History VideoGame / SlyCooperAndTheThieviusRaccoonus

The first game of the ''VideoGame/SlyCooper'' series, released in 2002 for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 console. Also known as ''Sly Raccoon'' in European and Australian territories.

* BinomiumRidiculus: ''Every'' {{Mook}} in the game gets one as part of their FlavorText. Even the game's title plays into the motif, though it refers to a book instead of a species.

* ConsoleCameo: If you look around the gang's hideout after beating Muggshot but before beating Mz. Ruby, you can see Murray playing a game on a [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation}} PS one]], complete with that console's obscure LCD attachment.

* DropTheHammer: The weapon of choice for the mallet-wielding walrus guards, a.k.a "Thor [=McCracken=]", from "Tide of Terror".

* FlavorText: One of the unlockable bonuses about halfway through the game lets you see this for every {{Mook}} you encounter, listing their name and [[BinomiumRidiculus "species"]].

!!This game has the examples of:

* MercyMode: If you die enough in a level, the game will give you a free horseshoe or two, similarly to how ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot'' games after the first will give you a free Aku Aku mask.

* DeathDealer: One of the enemies in Mesa City throws a spread of cards at you.

* LandOfDragons: The Panda King's compound plays this to the hilt. Dragons and paper lanterns are everywhere, fireworks are a key platforming mechanic, and the whole place is guarded by legions of [[AllAsiansKnowMartialArts martial-artist]] ManiacMonkeys. Also veers into InterchangeableAsianCultures, with bonsai trees and nunchaku in the mix; Murray at one point even complains about having to drive on the "wrong" side of the road.

->''"On this mission, I would either become a master thief like my ancestors before me... or fail, and allow my family name to bite the dust!"''

** The game plays like a linear 3D platformer, akin the VideoGame/CrashBandicoot games, where you simply have to get from the start to the end of a stage while [[GottaCatchThemAll collecting as many keys and bottles as you can,]] compared to the later games where you have to complete jobs to set up a big heist, while still collecting bottles and other collectables.

** It plays like a more traditional platformer, where you simply have to get to the end of the stage and [[GottaCatchThemAll collect as many keys and bottles as you can,]] compared to the later games where you have to complete jobs to set up a big heist (while still collecting bottles).
** The game's story is very simplistic and lighthearted with only one major twist at the end. In contrast the sequels go for much bigger stories, a darker tone and more twists before the endgame.

** Murray is not the LargeHam BloodKnight "The Murray" he would become from the second game onwards, being more of an example of TheLoad who was just there to drive the gang around. His role was also much smaller.

** New moves are found by reclaiming ''Thievius Raccoonus'' pages instead of being bought off [=ThiefNet=] with coins, which themselves [[LawOfOneHundred are only used to grant horseshoes and extra lives]].
** The artstyle is also different compared to the later games which had a more consistent look.