Ethan Crossfield 
Sly Cooper is finally heading toward PC, although not through an official Sony release. Project Cane, a fan-made effort, is rebuilding Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus so it can run natively on computers rather than through emulation. The project is still in early development, but a demonstration is already available, making it worth watching for fans who have never had an official PC version to play.
What changed for Sly Cooper fans
Project Cane aims to recreate the original Sly Cooper game’s code for PC while continuing to use the game’s original data. That approach is intended to produce a native port instead of relying on a PlayStation 2 emulator. The team has shown a demonstration featuring the “A Stealthy Approach” mission, including both gameplay and cutscenes. This provides an early look at how the project is progressing, but it should not be treated as a finished release.
The effort would mark the first native playable PC version of the Sly Cooper franchise. Until now, the series has remained tied to Sony hardware. The original trilogy was released during the PlayStation 2 era, while The Sly Collection later brought those first three games to PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time also launched on Sony consoles, leaving PC players without an official native option.
Who should pay attention to the project
Project Cane is primarily relevant to players who want to revisit one of Sony’s most recognizable mascot platformers on modern computer hardware. Sly Cooper became one of Sony’s prominent early-2000s franchises through stealth-focused platforming and the adventures of its raccoon protagonist. The trilogy received broad praise from both critics and fans, but the series has not received a fully new entry since Thieves in Time in 2012.
The project may also interest players tracking dormant PlayStation properties. Sucker Punch has referenced Sly Cooper in other games, including Ghost of Yotei, but the studio has indicated that it is likely finished with the franchise. That makes a fan-led PC project the most immediate development for people hoping to see the classic game reach a new audience. It is not, however, a replacement for an official sequel or remaster.
What players should expect next
There is no confirmed release date for Project Cane, and its early-development status means the scope and timing could change. For now, the available demonstration is the clearest way to follow the work. Players interested in the project should watch for future development updates rather than expect a complete PC port in the near term.
The project arrives at a time when Sony’s mascot platformers remain culturally relevant, even if they are less common than they were in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Jak and Daxter continues to attract calls for a remake, Ratchet and Clank has returned through newer releases, and Astro Bot recently demonstrated the strength of the platforming mascot format by winning Game of the Year at the 2024 Game Awards. Project Cane could give Sly Cooper a similar opportunity to re-enter the conversation, provided the fan port reaches completion.
What players should know
- Project Cane is developing a native PC version of Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus.
- The project is rebuilding the original game’s code rather than requiring an emulator.
- A demonstration features the “A Stealthy Approach” mission, cutscenes, and gameplay.
- Development is still in its early stages, with no confirmed release date.
- The port would be the franchise’s first native playable version on PC.
Expert View
Project Cane is a promising preservation effort because it targets a major gap in Sly Cooper’s release history, but the demonstration is only an early milestone. Fans should follow the project with cautious interest: it offers the clearest path yet to a native PC experience, while its unfinished status and lack of a release date make waiting the sensible choice for anyone seeking a complete game.
