Highlights

• 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 really only rivaled by 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 was once considered classics 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 March 30, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: The PlayStation 2 is one of the most popular consoles of all time, with the immense success of this console launching Sony to superstardom and building on the solid foundation set by their first console. Tighter third-party regulations and the focus on improved visuals were key to helping the PS2 stand out as one of the best consoles gamers could get their hands on. While some games ended up being breakout hits on the console, some quality titles didn't get the time in the spotlight they deserved.

22 Ico

A Charming Adventure Game Where Players Must Protect Yorda, A Princess

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 Ico either. This beautiful video game focuses on the traditional boy-meets-girl story with some unique twists of its own.

Escorting Yorda, avoiding guards, and solving puzzles in this charming title make for a great time. To make things more interesting, the art style of this title is amazing and leads a sense of wonder to everything that transpires in a game that more people need to check out.

21 The Warriors

A Beat-'Em-Up Made By None Other Than Rockstar Itself

Given Rockstar's impressive pedigree as a developer, most people would assume that they've already checked out most of this studio's games. The open-world goodness and fun action gameplay present in some of Rockstar's titles are still spoken about fondly to this day, so it's odd that no one talks about The Warriors in high regard.

Rockstar's attempt to make a beat-'em-up title was certainly admirable, with the deep combat system being a blast to interact with. The game itself is an adaptation of the 1979 movie that is done pretty well, covering some original moments along with the established moments of the movie. This makes for an enticing package that many people can't believe hasn't retained the same level of popularity as some of Rockstar's other worlds.

20 The Bouncer

An Action-Packed Title With Square Enix's Unique Charm

Beat-'em-up games need to strike a balance between responsible combat and flamboyant animations to make for an interesting combat system. Unfortunately, in the case of The Bouncer, the game ends up focusing a bit too much on the latter and suffers as a result. It doesn't help that the game is extremely short and can be completed in a sitting or two.

The other characters can be fun to control in their own way, but players will really struggle with the combat system the longer they go on. Some of the boss fights can become a nightmare to complete as a result, but players who love the quirky character interactions and excellent visual design of this game will find a lot of things to love about a Square Enix game that never enjoyed the limelight like much of their other games on the PS2.

19 Shadow Hearts: Covenant

The Best Game In The Shadow Hearts Series

After Shadow Hearts impressed most fans, players wanted to see whether the sequel could take things up a notch. Thankfully, Shadow Hearts: Covenant was more than up to the task, impressive players with its wealth of improvements.

The Judgment Ring was as fun as ever, and the story ends up being a wild ride that respects the player's time, something that most JRPG games are notoriously bad at. It's a shame that the Shadow Hearts series isn't talked about all that much nowadays, and players need only check this title out to understand how special this dark fantasy JRPG was.

18 Black

A Cinematic Action-Packed First-Person Shooter

It's hard to believe that the developer of many Need for Speed games actually 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. 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 this title for themselves as the years rolled by. Playing this game now is a challenge, but it's still worthwhile for fans of classic FPS titles.

17 Onimusha: Dawn Of Dreams

A Stylistic Hack-And-Slash Game With Fixed Camera Perspectives

Onimusha is a series of hack-and-slash games that are all pretty iconic in their own right, featuring a fixed-camera perspective and set in Japan's rich and varied history. Of course, the games wouldn't be treasured if they didn't have something extra to add to this tale, which is why the Onimusha games also dabble in supernatural elements quite a bit.

The latest game in the series, Dawn of Dreams, is a pretty solid title that felt right at home for fans of the series. However, after the shift to the new generation of consoles, it seems that Capcom stopped focusing on this franchise altogether. The only thing that fans of this series have been able to enjoy in recent times is a remaster of the first Onimusha game, which simply doesn't cut it for many players who want another full-fledged entry.

16 Dark Cloud

An Action JRPG That Is Woefully Underlooked

The first PlayStation was a hub for many engaging JRPGs that employed turn-based combat to great effect. Final Fantasy 7 was a huge breakout hit on this console and inspired many other titles to come out, enjoying varying degrees of success in the process. As the PS2 rolled out, gamers started leaning towards real-time combat instead, even if there were some turn-based gems that attained a ton of popularity too.

So, it's genuinely puzzling as to why Dark Cloud didn't attain the same level of popularity as some other real-time action-oriented titles on the console. The game is genuinely a blast to play through and players who like unique titles with simple yet engaging combat will love what Dark Cloud has to offer.

15 Berserk Millennium Empire Arc: Chapter Of The Holy Demon War

A Surprisingly Great Action Game Based On Berserk

• Platforms: PlayStation 2
• Released: 7 October 2004 (Japan)
• Developers: Yuke's
• Genres: 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 Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage (which was released in the West), the game improved on its predecessor in many ways. It helped that the content covered in the game was stellar, and even the game's filler villain plays a central role in the overall narrative of Guts.

14 Batman Begins

Captures The Essence Of Being Batman Brilliantly

Batman Begins is the film that kickstarted the Nolan Batman trilogy in a definitive fashion. It also received a video game tie-in that is criminally underappreciated.

A lot of elements present in the Batman Arkham games are inspired by this title, which lets Batman be a predator of the night before beating his foes senselessly. It's a great game that more fans need to check out, especially with a lack of any new games featuring the Dark Knight.

13 Shadow Hearts

A Gothic Lovecraftian JRPG That Is Truly One-Of-A-Kind

Shadow Hearts is a JRPG with a pretty unique aesthetic. The gothic influence in this game is quite interesting, with a hint of H.P. Lovecraft making for one of the most unique horror JRPGs around.

It's a shame that Shadow Hearts isn't talked about more often, especially with its sequel being a marked improvement in every way. JRPG fans need to do themselves a solid and check this title out, especially if they're seeking out an experience that isn't generic in the slightest.

12 Xenosaga

A Sci-Fi Epic JRPG Spearheaded By The Person Behind Xenogears And Xenoblade Chronicles

Xenosaga is the first game in a trilogy that didn't really perform all that well on the console. Thankfully, Nintendo gave Tetsuya Takahashi another platform to shine with Xenoblade Chronicles—and shine he did.

That being said, there's no denying that Xenosaga is also a pretty great title that fans need to check out. The early days of the PS2 saw its fair share of turn-based RPGs that were anything but generic, and Xenosaga fits within this mold too.

11 Odin Sphere

2D Action-Platforming Goodness With An Epic Narrative To Boot

Odin Sphere is a side-scrolling action RPG that is another unique gem in its own right. The game lets players control five characters in an overlapping story that is a joy to play through.

Throughout the title, players will get to experiment with unique movesets and abilities that keep the gameplay fresh. The game received a remake in the form of Odin Sphere Leifthrasir, which is the best way to experience this one-of-a-kind experience.

10 Red Dead Revolver

The Game Preceding Rockstar's Crack At The IP

Poor Red Dead Revolver never stood a chance. The moment Red Dead Redemption was released, Revolver was all but immediately forgotten. This is to say nothing of the fact that Red Dead Revolver already wasn’t that well-known a game. Not helping matters was just how fundamentally different Revolver was.

Where Redemption was an epic, open-world romp, Revolver was an arcade-esque third-person shooter that emphasized the wackier elements of the Western genre. It’s exactly this distinction, however, that makes Revolver still worth playing today. It’s very much its own game and the few mechanical similarities it shares with its successors serve to ground the Redemption sub-series.

9 Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha Vs. King Abaddon

An Excellent SMT Spinoff Perfect For Fans Of This Rich JRPG Series

The first Devil Summoner game on the PlayStation 2 has a great story and is pretty well written, but it isn’t much to write home about otherwise. Its sequel, Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon, on the other hand, is easily one of the best action RPGs on the close.

With a great story to boot, Raidou’s second detective outing is better than the first. Using early 20th-century Japan as a setting is downright genius, and the fact that actual investigative work is narratively required allows the world to truly feel alive. The combat is great, there are plenty of demons to collect, and it has one of the best soundtracks on the PS2.

8 Makai Kingdom: Chronicles of the Sacred Tome

A Disgaea Spinoff That Serves Up A Fun Dose Of Tough Strategic Gameplay

• Platforms: PlayStation 2
• Released: July 26, 2005
• Developers: Nippon Ichi
• Genres: Tactical RPG

By far NIS’ most overlooked and oft-forgotten game, Makai Kingdom was one of many Disgaea spin-offs NIS released on the PlayStation 2. Of note, it’s the only game in the series still locked to the PlayStation 2 outside of Japan. It saw a Japanese PSP re-release but said game never came Westward.

Gameplay-wise, it’s a bit more creative than Disgaea. The strategy elements are still very much present, but the movement is far more freeform. Like most games in the series, Makai Kingdom makes grinding addictive, and multiple endings plus an incredibly entertaining story keep playthroughs constantly engaging.

7 Breath Of Fire: Dragon Quarter

A Departure From The Breath Of Fire Formula That Worked In Its Favor

The black sheep of the Breath of Fire franchise, Dragon Quarter understandably put the series on a lengthy, almost unbreakable hiatus. It just wasn’t the right game to follow two of the best RPGs on the PS1. It was too different, too unique, and barely resembled a Breath of Fire game. All the elements that ultimately made it good.

For the same reason Dragon Quarter became a pariah in the eyes of fans, it excelled as one of the most creative games on the PS2, period. There’s nothing like it on the system either gameplay-wise or narrative. It’s mature, thoughtful, intense, and appropriately meditative.

6 Yakuza 2

The Best Yakuza Game Released For The PS2

While the first Yakuza’s English dub is anything but appropriate, the first two Yakuza games are one of a kind. Well-told crime dramas with great beat 'em up action make up a great series and Yakuza 2 is still one of the better games in the franchise. Yakuza 2 is dripping in style from its soundtrack to its presentation.

While combat can feel stiff at times, action ultimately becomes rewarding once players master the controls. The story itself is the real driving force behind the game, presenting one of the most emotionally mature narratives on the PlayStation 2. It’s even better than its remake, Kiwami 2.

5 Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne

The Third Mainline SMT Game That Is Devilishly Challenging

One of the hardest games on the PlayStation 2, Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne is challenging for all the right reasons. It can be overwhelming at times, but it’s never poorly designed. Players have so much variety in how they proceed with the game, from different demons as party members to different builds entirely.

The story isn’t all too present, but the game’s atmosphere is unmatched. Nocturne’s world is downright oppressive at times. Of note, the game also features Dante from the Devil May Cry series in a rather active capacity. Multiple endings stemming from multiple routes make Nocturne an immensely replayable RPG as well.

4 The Sword Of Etheria

A Unique Action RPG With A Great Art Style

• Platforms: PlayStation 2
• Released: 30 June 2005
• Developers: Konami
• Genres: Hack and Slash

Only released in Japan and Europe, The Sword of Etheria is a Konami action RPG that aesthetically lifts a lot from Castlevania and The Wizard of Oz (of all things). The game is even titled Oz in Japan. It’s going to be hard to track down a copy, but it’s a game worth exerting some effort on.

Not only does it feature a great script, but it also has one of the best English localizations from its era. The combat isn’t too in-depth, but the gameplay loop is incredibly fun, the music is outstanding, and there are an insane amount of unlockables to hunt down.

3 God Hand

A Totally Unique And Engaging Action Game Unfairly Lambasted By Critics At The Time

Despite being infamously poorly reviewed by some big-name publications, God Hand is considered by many to be one of the greatest character action games of all time. Mechanically complex and rewarding with addictive gameplay, there’s never a dull moment when it comes to God Hand. It may not be Devil May Cry, but it’s not trying to be.

God Hand is also incredibly tongue-in-cheek, making fun of both video game and movie tropes. Its wacky stage design also pairs well with a genuinely great soundtrack. Higher difficulties just make the game more engaging, the already killer boss fights in particular.