I really wish I grew up with the Spyro series like I did with Crash but alas, my only experience during childhood was playing the Spyro 1 demo via demo discs and playing one of those crappy Legend of Spyro games on DS.
Anyway, Spyro 3 is more of the same, levels are fantastically designed with them being fun to explore, having memorable setpieces/gimmicks, standing out thematically and shit is satisfying to collect.
To address the Elephant in the room, this game introduces new playable characters and for some reason this seems to bother a lot of people, not me though, I found them all tolerable enough and they help to break up the Spyro gameplay, plus they're mostly optional anyway, sure they're not as fun to play as Spyro but they're perfectly serviceable in my opinion.
I will say there are a few annoying moments, Yeti boxing in particular is awful but overall I had a fantastic time with this and for once, the Speedways are actually really fun!

First time I played this was at a birthday party for some kid who's parent worked with my dad, I think, I never met him before nor did I ever see him again after. When I got there he was in his room playing Spyro 3. He must have just gotten it because he was at the start. I watched for a while then he asked if I wanted to play. I took the controler and never has any other video game hooked me as quick as Year of the Dragon. I played the entire time I was there. When the boy and all the other kids left to sing, blow out the candles, and open presents I stayed in the bedroom playing this game. I didn't stop till I had to leave. I immediately asked my parents if they would buy it for me. This the first video game I obsessed over. It is still to this day one of my favorite games. A masterpiece.