Summary
- The PlayStation 2 has one of the best libraries of video games, rivaling the Super Nintendo.
- Many great PS2 games have been forgotten over time, but some hidden gems are still worth revisiting today.
- Games like Black, Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams, and Dark Cloud are examples of underrated PS2 titles that deserve more recognition.
The PlayStation 2 is rivaled only by the likes of the Super Nintendo when it comes to the quality of its library. Both consoles are home to some of the greatest video games of all time. To this day, they still offer gamers the best bang for their buck, eclipsing virtually every single modern home console when it comes to both quality and quantity.
Of course, enough time has passed since the PS2’s time in the sun where most of its games have become obscured with time. What were once considered classics or rising stars are now hidden gems and what were once hidden gems are now forgotten. Fortunately, not every game has slipped through the cracks of time, and some are worth revisiting even today.
Updated on February 5, 2025, by David Heath: As of this writing, the PlayStation 2 is still the best-selling console of all time with over 160 million units sold, with the Nintendo Switch nipping at its heels at 150.6 million units and counting. Despite not being as powerful as the Nintendo Gamecube or Microsoft's Xbox, the PS2 has an unparalleled library of games ranging from the most basic shovelware to some of the greatest video games ever made.
However, this also means it's easy for some games to slip through the cracks. Even games that were appreciated at the time can leave the public consciousness, held up only by their keen fans or people seeking something new. If the highly polished games of today feel all same-y, people can go back a few generations to the unsung heroes on this list, now with more lesser-known titles.
33 Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil
Simple And Fun Platforming That's A Blast To Master
Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil
- Released
- July 25, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Namco
- Platform(s)
- PS2
- Genre(s)
- 3D Platformer
Given how complex and irritating modern gaming has become, players will love the idea of a simple platformer that keeps players engrossed with tight and engaging mechanics until the end. In other words, letting the gameplay speak for itself instead of trying to be some epic, cinematic experience. Such is the case with Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil, an underrated PS2 sequel to an underrated PS1 game, Klonoa: Door to Phantomisle.
This time, the 'Dream Traveler' has to help save Lunatea by traveling across its land and ringing its Spirit Bells. Like the original Klonoa, it's a 2.5D experience, as they hop along 3D environments on a 2D plane, traveling and chucking things (usually enemies caught with Klonoa's Wind Bullet) between the background and foreground to solve puzzles. There are even snowboarding challenges! It received universal acclaim from critics and players, but its cutesy mascot antics couldn't help it against moodier, more mature experiences like Grand Theft Auto 3.
32 Ico
The Best Argument For Escort Missions
Ico
- Released
- September 24, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- JapanStudio, Team Ico
- Platform(s)
- PS2
It's a shame that JapanStudio closed its doors since the studio was responsible for some excellent games that players love to this day. While Shadow of the Colossus is their most notable effort by a country mile, people shouldn't write off its predecessor, Ico, either. This beautiful video game focuses on the traditional boy-meets-girl story with some unique twists of its own.
Players control the titular Ico, a horned boy who finds Princess Yorda trapped in a castle. Together, they must find a way to escape, with Ico fighting off monsters to protect Yorda, Yorda helping Ico solve puzzles with her power, and both sneaking past guards to avoid danger. Like SotC, the story gets deeper and more heart-rending as it goes on, being as eerily beautiful as its stunning art style. It induces a sense of wonder into everything that transpires in a game that more people need to check out.
31 The Bouncer
An Action-Packed Title That's More Popular Today Than At Launch
The Bouncer
- Released
- March 5, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PS2
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
There's a reason The Bouncer passed by without much notice. Beat-'em-up games need to strike a balance between responsible combat and flamboyant animations to make for an interesting combat system. Unfortunately for DreamFactory's PS2 launch title, the game ended up focusing a bit too much on the latter and suffered as a result. It doesn't help that the game is extremely short and can be completed in a sitting or two.
7 Forgotten PS2 Beat 'Em Up Games
These PlayStation 2 beat 'em up games have slipped through the cracks of public attention and, sadly, been largely forgotten about.
The other characters can be fun to control in their own way, but players will struggle with the combat system the longer they go on. Different buttons control high, mid, and low attacks, alongside separate buttons for jumping and blocking. Some of the boss fights can become a nightmare to complete as a result. But it caught on with some players, partly because of its ironic anti-fame, and partly down to its genuine positives, like its fun character interactions and great visual design for the time. It's a testing but unique experience.
30 Urban Reign
An Underrated Beat 'Em Up That Can Be Enjoyed With Friends
Urban Reign
- Released
- September 13, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2
Beat 'em up games are a blast to play through, with the allure of this genre being prevalent from the days of the SNES. Teaming up with friends and pummeling enemies across a series of curated levels is a gameplay loop that is still going strong to this day, so it's quite puzzling that a game like Urban Reign didn't enjoy its time in the spotlight. It even had Paul Phoenix and Marshall Law from Tekken as playable characters.
While the game's story is barebones, and the player's partners suffer from poor AI, it was a unique beat 'em up where players could mix up their grapples, pull off strong combos, and build up their meter to pull off a 'special art' years before Tekken would do the same with its Rage Arts. In terms of pure gameplay, Urban Reign is an excellent title that deserves more love than it got at the time of release.
29 The Warriors
Rockstar Games Bring Back The Classic 1970s Movie In Playable Form
The Warriors
- Released
- October 17, 2005
- ESRB
- M // Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Toronto, Rockstar Leeds
- Platform(s)
- PS2, PS4, PSP, Xbox (Original)
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Beat 'Em Up
Given Rockstar's impressive pedigree as a developer, most people would assume that they've already checked out the studio's best games. The open-world goodness and fun, chaotic gameplay of the GTA games and the racing action of the Midnight Club series are still spoken about fondly to this day, so it's odd that no one talks about The Warriors as often in high regard.
Adapted from the original 1979 movie, the game goes through the events of the film, where players can beat up rival gangs as they try to head back to their home territory of Coney Island. But it also has some original elements, with unique missions for its different playable characters, ranging from tagging neighborhoods with graffiti to flashback missions to show how key characters joined the Warriors. It was a fun, unique brawler that was really popular on release. Now it's a cult classic that deserves more love.
28 Red Faction
A First-Person Shooter That Takes Place On Mars
Red Faction
- Released
- May 22, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
Players who love FPS games in unique settings will love what Red Faction has to offer. The split-screen multiplayer mode was a couch co-op compromise to make up for the lack of online play, but this game is perfect for players who want to enjoy a tight single-player-driven experience. In terms of pure action, there aren't many games on the console that will get the blood pumping much like this. Particularly with its GeoMod tech.
10 Forgotten First Person Shooters You Need To Play
There are so many first-person shooters out there, it's easy to forget about some of these great cult classics of the genre!
These destruction mechanics were unique for the time, letting players blast their way through terrain and buildings to find unique ways to circumvent obstacles. Firefights become more dynamic as a result and let players turn a combat arena into something unrecognizable after they're done mowing down their enemies. With Volition closing shop after the poor performance of the Saints Row reboot, players who want to experience one of their best games can check out Red Faction to enjoy all its strengths firsthand.
27 XIII
Belgian Comic FPS Develops A Cult Following And A Bad Remaster
XIII
- Released
- November 10, 2020
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- PlayMagic
People might remember XIII for its infamous remaster by PlayMagic, where its messy development resulted in a messy game that had to be salvaged by Microids through a massive overhaul. After all that effort, it might've been easier for players to hunt down the old PC port or grab its console versions. It's an FPS based on a popular Belgian comic series where an amnesiac known only as XIII ('thirteen') tries to regain his memories while being hunted by the FBI and a hitman called Mongoose.
It was considered a bit of a mixed bag on release, as the enemies and NPCs didn't have the best AI, and the weapons were unbalanced. Yet its bold cel-shaded graphics were a joy to watch in action, with comic book-style panels and sound balloons. It was like a bold counterpart to the gritty but similarly comic book-like Max Payne games. Though it didn't sell well, it developed a keen fanbase who wished it got more attention. Whether it's on console, PC, or the salvaged remake, XIII is worth a look for any curious FPS fans.
26 Black
A Cinematic Action-Packed First-Person Shooter
Black
- Released
- February 28, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Criterion Games
- Platform(s)
- PS2, Xbox (Original)
- Genre(s)
- FPS
It's hard to believe that the developer of many Need for Speed games made a first-person shooter, and what makes Black an even greater achievement is that it was a fun title in its own right, albeit a slightly generic one. Anyone who's played a first-person shooter knows what to expect here: pick the two firearms they want to carry at once, lob grenades to blow foes up and shoot out mines and enemy grenades to clear the way.
Regardless, most people didn't care when they booted up the game and were greeted with unending set-pieces, thrilling missions, and engaging firefights that were as cinematic as they could be on the PS2. The fact that this title didn't get a sequel was a huge shame, and Black's console exclusivity on the PS2 and Xbox meant that many people didn't get the chance to play it once their generation passed. Playing this game now is a challenge, but it's still worthwhile for fans of classic FPS titles.
25 Batman Begins
A Solid Recapturing Of Batman's Beginning
Batman Begins
- Released
- June 14, 2005
- Developer(s)
- Eurocom
- Franchise
- Batman
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, PS2, Xbox (Original)
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Stealth
Batman Begins brought the caped crusader back to the cinemas and back in vogue, leading to classics like The Dark Knight and inspiring the direction of The Batman. It also received a video game tie-in that is criminally underappreciated, as it also captures Batman's gameplay quite well. He can sneak past guards with stealth mechanics, use batarangs and other gadgets to take down enemies, including unique ones like the HF Transponder to attract bats (as per the movie), and use fear against his foes.
10 PS2 Movie Tie-In Games That Deserve A Remaster
From Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to Shrek 2, these fun PS2 movie tie-in games deserve another shot in the spotlight.
Though it's probably for the best that it didn't catch on. It would have received a sequel in the form of a game based on The Dark Knight if it hadn't been canceled. The developers, Pandemic Brisbane, didn't deserve to be shut down, but the project's shutdown opened the doors for Rocksteady Studios to make Batman: Arkham Asylum, where it and the subsequent Arkham games perfected what the Batman Begins game offered.
24 Berserk Millennium Empire Arc: Chapter Of The Holy Demon War
A Surprisingly Great Action Game Based On Berserk
- Platform: PlayStation 2
- Released: 7th October 2004 (Japan)
- Developer: Yuke's
- Genre: Action-adventure
There's a pretty solid reason why most people don't know about this Berserk game—it was never released in the West. It's a shame since Berserk Millennium Empire Arc: Chapter of the Holy Demon War had the potential to be a great game in its own right. Serving as a sequel to the Dreamcast title, Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage (which did reach the West), the game improved on its predecessor in many ways. It offers larger maps for Guts to explore, better graphics, and better animation via motion capture.
It helped that the content covered in the game was stellar, as it follows Guts' trip to Elfheim in order to find a way to restore Casca's sanity. Alongside the game's events, it has an original villain, the Apostle Charles, who actually adds to the seinen manga's story by having him taunt Guts with hallucinations based on his past. They're nice additions for fans of the strip, though unless they have a translation patch or are fluent in Japanese, anyone outside Japan won't get to experience it.