GameTimeline

Release & story order

Jak and Daxter timeline

Naughty Dog's Jak saga from The Precursor Legacy (2001) through The Lost Frontier (2009)—US release dates, one Haven City storyline, and FAQ for where the Daxter PSP adventure fits, Jak X racing chapter, and Lost Frontier canon.

Updated June 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Naughty Dog and partners shipped each chapter—The Precursor Legacy (2001), Jak II (2003), Jak 3 (2004), Daxter PSP (2005), Jak X: Combat Racing (2005), then The Lost Frontier (2009). HD Collection bundles are FAQ-only.

  • Full saga → Story tab order—Daxter before Jak II
  • Release order → how the fanbase experienced 2001–2009 launches
  • Jak X is short racing—still canon story epilogue to Jak 3
  • Lost Frontier last—made after Naughty Dog moved to Uncharted—FAQ
Story order tips

One continuous arc: Precursor Legacy → Daxter (PSP) → Jak II → Jak 3 → Jak X → The Lost Frontier. Release order places Daxter after Jak 3—it chronologically bridges Precursor Legacy and Jak II.

  • Core canon: Precursor Legacy → Daxter → Jak II → Jak 3 → Jak X → Lost Frontier
  • Daxter covers Daxter's solo missions while Jak is imprisoned—before Jak II gameplay
  • Jak II tone shift is intentional—dark Haven City after Precursor Legacy
  • On Story order, later Haven City entries may be hidden—reveal when ready

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

    Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

    PS2PlatformerMainline

    Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001). Jak and Daxter on the Precursor quest—classic platformer. It marks the PS2 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Naughty Dog's PS2 launch showcase—Eco, Precursors, and open hub worlds.
    In-game setting
    Story chapter one—innocent adventure before Haven City. Use neighboring rows with Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Essential start—tone is lighter than Jak II onward. Play Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch December 3, 2001. Shipped around 2001 on PS2; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  2. Jak II

    Jak II

    PS2Action-adventureMainline

    Jak II (2003). Haven City—Dark Jak and the Metal Head war. It marks the PS2 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    GTA-style city hub, guns, and time-travel opening—series reinvention.
    In-game setting
    Story after Daxter PSP bridge—play Daxter on Story order first. Use neighboring rows with Jak II to align cast continuity across Release and Story. Darker urban turn—craft echoes later in Uncharted.
    Should you play it?
    Major tone shift—still required mainline. Play Jak II where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US launch June 3, 2003. Shipped around 2003 on PS2; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  3. Jak 3

    Jak 3

    PS2Action-adventureMainline

    Jak 3 (2004). Wasteland exile—final battle for Haven City. It marks the PS2 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Open wasteland, vehicles, and Light/Dark Eco climax. Jak 3 refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Trilogy finale before Jak X epilogue. Use neighboring rows with Jak 3 to align cast continuity across Release and Story. Trilogy closer before ND pivoted to Uncharted and The Last of Us.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Jak II—continues same cast. Play Jak 3 where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US launch November 9, 2004. Shipped around 2004 on PS2; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  4. Daxter

    Daxter

    PSPPlatformerSide story

    Daxter solo on PSP—US Release after Jak 3. It marks the PSP ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Ready at Dawn prequel side story—2.5D platforming on PSP. Daxter refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Release row after Jak 3—Story row before Jak II. Use neighboring rows with Daxter to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Short but canon—do not skip on Story order. Play Daxter where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US PSP launch March 14, 2005. Shipped around 2005 on PSP; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  5. Jak X: Combat Racing

    Jak X: Combat Racing

    PS2RacingMainline

    Jak X: Combat Racing (2005). Combat racing after Jak 3—Krew's posthumous plot. It marks the PS2 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Vehicle combat focus—still Naughty Dog canon epilogue. Jak X: Combat Racing refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Story after Jak 3—before Lost Frontier. Use neighboring rows with Jak X: Combat Racing to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Shorter than core trilogy—still Story row. Play Jak X: Combat Racing where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US launch October 18, 2005. Shipped around 2005 on PS2; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  6. The Lost Frontier

    The Lost Frontier

    PS2PSPAction-adventureMainline

    The Lost Frontier (2009). Aeropan and the Precursor legacy—High Impact Games. It marks the PS2, PSP ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Not developed by Naughty Dog—continues Jak's Eco powers on PS2/PSP. The Lost Frontier refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Latest classic saga chapter as of June 2026. Use neighboring rows with The Lost Frontier to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Play last—canon status debated in FAQ. Play The Lost Frontier where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US launch November 3, 2009. Shipped around 2009 on PS2, PSP; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Daxter placement, Jak X and Lost Frontier, and where to start.

Release order

Release order follows US launch dates: Precursor Legacy (2001) → Jak II (2003) → Jak 3 (2004) → Daxter (2005) → Jak X (2005) → Lost Frontier (2009). Story order moves Daxter to after Precursor Legacy and before Jak II—it covers Daxter's solo missions during the gap before Jak II opens. All other entries match on both tracks.

Play Daxter after The Precursor Legacy and before Jak II on story order. It released in 2005 (after Jak 3 on the calendar) but chronologically bridges the first game and Haven City. Skipping it loses how Daxter freed Jak and setup for Jak II's opening.

Full canon: Story tab order on Jak and Daxter Collection (PS4/PS5 via backward compatibility) or PS3 legacy bundle—FAQ. Minimum trilogy: Precursor Legacy → Daxter → Jak II → Jak 3, then add Jak X and Lost Frontier if you want the full arc. No native PC release as of June 2026.

Story & canon

Jak X: Combat Racing is a canon epilogue after Jak 3—shorter racing focus but continues the cast and Krew plot threads. The Lost Frontier comes after Jak X and ends the classic saga. You can stop after Jak 3 for the core trilogy, but Story order includes both.

The Lost Frontier was developed by High Impact Games, not Naughty Dog, but Sony positioned it as the next Jak chapter after Jak X. Most saga playthroughs include it as the final Story row. If you skip it, you still get closure from Jak 3 + Jak X—FAQ for completionists only.

Collections & ports

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.