During the golden era of PlayStation 2 platformers, a suave raccoon thief in a blue hat stole the hearts of gamers worldwide. Developed by Sucker Punch Productions and later handed off to Sanzaru Games, the Sly Cooper franchise combined stealth mechanics, cell-shaded noir visuals, heist movie tropes, and unforgettable character chemistry. Sly, Bentley, and Murray formed one of gaming’s most beloved trios.
With rumors and fan passion for the franchise constantly resurfacing, it is worth looking back at the clever raccoons history. Whether you are replaying the classic trilogy on modern hardware or discovering the Cooper Gang for the first time, here is every major game in the franchise ranked from worst to best.
How We Ranked the Sly Cooper Franchise
To rank every entry, we evaluated gameplay mechanics, level design, story storytelling, character development, and overall lasting impact on the stealth platforming genre.
4. Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
Released eight years after the original trilogy wrapped up, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time was developed by Sanzaru Games for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. The game brought Sly and his gang back for a time-traveling adventure to save the ancestral pages of the Thievius Raccoonus.
Visually, the game was a beautiful HD rendition of the classic universe, showcasing detailed environments and vibrant cell-shading. Players were able to control famous Cooper ancestors across distinct eras, including Feudal Japan and the Wild West. However, despite great visuals and solid controls, the game suffered from overly lengthy load times, a polarizing narrative direction, and a cliffhanger ending that remains unresolved to this day. While still a fun stealth platformer, it sits at the bottom of our ranking because it lacked the tight narrative magic of Sucker Punch's original trilogy.
3. Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
The game that started it all, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus debuted on the PlayStation 2 in 2002. Unlike its sequels, the original game followed a traditional linear platformer structure. Sly navigated stage-based levels, collected clue bottles, and fought the iconic Fiendish Five to reclaim his family's stolen book of thieving secrets.
The game introduced the iconic one-hit-point stealth gameplay, rhythmic pole climbing, and laser-dodging mechanics that defined the character. While it lacks the open-world hub layout and playable side characters introduced in later entries, its laser-focused platforming, distinct aesthetic, and catchy soundtrack make it an absolute classic that stands the test of time.
2. Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves
Arriving in 2005, Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves expanded the scale of the franchise exponentially. In order to crack the famous Cooper Vault, Sly and the crew needed to recruit new specialists from around the world, expanding their playable roster to include characters like the Guru, Penelope, and Panda King.
The game featured impressive mechanical variety, offering everything from pirate ship battles to biplane dogfights and multiplayer mini-games. It also delivered an emotionally satisfying conclusion to the original trilogy. The only drawback was that the expanded roster occasionally pushed core stealth platforming into the background in favor of narrative-driven mini-games, but it remains a grand spectacle and a highlight of the series.
1. Sly 2: Band of Thieves
Sly 2: Band of Thieves is widely considered the masterpiece of the series and one of the finest platformers on the PlayStation 2. Sucker Punch reinvented the franchise by abandoning linear levels in favor of large, open-ended sandbox hub worlds set across global locations like Paris, Canada, and Prague.
Instead of simple stage clearing, players planned multi-part heist operations. For the first time, Bentley and Murray were fully playable heroes with completely unique playstyles—Bentley utilizing gadgets and sleep darts, while Murray provided brute strength. The balance between stealth, combat, story progression, and hub exploration was flawless. Sly 2: Band of Thieves perfected the modern stealth-action formula and easily takes the top spot on our list.
Summary Comparison of the Sly Cooper Series
| Game Title | Release Year | Developer | Primary Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus | 2002 | Sucker Punch Productions | PlayStation 2 |
| Sly 2: Band of Thieves | 2004 | Sucker Punch Productions | PlayStation 2 |
| Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves | 2005 | Sucker Punch Productions | PlayStation 2 |
| Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time | 2013 | Sanzaru Games | PlayStation 3 / PS Vita |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Sly Cooper game should I play first?
It is best to start with Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus to understand the origin story and lore. However, if you prefer open-world stealth hubs over linear level-based platforming, starting with Sly 2: Band of Thieves is also a great entry point.
How can I play the Sly Cooper games on modern consoles?
Most titles, including The Sly Collection, are accessible on modern hardware like the PlayStation 5 via PlayStation Plus Premium cloud streaming, with select titles also released individually on the PS Store.
Final Thoughts
The Sly Cooper series remains a standout triumph in gaming history. By combining classic platforming with heist film flair, unforgettable visual style, and charming characters, it earned a permanent place alongside PlayStation's greatest icons.
