Sony preparing a wave of new PS2 exclusives

The PlayStation 2 is set to receive a raft of new first-party exclusive titles later this year, with third instalments for Jak and Ratchet & Clank planned, along with a sequel for Sly Raccoon and a possible follow-up to The Mark of Kri.

Jak III and Ratchet & Clank 3 are in development at Naughty Dog and Insomniac Games respectively, and are both expected to arrive next autumn in the USA and Europe, while Sly Raccoon's sequel is being worked on by Sucker Punch and is so far undated.

Meanwhile Sony's San Diego Studios is apparently working on a sequel to The Mark of Kri, which was well-received by critics when it launched around a year ago but didn't perform so well commercially. SCEA is apparently adopting a "wait and see" approach on the development of this title, so whether it actually appears in the end is still undecided.

The arrival of second sequels for Jak and R&C is unsurprising, given the success of previous games in both series - with R&C being particularly noteworthy for achieving a significant level of success in the tough Japanese market, while Jak & Daxter can largely take credit for establishing the PS2 as the console of choice for platform game fans this generation.

Jak III and R&C 2 will form a key part of Sony's offering in the run up to next Christmas - providing a family-friendly set of titles for the PS2, a vital role given that it's likely that shortly after they launch, Rockstar's next GTA title will suddenly start eclipsing everything else on the platform.