The Sly Cooper series has long been cherished by fans of classic platformers and stealth-based action games. Originally released for the PlayStation 2, the franchise developed by Sucker Punch Productions became a staple for many gamers growing up in the early 2000s. Now, with the PlayStation 5 on the market, many players are asking the same question: is Sly Cooper on PS5? Whether through backward compatibility, remasters, or rumors of a new release, the possibility of Sly Cooper making an appearance on Sony’s latest console has been a hot topic among fans and gaming communities alike.
Background on the Sly Cooper Series
Sly Cooper is a series of platform stealth games that follows the adventures of Sly, a charismatic raccoon thief, and his gang of friends Bentley the turtle and Murray the hippo. Together, they embark on heists around the world, often stealing from criminals and uncovering family secrets. The combination of cartoon-like visuals, clever gameplay mechanics, and heartfelt storytelling helped the franchise earn a loyal fanbase.
The mainline games in the Sly Cooper series include:
- Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus(2002)
- Sly 2: Band of Thieves(2004)
- Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves(2005)
- Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time(2013)
While the original trilogy was developed by Sucker Punch, the fourth title was handled by Sanzaru Games. Since then, there has been no new mainline Sly Cooper game, but fans still hold out hope.
Can You Play Sly Cooper on PS5?
As of now, there is no native PS5 version of any Sly Cooper game. None of the titles have been remade or re-released specifically for PlayStation 5. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no way to enjoy Sly Cooper on the PS5. Thanks to backward compatibility and cloud gaming services, there are some options available to fans who want to revisit or discover the series on modern hardware.
Backward Compatibility Limitations
The PlayStation 5 supports backward compatibility for most PlayStation 4 games. However, Sly Cooper’s last main release Thieves in Time was a PS3 and PS Vita title. The PS5 does not natively support physical or digital PS3 games, so you can’t just insert a PS3 disc or download it directly from the store.
That means if you own the original Sly Cooper games on PS3 or earlier platforms, you won’t be able to play them directly on your PS5 through backward compatibility. This limitation has been frustrating for longtime fans of the franchise who hoped for easier access on the newest PlayStation system.
PlayStation Plus and Cloud Streaming
One way to play Sly Cooper on PS5 is through the revamped PlayStation Plus service, which offers a tiered subscription model. The highest tier, PlayStation Plus Premium, includes access to a catalog of classic games via cloud streaming. As of recent updates, Sly Cooper titles such as the Sly Collection and Thieves in Time have been included in the Premium tier.
This means that while you can’t download the games directly to your PS5, you can stream them if your internet connection is stable enough. It’s not the same as native support, but for fans who want to relive the adventures, it’s a viable alternative.
Is a New Sly Cooper Game Coming to PS5?
The possibility of a new Sly Cooper game being developed for PS5 has sparked numerous rumors over the past few years. While there have been hints and leaks, no official confirmation has come from Sony, Sucker Punch, or Sanzaru Games about a new title being in active development.
Developer Priorities
Sucker Punch Productions, the original developer, has since moved on to other projects, most notably the highly successful Ghost of Tsushima. In mid-2022, Sucker Punch announced they had no plans to return to the Sly Cooper series or the Infamous franchise anytime soon. This announcement dampened fan hopes for a first-party revival of the raccoon thief on PS5.
On the other hand, Sanzaru Games, which developed Thieves in Time, was acquired by Facebook’s Oculus Studios in 2020, meaning their future projects are likely to focus on virtual reality rather than traditional console games.
Rumors and Trademark Activity
Despite the lack of official announcements, the internet continues to buzz with speculation. In recent years, some users noted renewed activity on Sly Cooper-related trademarks, which led to theories that Sony might be preparing to relaunch or remaster the franchise for a new generation. However, trademark renewals are common practice and don’t always indicate an active project.
Why Fans Want Sly Cooper on PS5
There’s a strong nostalgic appeal surrounding the Sly Cooper series. Many gamers who played the original trilogy during their childhood now own a PS5 and would love to see a modern version of the game that keeps the charm of the original while updating the visuals and controls.
Here’s why bringing Sly Cooper to PS5 makes sense:
- Modern Hardware Capabilities: The PS5 can easily handle upgraded visuals, faster load times, and more complex environments, which could make a Sly Cooper remake or sequel truly shine.
- Fan Demand: Online communities continue to discuss and request a return to the franchise, proving there’s still a passionate audience for it.
- Platformer Revival: With games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart performing well, it’s clear that platformers still have a place in modern gaming.
Alternative Ways to Experience the Franchise
If you want to dive into the Sly Cooper series but don’t own a PS3 or can’t stream the games, you still have some options:
- Used Consoles and Discs: Finding a used PlayStation 3 and physical copies of the Sly Cooper games is one way to enjoy them without streaming.
- PlayStation TV or Vita: If you have a PlayStation Vita or PlayStation TV, you can access the digital versions of the Sly Cooper titles.
- Watching Playthroughs: While not the same as playing, watching gameplay videos or streams can offer a good experience of the story and characters.
To answer the question: is Sly Cooper on PS5? Not in a direct or native form. While there is no dedicated PS5 release or remake of the Sly Cooper series at this time, fans can still play some of the games through cloud streaming via PlayStation Plus Premium. The lack of backward compatibility with PS3 titles limits accessibility, but there remains hope that Sony might revive the franchise in the future. Until then, Sly Cooper remains a beloved but distant memory for many PlayStation fans, waiting for the day the master thief makes his long-awaited return to the spotlight.