Hnnnggggg...
I certainly wouldn't want to begrudge anyone the fun they've had with Skylanders. If people say it's a fun game, well, so be it.
I just can't help but get nostalgic for the glory days of the PS1 Spyro games. It's not really nostalgia though. I went through both Spyro 1&2 a little while ago, and they are still absolutely top notch platformers. Very few games in general manage to attain the same sort of magical atmosphere, let alone children's platformers. The only one that's come close recently is Rayman Origins. I remember being utterly bewitched by the PS1 games, and it's a captivation that still has its hold on me today.
So seeing it being transformed into this merchandising bonanza, it does make me a little wistful. It's like enjoying a magic steak buffet, only to see it get slowly processed into a McDonalds Happy Meal, complete with plasticky toys. A Happy Meal can be enjoyable, sure, but for me it doesn't really compare.
Ah well... here's to the old days.