Sony PlayStation PS2 Favorites

[digitalpress]

We did it for GameCube and Xbox and we'll have a running list going there for as long as we're alive, so here's the PS2 version. These threads should be especially handy to people who got their systems recently and want to start out with the "A List" of games to pick from.

So let's start the "A List". What would you add to it?

NOTE: * = exclusive to this system (for now)

Activision Anthology *
Amplitude *
ATV Off-Road Fury 2
Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance (series)
Beyond Good and Evil
Burnout 3
Capcom vs SNK 2
Champions of Norrath (series) *
Contra *
Dark Cloud 2 *
DDR Max (series)
Devil May Cry *
Disaster Report *
Disgaea *
Dragon Quarter: Breath of Fire V
Dynasty Tactics (series)
Dynasty Warriors (series)
Escape From Monkey Island *
(ESPN) Major League Baseball 2k5
Everblue 2 *
Final Fantasy X *
Frequency *
Gitaroo Man *
God of War *
Gran Turismo (series) *
Grand Theft Auto III
Grand Theft Auto Vice City
Guilty Gear X (series)
I-Ninja
Ico *
Jak and Daxter (series) *
Katamari Damacy *
Kessen II *
Killzone *
Kingdom Hearts *
Madden (series)
Marvel vs Capcom 2
Maximo (series) *
Medal of Honor: Frontline
Mega Man Anniversary Collection
Metal Gear Solid 2
Midway Arcade Treasures (series)
Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance
Mortal Kombat Deception
MVP Baseball 2004
Namco Museum
NBA Street
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
Onimusha 3
PaRappa the Rapper 2 *
Phantom Brave *
Prince of Persia (series)
R-Type Final
Ratchet & Clank (series) *
Red Faction II
Rez
Ring of Red *
Shadow Hearts (series) *
Shadow of Colossus *
Shadow of Destiny
Shin Megami Tensei *
Silent Hill (series)
Sly Cooper (series) *
SOCOM (series) *
SSX Tricky
Star Ocean 3 *
Star Wars: Battlefront
Street Fighter Anniversary Collection
Suikoden III and IV *
Tekken 4
Tekken Tag Tournament *
Timesplitters 2
Tony Hawk (series)
Twisted Metal Black *
Virtua Fighter 4
War of the Monsters *
Wild Arms 3 *
Xenosaga *
Zone of the Enders (series) *

[buttasuperb]

Capcom vs SNK 2
Guilty Gear X
both GTA's
GT3
Contra (very tough game)
THPS4
Madden 2003
Tekken Tag Tournament
Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance

[cerex]

metal gear solid 2
thps3
twisted metal black
red faction
zone of the enders

[Chunky]

I would like to see this list. I have changed my ways of collecting. instead of owning the world i would rather go for the best of the best. And since ps2 is avaible everywhere, i would like to start grabbing things here. there are like 4 games that ExtendedPlay has been beating into my head that just came out that i need to get too i guess.

[Neo-Jorge]

Add

Onimusha 1&2
Devil may cry
Silent hill 2
Mr. Mosquito
Silent Scope 2&3
Re Code Veronica
Tekken 4
Gun Grave
Gradius III&IV
Ridge Racer 5
The Bouncer
Virtual Fighter 4
Dynasty Warriors 3
Dino Stalker
Vampire night
Time Crisis 2
Kessen II

[Arcade Antics]

Namco Classics
Tekken 4
Virtua Fighter 4
Marvel vs Capcom 2
PaRappa the Rapper 2
Ico
NBA Street

[Tempest]

Gitaroo Man. I can't get enough of that game. Rez is also an awesome game for the PS2.

Tempest

[bargora]

Rez = Sci-Fi Techno Panzer Dragoon = Excellent

I still pull out Unreal Tournament from time to time, long after I've seen everything it's got. Plus it's linkable. I've talked to people who dislike it, but I think it's excellent. Better than Red Faction and Timesplitters (the first ones, anyway) IMO.

[Kid Fenris]

I like Shadow of Destiny and Ring of Red, though both are unorthodox "niche" titles.

[Britboy]

Damn, I was going to say Gitaroo Man, tempest beat me to it.

Don't forget ATV Offroad Fury, one of the best. Bass Strike is really good too, as long as you change the reel setting from rotate to up/down. Trust me.

You know, I absolutely hate REZ? I find it pointless and repetitive, with bad graphics and not fun to play at all. And I smoke POT!

[WiseSalesman]

Hate to be so pedestrian, but I'm really enjoying Kingdom Hearts, and DDR MAX is quite possibly the best iteration of the game for the home console.

[Nature Boy]

I have to throw out two games I got for Xmas last year: Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and Jak and Daxter.

The former is a pretty damn good looking game, and plays like Diablo except *better* IMO (no worrying about hot keys to health potions - just hit R2).

The latter is simple platforming fun but it was definitely fun. I enjoy a little humour with my platforming.

Outside of that I suggest we replace MGS 2 with Substance whenever that gets released, as it will clearly be a better purchase for someone new to the system.

[maxlords]

I'd add:

Suikoden 3 (KICK ASS RPG!)
Wild Arms 3
Shadow Hearts
Dynasty Warriors 2
Robotech: Battlecry (not for everyone tho!)
Mark of the Kri

[bargora]

You know, I absolutely hate REZ? I find it pointless and repetitive, with bad graphics and not fun to play at all. And I smoke POT!
You know, I would say "smoke more" but then I'd be a friggin' hypocrite. In fact, I always and only play Rez late at night, when I'm tired, usually after an undisclosed number of beers. No tokey smokey for me at this juncture. However, I'd bet a tidy sum that REZ + [an illegal hallucinogen] =THE BOMB

And hey, shouldn't there be at least one Armored Core title on the list? (I haven't finished AC2, I haven't started AC:AA, and I haven't gotten AC3, but I'd think that another mech fan could point out at least one of them that is good enough for the list.)

[batmanlivesatmyhouse]

I think I posted before, but whatever.
DDR Max (Woo hoo!)
WWE Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth!
Galloper Racer 2001 (instead of 50 bucks every day at Belmont, 50 bucks one time! Woo hoo!)
Harvest Moon
Capcom Vs SNK 2 (it's better on Dreamcast, though. Go Sega controller adapters with the capability of using the 6 button Saturn joypad controllers!)
Guilty Gear X (though, also better on Dreamcast)

[digitalpress]

NOTE: I added an "*" for system exclusives but I'm not sure about all of them. If there are others on the list that are PS2 only, let us know!

[Goodwill Hunter]

I'd add Stuntman...I'm pretty sure it's an exclusive for the PS2. Tough and sometimes frustrating, but an ultimately rewarding game for driving fans.

And where is MOH:Frontline? I know it's out on other platforms but what a great and engaging FPS. The Omaha Beach level should get it on this list alone.

Rich

[josekortez]

You guys forgot the following:

DOA 2: Hardcore
Hot Shots Golf 3
War of the Monsters
MDK 2: Armageddeon
Rumble Racing
Theme Park Rollercoaster
Wipeout Fusion

My personal honorable mentions are:

Gungrave
World Rally Championship
State of Emergency

[Britboy]

You know, the other two missing are Road Trip and Seek & Destroy

Both are excellent games, and cheap too!

[Dahne]

Ick, Suikoden III? Maybe it's a decent game on it's own, but I can't get over how much it throws out the fine old spirit of the other two. (Dear developers: Please don't switch to 3D unless you have a damn good reason. Thank you.)

What about Xenosaga? I haven't gotten very far (Must...beat...Xenogears...must...make sense...of plot...auugh...), but there's gotta be somebody who can vouch for it.

[Brisco]

I'd have to add:
Frequency (An incredible game, can't get enought of it)
**Amplitude** (not out yet, but the demo is great)
Guilty Gear X2
Rygar
Dark Cloud 2

[digitalpress]

Updated.

I'll update the GameCube and Xbox threads as well - feel free to suggest more here if you have a favorite game that's missing!

[ehall]

Hitman 2 - I had a rough start with this one, but it really grew on me.

[maxlords]

Definitely definitely Zone of Enders: 2nd Runner...definitely.

[hamburgler]

GTA Vice city
GTA 3
Socom: Us Navy seals
Devil may Cry
Dark cloud 1 & 2
Tony hawk's pro skater 3 & 4
NBA 2K3
Twisted metal black
Madden 2003
Silent Hill 2
Onimusha 1 & 2
Time splitters 1 & 2
Real pool
DOA 2: Hardcore
State of emergency
Suikoden 3
Capcom vs Snk 2
NBA street
Red fraction
Gran turismo 3 A-spec
Mister Mosquito
Metal gear solid 2: sons of liberty

and more to come.

[le geek]

I third Suikoden III* and nominate Ridge Racer V* (best Ridge Racer to date).

Cheers,
Ben

[Scoots]

How about Armored Core 2? I think that's a great game; very addictive with massive customizing options.

[digitalpress]

Let's revisit, as it's getting close to holiday season.

Anything to add?

[Kroogah]

No additions so much as updates. Update NBA Street to Volume 2 and Virtua Fighter 4 to Evolution.

[Kid Fenris]

No additions so much as updates. Update NBA Street to Volume 2 and Virtua Fighter 4 to Evolution.

By the same token, I suggest changing Guilty Gear X to Guilty Gear X2, which has nearly everything that its predecessor did, along with new characters and features.

I'd also recommend Xenosaga: Episode 1 with some caution. It's not a game for everyone, but as RPGs go, I enjoyed it just as much as Final Fantasy X. And more than Suikoden III or Kingdom Hearts, faint as that praise may be.

Oh yeah, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness and Silent Hill 3 belong on the list, I'd say. While they're fairly recent, I think that both will age well.

[Retsudo]

Socom US Navy Seals
Tekken Tag
Tekken4
Ace Combat 4
Virtua Fighter Evo
Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance
Capcom vs Snk 2
Red Faction 1&2

[calthaer]

What about Xenosaga? I just picked it up yesterday, haven't had a chance to really sink my teeth into it...but it got good reviews. Is there anyone here that can vouch for it? I'm going to give it a whirl soon.

[Oobgarm]

I agree with Fenris' statement rgarding Guilty Gear X2.

I also recommend an addition of both Ape Escape 2 and Bombastic.

I'd say this list will grow after Novemeber is through. Jak II, Need for Speed Underground, so many others coming out. I heard something to the effect of 150 new PS2 titles by the end of the year. :eek 2:

[digitalpress]

STICKIED FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Now you've got something to use as both a "give to a new owner" and as recommendations for a personal "wish list".

Just another free service provided to you by DP INDUSTRIES INC :)

[le geek]

I'd add Silent Hill 3 to the list. :)

Ben

[Half Japanese]

My Picks:

Gungrave
Mark of Kri
Sly Cooper
Ico
Half Life
Twisted Metal Black
Tony Hawk 4
Contra:SS
Capcom vs SNK 2
Guilty Gear series

to avoid:

Silpheed
Stretch Panic

[jasukan]

What about Wild Arms 3?

[Balloon Fight]

Definitely add/keep:

Devil May Cry
MOH:Frontline
CvS2
JaK and Daxter (series)
Ratchet and Clank (series)
THPS 3
GGX (series)

[bensenvill]

Sly Cooper is an AWSOME side-scroller

Disaster Report is an great off-beat game

and since someone reminded me in another thread... CURSE OF MONKEY ISLAND... AWSOME

~Tj

[Sand_monkey]

Well I'm an RPG junkie so I would have to say:

Wild arms 3
FFX (Although it's my least fave of the FF series)
Shadow of memories

I really wish they would hurry up and realease more PS2 RPGs in europe!
Well atleast we're finally getting the .HACK games :)

[Crush Crawfish]

I definitely Have to add:

Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (One of the Best RPG's I've played in a LONG time)
Mega Man X7
.hack Series
Whiplash
Kingdom Hearts
Suikoden 3

[dreamcaster]

My favourites:

Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec
Crazy Taxi
Auto Modellista
Rally Fusion: Race of Champions
TimeSplitters 2
Fantavision

[Dahne]

Disgaea, Disgaea, Disgaea. Best game I've played in years.

How about Prince of Persia?

[DotCom]

Dark cloud
Dark Cloud 2
Final Fantasy X
Kingdom Hearts

My 2 cents

[evilmess]

The PS2 is a racing fans wet dream!

Gran Turismo 3 A-spec*
NFS: Hot Pursuit - WIDELY regarded as the best version of any console and PC
NFS: Underground
Midnight Club II (2)

I think I saw some rally titles mentioned in a couple other posts as well as Twisted Metal Black. And I see several mentions of Gun Grave which I also recommend, it's a great arcade shooter.

PS2 Greatest Hits line is fantastic with so many great titles, many of which are on the main list.

[evilmess]

Correction: NFS: Hot Pursuit 2 :-P

[8-Bit Master]

Some of my favorites include:

Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies (one of my favorite flight combat sims of all time)
Devil May Cry (a great old school Castlevania feel to it, avoid the sequel though)
Metal Gear Solid 2 (some feel its overrated but I sure don't)
Onimusha Warlords & Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny (both excellent quality action games)

[lendelin]

I just wanna add the most underrated PS2 game of them all:

EVERBLUE 2 by Capcom

It's a great game, one of the most immersing game experiences I had last year. It has an archhaic window screen which some might find strange, but the gameplay is incredible. You talk to people, you have tasks to fulfill, dive into beautiful 3Dwater and explore shipwrecks and collect items. Sounds simple? it is, and that's it's strong point. You hunt for upgrades which let you dive deeper and longer, explore more shipwrecks, scavenge bigger items, and a story develops which draws you into the game. It's addictive, the control is fantastic, the rewards are great, and the challenge is there from collecting everything to explore every nook and cranny of the ocean floor. This game has atmosphere, great gameplay, and you come back for more and more.

Great title, and it might have all the conditions of becoming a high -in-demand game in the future. I don't know about the production-run, but it certainly didn't sell well, is overlooked, and there is a chance it will be a cult hit.

Buy it, collect it, PLAY it. :) The longer you play, the better this game gets.

[Gamemaster_ca_2003]

hopefully I can bring life back on this topic.

please add these 3 games.
ATV Off Road fury 2
Pac-Man World 2
and Simpsons Road Rage

[DigitalSpace]

Am I the only one here that liked Spy Hunter? It was a really nice update of the original.

Also:
Midway Arcade Treasures
Gran Turismo 3 A-spec

[DigitalSpace]

Forgot to mention in my last post, and since editing isn't allowed:

"Namco Classics" is actually called "Namco Museum."

[DigitalSpace]

Whoops.

[DigitalSpace]

Whoops again :frustrated:

[ECWSandmanECW]

MVP Baseball 2004

[Naiera]

Really liking Disgaea at the moment. A little late, perhaps :roll:

[xenu]

hmm.. i'd go with

baldur's gate: dark alliance 1 and 2
jade cocoon 2
gauntlet: dark legacy
and XENOSAGA.

[RetroYoungen]

I agree with Xenosaga and Red Faction, but I'd like to add Frequency and (if it would count) Music Maker. Just Music Maker, no MTV or anything.

[vincewy]

My fav types of PS2 exclusive games are - 2D shooters, cartoon style RPGs, 2D/a few 3D fighters, few racers, puzzle, music games

Amplitude
Bombastic
Capcom vs SNK 2
Escape from Monkey Island
Frequency
Gradius 3/4
Gradius 5 (coming soon)
Grandia Xtreme
Growlanser Collection (coming soon)
Guilty Gear X (1,2,3)
Harvest Moon
Mega Man X7
Parappa the Rapper 2
REZ
Ridge Racer V
R-Type Final
Silpheed
Space Channel 2
Super Bust A Move 2
SF Anniversary Collection (coming soon)
Suikoden 3
Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero
Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3
Virtual Fighter 4
Virtual On Marz

Any other music games people recommend?

[Sibs]

My favorites for the PS2 so far are:

Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X-2
Kingdom Hearts
Tekken Tag Tournament
Devil May Cry
Gran Tursimo 3:A-Spec

[vincewy]

Reserved a copy of La Pucelle, should I pick it up? Looks like it's even rarer than Disgaea.

[Crush Crawfish]

Here's some of my PS2 favorites:

Ape Escape 2
Maximo Vs. Army of Zin
Monster Rancher 3
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
Sly cooper
.hack part 1-4
Dark cloud 1 and 2
Devil May cry
Disgaea
Gungrave
Kingdom Hearts
Klonoa 2
La pucelle
Magic Pengel
Megaman X7
R-type final
Suikoden 3
Whiplash

[sabre2922]

favorites that I own:
WIPOUT FUSION if this is the last wipeout game then at least it will end with honor! :D
GALERIANS:Ash hey I think it was a very kool game not perfect but very good sequal to the old PSone game
METAL GEAR SOLID 2: sons of liberty I know I know :embarrassed: I too was slightly dissapointed with the whole "Raiden thing" and the sometimes convoluted storyline but I still find myself going back to play the game years after I first got it :hmm:
others I have played and will soon have:
CASTELVANIA:LAMENT OF INNOCENCE
Devil May Cry series
Maximo series if u can call it that
King of fighters 2000/2001
Rygar
Shinobi
Tenchu
Metal Gear Series

[Lemmy Kilmister]

I have so far loved

1.breath of fire V (best rpg in years)
2.dynasty tactics 1 and 2
3.r-type final
4.klonoa 2
5.kingdom hearts
6.grandia extreme

And i am looking foward to gradius v and growlanser collection. :-P

[AMG]

My top 6 so far (in no order):

CastleVania: LoI
GTA3
GTA:VC
Gran Turismo 3
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X-2

[MegaDrive20XX]

Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 3
Maximo: Ghosts to Glory
Devil May Cry
Capcom Vs. SNK 2
King of Fighters 2000/2001

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Didn't ever notice this list here, its a nice list. Of all of those games, I have 18 of them, so I think I'm doing pretty good. There are a few I would ad, but they are very wishywashy with whoever I tell, so I suppose the list is fine as it is.

[videogameking26]

Man I have a ton of favorites on the PS2: Here are a few of my really favorite games-

Jak & Daxter
Ratchet & Clank
Klonoa 2
Ape Escape 2
Maximo vs Army of Zin
Pac-Man World 2
Wallace & Gromit In Project Zoo
Jak II
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
Burnout 2
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
Need For Speed: Underground
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Tony Hawk's Underground
SSX Tricky
Shaun Palmer's Pro Snowboarding
Devil May Cry
Madden 2003
Madden 2004
NCAA Football 2004
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004
Hot Shots Golf 3
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill 2
Clock Tower 3

Man there are some and I got many more to list but would take forever :P

BTW I own 95 PS2 games currently..love all the choices to play when I want :D :)

[Hakkenden]

MGS 2
Silent Hill 2
GTA

[Dahne]

I second Ape Escape 2. Personally, I'd remove Suikoden 3, but I'm a bastard that way. :-D

[Nuadha]

Devil May Cry
Maximo
Midway Arcade Classics
Activision Anthology
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Disgaea: Heart of Darkness

[PS2Hawk]

SLY Cooper 2

[classicb]

Fatal Frame 2
Gradius V

So many good games coming out I'm sure this list will be getting an update. I'll also second Sly Cooper 2 Band of Theives.

[drivefast1690]

Gt3
GTA3
GTAVC
Burnout 3
SH2
WE7
Starskey and Hutch:)

[ubersaurus]

GRADIUS V.

One of the best shooters I've played in months...and I usually hate gradius games. If anything should be on the list, it's that. Definitely a top PS2 game.

[Psycho Mantis]

Here's My list of my favorite Ps2 Games:
Phantom Brave
Gradius 5
.Hack Parts 1-4
disgaea
Gitaroo Man
Klonoa 2
La Pucelle Tactics
Mega Man X7
Ratchet and Clank
Ape Escape 2
Maximo vs. the army of zin
Metal Gear Solid 2
Monster rancher 3
Mystic Heroes
onimusha Blade Warriors
ratchet and clank: going comando
sly cooper
sly 2
Star ocean
tekken tag tournament
Zone of the enders
Zone of the ender: the 2nd runner