blend of physical toys and digital progression earned the Outstanding Innovation in Gaming award at the 2012 D.I.C.E. Awards. The core innovation lies in the Portal of Power, a peripheral that uses RFID technology operating at 13.56 MHz to scan embedded chips in the figures, importing them into the game as playable characters with persistent progression and upgrades saved to the itself. This allows players to build and customize collections across play sessions, fostering a sense of ownership and replayability as figures retain experience levels, upgrades, and items when used in compatible titles and across different consoles. Initially inspired by the desire to revive the series, Skylanders reimagined the purple dragon as a central figure while introducing a broader roster of elemental heroes to emphasize adventure and discovery. Targeted at children aged 6 to 12, the franchise highlights collectibility through diverse character designs and abilities, encouraging imaginative play that bridges physical toys and virtual worlds.

Development History

The Skylanders franchise originated from efforts at , a studio founded in 1989 by and Fred Ford and acquired by in 2005, which served as the primary developer for the initial titles under Activision's publishing oversight. Following Activision's 2008 merger with Vivendi Games, which granted ownership of the intellectual property, Toys for Bob prototyped a new Spyro game that incorporated innovative toys-to-life mechanics, evolving into Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure released in 2011. Central to this was the development of the Portal of Power accessory, where Toys for Bob engineers Robert Leyland and I-Wei Huang led prototyping efforts to integrate RFID technology, allowing physical figures to interact seamlessly with the digital game world despite early challenges in hardware compatibility and retail skepticism. Vicarious Visions, another Activision studio, joined as co-developer starting with Skylanders: Giants in 2012 and took primary responsibility for later entries like Swap Force, enabling the franchise's expansion into annual releases through 2016. assumed control over figure and , drawing on expertise in bulk toy production to support the collectible-driven model, which had generated over $3 billion in revenue as of 2016 by emphasizing compatibility across generations of figures. This helped scale the ecosystem but contributed to production complexities, including for the RFID-embedded toys. Following the 2016 release of Skylanders: Imaginators, the series entered an indefinite hiatus as redirected Toys for Bob's resources toward reviving legacy franchises, notably the in 2017 and Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time in 2020. In 2025, licensed the Skylanders property to Youtooz for non-game merchandise, resulting in a limited-edition line of vinyl collectible figures featuring characters like Trigger Happy, Pop Fizz, and Tree Rex, available exclusively through Youtooz's online store.

Story and Setting

World of Skylands

Skylands is a magical realm of floating islands located at the center of the universe, serving as the primary setting for the Skylanders series where heroes defend it from various threats. The world consists of an expansive archipelago suspended in endless clouds, featuring diverse geography such as the Cloudbreak Islands, which house a mystical volcano that erupts every hundred years to replenish Skylands' magic. Access to certain areas is governed by elemental gates, leading to specialized realms tied to the ten core elements—Air, Earth, Fire, Life, Magic, Tech, Undead, Water, Light, and Dark—such as fiery temples or watery domains that emphasize thematic powers. Key locations within Skylands include the , the central headquarters and training ground for the heroes, and the Lair of , a thorned flying fortress serving as the base for the series' primary antagonist. The inhabitants encompass the heroic Skylanders, a diverse group of legendary warriors who wield elemental powers to safeguard the realm; the peaceful Mabu, anthropomorphic villagers who often provide aid and quests; and the warlike Trolls, aggressive foes frequently aligned with villainous forces. Villains such as the evil tyrant and his elite Doom Raiders—a notorious gang of criminals who once plundered Skylands—pose recurring dangers, often plotting from doomsday devices or escaped prisons like Cloudcracker Prison. Magical elements are deeply integrated into Skylands' lore, including the ancient Giants, massive warriors who once battled across the realm but were banished to thousands of years ago before being recalled to aid against threats. The Swap Force represents elite Skylanders empowered during a volcanic eruption at Cloudbreak, granting them the ability to combine upper and lower body parts for hybrid abilities. Traps, crafted from Traptanium crystal, allow the capture of villains, transporting them to the real world and enabling their reluctant service in defense efforts. Central to Skylands' cosmology is the role of the Portal Master, the guiding figure—embodied by the player—who uses the Portal of Power to summon Skylanders from Earth, command their actions, and shape the fate of the realm against encroaching darkness.

Overarching Plot

The Skylanders series centers on the persistent threat posed by Kaos, an evil Portal Master whose ambition is to conquer the realm of Skylands by unleashing chaos and darkness upon its inhabitants. In the narrative's foundation, Kaos banishes the heroic Skylanders—elite guardians empowered by elemental forces—to Earth, where they are frozen as inanimate toys, leaving Skylands vulnerable to his armies of minions and destructive schemes. This act disrupts the balance maintained by the Core of Light, a central artifact that sustains harmony among Skylands' elemental powers, forcing players to assume the role of a new Portal Master who revives the Skylanders through the Portal of Power to restore order. Throughout the series, the Skylanders' journey involves assembling diverse teams to counter ' escalating plots, which often revolve around harnessing ancient artifacts, awakening long-dormant giants, and exploiting imbalances to amplify his dark forces. Key arcs include the revival of Spyro's heroic lineage as the purple dragon leads efforts to reclaim lost powers and unite allies against ' invasions; the confrontation with the Doom Raiders, a notorious band of villains released by to plunder Skylands anew; and the innovative creation of customizable Skylanders to bolster defenses in the face of overwhelming odds. These conflicts highlight the Skylanders' reliance on strategic alliances and the restoration of equilibrium to prevent total domination. Recurring themes of , heroism, and the power of underscore the , emphasizing how collective bonds and creative ingenuity enable ordinary guardians to overcome seemingly insurmountable evil. Heroism is embodied in the Skylanders' unwavering commitment to protect Skylands, while fosters unity among elemental warriors from varied backgrounds, and empowers the invention of new heroes to adapt to Kaos' evolving threats. The overarching storyline culminates in Skylanders: Imaginators, where the Skylanders decisively defeat in his empowered form as Super Kaos, thwarting his ultimate bid for control through mind and Doomlander armies, thereby establishing lasting peace in Skylands. This resolution reinforces the series' message that heroism and prevail against darkness, closing the central conflict with Kaos' forces scattered and the realm secured.

Games

Spyro's Adventure (2011)

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure was released in October 2011 for the , , , personal computers, and , with a port for the [Wii U](/page/Wii U) following in July 2013. Developed by and published by , it marked the debut entry in the Skylanders series and pioneered the gaming mechanic on a wide scale. The game combines 3D action-platforming with RPG elements, where players place NFC/RFID-enabled toy Skylanders on the "Portal of Power" peripheral to bring them into the game, where progress (levels, upgrades, gold) is stored directly on the figures for portability across consoles and copies. The plot centers on the realm of Skylands, where the villainous , empowered by the , defeats known as the Skylanders by freezing them and banishing them to as inanimate toys. Assuming the role of a Portal Master, the player discovers ancient ruins containing the Portal of Power and begins reassembling the Skylanders to thwart Kaos's conquest of the elemental realms by restoring the Core of Light. The narrative unfolds across diverse environments tied to the eight core elements—Magic, Fire, Tech, Life, Water, Air, , and Undead—as the heroes reclaim artifacts and confront Kaos's forces, ultimately leading to a climactic battle to seal away the . Gameplay emphasizes exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving in a third-person perspective, with levels structured as chapters in seven main worlds, expandable to over 20 areas including bonus content from special packs. Players control over 32 elemental characters divided into eight elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Life, Magic, Tech, Undead) to explore levels, battle enemies, collect treasures, solve puzzles, and restore the Core of Light. Players can freely switch between Skylanders by placing different figures on the Portal of Power, supporting two-player simultaneous local co-op multiplayer. Levels feature elemental gates requiring specific Skylanders to access bonus areas and collectibles, including customizable hats. Rare chase variant figures offer unique appearances. Progression involves gaining to level up characters—saving upgrades directly to the physical figures for cross-session persistence and portability across consoles and game copies. The game's innovation lies in the Portal of Power, a (NFC) base that scans tags on the vinyl figures to import them into the game, enabling seamless toy-to-digital integration and marking the first major commercial success of the genre. This blend of physical toys and digital progression was a groundbreaking innovation, earning the Outstanding Innovation in Gaming award at the 15th Interactive Achievement Awards. Commercially, Spyro's Adventure achieved strong performance, generating nearly $200 million in U.S. retail revenue within six months and driving more than 30 million toy figure sales by early 2012, establishing the franchise as a top-selling property in the children's gaming market. This success underscored the appeal of its hybrid physical-digital model.

Giants (2012)

Skylanders: Giants, released on October 21, 2012, for , , , and in , serves as the direct sequel to Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure and expands the format with for all figures from the previous game. Players can use their existing Skylanders figures, retaining leveled-up stats and customizations, while new Series 2 figures introduce upgrade paths that enhance abilities when placed on the Portal of Power. The game was developed by and published by , launching alongside the version on November 18, 2012. The narrative continues the story in the world of Skylands, where the villainous escapes banishment on and returns to unleash an army of Chompies while seeking to harness ancient Arkeyan technology, specifically the Iron Fist of Arkus, to conquer the realm. To counter this threat, the player, as the Portal Master, must awaken the ancient Giants—the original protectors of Skylands who defeated the Arkeyan Empire 10,000 years earlier and were subsequently imprisoned in another dimension. The plot unfolds across 16 chapters, focusing on quests to locate and free these colossal heroes, restore balance to Skylands, and thwart Kaos's plans, blending adventure with themes of legacy and among the Skylanders. Gameplay builds on the core mechanics of exploration, , and puzzle-solving from the predecessor but introduces larger-scale elements, including epic boss fights that leverage the Giants' immense size and strength for environmental interactions like smashing obstacles or hurling massive objects. The game features eight Giant figures, each with unique attacks such as seismic stomps or boulder throws, designed to tackle challenges inaccessible to standard Skylanders, and integrates vehicle sections for driving vehicles like tanks through dedicated levels. Spanning 16 main chapters with multiple sub-areas, the adventure emphasizes co-op play, collectibles, and progression through elemental gates, culminating in a grand confrontation that highlights the Giants' pivotal role.

Swap Force (2013)

Skylanders: Swap Force, the third core entry in the Skylanders series, was released on October 13, 2013, in for platforms including , , , , and , with the edition including platform-specific optimizations and bundled content. Developed by Vicarious Visions and published by , the game builds on the toy-to-life mechanics of its predecessors while introducing modular character customization as a central innovation. It was later ported to and on November 12, 2013, running at resolution on those systems. The storyline continues the overarching narrative from Skylanders: Giants, where the villain had been temporarily thwarted, but he returns with a scheme to harness the magical eruption of the mystical volcano on the Cloudbreak Islands. exploits the resulting rifts between dimensions to trap the elite Swap Force Skylanders—heroes capable of teleporting and swapping body parts—in the distant Outlands, preventing them from defending Skylands. The player, as the Portal Master, must recruit a new team of Skylanders to navigate the archipelago's diverse environments, close the rifts, rescue the trapped heroes, and ultimately confront before he conquers multiple worlds. Gameplay centers on action-platforming across 17 chapters set in the Cloudbreak Islands, emphasizing exploration, combat against enemies like Dreamcatchers and Chompies, and puzzle-solving tied to elemental abilities. A key innovation is the swappability mechanic, enabled by the upgraded Portal of Power, which allows players to physically mix and match the top and bottom halves of 16 new Swap Force figures to create 256 unique character combinations, each blending different movement styles (e.g., climb, spin) and attacks. These swaps unlock specialized "Swap Zones" in levels, where specific hybrid abilities are required to access hidden areas or progress, adding replayability and personalization. The portal incorporates gyroscopic controls for intuitive swapping and calibration on compatible platforms, enhancing the toy interaction without needing additional hardware. The Swap Force introduces 16 core figures with dual-part designs, such as (Water element, sword-based combat with swimming mobility) and Blast Zone (Tech element, rocket propulsion with explosive blasts), each offering two elemental paths for upgrades via in-game soul gems and experience points. Compatibility extends to previous series figures from Spyro's Adventure and Giants, allowing mixed teams while prioritizing the new modular heroes for full feature access. Expansions include two Adventure Packs—Tower of Time and Skyhighlands—each adding three new chapters, a Magic Item for level access, and additional figures like Roller Brawl and Wind-Up, expanding the main campaign with time-manipulating puzzles and aerial exploration. Battle Packs introduce variant figures and enemies for side challenges, while the game features optional side missions through Skylanders-specific quests, where players complete tasks like collecting items or defeating mini-bosses to unlock character upgrades and hats. These elements encourage thorough world traversal and collection of over 50 legendary treasures and 32 soul gems across the islands.

Trap Team (2014)

Skylanders: Trap Team, the fourth main installment in the series, was released on October 5, 2014, in , with a new Traptanium Portal of Power that incorporated slots for elemental traps to capture villains. Developed primarily by for consoles and for other versions, the game launched on platforms including , , , , , , , and for the first time, a full mobile edition on and Android tablets with a compatible portal and controller. This edition allowed players to customize trapped villains' appearances and abilities directly on mobile devices, enhancing portability while maintaining core toy-to-life integration. In the game's plot, the evil discovers and destroys Cloudcracker , freeing the notorious Doom Raiders—Skylands' most dangerous villains—and allies with the Golden Queen to conquer the realm. Portal Masters, guided by Master Eon, assemble the Trap Team of Skylanders to recapture these villains using Traptanium devices, ultimately thwarting 's plan and restoring order to Skylands. The narrative unfolds across 18 story chapters set in diverse environments like soda springs and phoenix sanctuaries, with additional villain quests providing side adventures and deeper exploration. Gameplay centers on the innovative trapping mechanic, where players weaken villains in combat and then insert an Traptanium trap into the portal to capture them via voice commands, such as shouting the villain's name or "For good!" to convert them to allies. Once trapped, these over 40 villains become playable characters with unique abilities, allowing players to switch between heroes and reformed foes during missions that blend platforming, puzzles, combat, and exploration. Levels feature dual paths for replayability, encouraging strategic use of captured villains alongside compatible figures from previous games like Swap Force. The game introduced two new elements—Light and Dark—expanding the elemental system to 13, with corresponding Traptanium traps required to capture of matching affinities. A new class of Skylanders, the Trap Masters (16 in total), wield crystalline Traptanium-forged weapons designed specifically for shattering defenses and aiding captures, such as Snap Shot's or Gearshift's . These features built on the series' integration, emphasizing redemption as a core theme while offering extensive customization for trapped characters.

SuperChargers (2015)

Skylanders: SuperChargers, the fifth core installment in the Skylanders series, was released in September 2015 for , , , , and platforms, with a dedicated racing-focused variant, Skylanders: SuperChargers Racing, launching concurrently for and . Developed by Vicarious Visions and and published by , the game emphasized vehicular gameplay as a major evolution from prior entries, introducing "vehicles-to-life" mechanics that integrated physical toy vehicles with interactive driving segments. This dual-platform approach catered to next-generation consoles while providing scaled-down experiences for legacy Nintendo hardware, broadening accessibility for younger audiences. The plot centers on the villainous , who, after repeated defeats, harnesses to open a massive portal connecting Skylands to , aiming to conquer the human world as his next domain. The Skylanders, transformed into elite SuperChargers through ancient powers, assemble a fleet of magical vehicles to pursue Kaos across hybrid environments blending fantastical Skylands realms with real-world Earth locales like abandoned amusement parks and urban ruins. This crossover narrative heightens the stakes, forcing heroes to adapt their abilities to unfamiliar terrains while thwarting Kaos's forces, ultimately culminating in a climactic battle to seal the portal and restore balance. Gameplay expands the series' action-platforming formula by incorporating extensive vehicle-based exploration and combat, with levels divided into land, sea, and air segments that require switching between driving and on-foot modes. The main campaign comprises approximately 50 missions, blending story-driven adventures, puzzle-solving, and competitive racing challenges against AI or local players, where vehicles can be customized with upgrades unlocked via in-game and collectibles. Central to the experience are 20 figures, each paired with a compatible toy that "supercharges" the character, enabling hybrid abilities like boosted speed or weaponized attacks during vehicular sections. Building briefly on trap mechanics from the prior Trap Team installment, players can deploy vehicle-specific traps to capture and repurpose enemies in battles. Key innovations include the optional Portal accessory, a physical peripheral that mounts on the standard Portal of Power to simulate realistic driving controls, enhancing immersion for vehicle missions. Co-op functionality extends to shared driving, allowing a second player to control weapons or while the primary driver handles steering, fostering collaborative play without splitting screen space. These features represent a bold pivot toward vehicular dynamics, differentiating SuperChargers from earlier portal-hopping adventures. In terms of toy compatibility, marked a notable series shift by limiting full vehicular functionality to its 20 new SuperCharger figures and corresponding toys, though over 300 previous Skylanders figures from earlier games remain usable for non- gameplay modes. This design encouraged investment in the latest toy line while maintaining for core platforming, though vehicle-specific gates and upgrades are exclusive to new assets. Vehicle figures themselves are interchangeable across land, sea, and sky types, promoting modular customization without cross-game portability.

Imaginators (2016)

Skylanders: Imaginators, released on October 16, 2016, for , , , , , and later , marks the sixth and final mainline installment in the Skylanders series. Developed by and published by , the game emphasizes player-driven creativity over the vehicle-based gameplay introduced in the prior entry, SuperChargers. The plot centers on the villain discovering Mind Magic, an ancient power originally used by the Ancients to shape Skylands, which he employs to corrupt existing Skylanders into Doom Raiders and summon an army of indestructible Doomlanders. To counter this invasion, Portal Masters recruit ancient Skylanders and use Creation Crystals to forge new Imaginators—custom heroes—who liberate the brainwashed allies and ultimately confront in a battle for Skylands' fate. Core gameplay consists of action-platforming across ten expansive elemental stages, each featuring branching paths, puzzles, and boss encounters that highlight cooperative play for up to two players. The standout Creation Crystal mechanic enables deep customization of Imaginators, letting players select from elemental affinities, battle classes like Brawler or Sentinel, personalized appearances, voices, and mode-specific attacks to combat enemies. The game introduces 31 figures as elite trainers, each tied to one of ten battle classes and unlocking advanced Sky-Chi super attacks through dedicated dojo modes that benefit all figures. Full supports every prior Skylanders figure, integrating them into the experience with leveled-up abilities and cross-game progress. As a series capstone, Imaginators underscores imagination as the enduring force safeguarding Skylands, empowering players to extend the lore via endless custom creations.

Spin-offs

The Skylanders franchise expanded beyond its core console and handheld titles through a series of mobile and alternative platform spin-offs, which experimented with genres like building simulations, card battling, and racing while incorporating elements of figure scanning and physical-digital integration where applicable. These titles were developed by and its studios, primarily for and Android devices, to broaden accessibility and leverage the concept in shorter, formats. Most were released between 2012 and 2019, coinciding with the peak of the series' popularity, but all have since been discontinued due to server shutdowns and app store removals. Skylanders: Cloud Patrol, released on April 5, 2012, was a mobile arcade shooter where players controlled Skylanders in top-down aerial combat to defend Cloudbreak Islands from Kaos's forces, collecting gems and upgrading abilities through missions. It supported figure scanning for bonuses like extra lives or power-ups, integrating physical toys with touch-based controls on and Android. Developed by Vicarious Visions, the game featured over 50 levels and remained available until approximately 2016, when it was discontinued. Skylanders: Lost Islands, released in November 2013, was a village builder that allowed players to reconstruct islands in the Skylands universe by placing buildings, managing resources like gold and gems, and sending Skylanders on quests to gather materials and battle enemies. The game featured touch-based mechanics for expanding villages and unlocking new areas, with progression tied to energy timers typical of mobile models. It integrated figure scanning to import physical Skylanders for bonuses in , enhancing the experience on mobile devices. Developed by Xtend, the title supported and Android platforms and remained available until 2017, when servers were shut down. Skylanders: Battlecast, launched in May 2016, introduced a format where players built decks from over 100 cards representing Skylanders, spells, and items, engaging in strategic turn-based battles against AI or online opponents. The game emphasized integration, allowing users to scan physical cards—sold in booster packs and starter sets—to unlock digital versions instantly via a device's camera, blending real-world with virtual play. with in-app purchases for digital cards, it included a single-player campaign and ranked PvP modes, but was discontinued in 2018 after failing to sustain a player base. Battlecast was available on , Android, and devices. The mobile version of Skylanders: Trap Team, released in October 2014, served as a companion to the console edition by porting the core platforming and trapping mechanics to and Android tablets, enabling full gameplay portability with support for the physical portal and figures. A key feature was its integration of villain , where players used the device's as a virtual trap speaker to capture and interact with defeated villains, hearing their unique voices respond in real-time during interrogation and battle sequences. This allowed for the signature audio feedback without additional hardware on compatible mobile setups. The app required a starter pack for optimal play but offered demo levels for free, though it was delisted from app stores by 2017. Skylanders: Battlegrounds, a 2015 , shifted the franchise to a format published by , where 1-4 players controlled Skylanders figures to explore islands, collect , and combat enemies in a campaign against . The game used physical miniatures, terrain tiles, and custom for resolution, emphasizing tactical movement and ability cards drawn from the Skylanders roster without digital elements. It was designed for ages 6 and up, with sessions lasting 30-45 minutes, and included modular scenarios for replayability. This spin-off represented an offline, non-video game extension of the series, distinct from its mobile counterparts. Skylanders SuperChargers Racing, exclusive to the and released in September 2015, was a kart-style that focused on vehicular combat and exploration across land, sea, and sky tracks, utilizing the series' SuperChargers figures and vehicles for speed boosts and special abilities. Players raced through 24 circuits in single-player story mode or local multiplayer, collecting power-ups and battling rivals, with the version adapting the console mechanics for handheld play without portal support. Developed by Vicarious Visions, it bundled exclusive content like Hammer Slam Bowser and his Clown Cruiser vehicle in starter packs, providing a lighter, racing-centric alternative to the mainline adventures. The title received praise for its controls and variety but was limited by the platform's aging hardware. Skylanders: Ring of Heroes, released globally on February 28, 2019, was a mobile role-playing game developed by and published by , where players assembled teams of Skylanders for turn-based battles against in a new storyline set in Skylands. It featured gacha-style summoning for characters, affinities, and gear customization, with figure scanning support for in-game bonuses like stamina refills. Available on and Android, the game included a single-player campaign, PvP arenas, and guild systems, but was discontinued on February 28, 2022, following the expiration of licensing agreements between and . Activision also announced Skylanders Universe as an ambitious MMO in 2011, promising persistent online worlds for figure-based adventures, but the project evolved into a browser-based game with minigames before being fully discontinued in April 2014 to reallocate resources toward other franchise developments. The cancellation marked an early pivot away from large-scale online expansions, with remaining web content archived briefly before removal.

Toys and Figures

Figure Types and Compatibility

The Skylanders franchise revolves around a diverse ecosystem of physical toys designed to integrate with the video games through (NFC) technology via the Portal of Power. The primary figure types include regular Skylanders, which are the standard-sized characters first introduced in Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, featuring embedded NFC chips that allow players to transport them into the game world and retain progress across play sessions. These core figures form the foundation of the collection, with subsequent games adding specialized variants while maintaining the basic design. In Skylanders: Giants, a new category of larger figures known as Giants was introduced, standing over twice the height of regular Skylanders and equipped with enhanced NFC capabilities for unique in-game abilities like smashing obstacles. Skylanders: Swap Force expanded the line with modular Swap Force figures, consisting of 16 interchangeable upper body parts and 16 lower body parts connected by magnets, enabling players to mix and match components for customized characters. The series further diversified in Skylanders: Trap Team with Trap Masters, crystalline weapon-wielding figures, alongside Traps—small elemental shards used to capture and control in-game villains—and villain figures that players could redeem after trapping their digital counterparts. Skylanders: SuperChargers introduced vehicle figures, including 20 land, sea, and sky vehicles powered by fictional Rift Engines, each paired with a SuperCharger character figure for vehicular gameplay modes. The final mainline entry, Skylanders: Imaginators, featured Sensei figures—elite mentors with advanced training mechanics—and Creation Crystals, elemental gems that unlock customizable Imaginator characters with player-designed appearances and abilities. Across the series, a total of 603 unique figures, including variants, traps, vehicles, and other items, were produced, manufactured by licensed partners under strict quality controls to ensure NFC functionality. Compatibility among figures evolved to encourage collection while adapting to new mechanics. All figures are forward compatible, meaning toys from earlier games function in later titles with preserved upgrades, as confirmed by Activision's design philosophy to support ongoing play. However, backward compatibility is limited; for instance, Giants and Swap Force parts do not work in Spyro's Adventure, and vehicles are exclusive to SuperChargers, though Imaginators supports nearly all prior figures for a comprehensive roster. Portals of Power, the NFC readers, also vary: the original portal from Spyro's Adventure supports early games, the Traptanium portal (with a trap slot and glowing rims) is optimized for Trap Team, and the wheel-shaped SuperCharger portal accommodates vehicles, with older models generally backward compatible but newer ones required for full features. Display stands, included with many figures, allow for non-interactive posing and organization of collections. Collectibility is enhanced by rarity variants, such as glow-in-the-dark editions (e.g., Sonic Boom from Giants) that feature phosphorescent paint for visual appeal, and Legendary variants with metallic or translucent finishes for premium aesthetics, often released in limited waves to drive enthusiast interest. These variants maintain full compatibility with their base counterparts but add no gameplay differences, focusing instead on display value.

Elemental System

The elemental system in the Skylanders franchise categorizes characters, traps, villains, and vehicles into distinct groups that influence gameplay mechanics, strategy, and exploration. Introduced in the original game, Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (2011), the system features eight core elements: Air, Earth, Fire, Life, Magic, Tech, Undead, and Water. These elements represent foundational affinities tied to the lore of Skylands, serving as the fundamental forces that shape the world's magic, technology, and natural phenomena. In Skylanders: Trap Team (2014), the system expanded to ten elements with the addition of and , introduced through specialized Trap Master figures and expansion packs. Subsequent games, including Skylanders: SuperChargers (2015) and Skylanders: Imaginators (2016), incorporated these ten elements while introducing series-specific variants such as Swap Force (hybrid top/bottom figures blending two elements), Trap Masters (element-locked trap deployment), SuperChargers (vehicle-compatible with elemental powers), and Imaginators (custom creations assignable to elements). These variants enhance elemental diversity without altering the core ten categories, allowing players to mix affinities for strategic depth. Central to gameplay, elemental gates appear throughout levels as locked barriers that can only be opened by a figure matching the gate's element, granting access to hidden areas, collectibles, challenges, and upgrades. Similarly, elemental zones within levels provide damage boosts and increased experience/gold gains to matching-element figures, encouraging rotation among a diverse collection to optimize progress. In multiplayer battle arenas (featured in earlier titles like Spyro's Adventure and Giants), a rock-paper-scissors dynamic governs : for instance, elements overpower Fire (extinguishing flames), Fire overpowers Air (igniting winds), Air overpowers Earth (eroding stone), Earth overpowers Tech (overloading machinery), Tech overpowers (disrupting spells), overpowers (banishing spirits), overpowers Life (draining vitality), and Life overpowers (purifying corruption). and lack direct counters in this system, as battle modes were phased out in later games, but they enable unique trap and interactions. Combo attacks, such as dual-element synergies in Swap Force or vehicle mods in SuperChargers, further leverage affinities for amplified effects like area-of-effect blasts or enhanced mobility. The system's balance ensures no single element dominates, promoting collection of multiple figures to bypass gates, exploit zones, and counter opponents in arenas—core to the formula. In the franchise's lore, these elements are interwoven as the primordial energies sustaining Skylands, with the Core of Light drawing power from them to maintain harmony against chaotic forces.

Media Adaptations

Books and Comics

The Skylanders franchise features a range of literary tie-ins, including novels, art books, and comic series that expand the lore of Skylands beyond the video games. These works delve into adventures, character origins, and visual development, often aligning with game releases to enhance fan engagement. The core novel series, Skylanders: Mask of Power, comprises eight books published by from September 2012 to May 2016, authored under the pseudonym Onk Beakman (used by writers including Cavan Scott). These young reader novels follow the Skylanders as they quest for fragments of the Mask of Power, an ancient artifact sought by the villain to conquer Skylands, while exploring themes of teamwork, heroism, and elemental magic. The series builds conceptual depth through expanded backstories for key characters, such as 's early exploits as a young dragon discovering his fire-breathing abilities and role among the guardians. Representative titles include Spyro Versus the Mega Monsters (Book 1, September 2012), where Spyro leads a team against explosive foes, and Trigger Happy Targets the Evil (Book 8, May 2016), concluding the series with Trigger Happy's final confrontation against . Complementing the narrative expansions are official art books that showcase concept artwork, character designs, and production insights. Notable examples include Strata: The Art of Skylanders Swap Force (2013), which highlights modular figure designs and environmental concepts from the third game, and : The Art of Skylanders SuperChargers (2015), detailing vehicle integrations and high-speed themes. These volumes prioritize visual storytelling, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses into the franchise's creative process without extensive plot recaps. IDW Publishing released the Skylanders comic series from 2014 to 2017, totaling over 20 issues across the main ongoing title and limited spin-offs. Launching with a #0 preview at in July 2014 and the first regular issue in September 2014, the tie into Trap Team and SuperChargers games through side stories emphasizing character development and ensemble adventures. Themes center on backstories and interpersonal dynamics, such as Eruptor's volcanic heritage or Stealth Elf's stealth training origins, portrayed in action-oriented tales like The Kaos Trap (2014 collection) and Return of the Dragon King (2015). The series concluded with quarterly specials in 2016-2017, maintaining a focus on heroic triumphs over 's schemes. These books and comics were strategically timed with game launches to build the Skylanders universe, but most physical editions are now out of print following the franchise's decline after 2016. Digital formats and secondhand markets, such as Amazon and , provide ongoing access, with e-books for the Mask of Power series available via Kindle.

Television Series

is an American-French animated television series produced by and animated by the French studio , based on the Skylanders video game franchise. The show premiered on on October 28, 2016, and consists of three seasons totaling 38 episodes, each approximately 22 minutes in length. It reimagines the origins of key characters in a training academy setting, diverging from the games' canon by portraying the protagonists as young cadets learning to harness their powers. The series follows , Stealth Elf, Eruptor, Jet-Vac, and Pop Fizz as new recruits at , where they are mentored by Master Eon and other veteran heroes to defend the Skylands from threats like the evil and his forces. Episodes blend , and character-driven stories, focusing on themes of , personal growth, and battling elemental villains, with the academy serving as a hub for episodic adventures. The narrative emphasizes the heroes' youthful inexperience, leading to humorous mishaps and battles that highlight their development into full-fledged protectors. The voice cast features as the cocky but heroic , Ashley Tisdale as the agile Stealth Elf, as the fiery Eruptor, as Master Eon, and Richard Horvitz as the villainous , among others including Greg Ellis as Jet-Vac and as Pop Fizz. Production was overseen by executive producers Iavor Sakarov and Kevin Dart, with Eric Rogers serving as showrunner and writer for multiple episodes, aiming to create a series that expands the Skylanders universe through animated storytelling. While praised for its vibrant , engaging action sequences, and appeal to younger audiences as an accessible entry into the franchise, the series received mixed feedback for its deviations from the games' established lore, such as altered character backstories and relationships, which some fans viewed as non-canonical. rated it 4 out of 5 stars, noting its positive messages on and heroism despite the canon shifts. The show helped broaden the Skylanders fanbase beyond gaming but concluded after its third season in September 2018, with no further renewals announced.

Film Development

In May 2014, CEO Eric Hirshberg expressed interest in developing a adaptation of the franchise, noting that the company was eager to "jump on the film adaptation bandwagon" amid the success of the series. The project remained in early exploratory stages, with no script or director attachments publicly confirmed. In November 2015, launched to produce film and television content based on its properties, including plans for a Skylanders animated series—ultimately realized as Skylanders Academy on —but no specific advancements on the film were announced. Following the 2016 release of Skylanders: Imaginators, the franchise experienced declining sales and market saturation in the genre, leading to the cancellation of future game installments. This downturn stalled broader media expansions, including the proposed film, with no updates or developments reported through 2025.

Production Details

Version Differences

The Skylanders series exhibits notable platform-specific variations designed to leverage unique hardware features and constraints across consoles and handhelds. Wii versions incorporate motion controls via the for actions like special attacks or vehicle handling, distinguishing them from the button-based controls on , , and other HD platforms, while also featuring lower-resolution graphics to suit the system's capabilities. For instance, in Skylanders: Giants, Wii players shake the remote for certain elemental abilities, whereas HD versions rely on controller triggers. Nintendo 3DS ports represent more substantial divergences, often reimagined as standalone experiences with simplified visuals, condensed campaigns, and altered narratives to fit the portable format's platforming focus. These versions emphasize side-scrolling gameplay and unique story elements, such as centering on the character Hugo in Skylanders: Trap Team, rather than the top-down adventure of console editions, resulting in shorter playtimes and fewer Skylanders loadouts per level. In Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, the 3DS edition introduces jumping mechanics absent on consoles and modifies leveling to unlock new abilities beyond mere health boosts. Regional variations primarily manifest in starter pack compositions and figure availability, with differences in included Skylanders to align with local marketing or retailer partnerships. For example, and packs for titles like Skylanders: Imaginators may feature distinct elemental figures or packaging artwork, though core gameplay remains consistent across regions. Special editions, such as Dark Edition starter packs introduced in Skylanders: Swap Force and continued through SuperChargers, include recolored "dark" variants of figures (e.g., Dark Spitfire), an extra character, and a dual-sided poster, priced at $99.99 and launched initially in before wider availability in PAL regions like . Glow-in-the-dark variants appeared in limited Australian releases for select figures, enhancing collectibility without altering in-game functionality. Post-release (DLC), including adventure packs and elemental expansions, generally maintains broad regional availability via digital stores, but access can vary due to platform policies or licensing; for instance, certain villain traps in Skylanders: Trap Team were bundled differently in European markets, potentially limiting options without physical purchases.

Soundtrack and Music

The soundtracks for the Skylanders video games were primarily composed by , who crafted orchestral scores emphasizing epic, adventurous melodies suitable for a family-oriented action-adventure series. The main theme for the inaugural title, Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (2011), was composed by , providing a heroic and memorable that recurs with variations throughout the franchise to maintain thematic continuity across levels and sequels. Balfe's compositions blend sweeping orchestral elements with dynamic shifts from subtle ambient cues to bombastic action sequences, often incorporating ethnic percussion to evoke the fantastical realms of Skylands. Each game's in-game audio features dozens of tracks, with official orchestral releases typically containing 12 to 18 selections highlighting key environmental and combat themes; for instance, Skylanders: Swap Force (2013) includes 18 tracks in its soundtrack album. Notable motifs include intense, rhythmic boss battle themes, such as those accompanying encounters with the villain Kaos, which evolve across titles to build tension through escalating orchestration and percussion. These elements contribute to the immersive gameplay, underscoring elemental powers and portal-based adventures without relying heavily on electronic synthesis, prioritizing a cinematic feel. Official soundtrack albums were released for the first five mainline games, all made available digitally via platforms like : Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (15 tracks) on October 24, 2011; Skylanders: Giants (15 tracks) on September 18, 2012; Skylanders: Swap Force (18 tracks) on September 24, 2013; Skylanders: Trap Team (12 tracks) on September 23, 2014; and Skylanders: SuperChargers (15 tracks) on October 20, 2015. These feature instrumental arrangements performed by Productions. No official was released for Skylanders: Imaginators (2016), which incorporated stock music alongside original contributions. In media extensions, the animated series (2016–2018) featured original scores composed by the New Zealand-based music collective Moniker, consisting of Lukasz Buda, Samuel Scott, and Conrad Wedde, who provided thematic underscore blending orchestral and contemporary styles to complement the show's humor and action. The series' opening theme, "," was separately composed by with additional contributions.)

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reception

The mainline Skylanders games garnered generally positive reviews from critics, with aggregate scores ranging from 78 to 83 across the primary installments, reflecting appreciation for their accessible and engaging platforming mechanics. Reviewers frequently highlighted the innovative use of a physical portal and collectible toy figures that seamlessly integrated with the digital experience, allowing players to "bring " and fostering a unique sense of ownership and progression. The series was widely praised for its family-friendly adventure elements, including cooperative multiplayer that supported drop-in/drop-out play for up to two participants, and the collectibility that rewarded exploration and character upgrading without excessive complexity. awarded Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure an 8/10, commending its substantial action gameplay and cute narrative suitable for children while remaining enjoyable for adults. Similarly, Skylanders: Giants received an 8/10 from for refining the formula with improved toy designs and satisfying combat, maintaining the franchise's appeal as a lighthearted, shared family activity. Criticisms centered on repetitive level structures, where and puzzle-solving often followed predictable patterns across chapters, potentially diminishing long-term engagement for older players. A recurring point of contention was the high cost of the figures, with individual Skylanders priced at $10–$16 each and portal accessories adding to the expense, making a full set for optimal playthroughs exceed $200 in many cases. noted in its Skylanders: Trap Team review that while the game was well-crafted, it locked substantial content behind these purchases, raising concerns about accessibility. Reception evolved from strong acclaim for the novelty of the toy-game hybrid in early titles to mild fatigue in later entries, as reviewers sought greater innovation amid familiar mechanics. Skylanders: Imaginators, the final mainline game, earned a score of 79 but drew mixed responses, with scoring it 6.8/10 for its creative character customization offset by perceived aggressive monetization through additional figures. echoed this, describing it as a "standard action platformer" that lacked the variety of predecessors. The animated series received generally positive audience reception, averaging around 7/10 on aggregate sites, with praise for its humorous dialogue, vibrant animation, and action sequences that captured the franchise's whimsical tone. lauded its blend of comedy and elemental battles as entertaining for families, though some critics and fans noted issues with canon inconsistencies that altered character backstories from the games.

Commercial Performance and Impact

The Skylanders franchise achieved remarkable commercial success in its early years, generating over $3 billion in retail sales for by 2015, with more than 250 million toy figures sold worldwide since its 2011 launch. This figure underscored the appeal of its innovative mechanic, which combined physical collectibles with digital gameplay to drive repeat purchases among children and families. By mid-2015, the series had become one of 's top franchises, contributing significantly to the company's overall revenue growth during that period. Skylanders dominated the holiday sales season from 2012 to 2014, consistently ranking as the best-selling title in the United States during those periods and outselling competitors such as by margins of up to 30% in key metrics like starter packs and total revenue. In 2012 alone, global wholesale sales for the franchise reached approximately $550 million, establishing it as the leader in the emerging category. This peak performance helped propel the toys-to-life market to $720.5 million in U.S. sales by 2015, a 7% increase from the prior year. The series pioneered the toys-to-life genre, introducing the concept of interactive physical figures that unlock and enhance in-game characters, which directly influenced subsequent products like Nintendo's line and imitators such as and . Launched in 2011 by developer , Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure set the standard for blending toy manufacturing with video games, creating a new market segment that expanded to include NFC-based interactions in later competitors. Its success validated the hybrid model, encouraging publishers to invest in similar experiences and boosting overall industry innovation in physical-digital integration. Sales began to decline sharply after 2016 due to market saturation from multiple competing toys-to-life titles and a broader industry shift toward mobile and gaming models that reduced demand for expensive physical add-ons. reported underperformance for Skylanders in its 2016 earnings, with expectations of continued drops amid oversupply of figures and waning consumer interest in annual iterations. By 2017, the franchise's final mainline title, Skylanders: Imaginators, sold only around 66,000 units in its first month, a fraction of earlier entries' performance, leading to halt new console releases. Culturally, Skylanders revitalized the character by featuring him as the central protagonist in its debut game, reintroducing the dragon mascot to new generations after a hiatus following the 2008 Legend of Spyro trilogy and paving the way for later standalone revivals like the 2018 . The franchise fostered enduring fan communities through its collectible nature, with enthusiasts maintaining active discussions and collections years after the core games ended. Its legacy extends to ongoing merchandise, including a 2025 collaboration with Youtooz that released vinyl figures and plush toys of characters like , capitalizing on and extending the brand's presence beyond gaming.

Future Prospects

The Skylanders franchise has remained on hiatus since the release of Skylanders: Imaginators in 2016, with no new video games announced by as of November 2025. Despite the absence of sequels, the brand continues to generate interest through merchandise partnerships, signaling ongoing commercial viability for the . In 2025, collaborated with Youtooz to produce a new line of vinyl collectible figures, representing the first official Skylanders content in nearly a decade. The initial wave, revealed in June 2025, included figures such as and Gill Grunt, followed by subsequent releases like Trigger Happy, Pop Fizz, and Tree Rex on October 20, 2025. These non-interactive collectibles, priced at approximately $30 each, cater to nostalgia-driven fans and have been marketed through official channels without compatibility to the original Portal of Power system. The 2023 acquisition of by for $68.7 billion has introduced possibilities for revival, as former Activision CEO expressed in 2022 that he hoped would resurrect dormant franchises like Skylanders post-acquisition. However, no concrete plans have materialized, and developer —responsible for much of the series—became an independent studio in February 2024 while securing a with for an undisclosed project, which does not involve Skylanders. Fan communities have fueled revival discussions through petitions and online campaigns, though official teases remain limited to merchandise announcements. Potential paths forward could include remasters leveraging nostalgia or adaptations for mobile platforms, but challenges persist in an oversaturated gaming market dominated by models and , which diminished the viability of physical toy integrations.

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  156. https://gameworldobserver.com/2024/02/29/toys-for-bob-independent-after-19-years-under-activision
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