PS2
God of War - Very compelling game with accessible gameplay and a fighting system that can get really great on the higher difficulty settings. Has to be one of my favorite games this gen, because the whole mythology and setting really appeal to me. Shame on you for not having this game in your collection yet.
Metal Gear Solid 2 & 3 - Especially the third game, though you might wanna play through the second installment first for some nice backstory and getting into it's unique universe more. Some gameplay mechanics are a bit dated (fixed overhead cam anyone?), but the storylines are nice to follow through to the end. Really like this franchise alot.
Jak Trilogy - Three very nice platforming titles with the first game being rather different and much more light-hearted than the other two. All three got solid gameplay mechanics and nice designs. The humor is also rather likeable. You might go and pick up Jak X sometime too, so you can finish the storyline, but it's not really the same quality as the other three games (also a completely different genre).
Ratchet & Clank Trilogy - Basically same story as Jak, though these three games are more consistant throughout with their content. I actually prefer this series because of it's well implemented weapon and gadget systems. Also, Clank is a very likeable character. Forget about the fourth game, Ratchet: Gladiator. It's way too action-oriented and throws all platforming stuff overboard.
Soul Calibur III - Get it IF you might like 3D fighters. It's one of the best around and really accessible. Also, the characters and environments are very appealing and nice looking. Very complete game. You get this, you're practicaly set as far as fighters are concerned, unless you want more realism with Virtua Fighter.
Final Fantasy X - Yeah well, even though it's not as great as the other iterations in the series, it's still a very decent RPG to have in your collection. Probably not as good as say, Dragon Quest 8, but hey...that's a great game in itself anyway. So yeah, just get it. There's a fair change you might like it.
Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit - Even though many mock the storyline after the ending, it's still a fairly well produced game. The greatest thing this game pulls off, is implementing gameplay with the storyline much more than any other game has ever done before it. Also, I really like the soundtrack, the way they shot the scenes and how many of the voiceovers are provided. It's a really nice and entertaining movie-like experience.
Star Ocean III - If you liked RPG's like Grandia Xtreme, BOF5 and Wild ARMS 3, you might just like this one as well. Not everything about the game is all that great, but it has some nice things going for it and overall it's still enjoyable. Not as good as the previous two installments though.
Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Has to be one of the better RPG's this gen. Unconventional but recognisable setting, combined with some rather unique characters and a decent combat system. Quite a bit better than it's predecessor and the previous installment doesn't necessarily have to be played to be able to follow and like the storyline.
Kingdom Hearts - Sure the camera was quite bad, the action sequences weren't really compelling and most of the areas were rather small, but the atmosphere and storyline are quite nice and will keep you going for quite a while. The blend of Square-Enix with Disney is very well pulled off and quite appealing.
Devil May Cry 1 & 3 - Avoid the second installment and watch the steep difficulty of the third. Otherwise very well pulled off actiongames with alot of stylized and frantic action going on. Never finished either of them (for some reason never could be bothered to), but they are still quite appealing.
Silent Hill Series - Yes, the psychological terror these games pull off has to be liked, and frankly I do like it quite a bit. Very creepy and disturbing games in many cases. Gameplay-wise they arent very great, but they have alot going for them in terms of atmosphere. Third game is probably the best, while fourth is the worst (though still not bad).
Burnout Revenge - Single best arcaderacer this generation imo. Just plays really well and is fast as fuck. Really adrenaline pumping game which can absorb you completely. The one thing that might put you off, is the fact that in this installment you can simply smash traffic out of the way. If that makes the game too simplistic for you, just get Burnout 3. It's great as well.
Pro Evolution Soccer 5/Winning Eleven 9 - You like soccergames, you get this. There's no other choice honestly. Just get this game and you're all set. Really solid and deep gameplay which is still quite easy to get into for some simple soccer matches.
GTA Series - You either like this, or you don't. I got a fair bit of enjoyment out of all three of the 3D games. There's something about the atmosphere in these games which I like. Mind you, I mainly follow the storyline and do the missions. Simply driving around and doing all kinds of stuff gets way too boring, way too quickly for me personally.
Maximo Series - Both games are enjoyable. First one is more hardcore and requires quite a bit more effort. That's not to say the second isn't any fun. It's actually more accessible. Just a decent blend of platforming and action, with a nice arcadey feel to it all and a fun design.
Gran Turismo 4 - The exact opposite of Burnout. The most realistic of a racer you can get on a console, next to Forza on the Xbox. It's something that you have to like. If you don't, just let this game pass you by. Even though it's a very polished and well conceived game, it still has some sore points like a lack of competing cars, no online play, no damage model whatsoever, too big a focus on car collection instead of pure racing and uninteresting AI. Oh well, hope they better themselves with GT5 for PS3.
GameCube:
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes - If you like the first, you'll probably like this one as well. In most areas it's less appealing than it's predeccessor, but all in all it's still a very decent and enjoyable game. At least get it for the exploration of new areas, the boss fights and expansion of the storyline.
Baten Kaitos - The voiceovers are horrible and should be muted asap. It could ruin the game for you otherwise. Backgrounds are very lush and atmospheric and the overall design is unique to say the least. Battlesystem has to be liked and is not very easy to get into, but still quite well implemented. Overall a good RPG which has quite a bit going for it.
F-Zero GX - Really hardcore racing game. Very hard in singleplayer, but fun all around in multiplayer because it's a very close call to the finish most of the time. Good looking track-designs, solid mechanics and a great sense of speed make this a very good SF racer.
Eternal Darkness - I know most of GAF doesn't really like this game, but I still enjoyed it quite a bit. Liked the story and atmosphere and the insanity effects are a nice and creative touch. Sound is very solid as well. Too bad the gameplay is quite bland and the sections with all the different characters are just a bit too short to really get to know them well.
Fire Emblem - Yes, get this game. I see you have Disgaea. If you liked that game, or even if you didn't, you will most probably like this one too. Has quite a bit of charm, decent storyline and good gameplay mechanics with a well conceived interface. It's one of the better NGC titles around.
Battalion Wars - Not everyone likes this one, but luckily I did. Overall design of this game is charming and gameplay is quite decent for what it tries to do. Could be polished quite a bit in some areas, but overall this is not a bad purchase at all.
Both:
Prince of Persia Trilogy - First game is very good with great and innovative platforming sections and somewhat meh action-sequences (which isn't the focus of the game to begin with). Also the overall design and the personality of the Prince are very likeable. Second game, Warrior Within, is not quite as good, although it's still a fairly well produced game overall. Just a bit too angsty and action-oriented. Third game, Two Thrones, is more like the first game with some new nice (speed kills, Dark Prince) and meh (chariot) features added in. It lacks some of the graphical polish of the previous two games though.
Resident Evil 4 - Get this one, even if you haven't played any of the other installments. This game has a whole lot going for it. Fast action (compared to other RE's), really strong atmosphere, nice designs, decent story (for what kind of game it is), beautiful graphics and well conceived gameplay (though it could still improve on some aspects). GameCube has better looking visuals, while PS2 version has more content. Doesn't matter all that much which version you pick up, they're both very good.
Viewtiful Joe Series - First two games are nice little actiongames with a good retro-feel to them. The Viewtiful powers are implemented very well and the visuals are quite charming. Second game is less difficult than the first, so it's more accessible. They're both entertaining and challenging though.
Splinter Cell Series - Well pulled-off stealth-action games. Good atmosphere and gameplay complement a meh storyline which is standard Tom Clancy fare most of the time. Graphics are a high point of this franchise, though these games only really start to shine on Xbox. You might just go and get the third installment right away and forget about the other two. It's the best one in the series anyway.
SSX On Tour - For some reason, I like these games very much. There's just something about the entire presentation, the solid gameplay mechanics and all the over the top moves and tracks, that make this a well conceived and quite enjoyable series. Just get the latest installment and you're basically set.
