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?
You can’t talk PS2 without mentioning Jak and Daxter or Ratcher and Clank. Each trilogy is incredible and absolutely worth a play.
GT4 is better than GT3 imo, but if you have to spend money on it, it might not be worth.
I’m mostly into RPGs, and it doesn’t seem like you are from this list. If you are, then FF10 and 12 are available. So are KH1 and 2, and also Wild Arms 3, Personas 3 and 4, Disgaea, Shadow Hearts, Okage, Okami, Star Ocean, Dragon Quest, Devil May Cry, God of War, and so on.
Viewtiful Joe 1 and 2 are silly and fun side scrolling beat 'em ups. Tony Hawk needs no introduction. Silent Hill 2 and 3 if you’re into horror. Resident Evil 4 if you’re into action horror.
Shadow of the Colossus is great if you’re into a quiet, contemplative adventure game.
Was hoping someone would mention Shadow Hearts and Wild Arms! The PS2 truly was the janky AA JRPG console of all time. Also don’t forget
- Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
- Digital Devil Saga 1-2
- Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
- Stella Deus
Magna Carta: Tears of BloodOn second thought do forget this one
- 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.
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
Depends on your tastes. If you like platformers the PS2 had some great ones. Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, and the Sly Cooper series to name a few. For something more action-oriented the old God of War games still hold up, although they are very different in tone from the modern ones. If you have any interest in JRPGs there’s FFX, X2, and FFXII along with Personas 3 and 4. Although most of those have better ports/remasters/remakes on modern systems.
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
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.
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.
My PS2 is basically a Tony Hawk machine, all of them are good but THPS4 is my favorite.
Also, Psychonauts aged very well!
Shadow of the colossus is good, ps2 is before my time but I played part of colossus and loved it
Downhill Domination will always get my vote. It’s also excellent in multiplayer.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2.
Vagrant Story
I’ll list some of my favorites that haven’t been posted yet:
-TimeSplitters 2 and Future Perfect
-Onimusha series
-Dynasty Warriors series
-Soulcalibur II and III
-Tekken(any of them)
-Burnout 3
-OutRun 2006 Coast2Coast
-Simpsons Hit and Run
-Dark Cloud I and II
-Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
-Ace Combat 4
Seconding the Dark Clouds, god I wish that series had continued.
Dynasty Warriors is a lot of fun played coop.
