Well, here it is...the long awaited, final installment of the Skylanders Collection Videos.  With the recent acquisition of Wham-Shell, I was finally able to set everything out for a comprehensive video of the complete collection.  In true 1ofWiisdom fashion we erred on the side of providing too much information.  This is something I do to HELP PEOPLE OUT.  I don't often have the time to hit every e-mail, comment, or message.     To help counter that I feel it is best to provide as much information as possible.

That said, not only is this a complete look at the complete collection for Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, it also contains a lot of information to some very frequently asked questions.

Here it is:




Please note that the video was recorded Monday, May 21st, 2012.  Everything I said was accurate, to the best of my knowledge, at that time.  Things change...as I mentioned a green or pink translucent variant could show up tomorrow.  The video, and this post, are just designed to recap the collection, highlight some basic Skylanders: 101 Information, and hopefully help folks out.

This video covers the following topics:

-Starter Packs
-Triple Packs
-Adventure Packs
-Waves
-Variants
-General Purchasing Strategies

And since I know it is inevitable questions will arise about the current blind playthrough, or even Giants (coming this fall), I felt obligated to touch on that briefly.  I hit these topics:

-Thoughts on the Game
-Battle Mode
-Plan for Skylanders: Giants

That said, I feel this is set up to help you out as best as possible.  Some people, like myself, will find it much easier to skim through a short blog post as opposed to filter through a 20 minute video.  Still other people will prefer watching a video over skimming a blog post.  For the people that don't watch the video and don't read the blog, I really don't know what to tell you...The answers are likely there if you just watch or read!  That said, I've got some fantastic viewers who are more than willing to share their knowledge and might help you out before I get to the comment.

As always, short of me quitting my day job and giving up all my free time, I kind of can't manage the influx of YouTube comments.  That is why I try to always stress that I check the blog pretty much every night.  If you have something to ask that isn't covered, or you can't seem to find I'll be glad to try and help you...the quickest way is right here on the blog...I prefer it over Facebook.  It is just a cleaner interface and much easier to keep track of....

Anyway, here is a text version of the video:

Starter Packs

Wii/XBOX/PS3: Spyro, Gill Grunt, Trigger Happy

3DS: Dark Spyro, Ignitor, Stealth Elf

Triple Packs

A-1: Drobot, Flameslinger, Stump Smash
B-2: Prism Break, Voodood, Boomer
C-3: Eruptor, Chop Chop, Bash
D-4: Wrecking Ball, Stealth Elf, Sonic Boom
E-5: Zap, Hex, Dino-Rang
F-6: Whirlwind, Double Trouble, Drill Sergeant
G-7: Lighting Rod, Cynder, Zook
H-8: Camo, Ignitor, Warnado

Single Pack Only : Wham-Shell

Adventure Packs

Pirate Seas with Terrafin
Darklight Crypt with Ghost Roaster
Empire of Ice with Slam Bam
Dragon's Peak with Sunburn

Legendary Skylanders

Triple Pack: Bash, Spyro, Chop Chop
Single Pack: Trigger Happy

Variants

Silver: Boomer, Dino-Rang, Eruptor
Gold: Chop Chop, Drill Sergeant, Flameslinger
Translucent Blue: Bash
Crystal/Clear: Wham-Shell, Cynder, Stealth Elf
Glow-in-the-Dark: Warnado, Wrecking Ball, Zap
Pearl (Nuremberg): Hex
Metallic Purple (Toy Fair): Cynder
Pre-Game Fair: Trigger Happy Single

Waves

1: Spyro, Gill Grunt, Trigger Happy, Dark Spyro, Ignitor, Stealth Elf, Drobot, Boomer, Drill Sergeant, Voodood, Eruptor, Flameslinger, Stump Smash, Bash, Prism Break, Terrafin, Chop Chop, Ghost Roaster, Sonic Boom, Whirlwind, Zap
2: Wrecking Ball, Dino-Rang, Hex
3: Double Trouble, Cynder, Slam Bam
4: Lightning Rod, Zook, Suburn
5: Camo, Warnado, Wham-Shell

Purchasing Strategies

Never pay more than retail.  For local options (US), Walmart seems to stock most often.  Toys'R'Us has the largest selection, but the highest prices.  GameStop is a decent option, but you might have better luck landing what you want from them online.  Amazon is a great resource for your online hunt.  Again, never give more than retail and DO NOT BUY FROM SCALPERS!!!

Thoughts on Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure

This was a great game.  The Weapon Master Glitch was quite the oversight and I don't feel like they are doing much to warn players of this issue, but aside from that the game was a lot of fun.  It is unique, enjoyable, and blends elements of collecting in with game play.

I was not a fan of the "hype" behind new releases and the lackluster production we  dealt with for many months.  I got in on Skylanders in October and shelves went from fully stocked at Thanksgiving, to desolate around Christmas.  It really took until mid-February for new stuff to show up with any significant quantity.

Scalpers have really taken away a lot of the enjoyment.  If a store employee or ebay pirate raids stock and buys everything, it is hard for the true fans to enjoy it...

I think all figures should be available at the time of purchase and if not there really needs to be a pre-order system to allow hardcore fans the chance to buy direct, or through select distributors, and save the hassle and disappointment that came with Waves 3-5.

Battle Mode is a lot of fun and adds TONS of gameplay...However, not having an option for One Player is really baffling to me...

I would also like to have the option of resetting just to the point of picking a path...nothing major, but it would beat the current set-up.

I am still a bit miffed with the "Exclusive" label given to Whirlwind and Drill Sergeant in the U.S.  You can say what you want, but there certainly was NO MARKETING to go along with WW or DS that they'd no longer be an exclusive after "x" days...That is deceptive and misrepresenting the product.  Dragon's Peak was a well known "timed" exclusive, no news or announcements came with WW and DS.  The Legendary Packs at TRU had the same "exclusive" designation and they have remained thus...Get it right, be consistent, and don't misrepresent a product.

Despite the weapon master glitch, a few minor and livable quirks, and the lack of a Single Player Battle Mode this is a great game and tons of fun.  I whole heartedly recommend it and have done so since October.

Current Blind Playthrough

As of typing this, I have recorded and edited all of the Mass Upgrade videos I promised.  I recorded them by Element.  The plan is to upload one, then upload game play of that same Element showcasing the full upgrades.  The only hold up here is that I have to record the gameplay.


After that I am really done with Skylanders.  I might take some "extras" down their other path and compare/contrast, but past that there isn't a whole lot to do.

I will likely play the game throughout the summer to wrap up a full 32/32 on the Heroic Challenges for all Skylanders.

That reminds me that I will probably upgrade and do the same with the Legendaries, none of which has been recorded.

Plans for Skylanders: Giants

This is a very frequently asked question, "Do you plan to play Giants?"  The answer is...Yes!  I will likely do Giants the same way I did this game...It will be a blind playthrough that I will begin recording and uploading as soon as I get it.  Should I buy any new figures, I will do the same style of unboxing.  I am looking forward to the game and hope that the issue with production and scalpers will have a workaround by this fall.

Conclusion

I have had a lot of fun playing Skylanders, uploading the videos, interacting with viewers, and talking strategies for levels, battles, and upgrade paths.  As mentioned, I'll still keep playing through the summer working on the Heroic Challenges for each character.

I do have a few more things planned for Skylanders, which I think a lot of you will enjoy.  I will post more about that AFTER I get the upgrade vids uploaded and the gameplay videos live on YouTube.

Good luck with your collection!

1ofWiisdom

PS, if you are looking for more in-depth info, check out this comprehensive blog post:

Ulimate Skylanders Information