Which 2005 Spyro game was the series' first role-playing game?

The 2005 Spyro game that was the series’ first role-playing game is Spyro: Shadow Legacy.

Released for the Nintendo DS, Shadow Legacy changes the series’ familiar platforming formula by adding role-playing mechanics. Spyro earns experience by defeating enemies and completing quests, then levels up and learns new skills at the Dragon Temple. The game is generally described as an action role-playing game with platforming elements.

Its Nintendo DS design also made the touch screen part of the adventure. Players draw symbols with the stylus to cast spells, while Spyro uses new abilities connected to the Shadow Realm. The story follows the events of Spyro: A Hero’s Tail and sends Spyro to rescue his friends after they become trapped in a strange dimension.

A common mix-up is Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs, which also features exploration and adventure mechanics but is a Game Boy Advance platform game rather than the franchise’s first RPG. Shadow Legacy was released in 2005 and was also the first Spyro game made for Nintendo DS.