The fastest way to play Skylanders on PC

You can play Skylanders on PC through Steam, which carries most of the main games in the series. read the game client, purchase the title you want, and install it like any other Steam game. The older titles (Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure through Imaginators) are available this way, though some have been delisted and removed from the store over time.

If a game is no longer sold on Steam, you may find it through third-party resellers like Green Man Gaming or Humble Bundle, though availability changes. Some players also use emulation for the earliest console versions, but that requires technical setup and works best for older hardware.

The catch: most Skylanders games on PC do not support the physical toys and portal accessories that come with console versions. You play with keyboard and mouse or a controller, but you cannot place your Skylanders figures on a portal to load them into the game. A few titles have workarounds, which are covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • Steam is the main source for Skylanders on PC, though older titles may no longer be available for purchase.
  • Most PC versions do not work with the physical Skylanders toys and portals, so you play entirely with a controller or keyboard.
  • Skylanders: Trap Team and Imaginators have limited workarounds for portal support, but they require extra setup and are not officially supported.
  • If a game is delisted from Steam, you may find it through reseller sites, but availability is not may provide.
  • Emulation is an option for the earliest games, but it requires a PC emulator and ROM files, and performance varies widely.

Which Skylanders games are on Steam

The following titles are currently or were recently available on Steam: Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, Giants, Swap Force, Trap Team, SuperChargers, and Imaginators. Not all of them remain in the store—some were delisted by the publisher, which means you cannot buy them new through Steam anymore.

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, the first game, was removed from Steam in 2019. Giants and Swap Force are also no longer sold there. Trap Team, SuperChargers, and Imaginators may still be available depending on your region and the current state of the publisher's licensing. Check the Steam store directly by searching "Skylanders" to see what is currently for sale in your area.

If you own a delisted game through Steam already, you can still read and play it—delisting only prevents new purchases. If you want a game that is no longer sold, reseller sites sometimes have Steam keys left in inventory, though prices and availability fluctuate.

Setting up a controller for PC play

Most Skylanders games on PC work best with a gamepad rather than keyboard and mouse, though both are supported. Connect your controller before launching the game—this can be an Xbox controller, PlayStation controller, or any controller with standard button mapping.

Plug in a USB controller or connect wirelessly if your controller supports it. Launch the game and go to the settings or controls menu. The game should detect your controller automatically. If it does not, check that the controller is recognized by Windows: open Settings, go to Devices, and look for your controller under "Connected devices." If it appears there, restart the game.

Once the game recognizes your controller, you can remap buttons in the game's settings if the default layout does not suit you. Test the controls in the main menu before starting a level to make sure all buttons respond correctly.

Playing without the physical portal and toys

The PC versions of Skylanders are designed to work without the physical portal and figures. When you start the game, you choose your character from a menu instead of placing a toy on a portal. This means you do not need to buy the toys and portal separately—the game includes all playable characters by default or through in-game unlocks.

This is actually simpler than the console versions, where you must own the physical toys to use them in the game. On PC, you get full access to the roster without extra purchases. The trade-off is that you lose the tactile experience of swapping figures, but gameplay is identical.

If you own a console version with toys and want to bring those characters to PC, there is no official way to do so. Some players have experimented with emulation or workarounds for Trap Team, but these are not supported by the publisher and may not work reliably.

Workarounds for portal support on older titles

Skylanders: Trap Team and Imaginators have some community-created workarounds that allow limited portal support on PC, but these require technical knowledge and are not officially supported by the publisher. The most common method involves using a USB portal emulator or software that tricks the game into recognizing a connected device.

These workarounds are complex, may break after game updates, and carry a small risk of issues with your game installation. If you are interested in exploring this route, search for "Skylanders Trap Team PC portal emulator" or "Skylanders Imaginators PC portal" in community forums like Reddit's r/skylanders. Other players there can walk you through the current working methods.

For most players, playing without the portal is the simpler and more reliable option. The game is fully playable and enjoyable without it.

Using emulation for the earliest Skylanders games

If you want to play the very first Skylanders games on PC and they are no longer available on Steam, emulation is one option. You would need a console emulator (such as Dolphin for GameCube and Wii, or PCSX2 for PlayStation 2) and a ROM file of the game you want to play.

Emulation requires downloading the emulator software, configuring it for your PC's hardware, and obtaining the ROM file legally (usually by dumping it from a physical copy you own). Performance varies—some games run smoothly, others have glitches or lag depending on your PC's specs and the emulator's compatibility.

This route is more technical than straightforward buying a game on Steam, and it does not support the physical portal either. It is best suited for players who are comfortable troubleshooting and want to revisit older titles that are no longer sold digitally.

System requirements and performance

Skylanders games on PC have modest system requirements compared to modern AAA titles. Older games like Spyro's Adventure and Giants run on PCs with integrated graphics and 2 to 4 GB of RAM. Newer titles like Imaginators need a bit more: a dedicated graphics card (such as an NVIDIA GTX 660 or AMD equivalent), 8 GB of RAM, and a few gigabytes of storage space.

Check the Steam store page for the specific game you want to play—it lists the minimum and recommended specs. If your PC meets the minimum requirements, the game should run, though you may need to lower graphics settings for smooth performance. If you are unsure whether your PC qualifies, you can look up your graphics card and RAM in the Steam system requirements checker.

Most Skylanders games are not demanding, so even a budget PC or older laptop may handle them. If you run into stuttering or lag, try lowering the resolution or graphics quality in the game's settings before assuming your PC is too weak.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my console Skylanders toys on the PC version?

Not officially. The PC versions do not support the physical portal and toys that come with console editions. You play by selecting characters from a menu instead. Some players have created workarounds for Trap Team and Imaginators, but these are not supported by the publisher and may not work reliably.

Are all Skylanders games still available on Steam?

No. Spyro's Adventure, Giants, and Swap Force were removed from Steam years ago. Trap Team, SuperChargers, and Imaginators may still be available depending on your region, but this can change. Check the Steam store directly to see what is currently for sale in your area.

Do I need a special controller to play Skylanders on PC?

Any standard gamepad works—Xbox, PlayStation, or generic USB controllers all function. Keyboard and mouse are also supported, though most players find a controller more comfortable. Connect your controller before launching the game and check that Windows recognizes it in Settings.

What if the Steam game I want is no longer available?

Check reseller sites like Green Man Gaming or Humble Bundle, which sometimes have leftover Steam keys. Availability is not may provide and prices vary. Emulation is another option for older titles, though it requires more technical setup.

Will Skylanders run on my older PC?

Older Skylanders games have low system requirements and often run on PCs with integrated graphics and 2 to 4 GB of RAM. Newer titles need a bit more power. Check the Steam store page for the specific game to see its minimum requirements, and compare them to your PC's specs.