Daxter as a pest exterminator could have been a throwaway idea; it turns out to be one of the PSP's best platformers. The dreamlike minigames pay tribute to classic cinema and Josh Mancell's score is genuinely remarkable.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player7+
Description
Solo adventure of Daxter, Jak's ottsel companion, during his two years as a pest exterminator before the events of Jak II. Published by Sony Computer Entertainment, released in Europe in March 2006. Ten varied stages, upgradeable insecticide and spray weapons, dreamlike cinema-tribute mini-games, soundtrack by Josh Mancell. Translated into five languages.
Daxter review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
A colourful open world without the slightest break, round creatures and exotic landscapes bathed in light: everything evokes a playable animated film. The technical fluidity and the warm design compose a universe of joyful vitality. This visual generosity, polished and inventive, showcases Naughty Dog's talent.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Playing Jak's prankster sidekick in his own adventure, jumping, smacking and solving platform puzzles with exemplary fluidity: the joy of movement is instant. The ever-present humour and varied phases keep the pace flowing with no dead time. Colourful, generous and remarkably crafted, a portable platformer that easily rivals its console elders.
A Ready at Dawn spin-off centered on Jak's sidekick, a PSP platformer praised for its flattering production and often sold bundled with the console. Its appeal stays low: a massive Western run, copies very widespread due to the bundles, mainly of note as a technical showcase of the early PSP. An affordable piece for fans of platforming and the Jak and Daxter universe.
Is Daxter still worth playing in 2026?
Daxter as a pest exterminator could have been anecdotal, but is in fact one of the PSP's best platformers. Ready at Dawn's title delivers a fluid, well-paced 3D adventure with dream mini-games that pay unexpected tribute to cinema. The PSP controls are surprisingly comfortable, the art direction faithful to Jak and Daxter, and Josh Mancell's score genuinely remarkable. A strongly recommended detour today.
