I would not be the person that I am today without 3D platformers. And while the genre is stuffed with icons like Mario and Crash Bandicoot, my favorite 3D platformer series has always been Jak & Daxter.
This series has been a huge part of my life since I was a teenager. The original game was the first PS2 game I played, and it made me feel like the future of video games had unlimited possibilities.
I remain hopeful that someone at Sony will let someone take a crack at it, but until then, these classics are well worth discussing for what they did for the genre.
As we wait for their fateful return, I’ve ranked each game in the series for you based on a few factors, including personal preference and the overall quality of the game.
6
Jak X: Combat Racing
A Surprisingly Competent Vehicle Combat Game
Normally, when I hear about a series being given a racing game spin-off, I’m filled with feelings of dread. Surely there’s no way something like that can be good.
But Jak X: Combat Racing isn’t just good, it’s absolutely spectacular.
It isn’t just a vehicle combat game, either. It’s an addictive, genuinely entertaining racing game with some insanely high production values. The cutscenes feel like they came right out of a traditional Jak game.
The story isn’t just an afterthought, it’s integral to the experience. Adventure modes in racing games are often in short supply these days, and the one featured in Jak X is still one of the best you can find in the genre.
5
Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier
A Misunderstood Classic
I didn’t realize how polarizing Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier was until several years ago. And while it may not be as good as previous entries were, it still has a lot to offer.
Considering it was the first new Jak & Daxter game in five years, as well as not being made by Naughty Dog, it had a bit of an uphill climb.
That said, there’s something about the whimsical attitude of The Lost Frontier that I just adore. It has the feeling of a rip-roaring adventure movie from the 1990s.
It’s also not inherently tied to the ongoing Precursor story from the first three Jak games. The standalone nature of it really proves how much potential this series has left.
4
Daxter
Daxter Gets The Spotlight
I didn’t have access to a PSP when Daxter came out in 2006, so I unfortunately didn’t play it until a few years ago.
It did seem odd to me to do a solo spin-off considering how well the pair work together, but Daxter is certainly a character that can carry the load. He sure talks enough for a solo game.
Daxter is pretty standard 3D platforming fare, but it really shines in its story and writing. It retains all of his trademark goofy expressiveness and dorky charm.
It’s also quite varied in the way it challenges you, too. Vehicles, platforming, action, huge boss battles. It’s a concise little package that packs a huge punch.
3
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
The Precursor Legacy Begins On PS2
I’m always amazed by the tricks that game developers pull to make their worlds feel seamless. But the technical mastery on display in Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy almost feels like dark magic.
For as powerful as the PS2 was during its day, the ability to create a fully connected world that doesn’t have any loading screens didn’t seem possible.
Not only was it possible, but in the hands of the wizards at Naughty Dog, it became a trademark. The huge, vibrant world of Misty Island is still one of my favorite video game environments of all time.
The Precursor Legacy still holds such a special place in my heart. It was a major part of the era, and I associate the bold, bright colors with a very particular part of my gaming life.
2
Jak 3
The Conclusion To The Precursor Arc
Naughty Dog was something else in the 2000s. They had zero interest in iterating on a good idea, instead wanting to build on it and create something bigger each time.
Jak 3 is the end of the Precursor saga that started in 2001, so Naughty Dog went all out for the big conclusion.
I watched the rather quick run-up from the announcement to the release with a ravenous fervor. It was a painful, nearly year-long wait.
The introduction of a massive desert was a game-changer, as we once again saw a shift in the series. It expanded the scope of the world even further than Jak 2 did.
Where Haven City felt somewhat cramped in Jak 2, Jak 3 felt like you had a little more leg-room. You can really feel the finality of the Precursor story in this game as a result.
1
Jak II
The Duo’s Greatest Adventure To Date
After finishing the first Jak and Daxter game three straight times, I was convinced that the sequel was going to be one of the best platformers of all time. I was right, but not for the reasons I expected.
My brain was not prepared for what was going to happen next, as Jak II moved away from the lush, sparkling hues of Misty Island to Haven City.
Naughty Dog was right to realize that their audience was growing up. Jak II reacted appropriately, throwing their heroes into the fire.
The story is decidedly darker, but it doesn’t feel overwrought with it. It’s just a mature story, and thematically, is some of the best stuff Naughty Dog has ever made.
The interconnected world of Haven City is one of the era’s best open worlds. The way you are shuffled from one part of the map, which naturally connects to the game’s main levels, is still such a massive achievement all these years later.
