Jak and Daxter

This article is about the series as a whole. For the first game in the series, see Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. For the titular characters, see Jak (Jak and Daxter) and Daxter.

Jak and Daxter
File:Jakanddaxterlogo.gif
Genre(s)	Platform Action-adventure Third-person shooter Racing
Developer(s)	Primary Naughty Dog Ready at Dawn High Impact Games Ports Mass Media Games
Publisher(s)	Sony Interactive Entertainment
Creator(s)	Andy Gavin Jason Rubin
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2 PlayStation Portable PlayStation 3 PlayStation Vita PlayStation 4
First release	Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy December 1, 2001
Latest release	Jak and Daxter Collection (PS4) December 7, 2017

Jak and Daxter is a video game franchise created by Andy Gavin and Jason Rubin and owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The series was developed by Naughty Dog with a number of installments being outsourced to Ready at Dawn and High Impact Games. The first game, released on December 3, 2001, was one of the earliest titles for the PlayStation 2, and is regarded as a defining franchise for the console.

The games are considered story-based platformers that feature a mixture of action, racing and puzzle solving. The series is set in a fictional universe that incorporates science fantasy, steampunk/cyberpunk, and mystical elements together, while centering on the eponymous characters as they try to uncover the secrets of their world, and unravel the mysteries left behind by an ancient race of Precursors. The games are inspired by both Eastern and Western culture, a decision made among the team members at Naughty Dog and related stakeholders while developing the first title.

The first three games in the series were re-released on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita as part of a remastered collection that includes support for the PlayStation Network and the PlayStation Suite. The remastered collection was handled by Mass Media Inc. with Naughty Dog assisting with the conversion of the games. The series has also produced various forms of extended media and merchandise, and has sold over 12 million copies worldwide.

On April 3, 2017, PlayStation announced that the original three Jak and Daxter games, along with Jak X: Combat Racing, would be ported to the PlayStation 4. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy was released on August 22 of the same year, alongside the release of Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Later on December 6, Jak II, Jak 3 and Jak X: Combat Racing were released.

Development

Release timeline

2001	Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
2002
2003	Jak II
2004	Jak 3
2005	Jak X: Combat Racing
2006	Daxter
2007
2008
2009	Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier
2010
2011
2012	Jak and Daxter Collection (PS3)
2013	Jak and Daxter Collection (Vita)
2014
2015
2016
2017	Jak and Daxter Collection (PS4)

Naughty Dog began work on a new game shortly after the release of the sixth generation of consoles. Only two programmers were originally allocated to the project, as the rest of the department was still developing Crash Team Racing. They began by building a new graphics engine that would be capable of rendering a seamlessly connected, open world environment. They then developed a fully articulated character to examine the engine's efficiency, before presenting the idea to Sony Computer Entertainment following the completion of Crash Team Racing. The aim of their new title was to break away from the linear approach taken in the Crash Bandicoot series, with minimal story and character development, and individually loaded levels. In a behind-the-scenes special by Naughty Dog it was revealed that a new blend animation had been utilised for the game, allowing for a smoother frame rate and animation process. The engine for Jak and Daxter was created from the ground up specifically for the game. Unusually for most games, Naughty Dog invented a new programming language, GOAL, which was only ever used for the Jak and Daxter series.

Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy was revealed at E3 in June 2001. The game had a budget of $14 million and a development cycle that lasted nearly three years. At that time, they managed to create a fully interactive world and conceived a narrative that would allow for more meaningful character development. The two central characters also went through a rigid design process that took inspiration from both Manga and Disney animation. They had initially planned on introducing a third character who would evolve as the game progressed in a Tamogotchi-style fashion. However, this idea was scrapped as it led to several unnecessary complications. The game's soundtrack was recorded at Mutato Muzika Studios, and was produced by Mark Mothersbaugh with Josh Mancell composing the score.

Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier was originally planned as a PlayStation Portable exclusive and was in the process of being developed by Naughty Dog when it was cancelled. Evan Wells revealed that they were unable to sustain the game's development alongside Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and made the decision to pass the project onto High Impact Games. Naughty Dog later acknowledged:

If we had had to do it all over again, we would have done some things differently in the execution of The Lost Frontier. I'm not happy with that being Jak's swan song. I think we could have done a lot better.

—Sam Thompson, producer at Naughty Dog and Sony Computer Entertainment.

Gameplay

The Jak and Daxter series is primarily a story-based platformer presented in the third-person perspective. The player can explore a multitude of different areas in an open world environment and can perform several melee attacks. A substance called Eco can also be manipulated to enhance the player's abilities. Differently-coloured Eco has different effects. Red Eco enhances the damage dealt, Blue Eco makes Jak attract Precursor orbs and Eco, and lets him operate machines. Green Eco restores health, and Yellow Eco lets Jak shoot fire from his hands. A hover bike called a "Zoomer" and a large bird known as a "Flut-Flut" are also available for transportation and to gain access to hard-to-reach places. Power cells and Precursor orbs are required to advance the story in The Precursor Legacy, while completing story-related missions unlocks new locations in all subsequent entries.

Shooting elements are introduced in Jak II, which feature customisable weapons and other varied forms of combat. Several features from the previous game are also expanded upon. An example is that Jak has many different gun mods. Each one is a certain colour, either Red, Blue, Yellow or Dark. Red gun mods make the gun similar to a shotgun. Blue lets it fire as a machine gun. Yellow mods are for long-range shooting, and Dark mods are for utmost power. Daxter is also a playable character and features in several Crash Bandicoot-esque missions. Dark Eco powers also become available, which is countered by the introduction of Light Eco powers in Jak 3. Driving becomes a core ingredient and is further expanded upon in Jak 3. In The Lost Frontier aerial combat is integrated into the series. Precursor orbs can be collected in each game to unlock cheats.

Jak X deviates from the series' more traditional style of gameplay, adapting into the racing genre, and is based on the driving mechanics developed for Jak 3. Several extras can be unlocked for Jak X and Daxter by linking up the save files from the two respective games, and several player skins can be unlocked if the player has save files from The Precursor Legacy, Jak II, Jak 3 and Insomniac Games' Ratchet: Deadlocked.

Common elements

Setting

Jak and Daxter is set in a fictional universe. The first game takes place in a world brimming with various natural environments that are encompassed by village settlements, and ancient Precursor ruins can be found dotted throughout the landscape. An elemental substance called Eco is prominent throughout the game and is considered the world's life source. Eco comes in several forms, Red Eco, Blue Eco, Yellow Eco, Green Eco, Light Eco and Dark Eco, each with different prospective effects. Subsequent entries are set in a future setting that has witnessed large advancements in both society and technology, mainly taking place in cities and other larger settlements. However, beyond those cities lies some, yet fewer natural environments with many platforming segments, akin to the first game. Overall, there are many distinct and differing environments available to discover and explore. All three main titles take place in an open world with no load times - a goal emphasized heavily since the first game.

Characters

Main article: List of Jak and Daxter characters

The two main characters of the series.

The Jak and Daxter universe is populated primarily by a humanoid elfish species. Jak is the main protagonist of the series, and is playable in every game with the exception of Daxter. In The Precursor Legacy, he accidentally turned Daxter from a human into an ottsel (a fictional hybrid of an otter and weasel) and sets out to undo the transformation. In Jak II, he is infused with Dark Eco due to experimentations performed by Baron Praxis, and in Jak 3 he is blessed with Light Eco by the Precursors. In Jak X, he is forced to race in the Kras City Grand Championship in order to save his life. He later travels to The Brink to investigate the Eco shortage that is ravaging his world in The Lost Frontier.

Daxter is Jak's sidekick, and is often found getting into trouble. Daxter was once a human but fell into a pit of Dark Eco in the opening cutscene of the first game in the series, which mutated him into an ottsel. He rescues Jak at the beginning of Jak II, and becomes playable intermittently for the first time in the series. In Jak 3 his role is expanded, and he gets a pair of pants as a reward for his efforts, as was an ongoing gag in the game. In Daxter, he details his adventures in the two-year time span before he managed to break Jak out of prison. In Jak X, he accompanies Jak and his friends to Kras City, and assists them as they compete in the Kras City Grand Championship. He later travels with Jak and Keira to The Brink in The Lost Frontier.

Games

Title	Details
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy Original release date(s): JP: December 20, 2001 EU: December 7, 2001 NA: December 3, 2001	Release years by system: 2001 – PlayStation 2 2012 – PlayStation 3 2013 – PlayStation Vita 2017 – PlayStation 4
	Notes: Developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Re-released as part of a high-definition collection.
Jak II Original release date(s): JP: March 11, 2004 EU: October 17, 2003 NA: October 14, 2003	Release years by system: 2003 – PlayStation 2 2012 – PlayStation 3 2013 – PlayStation Vita 2017 – PlayStation 4
	Notes: Developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Re-released as part of a high-definition collection. Released as Jak II: Renegade in Europe.
Jak 3 Original release date(s): EU: November 26, 2004 NA: November 9, 2004	Release years by system: 2004 – PlayStation 2 2012 – PlayStation 3 2013 – PlayStation Vita 2017 – PlayStation 4
	Notes: Developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Re-released as part of a high-definition collection. The game was not released in Japan.
Jak X: Combat Racing Original release date(s): EU: November 4, 2005 NA: October 18, 2005	Release years by system: 2005 – PlayStation 2 2017 – PlayStation 4
	Notes: Developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Released as Jak X in Europe and Africa. The game was not released in Japan.
Daxter Original release date(s): EU: April 13, 2006 NA: March 14, 2006	Release years by system: 2006 – PlayStation Portable
	Notes: Developed by Ready at Dawn and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game was not released in Japan.
The Lost Frontier Original release date(s): JP: November 19, 2009 EU: November 20, 2009 NA: November 3, 2009	Release years by system: 2009 – PlayStation 2 2009 – PlayStation Portable
	Notes: Originally developed by High Impact Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PSP. Also released for the PlayStation 2.
Jak and Daxter Collection Original release date(s): EU: February 22, 2012 NA: February 7, 2012	Release years by system: 2012 – PlayStation 3 2013 – PlayStation Vita 2017 – PlayStation 4
	Notes: Developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The port was handled by Mass Media Inc. The game was not released in Japan. Known as The Jak and Daxter Trilogy in Europe. The Playstation 4 version also includes the fourth game.

Critical reception

Aggregate review scores

Game	Metacritic
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy	90/100
Jak II	87/100
Jak 3	84/100
Jak X: Combat Racing	76/100
Daxter	85/100
Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier	71/100 (PSP) 72/100 (PS2)
Jak and Daxter Collection	81/100 (PS3) 67/100 (VITA)

With physical and digital copies combined, the Jak and Daxter franchise has sold over 15 million games worldwide (as of April 2017). Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy received critical acclaim from several reviewers as compiled by review aggregator Metacritic, with the game having the highest score in the franchise at 90/100. Jak II, Jak 3, Daxter, and Jak and Daxter Collection (PS3) all received generally favorable reception, while Jak X: Combat Racing only received mixed reception. The Lost Frontier also only had mixed reception and, not including the PlayStation Vita port of Jak and Daxter Collection, it has the lowest score in the series from Metacritic (71/100).

The series has received critical acclaim for its innovation in the platform genre. The series holds seven records in the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition, 2008, with The Precursor Legacy holding a record for including the First Seamless 3D World in a Console Game. Jack DeVries of IGN referred to the series as "the best action platformers of [that] generation," praising the "huge worlds, memorable characters, action packed stories, and great gameplay". Jeffrey Matulef of Eurogamer stated that "the Jak and Daxter series may not be as solid a platformer as Sly Cooper and its gunplay isn't as refined as Ratchet & Clank's – but in terms of ambition, invention and grandiosity, it remains leagues above its last-gen platforming brethren".

The series has also received praise for its diverse gameplay styles. Matt Helgeson of Game Informer noted that the "series was driven by a restless sense of innovation," praising "Naughty Dog's work in this franchise [for creating] great characters, finely tuned gameplay, and a unceasing inventiveness". Helgeson also declared that the Jak games stand up as epic adventures". Matulef further stated that "the Jak and Daxter series remains a fascinating document of the evolution of the action adventure; its heroes are unstuck in time, without a genre to call home. No series has been so willing to switch gameplay styles with such reckless abandon, and The Jak and Daxter Trilogy represents a shining example of what happens when a capable developer takes a huge risk." GameSpot stated that the franchise's "tight execution and heavy action elements ensure that things never become dull," adding that the franchise "manages to provide a rewarding gameplay experience that shouldn't be missed".

Merchandise

Naughty Dog have released various forms of merchandise since the series' inception. These include strategy guides for each game, several forms of clothing and collectible figures. A limited edition Precursor orb was also released to celebrate the series' 10th anniversary.

Miscellaneous media

The Jak and Daxter series has been featured in a variety of other media since its inception.

• In LittleBigPlanet, 2 and Karting, a Jak costume and a Daxter costume are available for Sackboy through bonus add-ons.
• Jak and Daxter appeared as playable characters in the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita title PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale.
• In Ratchet: Deadlocked, Jak appears as an alternate skin for Ratchet.
• In Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, Daxter appears wearing a leopard loincloth as a museum treasure. Its description reads "The Lutrela Nivadensis is a rare hybrid species of the Carnivora family. It is known for its orange fur and loud mouth."
• A "Strange Relic" can be discovered in multiple games in the Uncharted series, another game series developed by Naughty Dog. It is a copy of the Precursor orbs found in the Jak and Daxter universe, and when translated reads "NaughtyDog, Madman."
• Jak appears alongside Ratchet as a playable character in Hot Shots Golf Fore! and Daxter acts as a golf caddy.
• Jak and Daxter appear on posters in various games in the Ratchet & Clank universe.
• Jak and Daxter appear in several background cameos in Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando.
• Daxter is referenced in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, with "Ottsel" written across Nathan Drake's swimsuit, and a picture of Daxter's face on the sleeve.
• Daxter is featured as a free DLC character in the PlayStation 3-exclusive game PAIN.
• In Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, a pair of Jak Goggles can be purchased from the PlayStation Store for use in multiplayer.
• In The Last of Us, Jak and Daxter make several cameos in the form of easter eggs and unlockable outfits.
• In The Order: 1886, Daxter appears in the form of an easter egg. The game is developed by Ready at Dawn.

Future

Evan Wells revealed that they had explored the idea of making a new game extensively before the development began on The Last of Us. Creative director Neil Druckmann later unveiled several illustrations for the abandoned game at a conference for The Last of Us. He explained that they had planned on making a reboot of the series and had spent a long time exploring various concepts.

In response to an alleged concept art leak in 2016, Naughty Dog's Director of Communication Arne Meyer stated that nothing was currently being worked on. Also, due to circumstances at Naughty Dog, Jak and Daxter has not yet been reconsidered, but is never off the table.

In 2019, Limited Run Games released a commemorative mock case for the unreleased Jak and Daxter reboot. The mock case uses the title Jak IV and features concept art from the scrapped reboot that was featured in Naughty Dog's coffee table book, The Art of Naughty Dog. The case, in addition to a digital theme code, was given to anyone who purchased all four Jak and Daxter titles directly from the Limited Run Games website.