Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus opens the saga. Branching platforming, cel-shaded identity and comic-book writing. Shorter and more linear than the sequel, yet already charming.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player7+
Description
A Sucker Punch and Sony platformer released in 2002, the first Sly Cooper franchise entry, US edition. The burglar raccoon Sly Cooper gathers the pages of his Thievius Raccoonus stolen by the Fiendish Five across five themed worlds. Stealth platform with acrobatics, mini-games and cartoon humor. Polished cel-shaded comic book aesthetics. The birth of a Sucker Punch cult trilogy.
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
Cel-shading with bold outlines, nocturnal noir moods and cartoon animation: Sly's universe is a light, dark-toned cartoon. The crisp silhouettes and stylised settings compose an immediate playful elegance. This visual identity, lively and refined, has lost none of its mischievous charm.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Slipping through the shadows, leaping from rooftop to rooftop and stealing unseen lays down a stealth platformer of remarkable agility and precision. Sly's snappy handling and the level design split into short missions sustain an ideal rhythm. The single-life challenge comes as a surprise, but the fluidity of the controls and the cartoon flair remain a treat today.
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Slipping through the shadows, stealing treasures and orchestrating heists with feline elegance: this platformer-burglary bets everything on style and stealth. The cartoon cel-shading and the characters' humour enchant from the first minutes. Clever, fluid and terribly endearing, a hushed adventure that weds discretion and flair with brilliance.
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Long"
Technical info
💾2,4 GB📅24/09/2002
Published by Sony Computer Entertainment
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus (PS2) price, value & rarity
The first installment of Sucker Punch's series, launching the cartoon burglary of Sly the raccoon, released as Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus in America and Sly Raccoon in Europe. Still common in the West, its interest lies in this origin status of a beloved trilogy and this dual naming rather than scarcity. An affordable piece for fans of PS2 platforming.
Is Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2002 on PS2 as Sucker Punch's first entry, this project launches a stealth platforming series of rare charm. The burglar raccoon moves through compact stages where you avoid lights, neutralise guards and collect clues. The cel shaded art direction, in a cartoon style, keeps an intact freshness, and the jazzy soundtrack installs a heist movie mood. The gameplay stays simple and the run time short. Recommended for fans of stylised platforming and for anyone curious about the early days of Sucker Punch before its turn toward Infamous.
