You remember that feeling back in 2002? Sliding down power lines as a raccoon with a hook cane while a bumbling police inspector shouted about the law? Honestly, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus is one of those rare platformers that aged like a fine wine, mostly because the art style is timeless and the movement feels so snappy. But if you're coming back to it on the PS3, PS4, or the recent PS5/PS Plus versions, you’re likely here for the shiny Platinum trophy.
Getting the Sly Cooper trophy guide basics down isn't just about finishing the game. It’s about knowing which bottles you can ignore and which ones will make you want to throw your controller across the room. The good news? It’s arguably the easiest Platinum in the Sly trilogy. The bad news? If you miss one specific thing, you're backtracking through some very annoying levels involving a certain swamp.
The First Rule of Thievery: Don’t Panic Over the Bottles
Most people assume you need 100% completion for the Platinum. You don't. That’s a common misconception that scares off casual players. While you do need to collect all the Clue Bottles in several levels to unlock the safes, you don't actually need every single safe in the game to hit the trophy requirements.
Basically, the trophy list focuses on beating the bosses, learning specific moves, and finding enough bottles to unlock the abilities needed to progress. If you find yourself stuck on a tricky bottle in "The Fire in the Sky," just keep moving. You’ve got breathing room.
Why Mz. Ruby is Still a Nightmare
Let's talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the alligator in the swamp. The Mz. Ruby boss fight is a rhythm-based encounter that has frustrated players for over two decades. In the original PS2 version, the timing was tight. In some of the emulated versions, the audio lag can make it feel almost impossible.
To snag the "Dance, Dance, Ruby" trophy, you have to be precise. If you're playing on modern hardware, try switching your TV to "Game Mode" to reduce input latency. It sounds like a small thing, but when those voodoo symbols are flying at you, a few milliseconds are the difference between a trophy pop and a "Game Over" screen.
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Navigating the Hub Worlds
The game is split into several "hubs," each hosted by a member of the Fiendish Five. To get through your Sly Cooper trophy guide checklist efficiently, you should treat each hub as its own mini-ecosystem.
- Tide of Terror: This is Raleigh’s turf. It’s easy. Just focus on getting used to the jump-and-hit mechanics. You’ll get "Curiosity Killed the Cat" for finding your first Clue Bottle here. It’s almost impossible to miss.
- Sunset Snake Eyes: Muggshot’s territory. This is where the difficulty spikes slightly. Watch out for the dogs with tommy guns. There’s a trophy here called "Careful Over the Water" that requires you to stay dry.
- Vicious Voodoo: Mz. Ruby’s swamp. This is where most people quit their trophy hunt. Don’t be that guy. Use the "Slow" power-up if you’ve unlocked it; it makes the platforming significantly less stressful.
The "Master Thief" Moves You Actually Need
You’ll notice the trophy list asks you to "uncover" certain moves. These are found in the safes. To open a safe, you need all the Clue Bottles in that specific level. Bentley will then chime in with the code.
You don't need all of them. But you definitely want the Dive Move and the Slow Motion jump. Not only do these make the game easier, but they are tied directly to the progression trophies. Most of the combat moves, like the "Stun" or the "Centipede Strike," are cool but ultimately optional for the Platinum. Honestly, Sly’s base kit is so strong you barely need the extras, but for the sake of the Sly Cooper trophy guide, you’ll want to open at least 15 safes.
Dealing with the "Pro" Challenges
In the later releases of the game, specifically the "Sly Collection," there were added challenges. If you're playing the original PS3 trophy set, you might see "Master Thief Sprints." These are time trials. They are not required for the base Platinum trophy on the newer PS4/PS5 versions, which is a massive relief.
If you are on the PS3 and going for the 100%, my advice is simple: don't stop moving. The Sprints are tuned very tight. You need to use the "Roll" move (R1) constantly. It’s faster than running.
The Clockwerk Factor
The final stretch of the game involves the "Volcano Device" and the showdown with Clockwerk. This is where the game shifts from a platformer to a weird vehicle shooter/mini-game collection.
To get the "Clockwerk" trophy, you have to finish the final encounter. It’s a multi-stage fight. First, you’re in a jetpack. Then, you’re platforming on his back. Finally, it’s a race against the lava. If you’re struggling with the jetpack section, remember that Sly’s projectiles have a slight homing effect. You don't need to be a sniper; you just need to keep the reticle "mostly" on the giant metal owl.
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Common Missables (And How to Avoid Them)
- The Lucky Coin: You need to have a lot of coins. Like, a lot. "Greedy Raccoon" pops when you hit 1,000 coins. Don't spend them all on lives if you can help it.
- Blueprint Finding: You need to find the blueprints in the various hubs. These are usually tucked away near the entrance of levels. Bentley uses them to show you the map.
- Coin Magnet: This is a safe reward. Get it early. It makes the 1,000-coin trophy much less of a grind because you won't have to chase down every loose bit of gold that flies off a smashed barrel.
Nuance in the Remasters
It is worth noting that the trophy requirements actually changed between the PS3 version and the 2024 PS4/PS5 re-release. The newer version is even more forgiving. For example, some of the more tedious collection tasks were replaced with simple "finish the level" trophies.
If you’re a trophy hunter looking for a quick win, the modern port is your best friend. You can use the "Rewind" feature on PS4/PS5 to undo a death. This doesn't disable trophies. Use it. It turns the most difficult platforming sections into a breeze. Some might call it cheating; I call it "efficient thievery."
Final Strategy for the Platinum
Start by playing through the game naturally. Don't look at a guide for the first two hubs. Just enjoy the vibe. Once you reach Mz. Ruby, start being more diligent about the Clue Bottles. You’ll want to have the "Water Safety" move (which lets you fall in water without dying instantly) before you hit the final world. It makes the volcano levels significantly less frustrating.
If you miss a safe, don't restart the game. You can revisit any level from the hub world. The game tracks which bottles you've found, so you only need to grab the ones you missed.
- Beat the first boss (Raleigh) and grab every bottle in "A Stealthy Approach."
- Open at least 7 safes by the time you finish the second world.
- Use the Rewind feature for any tricky jumps in the Cold Heart of Steel.
- Don't worry about the Master Thief Sprints unless you're on PS3.
- Watch the credits to make sure the final story trophy triggers.
The beauty of the Sly Cooper trophy guide journey is that it rewards you for playing the game the way it was meant to be played. You explore, you sneak, you steal, and eventually, that Platinum pops.
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To wrap this up, focus your efforts on the Clue Bottles in the early levels where they are easy to find. This builds a buffer so you don't have to hunt them down in the later, more complex stages like "A Perilous Ascent." Check your trophy list periodically to ensure "Coin Collector" is progressing, and keep your head down when the spotlight hits.
Next Steps for Your Hunt
Load up the first level, "A Stealthy Approach," and ensure you find all 20 bottles. This unlocks the first safe and sets the pace for the rest of the run. Once that's done, move through the Tide of Terror hub and focus on getting the "Dive" move from the safe in "The Fire Down Below." This move is essential for reaching certain high-up bottles in later levels.