Ah, the early 2000s — when every hero had gravity-defying hair and a sidekick that never shut up. Naughty Dog checked both boxes and shipped a platformer that feels like Mario 64 chugged an energy drink and decided to go open-zone before it was cool.

You run, jump, spin, and hoard shiny things across a world that streams seamlessly with basically no load screens. Jak doesn’t talk (mood), so Daxter handles the trash-talk — roasting enemies, you, and occasionally the camera. It’s charming, punchy, and way smoother than it has any right to be two decades later.

Gameplay

Controls are tight and jumps land exactly where your thumbs say they should. Eco powers spice up traversal so you’re not just hopping rocks — you’re supercharging platforms, turboing through tracks, and bullying physics into doing your bidding. Collecting Power Cells and Orbs tickles the completionist brain without feeling like a second job.

Graphics

Cartoon-bright and art-directed to age like fine cheese (the good kind). No 4K wizardry here, but the style sells it — lush biomes, readable silhouettes, and animation that still slaps.

Controls

Tight, responsive, and mercifully consistent. Camera shenanigans are rare for the era, which is basically a miracle considering how many PS2 games treated “camera” like a boss fight.

Difficulty

Fair with the occasional “who designed this hover-bike segment and why do they hate joy” spike. Nothing a quick cool-down won’t fix before you jump back in.

Jak and Daxter walked so other mascot duos could run (and then start carrying guns). If you’re curating a shelf of essentials, this one earns its spot — no debate.

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