The PS2 era was a great time for gamers; the next-generation leap in graphics made us swoon for what else the future could hold for us. The fact that it could also play the newly released DVDs killed two birds with one stone. No longer did you have to rewind VHS tapes, but you could plug the DVD in and skip straight to the menu. A two-in-one worthwhile investment for the entire household. But this isn’t a list about DVDs, it’s about the games of that era.
Now, with so many titles available for this console, it’s challenging to play all of them. Some of these games you may have wanted to play back then, but didn’t get the chance to. Maybe you had a different console, were too busy, or just weren’t a gamer back then. Either way, these are games that likely made it onto your bucket list due to their popularity.
It might be hard to imagine some of these titles: “Wow, but everyone has played this!” But trust me, you’d be surprised by the number of gamers who haven’t been able to make the time for some of these. These are games worth trying out before you kick the bucket… at least in my personal opinion.
10
WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth
Best Story Mode
There are tons of WWE games out there, but this one holds a special place in my heart. The sequel, Here Comes the Pain, was decent, but Shut Your Mouth is my favorite. Why? The campaign mode. The whole Raw vs. Smackdown drama was new to me at the time, and the roster and draft selection were excellent. This was when WWE was fresh from the Attitude Era, when the game came out, and was still PG-13.
While you could go through it as any wrestler you want, I always just created my own. In one playthrough, I went as my alter-ego trying to be face, and in another, I recreated Satan from South Park and went heel.
The charm of the campaign mode was running around Madison Square Garden and New York City and bumping into fellow wrestlers. If you picked the “wrong” answer, they’d get mad, and you’d have to wrestle right then and there with them. You could literally have snowball fights in the city.
While you could do this in other WWE games, I always enjoyed recreating my teachers or celebrities and watching the computer fight to see who wins. What’s even funnier is putting them in story mode and seeing them pop up in the day’s lineup of matches. Whether you’re a WWE fan or not, it’s a game worth playing when you have the chance.
9
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
A Top Tier DBZ Game
While everyone will have their own opinions on what they think the best DBZ game is, in this era, Budokai Tenkaichi 3 wins for me. Mainly, the gigantic roster of about 160 characters does it for me in being the ultimate DBZ simulator.
There’s a cameo from Arale from Dr. Slump, who we barely ever see in the saga. While Tenkaichi 2 has a more extended story and “what-if” mode with freeroam, Tenkaichi 3 cuts to the chase in going through the DBZ saga.
If you only played the first Budokai and then played Tenkaichi 3, the quality of life changes and improvements made this one of my favorite DBZ games of the era. The battles actually felt like you were in the anime in terms of scale on what you can do.
Many fans praise the gameplay, and if you’re a DBZ fan, this game is definitely worth adding to your bucket list to see what the hype is all about. Even if you’ve never seen DBZ, this game will catch you up on seeing why Akira Toriyama’s magnum opus is beloved across the world.
Dark & Chaotic
Technically, this was my first Twisted Metal game, and perhaps that’s why I’ve taken a shine to it. It took me a while to get the hang of damaging the other cars, as the gameplay is considered to be one of the most difficult. It takes some time and practice, but eventually, once it clicks, it just feels so rewarding as a player. Kind of like finally beating a Dark Souls boss.
But it’s the lore in this game that makes it a bucket-list game worth playing. Each character has a dark, twisted background that explains why they’re there, especially if they’re a victim of the actions of others.
One character, Raven, is sent to Black Field Asylum because she was blamed for the death of her friend, even though it was bullies who did it. However, even those you root for might end up having an ending that’s just pure messed-up.
Some of these stories are some of the darkest in video game history. Calypso offers the characters a chance for their deepest wish to be granted, if only they win the tournament. Some enter to find the truth, others for revenge. You might win, but at what cost?
7
Tekken 5
Best Tekken Of The Era
While the first Tekken Tag Tournament was memorable for its next-gen graphics at the time, it’s really Tekken 5 that was the star of the era. Whether you’re a Tekken fan or not, it’s a PS2 game worth playing because of the mechanics it introduced to the series. It was truly a love letter to the series on its 15th anniversary.
Besides having one of the biggest rosters in Tekken at the time, we also received a new ranking system that gave you more to do after unlocking everyone’s ending. Story and gameplay were perfected. You also have Tekken 1-3’s arcade versions to play if you’ve never tried them. There was also a Devil Within mode, a beat ’em up that added more lore to the overall story. Best of all, it introduced customizations for characters, having your favorite fighter reflect your wardrobe style.
If you haven’t tried Tekken 5 yet, and you’re a fan of the series, give it a go to see why it’s one of the most favored Tekkens of all time. Even if you haven’t played Tekken and aren’t into fighting games, this might change your mind.
6
Kingdom Hearts
An Unlikely Crossover That Works
Now, when this game first came out, I didn’t understand the excitement. Personally, while I enjoyed watching Disney movies, I hated the musical aspects of them. I also never heard of Final Fantasy until I played this game, which I thank for introducing me to it. However, after I got it as a present, I soon became hooked right away.
If Kingdom Hearts is still on your bucket list, now is the time to at least play the first game until whenever Kingdom Hearts 4 comes out. While the series gets convoluted later on, you can beat the first game and be somewhat satisfied not playing the rest, although you’ll probably want to because it’s such a cliffhanger. The combat system and plot line of searching for your friends after your home island gets destroyed by the heartless keep you entertained.
You explore the different Disney worlds as well as original worlds, seeing glimpses of finding your friends while figuring out the mystery of the heartless and the Keyblade you wield. Even after beating the game, there’s so much to do post-game regarding the Olympus Colliseum tournaments, getting the ultimate weapons, and secret boss battles. Kingdom Hearts II is considered one of the best games in the series due to the gameplay, but to really appreciate it, you have to start with the first one.
5
Final Fantasy X
Sacrifice, Blitzball, And Faith
Now, every Final Fantasy fan has their own personal favorite game in the series, but in the PS2 era, FFX wins. Some prefer FFXII more, but I personally couldn’t get into the political storyline. The characters in FFX shine with their backstories as they live in a world ravaged by Sin, a deadly monster that brings devastation wherever it goes. If it’s on your bucket list, you definitely need to set some time to play it.
The main character, Tidus, is your typical jock until he’s thrown into another world after Sin destroys his city during a Blitzball match. What follows is a series of twists, punctuated by moments of calm, as you join Summoner Yuna on her quest to defeat Sin.
Gameplay-wise, we have random battles mixed with turn-based combat where, instead of an active-time battle system, you get to see whose turn is next. This helps you to plan your attacks accordingly, heal, and switch out your party members. You may even gain skills that help you get more turns, which is incredibly satisfying.
Post-game, there’s just so much to do… especially if you want to collect everyone’s ultimate weapons. If you’ve never played a Final Fantasy game, this was my first and made me a fan of the series. It was also the first Final Fantasy ever to get a sequel, which, while more uplifting, I really enjoyed.
4
Dark Cloud 2
A Charming Time Travel Adventure RPG
This is a game that is so good, if they ever announce a Dark Cloud 3, I will weep tears of joy. It’s my favorite RPG of all time: A game worthy of taking the time to play through due to its charm. I was a fan of the first game, and this one improves so much from the first that it’s definitely the one to play.
Although it includes some Easter eggs from the original, Dark Cloud 2 has its own story. You play as Max, given a strange necklace by your dad. You have spent your entire life living in Palm Brinks, a town that is cut off from the rest of the world. When a carnival comes into town, you are chased by clowns after your necklace as you escape through the sewers to the outside world.
You soon meet the other playable main character, Monica, who explains that she is 100 years from a future that is dying. You then join her on a quest to save not only the present but also the future, eventually going back in time to put a stop to the chaos. You recruit characters by doing quests for them, which helps make that future brighter.
Gameplay is where this game shines. Between the dungeon crawling, fishing, and the golf mini-game, Spheda offers hours and hours of content to explore. The Georama system makes rebuilding towns incredibly fun, allowing you to make them your own while reviving the future.
The level-up system is one of the most unique out there, where instead of your character, it’s your weapon that evolves. The invention system, which involves taking pictures of various objects in the world, is addictive and makes this one of the best PS2 games ever.
Please, pick this game up if you haven’t, and maybe, just maybe… we’ll get Dark Cloud 3.
3
Resident Evil 4
Considered The Greatest Of All Time By Many
While Code Veronica desperately needs a remake, and fans long for Outbreak to make a return as well, in this era, Resident Evil 4 dominates. It’s the most well-beloved in the franchise, although I did miss the fixed-camera angles from previous entries. Still, this game revolutionized the series at the time and, to this day, the gameplay still holds up. While the remake is excellent, the original holds a special place for many fans.
After going through different versions, at one point, one of them becoming Devil May Cry, Resident Evil 4 wound up as survival-action horror at its peak. While Resident Evil 5 and 6 try to piggyback on 4, their games never became as popular. I found myself genuinely terrified playing this game the first time around, taking almost a year because I was just that scared. Even without the fixed-camera angles jump scaring you, the enemies, in particular, Regenerators, terrified me.
As you progress through your rescue mission of the President’s daughter, you eventually develop the skills to defeat enemies with ease. Like all Resident Evil games, you’re rewarded for multiple playthroughs and on harder difficulties. There’s even a Separate Ways mode that tells you the story through Ada’s point of view. Whether or not you’re a Resident Evil fan, it’s just one of those games you have to give it a go to understand its legacy.
Kojima At Peak
There’s a reason Konami made a 1:1 remake of this game first out of all in the series: it’s Kojima at his best. While fans are divided between praising the original and the remake, either version you play is a must. The PS2 version is where this convoluted tactical espionage saga all begins. While Metal Gear Solid 2 is beloved as well, 3 is where the game shines in terms of story and gameplay. Even decades later, fans are still finding Easter eggs in the gameplay.
Storywise, you’re on a Cold War-era espionage mission to prevent a full-scale war from happening. What awaits is betrayal, heartbreak, and epic boss battles as you navigate through the forests of Russia. Saving your game at specific points affects the gameplay. The PS2 version also features an Easter Egg portion that Delta did not faithfully recreate.
Metal Gear Solid 3 is the perfect introduction to not only the series but to Kojima games as well. You’d be surprised by the number of gamers I met in real life who still haven’t played this. If this is you, well, what are you waiting for?
1
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
An Open World Classic
Once again, you’d be surprised by the gamers whose parents outright forbid them from playing this, especially after that Hot Coffee controversy… and thus totally missed out. Some gamers were born the year this came out and have only played recent installments. Even with GTA V, which also takes place in Los Santos, San Andreas has certain aspects that are much better than those in future games. For its time, San Andreas was a marvel to many gamers.
Set in the ’90s, San Andreas encompassed an open-world story that not only took place in Los Santos, but also other cities like San Fierro and Las Venturas, which all had their own unique charm both within and in their countryside. At one point, you even take a trip to Liberty City from GTA 3. The ’90s music on the radio truly made you feel like you were in LA in the era, especially with the recreation of tourist spots in real life.
The gameplay is where San Andreas shines. From some of the most challenging and memorable missions in the series, to wreaking havoc or even obeying traffic laws, it’s an open sandbox for players. The series introduced unique customizations for your character, going beyond just outfits, allowing you to get a different haircut or go clothes shopping. Your character can become brolic by heading to the gym or chunky by eating too much fast food. NPCs will comment on your appearance, and it will even affect how fast you run.
There are many mysteries and conspiracy theories surrounding this game, some of which persist even to this day. San Andreas is a legendary PS2 game you need to play.
