Naughty Dog's Game Release Timeline: From Crash Bandicoot to The Last of Us

From defining the 3D platformer genre with Crash Bandicoot to crafting one of gaming’s most poignant narratives in The Last of Us, Naughty Dog stands as a titan in game development. Known for its genre-spanning franchises, the studio’s iconic paw print logo represents blockbuster productions, emotionally charged stories, and unforgettable characters that resonate beyond gaming.

Naughty Dog’s journey from vibrant, family-friendly platformers to a powerhouse of intense, mature narratives spans nearly two dozen titles, from fantasy RPGs to educational math games. Here’s a complete rundown of every Naughty Dog game released through 2025.

How Many Naughty Dog Games Exist?

Every IGN Naughty Dog Game Review

Naughty Dog has released 23 games, starting with its debut in 1985 and culminating with its latest in 2022. The list below covers all game releases, standalone expansions, and remakes, excluding remasters like The Last of Us Part 2 Remaster and DLC.

Naughty Dog Games in Release Order

1. Math Jam - 1985

The foundation for Naughty Dog’s legacy, Math Jam was a joint effort by founders Jason Rubin and Andy Gavin. Built for the Apple II under the JAM banner, this self-published title, created during their high school years, focused on teaching basic arithmetic.

Designed as an educational tool, Math Jam marked the duo’s entry into game development, but they soon shifted their focus to purely recreational projects.

2. Ski Crazed - 1986

Released in 1986 when Rubin and Gavin were just 16, Ski Crazed was their second title for the Apple II. Players navigated treacherous ski slopes, dodging obstacles to achieve high scores in a fast-paced, arcade-style experience.

3. Dream Zone - 1987

In 1987, Rubin and Gavin ventured into point-and-click adventures with Dream Zone. This satirical fantasy game places players in a dreamworld, navigating quirky characters and surreal challenges to escape the protagonist’s subconscious.

4. Keef the Thief - 1989

Adopting the Naughty Dog name and partnering with EA, Keef the Thief was a comedic point-and-click adventure. Players controlled Keef, a roguish thief, exploring a sprawling city and wilderness, stealing items and interacting with colorful NPCs.

5. Rings of Power - 1991

In 1991, Naughty Dog teamed up with EA for Rings of Power on the SEGA Genesis. This isometric RPG follows sorcerer Buc in the fantasy world of Ushka Bau, assembling a party to recover a shattered magical staff and confront the demon Void.

6. Way of the Warrior - 1994

Exploring the fighting genre, Way of the Warrior launched on the 3DO in 1994. Players selected a fighter to battle through a brutal tournament, carving their legacy through intense combat.

7. Crash Bandicoot - 1996

Naughty Dog’s breakthrough hit, Crash Bandicoot, debuted in 1996 on the PlayStation. This vibrant 3D platformer follows Crash, a mutated marsupial, as he escapes the clutches of evil scientist Doctor Neo Cortex.

Players tackle challenging levels, battling Cortex’s mutated minions in a colorful, hazard-filled world. The game’s success launched a enduring franchise for Naughty Dog and Sony.

8. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back - 1997

The sequel, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, continues Crash’s battle against Neo Cortex, who seeks magical crystals to power his space-bound Cortex Vortex. Across 25 dynamic levels, players face new mechanics, enemies, and bosses.

9. Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped - 1998

Concluding Naughty Dog’s Crash trilogy, Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped follows the crash of Cortex’s space station, unleashing Uka Uka, Aku Aku’s evil sibling. Crash and sister Coco time-travel to collect crystals, facing 25 new levels and a new playable character, Coco.

10. Crash Team Racing - 1999

A spin-off, Crash Team Racing shifts Crash Bandicoot into arcade racing. Players control Crash, Cortex, Coco, or others, speeding through perilous tracks in single- or multiplayer races.

11. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy - 2001

In 2001, Naughty Dog launched Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, a new 3D platformer. Best friends Jak and Daxter seek to reverse Daxter’s transformation into an otter-weasel hybrid after exposure to dark eco, uncovering a world-saving mission against villains Gol and Maia.

Unlike Crash’s linear stages, this game offers expansive worlds filled with Precursor Orbs for players to collect freely.

12. Jak 2 - 2003

Jak 2 reinvents the series with a darker tone, thrusting Jak and Daxter into a dystopian future in Haven City. After brutal experiments unleash Dark Jak, the duo joins a rebel militia to topple corrupt leader Baron Praxis, introducing guns, vehicles, and sci-fi aesthetics.

13. Jak 3 - 2004

Closing the Jak and Daxter trilogy, Jak 3 begins with the duo exiled to The Wasteland. Taking refuge in Spargus, they uncover sinister plots threatening Haven City, gaining new vehicles, light eco powers, and weapons to save their home.

14. Jak X: Combat Racing - 2005

Following the trilogy, Jak X: Combat Racing delivers arcade racing action. Players race as Jak or his allies across treacherous tracks in single- or multiplayer modes.

15. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune - 2007

Debuting on the PlayStation 3, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune marks Naughty Dog’s shift to cinematic storytelling. Treasure hunter Nathan Drake searches for El Dorado in the Amazon, battling pirates in a third-person shooter with platforming elements, setting the stage for a blockbuster franchise.

16. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - 2009

In Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Nathan Drake hunts the Cintamani Stone in the Himalayas, betrayed by a friend and facing war criminal Zoran Lazarevic. Packed with intense combat, platforming, and cinematic set pieces, it elevates the Uncharted formula.

17. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception - 2011

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception follows Nathan Drake racing to uncover the Atlantis of the Sands against villain Katherine Marlowe. Set in the Rub' al Khali desert, Drake confronts his past in a thrilling PlayStation 3-era finale.

18. The Last of Us - 2013

A landmark title, The Last of Us arrived in 2013, set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal infection. Smuggler Joel and immune teen Ellie seek The Fireflies, forging a profound bond amid stealth-heavy combat and a gripping tale of survival, later adapted into an HBO series in 2023.

19. The Last of Us: Left Behind - 2014

The Last of Us: Left Behind, a standalone prequel, alternates between Ellie protecting an injured Joel and flashbacks of her exploring a mall with friend Riley. It blends action with deep storytelling, enriching Ellie’s backstory.

20. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End - 2016

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End concludes Nathan Drake’s saga, pulling him from retirement to hunt Henry Avery’s treasure with his brother Sam. Enhanced by PlayStation 4’s power, it introduces grappling hooks, open levels, and stunning visuals.

21. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy - 2017

A standalone expansion, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy stars Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross seeking the Tusk of Ganesh in India. With open-ended levels, it offers flexible gameplay within a vast map.

22. The Last of Us: Part II - 2020

The Last of Us: Part II centers on Ellie seeking revenge in Seattle after a life-altering event in Jackson. Enhanced stealth, smarter AI, and a polarizing yet ambitious story elevate this post-apocalyptic sequel.

23. The Last of Us: Part I - 2022

Released in 2022, The Last of Us: Part I is a full remake of the original, including Left Behind, with next-gen visuals, improved gameplay, and advanced accessibility options for PlayStation 5.

Future Naughty Dog Projects

Naughty Dog’s next venture, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, unveiled at the 2024 Game Awards, marks their first new IP since The Last of Us. Likely targeting a 2027 release for the PS6 era, it’s deep in development. Studio head Neil Druckmann has teased a concept for The Last of Us Part 3, though not confirmed, suggesting one final chapter. Meanwhile, The Last of Us Season 2, adapting Part II, premieres on Max this weekend.