One of the Best PS2 Franchises Deserves a Reboot, 13 Years After Sony Ended It

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While Naughty Dog is now famous for The Last of Us, their earlier work deserves another look. The studio’s history shows how games have become more and more like movies with each new console generation. The Last of Us is a great example of this trend, prioritizing a strong story and blending realistic environments with thrilling action.

Naughty Dog first gained recognition for its adventure games. Though the Uncharted series is popular, some of their most impactful work came during the PlayStation 2 era with the Jak and Daxter games – platforming adventures that truly showcased what the console could do. It’s been 13 years since a new Jak and Daxter title, and it’s time for a revival.

Jak And Dexter Were Icons Of The PS2 Era

Jack and Daxter were hugely popular characters on the PlayStation 2, and fans have been hoping for a new game for a long time. The original, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, came out in 2001 and was a bright and fun platforming adventure created by Naughty Dog. Players followed Jak, a silent hero, and his friend Daxter (who’s been transformed into a unique creature) as they journeyed across their world searching for a powerful substance called Eco. The game wasn’t about groundbreaking innovation; instead, it succeeded thanks to its simple, well-crafted gameplay and lovable characters.

Two years after their initial success, Naughty Dog released Jak II, moving the story to a darker, more urban setting and introducing a more complex narrative. Unlike other franchises like Prince of Persia that struggled with similar changes, Jak II successfully balanced its edgy story and action-packed gameplay with its vibrant visuals and playful take on classic adventure games, creating a truly engaging experience.

The Jak series reached its peak with Jak 3 in 2004, a game that successfully blended platforming and action. Following that, three spin-off titles were released: Jak X: Combat Racing (2005), the PSP platformer Daxter (2006), and Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (2009). Since then, the series has been largely inactive, with only two remastered collections appearing on the PlayStation 3 and 4. Naughty Dog, the game’s developer, shifted its focus to new franchises like Uncharted and The Last of Us, leaving fans of the original Jak and Daxter games feeling unresolved.

Jak And Daxter Ended On A Cliffhanger 13 Years Ago

The original Jak and Daxter games ended strongly, but later titles continued the story. Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier specifically hinted at a much bigger adventure to come. Developed by High Impact Games, this installment sent Jak, Daxter, and Keira on a worldwide journey where they battled sky pirates. The game concluded by revealing a new source of Eco beyond the known world, setting the stage for their next quest to uncover its secrets.

Unfortunately, a follow-up game never happened. The Lost Frontier, developed by High Impact Games instead of the original creators, received decent reviews, but it was released late in the PlayStation 2’s lifespan, after most gamers had moved on to other types of games. This was disappointing, especially because the ending of The Lost Frontier hinted at many exciting new possibilities for the series. That’s why it’s still fun to think about where the Jak and Daxter story could have gone.

Jak And Daxter Deserve A Return

It’s been sixteen years since the original Jak and Daxter game came out, and fans have been hoping for a new installment. The series was a big hit when it was first released, earning praise from both critics and players. By 2017, the games had sold over 15 million copies, proving how popular they were. Naughty Dog is currently working on a new game, and revisiting the world of Jak and Daxter would be a great way for them to update the franchise with modern graphics and gameplay – a series that played a key role in establishing their reputation.

A new Jak and Daxter game could either continue the story from where the last one left off, or start fresh with a completely new adventure. Another option would be to remake the existing games into one big, cohesive story, improving on some of the challenges the series faced as it evolved. With growing concerns about the environment, the games’ themes about nature would feel especially relevant today. Plus, Jak could reclaim his place as a leading PlayStation character, alongside stars like Ratchet and Kratos. It’s been a long time since fans have played as Jak and Daxter, and they’re due for a return.

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2025-12-05 00:41