Summary
- Disney's Stitch: Experiment 626 was a solid platformer tied to a popular film.
- Herdy Gerdy blended puzzle and strategy mechanics in a unique platforming experience.
- Ape Escape 3 is an underrated gem, leveling up the series with improved visuals and gameplay.
When it came to platformers in the early 2000s, Nintendo was the undisputed heavyweight champion — Super Mario Sunshine, Banjo-Tooie, Kirby 64, to name just a few of the titles dominating players' screens. But with the arrival of the PlayStation 2, Sony's golden age had officially begun. And with Nintendo firmly in their sights as the rival to beat, Sony knew it was time to throw down in the platforming arena.
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Platformers have been around since the very beginning, but their quality has rarely dipped. Here are the best platformers from the 2000s!
Many gamers know what came next: Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, Sly Cooper, plus fresh installments from Rayman and Crash Bandicoot. All great games. But sadly, some platforming gems from that era have been all but forgotten by Sony. Not by the fans, though. Here's a look back at the best platformers you can only experience by dusting off your PlayStation 2. No cloud ports, no remasters, no remakes. Well… not yet, anyway.
6 Disney's Stitch: Experiment 626 (2002)
A Platformer Elevated By Its Disney IP
- Release: June 19, 2002
- Developer: High Voltage Software
For a film that was considered a smash hit, Lilo & Stitch ended up with just three official video game tie-ins. So, for fans craving more than a live-action remake of their favorite blue alien, 2002’s Disney's Stitch: Experiment 626 serves as a welcome prequel to the original film.
The game itself is a fairly straightforward platformer, putting players in control of Stitch in his multi-armed form as he becomes Death, destroyer of United Galactic Federation soldiers. As video game tie-ins go, it’s surprisingly solid. The bar wasn’t exactly high back then, but it still deserves some kudos; that kind of quality was rare.
5 Herdy Gerdy (2002)
A Unique Platformer With Unique Ideas
- Release: February 22, 2002
- Developer: Core Design
Herdy Gerdy is a hodgepodge, blending platforming with puzzle and strategy mechanics. Strip it down to its core, though, and it’s essentially a shepherd simulator.
In the game, players must herd (and gerd) a bunch of fictional creatures into their pens. Sounds simple, right? But with early 2000s artificial intelligence powering these pixelated numbskulls and almost nonexistent collision detection, the game’s challenges were straight up infuriating. Still, the game’s whimsical fairytale aesthetic managed to charm its way past most of its flaws.
And if nothing else, it’s a proud contender in the Cousin Game subgenre. You know the type.
4 Kya: Dark Lineage (2003)
The Love It Or Hate It Platforming Game
Kya: Dark Lineage
- Released
- November 18, 2003
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2
Some games have a way of splitting critics right down the middle, and Kya: Dark Lineage is a prime example. Lauded by some, derided by others — calling its reception “mixed” feels… well, quite accurate, actually.
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Still, there’s a solid platformer hidden beneath the dodgy camera and clunky controls. It’s simple, sure, but surprisingly satisfying once you get into the rhythm. That said, one element is hard to overlook: the writing.
Character names feel like they were made up on the spot. We’ve got villains like Brazul, his minions the Wolfen, and, because why not, Kya’s half-brother… Frank. And no, we’re not even going to start unpacking the Nooties.
3 Haven: Call Of The King (2002)
A Noble Effort In The Platforming Genre
- Release: November 18, 2002
- Developer: Traveller's Tales
Haven: Call of the King is another ambitious multi-genre platformer that leans hard into action-adventure. It’s a complicated game, full of high highs and some pretty rough lows. But when it hits its stride, it delivers a genuinely entertaining experience. How long that lasts, though, really depends on the player.
This one almost slipped the surly bonds of the PS2, with ports once planned for the Xbox, GameCube, and even the Game Boy Advance. But thanks to lackluster sales, those plans were scrapped. So, for now, Haven remains tucked away in PS2-exclusive obscurity.
2 Stretch Panic (2001)
This Platformer Was A Stretch Of The Imagination
Stretch Panic
- Released
- July 27, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2
Stretch Panic (or Freak Out for readers outside the US) was an ambitious leap into 3D from Japanese studio Treasure Co. Ltd, having already mastered the 2D plane. The result? A wildly inventive platformer starring Linda and her living, hand-shaped scarf.
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The real hook was the ability to manually deform elements in the gameworld using that scarf. Players could pinch, pull, and slingshot geometric enemies or environmental objects with enough force to smite anything in Linda’s way. It’s a game that truly needs to be seen to be believed.
And with its vibrant color palette and offbeat character designs, it looked like nothing else on the shelves at the time.
1 Ape Escape 3 (2005)
The 'Return Of The King' Of The Ape Escape Franchise
Ape Escape 3
- Released
- July 14, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sony Computer Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Computer Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Action, Puzzle, Platformer
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2
Ape Escape 3 doesn’t get the love it deserves, which borders on criminal, considering it might just be the best entry in the series. It took everything that made the first two games special and leveled them up: sharper visuals, bigger set pieces, and far better boss battles.
There have been whispers about these runaway primates making their way to PS Premium, but for now, they’re still at large. In the meantime, players can revisit the first two entries to tide them over until the inevitable return finally drops.