-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
PS2 Appreciation & Celebration Thread, long live the King!
- Thread starter Canis lupus
- Start date
Not really. In the PS2 era, each major PAL country had it's own variant cover. The Germans have an added USK logo, the French have the SELL logo, and the brits have the BBFC one. Once PEGI started, it replaced the SELL mention, but the USK was kept beside it on the cover (making for some terrible covers). I think you don't have to put a BBFC logo if the rating is below 12, and at some point PEGI replaced BBFC for videogames.
It's more important to also look at the text on the cover if you want a specific country edition:
- USK (+PEGI) +German is Germany
- SELL or (PEGI + French) means France
- SELL or PEGI + (French and Dutch) means France, Belgium, Netherlands
- BBFC (+PEGI) is UK
- PEGI + English is UK OR the rest of Europe
- PEGI + USK + several languages is European, local covers don't likely exist
- ELSPA can replace PEGI sometimes.
It is quite a mess. Nintendo has a colour code to check which is which, but even this isn't flawless.
Often the content of the disc is identical, but anything with non-English on the back has the risk of being localised with English removed entirely.
RetroPlayer
Banned
Just picked up another PS2 Fat this morning for £25.
Really good condition and two Dualshock 2's.
Working Fats seem to be getting rare these days.
I have a slim too though. :0
Really good condition and two Dualshock 2's.
Working Fats seem to be getting rare these days.
I have a slim too though. :0
NormalFish
Banned
Use the fat to play games off a hard drive with FMCB. Definitely the biggest advantage.
RetroPlayer
Banned
Cheers NormalFish,
I had a look at how to do this a good few years ago before my old ps2 fat died.
Will need to do some research again, as that sounds like a good idea.
My ps2 slim's dvd drive doesn't play dual layer disks, so today is the first time in probably 5 years or more that I have been able to boot up GT4 and GOWII.
Both are just as awesome as I remember.
GOWII in particular still looks fantastic.
I had a look at how to do this a good few years ago before my old ps2 fat died.
Will need to do some research again, as that sounds like a good idea.
My ps2 slim's dvd drive doesn't play dual layer disks, so today is the first time in probably 5 years or more that I have been able to boot up GT4 and GOWII.
Both are just as awesome as I remember.
GOWII in particular still looks fantastic.
RetroPlayer
Banned
Hooked the new/old ps2 fat up to a Sony DVD Recorder which upscales the signal to 1080p.
Looks great.
Just been playing Outrun 2006 Coast 2 Coast.
It's brilliant.
Looks great.
Just been playing Outrun 2006 Coast 2 Coast.
It's brilliant.
sixteen-bit
Member
Benzychenz
Member
Yooo, I'm looking for suggestions for games I may have overlooked in the PS2 library.
My collection so far is:
And as for games I'm looking to pick up:
I think I've been pretty comprehensive for my tastes, but I'd hate to have overlooked something major.
Also, is there a way to hide my lists until people click on them? You can do that with images and spoiler tags iirc, I put them in code so at least if anyone quotes me they don't clog up the thread with repeated lists, but I hate posting big lists and clogging up threads in the first place haha.
Anyway, thank youuuu.
My collection so far is:
Code:
Ape Escape 2
Ape Escape 3
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
Dark Chronicle
Dark Cloud
Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry 2
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X-2
Final Fantasy XII
Gitaroo Man
God of War
God of War II
Ico
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Jak II: Renegade
Jak 3
Jak X
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts Final Mix
Kingdom Hearts II
Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Odin Sphere
Okami
Persona 4
Psychonauts
Ratchet & Clank
Ratchet & Clank 2: Locked and Loaded
Ratchet & Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal
Ratchet: Gladiator
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc
Rayman: M
Shadow Hearts
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Shadow Hearts: From the New World
Shadow of the Colossus
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2
Shin Megami Tensei: Lucifer's Call
Sly Raccoon
Sly 2: Band of Thieves
Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves
Spyro: A Hero's Tail
Katamari Damacy
We Love Katamari
YakuzaAnd as for games I'm looking to pick up:
Code:
Beyond Good & Evil
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Drakengard
Drakengard 2
God Hand
GrimGrimoire
Guilty Gear X
Guilty Gear X2
Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil
Maximo
Maximo vs Army of Zin
Monster Hunter
Onimusha: Warlords
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny
Onimusha 3
Onimusha: Dawn Of Dreams
Persona 3 FES
Rogue Galaxy
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Suikoden III
Suikoden IV
Suikoden V
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Yakuza 2
Ys: The Ark of Napishtim
Zone of the Enders
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd RunnerI think I've been pretty comprehensive for my tastes, but I'd hate to have overlooked something major.
Also, is there a way to hide my lists until people click on them? You can do that with images and spoiler tags iirc, I put them in code so at least if anyone quotes me they don't clog up the thread with repeated lists, but I hate posting big lists and clogging up threads in the first place haha.
Anyway, thank youuuu.
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
The Legacy of Kain games are missing. Soul Reaver 2, Defiance.
Bandersnatch1
Member
Not a survival horror fan? Silent Hill 2 & 3 are worth picking up.
Others I can think of similar to your tastes:
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner 1&2
Xenosaga 1-3
Tales of the Abyss
Spartan Total Warrior
Radiata Stories
Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance 1&2
Champions of Norrath & Champions Return to Arms
Growlanser Generations
Genji Dawn of the Samurai
Personal picks:
SSX3
Wizardry Tale of the Forsaken Land
Baroque
King's Field The Ancient City
Downhill Domination
Others I can think of similar to your tastes:
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner 1&2
Xenosaga 1-3
Tales of the Abyss
Spartan Total Warrior
Radiata Stories
Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance 1&2
Champions of Norrath & Champions Return to Arms
Growlanser Generations
Genji Dawn of the Samurai
Personal picks:
SSX3
Wizardry Tale of the Forsaken Land
Baroque
King's Field The Ancient City
Downhill Domination
Benzychenz
Member
Yeah Legacy of Kain was always a series I wanted to try but never got around to. Might try the first PS1 games on my Vita and work my way up.
And noooo I can't do horror games at all. I'm too weak.
I'd like to try stuff like Xenosaga, Radiata Stories and Tales of the Abyss yeah, they didn't get PAL releases though so I'll check if they're available to download on PS3 with my NA account (which is how I got Katamari Damacy).
Oh and I own Gitaroo Man, missed it in my list somehow.
And noooo I can't do horror games at all. I'm too weak.
I'd like to try stuff like Xenosaga, Radiata Stories and Tales of the Abyss yeah, they didn't get PAL releases though so I'll check if they're available to download on PS3 with my NA account (which is how I got Katamari Damacy).
Oh and I own Gitaroo Man, missed it in my list somehow.
if you have any appreciation for fighting games in any capacity you seriously ought to have VF4EVO in your collection
as well as (still!) being the most comprehensive console port of a fighting game, it's also cheap as dirt
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
Honestly yes, the PS1 games are better than the PS2 ones IMO. But it's a very good series anyway. Only BO2 is terrible, you want to avoid that one.
Pity. I would definitely recommend Silent Hill 2 and 3 and RE4 otherwise. Some of the best PS2 games by far.
For RPGs you might also want the Wild ARMs games. The first one on the PS1 is my favourite, but the remake on PS2, Alter Code F, is still pretty good. And WA3 is also enjoyable, though I never finished it...
Eh, RE4 is hardly a horror. I consider myself easily scared and I didn't think it was that scary overall. A brilliant shooter that's different from the usual fair, sure.
PS2 is hardly the best platform to play it, though. Unless you just WANT to play it on PS2, PC/Wii/last-gen consoles are a better choice.
tecmo9000
Member
This is so true. The only reason I bought an xbox was for splinter cell.
Benzychenz
Member
Yeah, I definitely want to play Resident Evil 4 (and 1-3 for that matter), but it's not going to be the PS2 version regardless haha.
tav7623
Member
Based on these lists I'd recommend the following games:
Silent Hill 2 Greatest Hits version (most like the black label version, but the GH version of SH 2 has the bonus mode Born from A Wish that was made for the Xbox version and was not in the original PS2 release)
Silent Hill 3 ( the first run of the game has the game's soundtrack included as a bonus disc so that might be something to look for)
Evil Dead: Regeneration (imo the best Evil Dead game to come out, unlike the PS1 game Hail to the King this one is more of a hack n slash game)
Timesplitters 2 or Timesplitters: Future Perfect ( I prefer 2, but I know a lot of people who love Future Perfect more either way both of these games are worth checking out especially if you are a fan of Goldeneye 64)
Tekken 5 or Tekken Tag Tournament ( both are imo pretty good fighting games, but the final boss in 5 is infuriatingly cheap)
SSX Tricky or SSX 3 (these 2 are the best in the series and both are worth owning especially if you like arcade style snowboarding games)
Fatal Frame 1 - 3 ( your list indicates you like survival horror titles which means these three are definitely up your alley, problem is getting them cheap as 2 of the 3 go for more than $30 ea)
007: Everything or Nothing (imo the best 3rd person James Bond game for the system next to From Russia with Love)
Destroy All Humans (3rd person action game that pokes fun at 60's UFO pop culture stereotypes like kidnapping cows, mind control, death rays, etc.. In the game you play as a "Grey" sent to 1960's earth with one goal, destroy all humans)
Khort
Member
OH God, I feel old now
sixteen-bit
Member
Based TTT and SSX. Good launch window games.
Ironically I bought them because I went to look for Yakuza 1 on local online auction service, but I found Drakengard from a different seller and he/she had a few other games.
And in the end I didn't buy Yakuza because I didn't have money on the linked account and it's on an auction now, instead of "buy now". Wish me luck. :-/
NoFaceNico
Member
Battle Engine Aquila is one of my favorite PS2 games. It's not expensive but it's one of the harder ones to find over here. It feels like you're playing as a mech in someone else's RTS game.
good luck! the first two yakuza games are so awesome. especially 2
Ironically I bought them because I went to look for Yakuza 1 on local online auction service, but I found Drakengard from a different seller and he/she had a few other games.
And in the end I didn't buy Yakuza because I didn't have money on the linked account and it's on an auction now, instead of "buy now". Wish me luck. :-/
lol, that's how I described it when I got the original xbox version. It really is a great game.
----
Can anyone recommend me an inexpensive PS2 controller with a good d-pad? Looked at the canadian ebay and the one auction for those Saturn replica pad is $330+... :/.
sixteen-bit
Member
The Neo Geo Pad 2 by Exar is pretty good, but it's creeping up in price. A bit cheaper is the Analog Sindou pad by Hori which has a decent D-pad, but not on the same level of Saturn despite having a similar design.
I really enjoyed that game, I always wanted a 3rd one.
Thanks for the recomendations! The Sindou looks neat.
I did some searching and found MadCatz made PS2 Saturn-style pads for Street Fighter's 15th anniversary. Does anyone know if they're any good?
sixteen-bit
Member
NoFaceNico
Member
I second the Hori gamepad, their d-pads are great.
And when I was searching for an image of one, the apparently made one like what you're asking for, but I've never seen one in the wild.
And when I was searching for an image of one, the apparently made one like what you're asking for, but I've never seen one in the wild.
drtomoe123
Member
Have you heard about the final optional boss? oh man
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
I think it's crap to be honest. Story is pretentious, overwrought drivel, characters are insufferable and the gameplay is boring. Horrible disappointment after Xenogears.
NormalFish
Banned
It has a pretty strong cult following. The 2nd game is underwhelming at best, though. the 3rd game (the one that's so damn expensive) is quite good by almost every account I've heard.
drtomoe123
Member
Yeah, I wish I could get my time back for I and II, but III is great...especially if you're a fan of Xenogears.
Bringer Of Bacon
Member
Animations are clunky. Game play is not great. Stick with final fantasy and front mission
The cutscenes are also long as hell and frequent
TheSadRanger
Banned
Shion's obsession with Kos-Mos is so over the top the first two games. It's like 90% of the plot for the first two titles
Get DDS2 so you can play it immediately afterwards.
IrishNinja
Member
finally, someone agrees with me on this series - as a huge Xenogears fan, i never got the love. enjoyed xenosaga 1 but man it went downhill fast after that.
Steamboat Chronicles should be in your collection, such an unique and charming game, you won't be disappointed.
Xenosaga series is Xenogears wih all the bad anime tropes, second one is the worst, but the music and the cut-scene direction were pretty good.
Very good list. I would only add:
Armored Core (any of them)
Beyond Good and Evil (my top recommended based on your list)
Burnout 3: Takedown
Champions of Norrath
Def Jam Vendetta
Def Jam 2: Fight for NY
Front Mission 4
GTA: San Andreas (maybe not your type of game, but probably the best story in the series)
Killer 7 (personal fave)
Mercenaries
Resident Evil 4
Rez (very hard to find)
SSX, SSX Tricky, SSX3 (the best one)
Soul Calibur 2
Soul Calibur 3
Star Wars: Battlefront 2
TimeSplitters 2
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect (best game ever)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Tony Hawk's Underground
Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution
