The PS2 is a kind of consoles the place they nailed every little thing proper. It was a profitable console that boosted the facility of its predecessor with cutting-edge graphics. It nonetheless performed CDs together with PS1 video games by way of backwards compatibility, and it even served as an affordable DVD participant for a very long time.
Better of all, the video games for it have been glorious, because the PS2 had one of many biggest libraries of all time. Many of the finest video games are so top-notch that they even play nice in the present day on native {hardware}. They could play higher with ports, remasters, and remakes, however the signal of a top quality sport is with the ability to take pleasure in it on the unique {hardware} untouched. The vary of the console’s finest video games will embody a broad listing of genres to keep away from having one dominate the listing.
Closing Fantasy 10
A Pilgrimage With No Finish
Closing Fantasy 10 is an impeccable turn-based RPG that has been ported quite a few instances due to HD collections. That mentioned, it’s nonetheless pleasing on the PS2, and a few even choose it over ports because it avoids new content material just like the Darkish Aeons.
The turn-based gameplay was revolutionary because it allowed gamers to swap out characters within the midst of battle. Summons could possibly be managed for the primary time, and the story was brutally unhappy, however heartfelt. Better of all, its mini-game, Blitzball, could also be one of the best within the collection.
God Of Conflict
For Sparta!
God of Conflict was one thing the PS2 had not seen earlier than: a mature sport that didn’t skip out on the gore or spectacle of motion. It additionally had a repugnant major character, Kratos, who was on an comprehensible journey of revenge. That mentioned, it nonetheless didn’t justify a few of his actions.
Love him or hate him, Kratos grew to become a PlayStation icon for years to come back, and his character finally had a redeeming arc within the 2018 reboot. There’s additionally an HD assortment that made it so far as the PS3.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Taking Again The Streets
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was the third and ultimate major sport within the collection on the PS2, and it was the most important one but. Set in a brand new location, San Andreas, which is someplace vaguely in California, gamers may roam the streets or countryside, which was additionally a brand new characteristic. They may degree up their character’s expertise, prefer to run sooner, and take over territories in gang wars. There was additionally an HD model, which some followers didn’t like as a lot as this pure authentic taste, which nonetheless feels nice to play in the present day.
Kingdom Hearts 2
A Sluggish Begin, However A Robust End
Kingdom Hearts 2 is technically the third sport within the collection, however it’s the primary one which pushed the franchise ahead. The unique and this sequel are a number of the best-looking PS2 motion RPGs to at the present time, which is why they cleaned up so properly within the varied HD ports.
The hero, Sora, gained new powers, like the flexibility to enter varied varieties. The sport’s Disney worlds have been contemporary, and the addition of Group 13 gave the collection an overarching villain to combat in opposition to. The one factor some gamers had an issue with was the start, which was gradual, however it helped set the tone.
Pixel Perfecting Combating
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes began in arcades, however the ports to consoles, just like the PS2, are legendary. The sport is extensively obtainable on fashionable consoles by way of varied ports and collections, however the bodily PS2 copy nonetheless sells for a excessive worth.
It’s merely the best fighting game on the PS2 due to its roster of villains and heroes from the Marvel and Capcom universes. In the case of visuals, sprites will at all times stand the check of time subsequent to polygonal fashions.
Jungle-Based mostly Stealth
Steel Gear Strong 3: Snake Eater simply obtained a correct remake, and has acquired varied ports over time, however the PS2 authentic continues to be legendary. Nobody will ever overlook listening to “Snake Eater” blast out after the Virtuous Mission, or the primary time they pulled off an important fake-out with camouflage.
There are lots of mechanics that made it particular for a stealth sport on PS2, however maybe its biggest legacy is being often called the most effective prequels of all time. Big Boss certainly had a troubled previous.
NBA Avenue Vol. 2
Three-On-Three Perfection
NBA Avenue Vol. 2 is likely one of the finest sports activities video games on the PS2, and it’s nonetheless enjoyable to play alone or with pals due to a strong basis of mechanics. It simplified basketball identical to NBA Jam did for consoles and arcades within the 90s. Three-on-three basketball in small road courts made it much less of a spectacle. It additionally added a pleasant root to the game with a scorching type, however sadly, none of this authentic trilogy ever made it off the console.
Okami
The Legend Of Wolf
Okami was made to face the check of time due to its cel-shaded artwork type blended with a watercolor aesthetic. It definitely seems higher with its HD ports, however there’s no cause the PS2 sport is inferior.
Arrange like a Zelda journey, gamers will discover a blighted fantasy land of Japan as a wolf god who has to reclaim land and make it blossom once more. Humorous, action-packed, and filled with cool puzzle dungeons, some would even name it the most effective Zelda video games that Nintendo by no means made.
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
Leveling Up Platformers
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando is the second game in the series, and it took the franchise to new heights. What began as a very good platformer with creative weapons was an RPG as Ratchet may now degree up his well being, and the weapon advanced with EXP. It was that little further spice that made every little thing good, and the collection has by no means gone again.
3D platformers may be exhausting to maintain timeless, however Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando nailed every little thing the primary time. Sadly, it solely obtained an HD improve so far as the PS3 and PS Vita.
Resident Evil 4
Evil Is aware of No Bounds
Resident Evil 4 might have began in 2005 as a GameCube sport, however by the top of the yr, it was made higher by way of the PS2 port. It reinvented the Resident Evil system with a brand new digital camera angle, a store system, a special kind of virus, and Leon S. Kennedy getting a giant makeover. The native Spanish-speaking contaminated introduced an additional edge to the horror, and followers won’t ever be capable of sleep once more with out considering of their groaned phrases. It may be loved on most fashionable {hardware} between the HD remaster and the remake.
