PlayStation Hasn’t Touched One of Its Best Series in Nearly Two Decades

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It’s especially disheartening when a favorite video game series is discontinued. This happened frequently in the early 2000s, and still does today. While some franchises have many successful installments, others simply vanish, and companies like Sony often don’t acknowledge them. PlayStation, in particular, has been home to many series that were incredibly popular and important to gamers, creating lasting memories. Some of these games continue to get new versions or remakes, but others are sadly forgotten by the companies that own them, despite being fondly remembered by fans.

Longtime fans are especially puzzled by the lack of new Jak and Daxter games. The series was once a major PlayStation franchise, frequently featured in magazines and talked about by gamers. However, it’s been almost twenty years since a brand new game was released – the last original title came out in 2009. As PlayStation continues to change and grow, many are wondering why this popular series has been neglected for so long.

Jak and Daxter Were Once Titans of PlayStation’s Lineup

When Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy first came out on PlayStation 2, it was truly special. Its vast, open world loaded instantly – a huge accomplishment for its time – and the game’s vibrant characters quickly won players over. Naughty Dog created a platformer that was both fun and inventive, successfully combining comedy, adventure, and precise gameplay. It was a game that could compete with the biggest names in the genre, like Mario and Banjo-Kazooie, and it kicked off one of PlayStation’s most beloved franchises.

As a huge fan, I always loved how the Jak series wasn’t afraid to take risks with its sequels. Jak II really threw us for a loop with its much darker story and open-world gameplay – it was a big change! Then Jak 3 took what Jak II started and just made it even better, giving you so much more freedom. And who could forget Jak X? It proved just how versatile the Jak universe could be with a full-on racing game! Every game was a hit with critics and players, and honestly, they helped define the PlayStation 2 for me, right up there with other classics like Ratchet and Clank and Sly Cooper. They were all just such iconic platformers on the PS2.

By the time the Jak and Daxter series appeared on the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3, it had become a hugely popular franchise. These games weren’t just for a small group of players; they were major reasons people bought the consoles. For many, Jak and Daxter were as closely associated with PlayStation as the company’s logo. However, this success wouldn’t continue indefinitely. Naughty Dog, the original developer, moved on to other projects, handing the series over to different studios. While new Jak and Daxter games were still released, player interest began to wane as platforming games fell out of favor and genres like role-playing games and shooters became increasingly popular.

Naughty Dog Doesn’t Have to Take the Lead

I keep seeing people say Naughty Dog has to be the one to bring back Jak and Daxter, and honestly, that doesn’t quite make sense to me. While they created the series, they haven’t always been the only studio working on it – High Impact Games did some great stuff with the franchise too. Plus, Naughty Dog is super busy with their new game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and that shouldn’t stop a revival! PlayStation has a really good track record of letting other talented teams – both in-house and partner studios – take the reins of beloved franchises. Look at LittleBigPlanet, God of War, and Horizon – they all flourished through collaboration and being in good hands. So, another studio could absolutely do Jak and Daxter justice!

A fresh Jak and Daxter game could be successfully made by studios like Team Asobi or Sumo Digital, or even a new internal team. The core elements – the characters, world, and overall feel – are already popular with fans. The key isn’t necessarily bringing back the original developers, who are now working on other things. Instead, the series needs a team that respects its history while confidently incorporating modern game design. A new creative team that understands what made Jak and Daxter so special in the early 2000s would be ideal.

Letting another team handle a potential remake would give Naughty Dog the freedom to focus on creating new and innovative games. A revival doesn’t need to be made by the original developers to feel true to the source material. Naughty Dog has changed a lot since it created the first Jak and Daxter games and Jak and Daxter: Combat Racing. They’ve evolved from making traditional platformers to crafting deeply cinematic and emotionally resonant experiences like Uncharted and The Last of Us. Currently, they’re developing Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which promises to be their most ambitious project yet.

The Increasing Rise of 3D Platformers Is Perfect for Jak and Daxter

Now is the perfect time to bring back Jak and Daxter. 3D platformer games are becoming popular again, thanks to people feeling nostalgic and rediscovering how fun they are to play. Astro Bot’s success showed that players still want bright, lively games with characters that show emotion and gameplay focused on movement. Team Asobi proved that modern gamers are excited for platformers that honor PlayStation’s history while also feeling new and innovative. This success brought 3D platformers back into the spotlight, reminding game publishers that these types of games can still be successful even alongside big, story-driven action games.

A new Jak and Daxter game would be a great fit for today’s gaming landscape. The original games’ mix of jumping, simple fighting, and discovering new areas would be really appealing, especially with modern technology improving the graphics and animation. A new installment could both respect the classic trilogy and offer the polish and ease of play that players expect from PlayStation exclusives. It could expand on what made the series great while also introducing fresh ideas. A fast-paced 3D platformer with exciting combat is exactly what the genre needs to make a lasting impact.

It’s been almost twenty years since a new Jak and Daxter game was released, and that feels like a real oversight. With similar games becoming popular again, and PlayStation focusing on more realistic experiences, Jak and Daxter could offer a refreshing change of pace. It would be a great way to bring back longtime fans and introduce a new generation to this beloved PlayStation world. Ultimately, it’s an opportunity for Sony to celebrate a classic series and let current players experience the fun that Jak and Daxter brought to so many years ago.

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2025-12-25 20:16