With the PS5 release on the horizon, details regarding the upcoming next gen console are still somewhat scarce. Rumors aside, there are a few features that have been – at least partially – confirmed. The one that’s been grabbing headlines as of late is the consoles potential backwards compatibility. It isn’t just PS4 games that are rumored to be available, but the entire PS catalogue.
That’s a pretty massive feature if rumors are to be believed. While backwards compatibility will most certainly be featured in some capacity, Sony taking the feature this far would certainly be a welcome surprise for many. One consoles library that will certainly get a lot of attention if this were the case is the PS2. The sixth gen console has a ton of amazing games in its library, and this would be the perfect time to revisit some of the classics. These are 10 PS2 games we can’t wait to play if the PS5 is backwards compatible.
10 God of War 2
Let’s kick things off with an absolute classic. While the PS4 title may be generating all the buzz now, let’s not forget just how iconic the second God of War game was. Received well by both fans and critics alike, the game may be nearly 13 years old, but it aside from its visuals it isn’t all that dated.
While the release of 2018’s God of War will have fans arguing whether or not God of War 2 is still the best game in the series, it’s undoubtedly one of the best PS2 titles on the console. Who wouldn’t want to jump right back in?
9 Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
The first entry in the long-running Disgaea series, Hour of Darkness is a game that’s been somewhat forgotten by many over the years. Though fans of the series are obviously familiar with the title, Hour of Darkness could benefit from backwards compatibility in the next gen.
A solid tactical RPG, with deep gameplay and a memorable cast of characters, Hour of Darkness is a forgotten classic that many JRPG fans would love to get running on their PS5’s – if only to relive some great old memories.
8 Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love
Though the new Sakura Wars game will have released in North America by the time the PS5 launches, experiencing it on current gen consoles may be enough to make some gamers want to go deeper into the series. If that does end up happening, then revisiting the only other game in the franchise to be released in North America would be a logical next step.
So Long, My Love is the fifth installment in the Sakura Wars series and was released for the PS2 and Wii nearly two decades ago. The game is somewhat hard to come by, so a digital version would certainly make it more accessible. If not, eager gamers will have to chase down a copy for themselves. The game itself is a unique mixture of tactical RPG and dating sim, so it’s certainly worth having for collection purposes alone.
7 Grand Theft Auto III
The GTA series continues to outdo itself with each entry, and while we’re all eagerly awaiting GTA VI it’s realistically going to be a while until Rockstar decides to put out anything on that front – so why not enjoy some of the older entries while you wait?
While it may have been outshined by latter entries in the series, GTA III is responsible for really propelling the franchise towards where it is now. Though it has aged a bit over the years, the fundamentals of what we’ve all come to love in a GTA game are all there.
6 Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
The SMT series boasts a long history and plenty of critically acclaimed games, with some titles that are still exclusive to Japan. Some modern JRPG fans may be more familiar with the series due to its connection to the Persona franchise. But the SMT games are some of the best JRPG experiences out there. Among the plethora of outstanding titles is Nocturne – a title that is still regarded by many as the best the series has to offer.
If you’ve played a lot of old-school JRPG’s then you’ll be familiar with the games turn-based combat. Though simple, it has aged very well over the years, and the game still boasts one of the better narrative’s on the PS2, alongside a great soundtrack and some really fun dungeons.
5 Resident Evil 4
The Resident Evil series has been riding a pretty big wave over the last few years. The release of Resident Evil 7, alongside the Resident Evil 2 remake and the upcoming remake of Resident Evil 3 indicate that things are looking good for the once decaying franchise.
Resident Evil 4 was a turning point for the series, and though it introduced a good many changes, is still regarded as one of the best in the series. The stronger focus on action and combat are balanced and executed much better than in future entries in the series – and it’d be nice to pick it up again on a new gen console.
4 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
The Metal Gear franchise is dead. Without Hideo Kojima at the helm, the series doesn’t seem like it will ever be the same, and we’ve all seen what Konami has done with the IP in the post Kojima era. In these trying times, it may be good to go back and revisit what made the series great.
Sons of Liberty proved to be an influential title upon its release, and the game is no less relevant today than it was two decades ago. The gameplay is still solid, the characters still hold up and the narrative is just as engaging as it was the first time around.
3 Viewtiful Joe
Viewtiful Joe is a forgotten classic, that sadly still gets overlooked by many. That won’t change as the years go by and more and more new titles are released. But with any luck, the inclusion of backwards compatibility for the PS5 will see the game experience a small boom in popularity.
With incredibly stylistic, slick visuals and some engaging beat’em up gameplay, Viewtiful Joe really stands out from its peers as a unique gem. You should definitely try it for yourself if you haven’t already.
2 Silent Hill 2
Yet another Konami series that’s pretty much dead in the water, Silent Hill 2 is one of the best games in the series, if not the best.
With an incredibly unnerving atmosphere, unsettling enemies and one of the best narratives of its era, Silent Hill 2 is a game any horror game fan should play if they haven’t done so already. Stay away from the HD release on PS3 though, that’s not how you’re supposed to experience the game.
1 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES
The SMT franchise has already made an appearance so far, but this time we take a look at Persona. Persona 3 is the game that really kick-started the series’ popularity towards where it’s at now. Though a remake is probably something fans want more than anything, knowing that there will be at least one way to play it on next gen hardware is a good middle ground.
Mixing in dungeon crawling with turn-based battle mechanics and social sim aspects that tie into both, Persona 3 was a unique experience for many. Reliving that on PS5 – in some capacity – would be a dream come true for many fans of the series, and would serve as a great entry-point for newcomers.