For fans of classic PlayStation titles, the name ‘Sly Cooper’ evokes nostalgia, stealth-based platforming, and a beloved raccoon thief who captured hearts during the PlayStation 2 era. As gaming technology has progressed, many players wonder whether it’s still possible to experience the Sly Cooper series on more modern systems like the PlayStation 4. With remastered collections, backward compatibility, and digital storefronts evolving, the question ‘Is Sly Cooper on PS4?’ remains a point of interest for both longtime fans and new gamers curious about the franchise.
The History of the Sly Cooper Series
A Brief Look at the Franchise
The Sly Cooper series, developed initially by Sucker Punch Productions, debuted on the PlayStation 2 in 2002 withSly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus. The game quickly gained a following due to its unique blend of stealth, action, and stylized cartoon visuals. It was followed by two sequelsSly 2: Band of ThievesandSly 3: Honor Among Thieveswhich expanded the gameplay, introduced new characters, and deepened the storylines.
After Sucker Punch moved on to develop theinFamousseries, the fourth installment,Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, was created by Sanzaru Games and released in 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. Despite a strong fan base, the franchise has since remained largely dormant, which brings us to the main concern of availability on the PS4.
Sly Cooper and the PlayStation 4
Direct Availability on PS4
As of now, there is no native version of any Sly Cooper game developed specifically for the PlayStation 4. None of the original titles, includingThieves in Timeor the remasteredSly Collection, were officially ported or re-released for PS4 through standard disc or digital download formats.
This means that if you’re browsing the PlayStation Store on your PS4, you won’t find any Sly Cooper titles available for direct download or purchase. The games simply aren’t listed as part of the PS4’s native catalog. But that doesn’t necessarily mean PS4 owners are completely out of luck.
PlayStation Now and Cloud Gaming Access
The most viable method for accessing Sly Cooper on PS4 has historically been through Sony’s cloud gaming service, PlayStation Now (now integrated into the revamped PlayStation Plus). Through this service, subscribers could stream PS3 titles includingThe Sly CollectionandThieves in Timeon their PS4 consoles.
This streaming feature essentially allowed PS4 owners to play Sly Cooper games without the need for a native PS4 port. However, performance could vary depending on internet speed, and streaming did not support features like trophy syncing as seamlessly as native games.
PlayStation Plus Premium Option
With the merging of PlayStation Now into PlayStation Plus tiers, Sly Cooper games became part of the cloud gaming library available to PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers. If you subscribe to this top-tier service, you may have access to Sly Cooper titles via streaming even though they aren’t installed directly onto your PS4.
It’s worth checking the current library through the PS Plus Premium interface to confirm the games’ availability, as Sony occasionally rotates older titles in and out of the streaming lineup.
Alternate Ways to Experience Sly Cooper
Using a PlayStation 3 Console
If you still own a PlayStation 3, this is the most straightforward way to play the entire Sly Cooper series. The PS3 is compatible with:
- The Sly Collection A remastered compilation of the original PS2 trilogy with updated graphics and trophies.
- Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time The fourth game in the series with additional features and refined mechanics.
Physical copies of these games are still available on various online marketplaces. They also exist in digital form through the PS3 PlayStation Store, though access to that storefront has become more limited over time.
Backward Compatibility and PS5
The PlayStation 5 also does not support native playback of PS3 discs or downloads, which means that the same streaming option through PS Plus Premium is your only method of playing Sly Cooper games on Sony’s latest hardware.
Unfortunately, PS5 owners are in the same position as PS4 users when it comes to physical or digital access to Sly Cooper content. No remastered versions or new installments have been released for current-gen consoles as of mid-2025.
Why Isn’t Sly Cooper on PS4?
Licensing and Development Challenges
There are several potential reasons why the Sly Cooper series hasn’t made its way to the PS4 directly:
- Legacy Code: The original games were developed for older architecture (PS2 and PS3), making porting more complex than newer remasters.
- Ownership: While Sony owns the IP, Sanzaru Games responsible forThieves in Timewas acquired by Facebook (Meta), which may complicate future development.
- Demand: While the fanbase is loyal, Sony may not see sufficient commercial demand to justify development resources for ports or remakes.
Still, many fans continue to petition for remasters or a full reboot of the series, hoping that the popularity of classic platformers will lead Sony to revisit the franchise.
Will Sly Cooper Ever Return?
Future Possibilities
Though there is no official announcement about a new Sly Cooper game or a PS4/PS5 remaster, rumors have circulated periodically. Some leaks have suggested that a new installment could be in early stages of development. However, until anything is confirmed by Sony or an affiliated studio, these remain speculative.
There’s also ongoing fan interest in a Sly Cooper animated series, which, if produced, could potentially spark renewed attention to the games and lead to re-releases or remasters.
So, is Sly Cooper on PS4? The answer is technically no at least not in the form of a native port or digital download. However, PS4 users can still experience Sly Cooper through cloud streaming if they have a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. While this isn’t the ideal method for every gamer, it remains the most accessible way to enjoy the beloved series on modern hardware.
For those who want the best experience, dusting off a PS3 console or hoping for a future remake might be the way to go. Sly Cooper’s legacy continues to hold a place in the hearts of fans, and with enough interest, there’s always a chance that the iconic thief could make a triumphant return to the PlayStation spotlight.