This Underappreciated Early 2000s PlayStation Masterpiece Needs to Make a Comeback

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PlayStation is known for many creative and popular games, which have given us some truly memorable characters like Kratos, Nathan Drake, Spyro, and Sackboy. While these characters might not be as widely recognized as Mario or Link, they’re still gaming icons. Sadly, many of PlayStation’s best characters and game series have been forgotten and don’t seem likely to return.

Many classic PlayStation series are overdue for a fresh start, with some feeling stuck in the past – even dating back to the original PlayStation. It’s a shame, because these games could be amazing if reimagined for today’s audience. That’s definitely true for Jak, the fantastic series from the creators of The Last of Us. It was unique, evolving from a charming platformer into something like a Mad Maxstyle action game. If any PlayStation series deserves a return, it’s Jak*, and there’s a possibility it could actually happen.

PlayStation Needs To Resurrect Jak

For those unfamiliar, Jak wasn’t just another PlayStation game series—it was truly unique. The first game was a bright, energetic platformer, and it was quickly followed by a groundbreaking open-world shooter unlike anything we’d seen before. Jak and his funny, spirited companion, Daxter, became very popular for a time, even starring in their own racing game. However, as Naughty Dog focused on creating story-driven, cinematic single-player games, Jak gradually disappeared from the spotlight. Ratchet & Clank is the only series from that era that’s remained consistently popular, with Jak’s last game released on the PSP in 2009.

It’s really disappointing that the potential of Jak 2 was never fully realized, especially since it was one of the best games on the PlayStation 2. The game offered a unique blend of action and open-world exploration – an elf and his animal companion using guns and driving in a Mad Maxstyle desert. Both Jak 2 and Jak 3 had great features like hoverboards, beautiful environments, and carjacking similar to Grand Theft Auto. Essentially, Jak became a fantasy version of Grand Theft Auto* while still maintaining solid platforming elements and incredibly smooth character movement – some of the best you’ll find in a first-party PlayStation game.

I might be a little partial since I loved this game as a kid, but it’s still fantastic to look at and play today – something I can’t say about many games from my childhood. There’s a lot of potential to expand Jak and Daxter into a major new franchise, one that could compete with Ratchet and Clank, but Sony doesn’t seem interested. It’s a shame they’re just leaving Jak on the shelf, along with Sly Cooper and other classic series from the early 2000s. Still, I’m hoping we’ll see it make a comeback someday.

Jak Could Make A Return In The Future

For years, fans have been asking for a new version of Jak and Daxter, and that desire hasn’t faded. Recently, a team created impressive gameplay footage of a potential remake, hoping Sony would be interested. While Sony ultimately decided not to pursue the project, the footage gave us a fantastic look at how a modern Jak and Daxter game could be. This isn’t the first time fans have taken it upon themselves to reimagine the series, which proves just how much demand there is for its return – even almost twenty years later.

In a 2021 interview with the AIAS’s Game Maker’s Notebook (as reported by VGC), Evan Wells, then co-president of Naughty Dog, discussed the possibility of a future Jak and Daxter game. Although he stated that no new project was currently in development, Wells affirmed that the team still deeply cares about the Jak & Daxter franchise. Seeing the success Insomniac Games had with Ratchet and Clank made Naughty Dog wish they were working on a Jak game of their own.

At this point, I’m open to anything regarding a new Jak game, and it’s good to know Naughty Dog hasn’t forgotten about the series either. They’ve been busy since 2021 remastering The Last of Us and developing a new game called Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, along with some other secret projects. Even if Naughty Dog were to make another Jak game, it likely wouldn’t be for many years – maybe even a decade. So, it would probably make more sense for a different studio to take over and revitalize the Jak franchise.

PlayStation Needs Jak Now More Than Ever

PlayStation is facing a difficult situation that isn’t likely to continue. Developing games is becoming incredibly expensive, often costing hundreds of millions of dollars, and takes studios years to complete just one title. In fact, Sony is canceling some games before they’re even finished, meaning they won’t make back their investment. We’re also seeing PlayStation studios close down at a worrying pace, including well-respected teams like Bluepoint. A change is necessary, and a new Jak game could be part of the answer.

Although Jak by itself won’t rescue PlayStation, games like it could be part of the solution. It’s obvious players want updated versions of classic PlayStation titles. Leaked information suggests Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart was profitable, selling 2.7 million copies within a year of its release. A key factor in its success was that it cost significantly less to make than many of Sony’s other exclusive games.

Returnal cost $81 million to develop, while Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 reportedly cost $315 million. PlayStation could increase profits and support its smaller development teams by creating less expensive games that aren’t all big, story-driven experiences. Sony owns so many studios that it seems likely one of them could create a smaller Jak sequel or reboot to test public interest.

I’m really hoping PlayStation keeps experimenting with how they make games. They’ve already dipped their toe in the water with that Sons of Sparta God of War spin-off, and it proved you don’t need a massive budget to be successful – it sold incredibly well and is still popular with updates! I don’t want them to stop making big games like Marvel’s Spider-Man, but I’d love to see them bring back some of those smaller, more affordable titles they used to be known for. And honestly, Jak would be perfect for that! So many of us have been asking for a new Jak game, and it’s cool to know Naughty Dog is open to the idea. I really think PlayStation could use a win with a fan favorite like that shotgun-wielding elf, and we, the fans, definitely need it!

Would you like to see Jak return in a new game? Share your thoughts in the ComicBook Forum discussion!

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2026-03-26 16:11