The Spyro series started off with a roar on the PS1 but has kinda dwindled to a half-hearted shout, as the last few installments on the PS2 were merely mediocre. However, this doesn't mean the franchise has lost all its promise and appeal, and Spyro will be making his next-gen debut later on this year.

According to PSU, GameStop has already started taking pre-orders for the impending PS3 title, Legend of Spyro: Darkest Hour, which is loosely scheduled for an October release. Furthemore, the game is priced at $49.99; $10 cheaper than the standard retail price for PS3 games (perhaps because it's technically a Sony-published title...?). Now, one might expect the game to be available on all platforms, but it seems Xbox 360 owners are once again going to miss out, as the listed platforms include the PS3, PS2, Wii and DS...but no 360. Oh well; if Darkest Hour isn't any better than the PS2 entries, you Microsoft console owners won't be missing much.

There is the possibility we'll see the game pop up at next week's Game Developers Conference, but in the meantime, let's just call this the unofficial announcement. And let's hope they can rekindle the quality fires that made the little purple dragon so darn appealing a decade ago.