I bought a PS2 about 6 months ago from a coworker and finally got around to getting it working at a good enough resolution on my monitor. I currently have:
- GTA 3
- GTA Vice City
- Gran Turismo 3
- Matrix: Path of Neo
- Katamari Damacy
- Midnight Club: Street Racing
Any other suggestions? I know off the top of my head I want to get the SSX games, maybe some sports games, and of course the MGS titles that came out on PS2. Anything else?
Shadow of the colossus is good, ps2 is before my time but I played part of colossus and loved it
My PS2 is basically a Tony Hawk machine, all of them are good but THPS4 is my favorite.
Also, Psychonauts aged very well!
You can’t talk PS2 without mentioning Jak and Daxter or Ratcher and Clank. Each trilogy is incredible and absolutely worth a play.
shadow of the colossus, metal gear solid 3 substistence
007: Nightfire
Even if you’re not a huge James Bond fan, it’s still a fantastic game. I sank countless amounts of hours into it as a kid. The multiplayer is top notch as well.
Really can’t go wrong with any of the Bond games on the PS2.
Gonna have to get We Love Katamari as well…
Naaa nananananananana Katamari Damacy
Worth mentioning that almost every time, the PS2 is the worst platform for multiplatform titles, simply due to how weak the system was compared to both other consoles and contemporary PCs.
There are a small handful of exceptions. GTA San Andreas has complex lighting and effects (which took advantage of the unique hardware and were not possible on other systems at the time, not even PCs), as well as many details that are completely lost on every single other version. The downside is that the PS2 version has primitive shadows, poor frame rates, a low resolution and a very short draw distance. Thankfully, you can mod the PC version (which was actually downgraded even further several times over the years) to add in all of the missing effects and details, making it the best of both worlds. Don’t underestimate just how much of a difference this makes. The lighting alone turns this otherwise bland-looking title into a game that can provide surprisingly atmospheric and even stunning moments, despite the low poly count and low-res textures. The more recent remaster tries to unsuccessfully emulate this look, but I would stay away from it as far as possible.
Another example is Need for Speed Underground 2: Only the PS2 version has complex lighting and color-grading effects. They were never ported to other platforms, because just like with GTA SA, they were not technically possible elsewhere at the time.
If anyone knows more games this applies to, feel free to reply.
I should add that due to the low resolution of the system, it’s usually a far better idea to emulate PS2 games than to play them on native hardware. On PC, PCSX2 is the gold standard and on Android devices, AetherSX2 is near equivalent, provided you have a beefy enough phone or tablet (lower-end devices might struggle). This also makes it far easier to explore ROMhacks (or should we call them ISO-hacks?), like this upcoming one of Gran Turismo 4:
If you want to stick with original hardware, make sure to use a Component cable instead of Composite cable, if you aren’t already. The difference in image quality is massive, even if it’s rarely ever great due to the messy, highly aliased output of the system in in all but a small handful of titles.
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2 was best on PS2 because it was made by a different developer (Black Box) who then went on to make all the NfS game up to Undercover as well as World.
Ah yes, the confusing world of ports that aren’t ports, but entirely different games. There were a number of those on PS2, especially late in the system’s lifespan, during the cross-gen days, when it was lucrative to cater to the huge existing install base.
On top of my head, Splinter Cell Double Agent was a completely different (and according to some, better) title on sixth compared to 7th gen consoles and PC, although I have played neither version myself.
Test Drive Unlimited on PS2 and PSP had the same enormous game world as the 360/PS3/PC-version, the entire island of Oahu at full scale, but ran on a different engine with very different driving physics, which feel bouncy and direct, nearly identical to Gran Turismo 2 of all games, making it more fun to play than the “next-gen” version, which attempted more realistic physics that feel flat by comparison however. I consider GT2 to be the peak of simcade driving physics and thus am a huge fan of this version’s driving physics as well. Graphics are obviously much worse than on seventh gen, customization features, game modes and many vehicles are missing and the GPS is buggy, but it is nonetheless a very interesting and enjoyable version. In my opinion, the visuals have actually aged rather nicely, on PS2 at least, where it even has pleasant-looking car reflections and surprisingly detailed interiors. It has a low-poly charm to it, with just the right amount of detail. Both versions are outstanding at just randomly going on a relaxing drive, since you’ll never run out of twisty roads to explore.
That was a good example. A bad, but fascinating one is the Alone in the Dark reboot. The next-gen version was by the same developer as the next-gen version of Test Drive Unlimited, Eden Games, an attempt at using the latest tech and tons of innovative and immersive mechanics as well as scale never seen before in a horror game. It didn’t work at all and fell flat at practically everything it tried, from physics to narration, not to mention, it manages to be a horror game that isn’t scary at all, except for the terrifyingly bad controls, but it’s a very interesting train wreck to behold. By comparison, the PS2 version, by a different studio, feels like a demake made by someone who got the rough outline of every scene over a bad telephone line and then tried to cobble something vaguely similar together in six to nine months on a budget of whatever was left from the catering bill of the developer of the costly next-gen version. Sometimes, it just uses screen-recordings of real-time cutscenes from the PS3/360 version. It’s awful to play, but also very interesting, especially next to the overambitious next-gen version.
I stand by Persona being my favorite game series of all time (3 was my first one, but 4 is very good too) but those are available on Steam now so aren’t a great recommendation. but if you’re taking games that are in other places as well, I would say Disgaea (2 was my favorite) and Devil May Cry (3 was my favorite.)
I would echo what someone else said here about Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank. I know it wasn’t as popular as some of the other games in the series, but Ratchet: Deadlocked was the first game I beat multiple times in a row.
I also played a bit of Dark Cloud 2 and never got too far in, but heard a lot of good things.
If you can find a copy I would suggest the first Sly Cooper game.
I would also suggest the second game which is my personal favorite from the original trilogy
As much as I love the 2nd game, my biggest gripe is that there is no way to replay missions without having to replay the game. Don’t know if there any any ways to replay them any other way, which is more annoying than anything. Other than that, definitely recommend it, alongside the first and third game.
Ico
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. 3 and VC are good but SA just puts them to shame in scope alone and I think it had a better story.
Other than that, like many are saying, Ratchet & Clank, Jak & Daxter, Sly Cooper, Shadow of the Colossus. Prince of Persia The Sands of Time. The whole trilogy if you can but I think the first was the best with The Two Thrones coming in at a close second thanks to improved mechanics and the banter between characters feeling more confident. Oh, and Spider-man 2. It’s still the god standard for webswinging for a reason.
Games that I’m confident the average person would love:
- Burnout (3 and/or Revenge)
- Tony Hawk’s Underground (definitely 1 and not 2)
- Shadow of the Colossus (I’m otherwise avoiding games with HD versions for modern platforms but I specifically think this game is weirdly better with PS2-level graphics and performance)
- Ultimate Spider-Man (Spider-Man 2 had better swinging but I think this is the stronger overall package)
Games with a more niche appeal but, dammit, I want you to play them anyways:
- Steambot Chronicles
- Shadow of Destiny
Games that felt like a big deal at the time but I haven’t actually played since I was a kid so take with a grain of salt:
- Evergrace
- Way of the Samurai (1 and/or 2)
- Stuntman
- Def Jam Vendetta & Fight for NY
- Mercenaries 1
- NBA Street (2 was my favorite but all three were great)
- NFL Street (only played 1, presumably 2 and 3 are also great)
A game I know is bad but I want you to play it so that the voice clips will be burned into your brain also:
- Kessen 2
Downhill Domination will always get my vote. It’s also excellent in multiplayer.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2.
- Need For Speed Underground 1 & 2
- NFS Most Wanted
- GTA San Andreas
- Call of Duty 3
- Lord of the Rings Return of the King
Interesting, I heard cod 3 was the worst one
It was one of the few games I had for the PS2. Never played the multiplayer, but the SP campaign is awesome! I highly recommend it.
