You've probably been there. You are staring at your guidebook in Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage, and the math just isn't mathing. You have 39 orbs, you're missing exactly one, and your gems are short by 400. It’s a classic Spyro headache. Most of the time, the culprit is the Metro Speedway orb.
Speedways are weird. In the first game, they were just straight-up flight races. In the sequel, Insomniac Games decided to hide entire mini-games inside them. It’s honestly kind of a mean trick because if you don’t know where to look, you’ll just finish the flight course, get your gems, and leave—completely unaware that a green orb is sitting ten feet away from your flight path.
The Secret Behind the Waterfall
Let's get the logistics out of the way first. Metro Speedway is located in Autumn Plains. Most people miss the level entirely because it’s tucked away. You have to talk to Elora near the Zephyr portal, and she’ll activate a whirlwind if you have at least 6 orbs. If you haven't done that, you're already 400 gems behind the curve.
But okay, let's say you're in the level. You've flamed the pigeons. You've knocked the bungee jumpers off their perches. You've gone through the arches and flamed the slow signs. The "All-in-One" message pops up, you get your trophy or skill point, and you're ready to exit. Don’t.
Basically, there is a hidden area. While you're flying around, look for the buildings where the first set of pigeons were hanging out. There’s a thin, vertical waterfall pouring down one of the brick walls. You can actually fly right through it. Behind that water is a secret room where the Mayor of Metro City is just... chilling. He’s got a problem, and that problem is why you’re currently missing an orb.
👉 See also: Finding the Fallout 4 Alien Crash Site: Why It Still Confuses Players Today
Dealing with Hunter and the Cat Burglars
The challenge itself is called "Grab the Loot." It’s notorious. Honestly, it might be one of the most frustrating orb challenges in the Autumn Plains world if your timing is even slightly off.
Here is the deal:
- Hunter is in his plane, and he’s chasing cat burglars who are scaling the buildings.
- Hunter shoots them.
- When he hits them, they drop a bag of loot.
- You have to catch that bag before it hits the water.
Sounds simple? It’s not. The physics in the Reignited Trilogy make this slightly more "slippery" than the original PS1 version. If you’re too close to Hunter, you’ll overshoot the bag. If you’re too far, you won't reach it in time.
How to actually win
You’ve gotta find a rhythm. Don't tail Hunter's exhaust pipe. Instead, hang back a little and watch the trajectory. A huge tip that many people miss is that you don't have to hit the actual bag. The parachute attached to the bag has a hitbox too. If you clip the very top of the silk, it counts.
There are 12 bags in total. If you miss even one, the Mayor basically tells you "better luck next time," and you have to restart the whole sequence. It's a test of patience.
👉 See also: Why Everyone Still Argues About Navi in The Legend of Zelda
Why the Metro Speedway Orb is a Completionist’s Nightmare
The reason this specific orb is the "final boss" for many players is the 100% (or 101%) requirement. To get the permanent Superflame power-up in Dragon Shores, you need every single orb and every single gem.
Because speedway orbs don't show up on the main world map in the same way level orbs do, it's the most common "missing" item in the game. I’ve seen countless forum posts from players convinced their game is glitched. It's never a glitch. It’s just that guy behind the waterfall.
The Skill Point Factor
While you're in there for the Metro Speedway orb, you might as well grab the skill point. You need to finish the main race in under 1:15.
The best route isn't always the one that looks the shortest.
🔗 Read more: Shield of the Righteous: Why You’re Probably Using the Paladin’s Best Button Wrong
- Start with the pigeons.
- Hit the bungee jumpers as you transition to the arches.
- Use the supercharge ramps! They aren't just for show.
- If you miss a slow sign, don't circle back immediately—try to weave it into the next pass.
Breaking the AI Patterns
Most guides tell you to follow a strict 1-2-3 path. Forget that. The beauty of Metro Speedway is that it’s open. If you’re struggling with the bungee jumpers, try approaching them from above and flaming the anvils instead of the strings. It’s a bit of a pro-strat that saves a few seconds of dive-time.
Also, if you're playing the Reignited version, use the right stick to keep your camera stable. The default camera tends to freak out when Spyro makes sharp vertical turns, which is exactly what happens during the Hunter loot challenge. Keeping the camera fixed on the horizon helps you judge the bag’s falling speed much better.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are currently sitting at 99% completion, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Check your Guidebook: If Autumn Plains says you're missing a level, go to the whirlwind near Zephyr.
- Enter Metro Speedway: Don't worry about the race yet.
- Find the Mayor: Fly to the waterfall area (near the start of the pigeon run) and go through the water.
- Complete "Grab the Loot": Stay behind Hunter, aim for the parachutes, and don't panic on the 12th bag.
- Exit via the Portal: Make sure the game saves before you quit to the homeworld.
Once that's done, you'll likely see that beautiful 100% on your save file. Just remember: the Mayor is patient, but your frustration is real. Take it slow, and don't let Hunter's bad flying throw you off.