Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus vs Sly 2: Band of Thieves
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.


Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus is a classic stealth-platformer developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Players control Sly Cooper, a master raccoon thief, alongside his loyal gang members Bentley and Murray, as they embark on an international mission to track down the Fiendish Five and retrieve their ancient family guidebook. The gameplay blends precise platforming, stealth mechanics, puzzle-solving, and light combat across five visually distinct, hub-based worlds. Featuring vibrant cel-shaded graphics, humorous storytelling, and rewarding exploration involving clue bottles and safes, it offers a memorable single-player adventure that challenges players to bypass security systems, dodge spotlights, and outsmart dangerous bosses.
Sly 2: Band of Thieves is a critically acclaimed stealth-action platformer developed by Sucker Punch Productions and released for the PlayStation 2. Set two years after the defeat of Clockwerk, master thief Sly Cooper teams up with his loyal friends Bentley and Murray to pull off elaborate heists, dismantle the criminal Klaww Gang, and reclaim the scattered pieces of Clockwerk's body before they fall into the wrong hands. Expanding significantly upon its predecessor, the game introduces open-ended mission structures, highly improved stealth mechanics, and the ability to seamlessly switch between three playable characters, each equipped with distinct skills and abilities. Players will navigate diverse global locationsโfrom Paris to the Indian jungleโusing cunning strategy, agility, and teamwork to outsmart enemies and evade Inspector Carmelita Fox.
- Charmingly stylish cel-shaded art direction
- Engaging mix of stealth and platforming mechanics
- Memorable cast of quirky characters
- Rewarding hidden collectibles and time trials
- Engaging multi-character gameplay with unique mechanics for Sly, Bentley, and Murray
- Well-designed open-ended mission structures that offer varied heist planning
- Charming story, memorable characters, and stylish cel-shaded art direction
- Substantial gameplay improvements and expanded stealth mechanics over the original
- Linear level progression limits open-world exploration
- Single-player only with no multiplayer modes
- Fixed camera angles can occasionally hinder platforming precision
- No multiplayer mode available for cooperative or competitive play
- Limited to the original PlayStation 2 platform release era
- Some missions can feel repetitive if stealth approaches fail repeatedly
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
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Join Sly Cooper and his crew as they recruit new allies to unlock the legendary Cooper Vault.

Join Sly Cooper and his gang in a stealth-action heist adventure to recover Clockwerk parts.
Alternatives to Sly 2: Band of Thieves
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Infiltrate enemy territory and recover your family's stolen thieving legacy.

Join Sly Cooper and his crew as they recruit new allies to unlock the legendary Cooper Vault.

Join Sly Cooper and his gang in a time-traveling stealth platforming adventure.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth are solid singleโplayer stealthโplatformers at the same price, but Slyโฏ2 offers deeper, openโended heist design while the original focuses on tighter, linear levels.
Key differences
- โขSlyโฏ2 lets you control three distinct characters with unique abilities; the original only lets you play as Sly.
- โขMission structure: Slyโฏ2 provides openโended, multiโapproach heists; the original uses linear hubโworld levels.
- โขCritical reception: Slyโฏ2 scored 80/100, the original 83/100, indicating slightly higher reviewer praise for the original.
- โขAge rating: Slyโฏ2 is PEGIโฏ3 (more familyโfriendly) versus PEGIโฏ7 for the original.
- โขRelease era: Slyโฏ2 (2004) includes laterโgeneration improvements over the 2002 original.
Gameplay & fun factor
Slyโฏ2 adds three playable characters and openโended missions, expanding variety beyond the original's linear design.
Platform availability
Both are PlayStationโฏ2 era titles with no listed modern ports; availability is equivalent.
Price & value
Both priced identically at $19.99, offering comparable cost for a single purchase.
Multiplayer / coโop
Both are singleโplayer only; no multiplayer modes in either game.
Content & replayability
Openโended missions and multiple character abilities in Slyโฏ2 give higher replay potential than the original's linear levels.
Difficulty & accessibility
Original has a higher PEGI rating (7) suggesting slightly more mature challenges; Slyโฏ2โs PEGIโฏ3 is more accessible to younger players.
Graphics & performance
Both use celโshaded art style from the same era; no performance differences are specified.
Choose Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus ifโฆ
Buyers who prefer a slightly higherโrated, classic linear platform experience.
Choose Sly 2: Band of Thieves ifโฆ
Buyers who want varied character play and flexible mission design.
Common questions
Do either of these games support multiplayer?
No; both are singleโplayer only.
Is there a price difference between the two?
No; both are priced at $19.99.
Which game has a higher critic score?
The original Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus has a higher critic score (83/100) than Slyโฏ2 (80/100).