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Growing up during the PS2 era, you were likely familiar with one of these platformer franchises:Ratchet & Clank,Jak & Daxter, orSly Cooper. All three are iconic 3D platformers developed during the 2000s.
One from developer Insomniac Games, widely known today for its work onMarvel’s Spider-Manand soonMarvel’s Wolverine. Another from the powerhouses at Naughty Dog, its early beginning withCrash Bandicootbefore entangling itself with realistic franchises likeUnchartedandThe Last of Us.
Lastly, Sucker Punch Productions came out strong during the PS3 era withinFAMOUSand nowGhost of Tsushimafor modern PlayStation consoles. While all three are beloved 3D platformers from the era, onlyRatchet & Clankhas seen love recently withRift Apartin 2021.
Jak & DaxterandSly Cooperhave both not received a new entry in over ten years. Naughty Dog’s platformer series last entry was in 2009 withThe Lost Frontiersfor the PS2 and PSP. Meanwhile,Sly Coopersaw a resurgence in 2013 withThieves in Time,but poor sales prevented any continuation of the franchise.
With fans waiting so long for these platforming icons to return, will we ever see another adventure from them?
Sly Cooper And Jak & Daxter – Gone But Not Forgotten 3D Platformers
Recently, the3D platformer genre has been making a comebackin the gaming space. While it flooded the market during the sixth console generation, it’s been slowly returning to mainstream audiences.
Indie games have been doing it for years, withA Hat in TimeandFrogunas fantastic examples. Furthermore, more indie studios have tackled the genre this year, likePenny’s Big BreakawayandAkimbot.
Most importantly, a forgotten 3D platformer from the PS1 has been announced for a remaster:Croc: Legend of the Gobbos. Seemingly out of nowhere, Argonaut Games have been reopened after closing in 2004 and return with aCrocremaster.
This announcement alone has given many platformer fanatics hope thatPlayStationmay see it as time for the return ofJak & DaxterandSly Cooper.
“Crash and Spyro would be better under Sony!“Meanwhile, Sony’s first party platformers:https://t.co/vctoeHJ8lV
Nothing is stopping PlayStation from greenlighting these projects besides money and how well the game will perform after launch. The announcement of shutting downConcordmust have PlayStation more wary of what projects the company should be focusing on next.
While the console giants have made a name for themselves in developing triple-A story-driven games, there’s nothing wrong with investing into smaller projects that can spark interest in older franchises.
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The recent Emulation releases are a perfect example of this.Sly Cooper and the Thievius RaccoonusandDaxterlaunched on PS4 and PS5 via the PS Classic Catalog, which have been successful.
Whether it’s fans wanting to replay these games after so many years or new players wanting to check them out, the timing for these franchises to return couldn’t be more perfect.
What Needs To Happen For Jak & Daxter And Sly Cooper To Return?
Ultimately, it comes down to PlayStation allocating these IPs to other studios. While Naughty Dog and Sucker Punch Productions could still work onJak & DaxterandSly Cooper,respectively, the teams appear to have no desire to return to them.
Sucker Punchleft everything on the table in 2005 withSly 3: Honor Among Thieves,while Naughty Dog tried to return toJak & Daxterwith a potentialJak 4before transforming it intoThe Last of Us.
If 3D platformer fans would like to see PlayStation make more games in the genre, vote with your wallet and purchaseAstro Boton the PS5.It’s a full length 3D platformerthat has many cameos from other PlayStation IPs including theSly CooperandJak & Daxter.
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If the game is able to perform, Sony might consider bringing back other platforming mascots. WhileAstro Bot’s success wouldn’t 100% bring them back, this would be a great indicator for PlayStation to invest into the genre more.
If the game flops, critically and commercially, this may turn Sony completely off from the genre.Insomniac Gameswill likely continue to work onRatchet & Clankwhenever the team can, but other PlayStation mascots may never return.
Sony doesn’t even have to greenlight a direct sequel forJak & DaxterorSly Cooper. It could be as simple as a collection bundle for PS4/PS5 or as ambitious as remaking one of the games. Make something that can allow fans to vote with their wallets and show PlayStation that there’s still untapped potential with these franchises.Only time will tell ifJak & DaxterorSly Cooperwill ever make a comeback. IfCroc, a franchise that was literally dead after Argonaut dissolved in 2004, can also return. What do you think about these titles potentially making a return? Would you like to see these titles come back? Let us know in the comments what you think!
Travis Vuong
Articles Published :143
Travis Vuong is a games journalist and content creator. He’s been a YouTuber since 2008 and continues to create videos under the “tvsonicgaming” banner. All social media accounts and his podcast: allmylinks.com/tvsonic
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Insomniac Gamesjak and daxterNaughty Dogsly racoonSucker Punch Productions
