Enjoy your favorite video games while you can, because there is a chance that they will eventually be stuck on an old console. Popular games typically get remakes and remasters, but some are left covered in dust despite having a loyal fanbase.
Even with the release of the Playstation 5, there is still a treasure trove of Playstation 2 titles that fans want to see get remade. There are a ton of PS2 games, as the console came out in 2000 and was discontinued in 2013 (though the Playstation 3 came out in 2006). In the end, these games definitely deserved remakes.
Updated March 1, 2022 by Allison Stalberg: The PS5 has now been out for a while with its fast load times, immersive controller, and the demand outmatching the supply. The PS2 is falling further and further into the past while a lot of its games are still present in the minds of nostalgic gamers. Many would jump at the chance to get a PS5-friendly remake of certain PS2 titles. Some publishers have noticed this, such as Ubisoft, which is now remaking a Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. This list has been expanded with even more PS2 games that deserved remakes but didn't get them.
14 Final Fantasy 10
Final Fantasy 7 got a remake and so fans are beginning to imagine what remakes for other Final Fantasy titles could look like. One of the most popular of the series, outside of seven, was Final Fantasy 10. It was beloved by critics and fans alike, winning awards such as Best Game for 2001- 2002 and Best Story. Most reviewed rated it as nearly perfect.
With such a history, there is no question that a remake of Final Fantasy 10 would be on many a gamers' shelf. To this day, many people still cosplay these characters and make fan art, showing that the fanbase is still very much alive.
13 Xenosaga
The Xenosaga series had three titles released from 2002 to 2006. It is an RPG set in a science fiction universe. Famous for its long cinematics and deep storytelling, it even got its own anime and manga adaptations.
The reason this series may have never got a remake, despite its positive reviews and loyal fanbase, is that the series was considered a commercial failure. Video game journalists at the time believed the series was "too ambitious."
12 .hack
.hack is a major series that had its foot in every media platform from anime to novels and video games. Its main base was video games though, as the story is set in an MMO game (not to be confused with a real MMO game, as all the characters are NPCs that act as other players). It had several series, and .hack//GU was remastered for the Playstation 4. The original .hack series was left behind though.
This is likely because GU was a greater success. However, fans of the series as a whole would love the original .hack to make a comeback.
11 Fatal Frame
The Fatal Frame series stands as one of the best survival horror series next to titles like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. The player takes a camera with the power to capture spirits and faces down ghosts with it. The second game did get a remake for the Wii due to the fact that it is the most popular game of the series.
However, the first and third games have been left untouched and can still only be played on the PS2.
10 The Shadow Hearts Series
This series cleverly combined alternate history with Lovecraftian horror. It is unique and was unfortunately overshadowed by more popular titles that came out around the same time, like Devil May Cry and Final Fantasy 10.
Despite getting average reviews, nostalgic players feel like it deserves another chance. After all, there are not many games out there comparable to this one in terms of its story, genre, and mechanic combination.
9 Dark Cloud
This title came out in 2001 combining RPG and city-building mechanics. A dark genie seeks to take over the world, and you play as a boy with the power to rebuild destroyed lands. There is combat, dungeons, and fun little puzzles about where to place what buildings.
Despite its positive reviews and commercial success, the game only got ported to the Playstation 4 with just an up-rendering and trophies being added. While it is better than nothing, a remake would be far better.
8 Mister Mosquito
While Mister Mosquito did not get the highest reviews, it is known to be one of the weirdest games of all time. As anyone can imagine, the player takes the role of a mosquito and strives to collect blood without getting killed. Players were tasked to suck blood from different body parts that were only available in certain moments and had to be careful to not raise an NPC's stress meter too far or else they'd attack.
The quirky idea works for a stealth video game, and it would certainly be an interesting game to be remade.
7 Dirge Of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 7 was a huge success, and thus Dirge of Cerberus was also majorly well received. Vincent is one of the most loved and mysterious companions of Cloud's adventure. Making a game just about him made sense. He also had a lot of fangirls and boys, so there was no doubt this game would sell. With the Final Fantasy 7 remake now a reality, this could also be a good title from the series to tackle.
6 Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2, to this day, is still considered a masterpiece of the video game horror genre. The game was released in 2001 and won the Editor's Choice award at IGN for its PS2 version. It is still mentioned as the best game in the series and plenty of fans have been wondering why it has not gotten a remake yet.
The game was not perfect, as there was some criticism of its controls. That means a remake has the chance to make an already amazing game even better.
5 Katamari Damacy
Katamari is a bizarre and fun series where you collect everything that exists to make a ball big enough to become a planet.
The series has many games and Katamari Damacy is one that came out for the PS2. The game was remastered for the Nintendo Switch, but remasters are just the same game but in a higher definition. What the world really needs is a remake of this classic with even more objects to roll up and levels with higher detail.
4 ICO
ICO is a game that fell into the background from the popularity of its studio's other games like Shadow of the Colossus and The Last Guardian. It is more similar to The Last Guardian, as the player was tasked with escaping a castle through solving puzzles, but instead of a massive griffon-like creature, they have a mysterious girl as a companion.
Like the Shadow of the Colossus and The Last Guardian games, ICO is a game tied with down-to-earth emotion. It would look stunning if it had a remake with the same graphics as The Last Guardian, and it certainly deserves more attention.
3 The Simpsons: Hit & Run
Not only available on the PS2, The Simpsons: Hit & Run game was also on the Xbox, Gamecube, and Windows. The game came out in 2003 and took everyone by surprise. No one expected a Simpsons video game to be good, let alone great, but this one was amazing. In fact, it was majorly inspired by Grand Theft Auto. It became perfect satire while also being a fun video game.
Despite its critical success, the game has not gotten any ports, remasters, or remakes.
2 Viewtiful Joe
Viewtiful Joe is a series directed by Hideki Kamiya, the same man who directed Okami, Devil May Cry, and Resident Evil 2. With some of his other games getting remasters and remakes (Resident Evil 2's remake was especially popular), some fans are hopeful that Viewtiful Joe will also be revived from dormancy.
Unlike other titles made by Kamiya, Viewtiful Joe is a beat 'em up game. Like Okami, the game had a unique visual style and won many awards.
1 Persona 3
Persona 5 is currently the trending title of this series, but the previous games are just as good. Some fans even prefer the previous games to the new and shiny ones.
When it came out Persona 3 was just like Persona 5 in terms of its legacy and popularity. It is available on Playstation Portable, but the games of this beloved series definitely deserve some remake action.