Beast Makers is basically the Florida of the Dragon Realms. It’s damp, it’s full of swamp gas, and for some reason, everything wants to kill you with a banana. But if you survived the mud and the electrified floorboards of the home world, you eventually hit the big one. Metalhead. This guy isn't just a boss; he’s a massive, mechanical middle finger to anyone who thought the first Spyro game was just for kids.
I remember the first time I walked into that arena. The music shifts. It gets industrial. Gritty. Then you see him: a ten-foot-tall robot that looks like he was built in a scrapyard by a Gnorc with a grudge. Honestly, most bosses in the 1998 original were just "chase them and breathe fire." But Metalhead from Spyro the Dragon changed the rules. You couldn't just roast him. You had to use your brain, or at least your peripheral vision, to survive the literal lightning he was throwing at your face.
The Design: A Giant Robot in a Fantasy World?
It’s kinda weird when you think about it. You’ve got dragons, wizards, and gems, and then suddenly—a giant robot with a glowing red eye. Metalhead is the final boss of the Beast Makers world. In a land defined by nature and decay, he represents the industrial side of Gnasty Gnorc’s invasion.
He doesn't have a mouth to burn. Instead, he’s powered by these glowing pylons. If you try to charge him directly, you’re gonna have a bad time. He’s essentially a puzzle disguised as a monster. Back in the day, this was a massive jump in complexity. You weren't just platforming; you were managing an arena.
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Why the Beast Makers World Needed Him
Every world in the first game has a theme.
- Artisans is the tutorial.
- Peace Keepers is the desert combat zone.
- Magic Crafters is about verticality and super-charges.
- Beast Makers? That's the vibe-check. It’s the world where the difficulty spikes, and Metalhead is the exclamation point at the end of that sentence.
How to Beat Metalhead Without Losing Your Mind
If you're playing the Reignited Trilogy version, you might be going for that "Perfect" skill point. This means taking zero damage during the fight. It sounds easy until a monkey gets thrown at your head.
Step 1: The Pylon Game
Metalhead stands on a platform while you’re stuck on the ground with several metal poles (pylons). When these poles are glowing green, they are vulnerable. Charge into them. Do not, I repeat, do not touch them when they are red. If you do, Spyro gets a face full of 10,000 volts, and Sparx turns a very sad shade of blue.
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Step 2: The Second Phase
Once you knock out the first set of pylons, Metalhead retreats. He’s a coward like that. You have to follow him into a second, more cramped room. This is where people usually mess up. The space is tighter, and he starts tossing enemies at you—specifically those annoying "Armored Banana Boys."
Pro-Tip from the community: You can actually let the enemies break the pylons for you. If you stand behind a pylon and Metalhead throws a monkey, the impact can destroy the power source. It’s a risky play, but it feels incredibly satisfying to watch his own minions do your dirty work.
The Hidden Secrets of the Metalhead Level
Most people just rush the boss and leave. Big mistake. The Metalhead level is actually one of the richest for gem hunters. There’s a hidden area behind a grate near the start of the level that most players miss on their first run.
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- The Secret Grate: Near the green river at the beginning, look for a broken grate. Glide down there. It leads to a whole separate section with gold gems and a key.
- The Locked Chest: You’ll find the key in the secret area, but the chest is further in. It’s tucked away behind some stairs in the building leading up to the boss arena.
- Sadiki the Dragon: He’s the only dragon in this level. He basically tells you the secret to the fight (hit the power poles), which is helpful, though a bit late if you’ve already been fried once.
Why Metalhead is a Fan Favorite
Despite being a giant hunk of junk, Metalhead has a massive following in the Spyro community. Why? Because he’s unique. While Toasty was just a sheep on stilts and Dr. Shemp was a guy in a dress with a big club, Metalhead felt advanced.
The music by Stewart Copeland (yes, the drummer from The Police) is particularly peak in this level. It’s got this driving, bass-heavy rhythm that makes the fight feel more intense than it actually is. It’s iconic 90s gaming at its best.
Misconceptions and Trivia
- The "Metalhead" name: No, he’s not a fan of Metallica. Though with that armor, he could probably hold his own in a mosh pit.
- The "Fodder" Factor: Metalhead is actually the only boss level in the first game that contains fodder (the chickens) to heal Sparx. Insomniac Games probably realized this fight was a bit tougher than the others and gave us a break.
- The Jak II Connection: Some younger fans get confused because there is a race of creatures called "Metal Heads" in the Jak and Daxter series (also made by Naughty Dog, friends of Insomniac). Different guys. Same name. Equally annoying to fight.
Actionable Steps for Completionists
If you are staring at a 99% completion screen and can't figure out what's missing, it's probably here.
- Check the rooftops: After the first phase of the boss fight, don't just run into the tunnel. Look out the windows. There are ledges outside the building that hold some of the sneakiest gems in the game.
- The Skill Point: If you're in the Reignited Trilogy, you need to beat him without taking damage. If you get hit, you can't just finish the fight and hope for the best. You have to restart from the checkpoint or die to reset the "Perfect" run counter.
- The Waterfall: Don't forget to look behind the starting point. There are gems hidden near the entrance that are easy to overlook because you’re too busy worrying about the Gnorcs.
Essentially, Metalhead from Spyro the Dragon is the gatekeeper of the mid-game. He’s the moment the game says, "Okay, hope you enjoyed the grass and the sheep, because now we're doing real work." He’s a mechanical beast that defined an era of platforming, and honestly? He’s still a blast to take down today.
If you're heading into the Dream Weavers world next, get ready. It only gets weirder from here. But at least there aren't any more giant robots. Well... mostly.