I got through phases of games, and right now I’m in the one I like to think of everything-modern-is-making-me-angry-so-I’ll-turn-back-to-vintage-games - and that’s in the form of PCSX2 on my Steam Deck.
Playing the PS2 generation on the Steam Deck is kinda the ‘perfect’ generation: I can upscale the resolution without a performance hit, I can apply HD texture packs, Retro Achievements and I can drop the TDP to extend the battery life.
Anyway, I never had a PS2 (it was just a touch before my time), so there’s so many games I’m yet to discover there. I’d love to hear any suggestions you might have for what I can play on there:
Just a couple notes:
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No GTA games because they’re better with the PC versions. While I’ve bought the games, the account that Rockstar demands people have to play their games makes me angry on principle (a single-player game forcing an online check each week to be able to play it? No thanks), so I’ve got cracked versions to play.
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No Final Fantasy because I’m not even sure where to start!
So if anyone was around back in the PS2 era, and has some recommendations for games they’ve loved, I’m all ears. I’ve been having such a fun time playing these.
Some big thanks to my friends who made and run RetroDECK (my choice for emulating on the Steam Deck), and to the PCSX2 team (who I’m chatting to right now actually, so keep an eye out and in a week or so I’ll share that chat with them all about creating and maintaining the PS2 emulator!)
Also, if you do have a Steam Deck, and want to play with the HD texture packs I do, then it’s really simple. Just download the pack, and name then according to their game’s I.D. code - SLUS-20743 for example, then place it in the texture_packs folder:
From there, go into PCSX2, then right-click the game, select properties, graphics, texture replacement and tick the two boxes I have:
Then you’ve got the games looking the best they can be!
Here’s a link to a stack of pre-done HD textures for a lot of PS2 games, to help you on your way!
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If you want a wacky, unique rhythm game: Gitaroo Man
For the PS2 entry into one of the best shoot em up series of all time: Gradius V
For a fun, anime themed, voice acted tactical RPG that you can just literally play forever because it seemingly invented the “looping, start over but with better base stats” mechanic that idle games use these days: Disgaea
(As a bonus, the original PS2 version of Disgaea has a different voice for one of the characters than it does in other releases because they lost the rights or some thing like that, so you get to experience it in a slightly different manner than most other people.)
I see you’ve got 007: Nightfire in that list, so let me raise you 007: Agent Under Fire. The single player is not as good as Nightfire, but the multiplayer is spectacular, as it lets you turn on fun modifiers like moon gravity and use gadgets like the Q Claw on any surface instead of just preset spots. They probably toned down the multiplayer in Nightfire because Agent Under Fire’s didn’t feel very Bond-esque, but Bond or not, it was a ton of fun. The multiplayer is up to 4 players split-screen on Gamecube, but I can’t tell if it still retains that on PS2; often times, back then, PS2 games only had 2 player support while Gamecube and Xbox had 4. This was because the PS2 was weaker and also required an extra peripheral called a Multi Tap to hook up more than 2 controllers. Find some friends and play some deathmatch, if you find yourself in a situation where you can dock your Steam Deck or otherwise play on another computer.
There’s also Metal Arms: Glitch in the System, a third person shooter where you play a robot who can take over other robots. It’s quite challenging, it’s got a sense of humor, and it’s probably one of the best games of that era to not get remastered in a modern port. Once again, we’ve got the multiplayer issue rearing its head, but I’d strongly recommend the single player for this one, too. I also played this on Gamecube back in the day, so just play whichever version is rated best for compatibility in your emulator of choice.
You might also want a Burnout game in your library. Most people seem to prefer Burnout 3: Takedown, but my Burnout of choice was Burnout Revenge. Both great. I wish we got more racing games like these today. Local multiplayer is a dying breed in this genre.
You’ve got Tony Hawk’s Underground in that list, but for my money, the best game in the series is Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3.
The first three Ratchet & Clank games on PS2 have not been topped by their later entries, as far as I’m concerned. Ever since the fourth game, Deadlocked, the best they’ve been able to do was to remix ideas they’ve already used.
Jak and Daxter as well as Ratchet and Clank are both fun series. Jak was always weird in emulators for me, but maybe it works now.
Better to use openGOAL to play the Jak and Daxter games, the work they do to make them native is absolute magic
Burnout 3 is one of the best arcade racing games for this generation.
I see you have Kingdom Hearts II in there. There’s also the original Kingdom Hearts as well.
The Simpsons: Hit & Run is like GTA but more “family-friendly”.
There’s also other Ratchet & Clank games on the PS2, including the original, Going Commando, and Deadlocked.
If you like racing games, Need for Speed: Underground 2 is one of the best games in the NFS series. IMO it’s better than Underground 1.
Also, appreciate the guide for higher res textures.
Also, appreciate the guide for higher res textures.
You’re so welcome! Let me know if you ever run into any troubles!
Every single one of those games is excellent, but tbh I’d recommend starting with Underground 1 and then going onto Underground 2, they’re both fantastic IMO.
Seconding Burnout 3!
Seconding someone else’s suggestion of Psi-Ops - a really cool game that I think flies under the radar a little bit.
Gun is also really cool.
The early Red Faction games are also fun but a bit dated.
I remember loving the Mercenaries game
I think I need a band aid.
You want me to throw my shoe?
OH NO YOU DIDN’T.
Armored Core 2, Armored Core 3, Armored Core: Silent Line
Need for Speed Underground 1 and 2
We played the hell out of Shaun Palmer’s snowboarding. And I’m pretty sure we hammered Tony Hawk too.
Push 1v1 caused a lot of shouting matches between me and my brother. 10/10 would play again, that shit was genius.
Persona 4 and Clock Tower 3
So judging from the comments, there is your ps2 games recommendations: the entire PlayStation 2 library.
The important thing (to me) is the comments where I can tell the writer is utterly in love with a certain game, and does all they can to convince me to play it. And I’ve gotten a fair list of games I’m adding this way!
Makes sense. Speaking of which, I have to break your rule. I think some people have already 'splained that Final Fantasy isn’t as complicated as it seems, you can mostly jump in anywhere. Or to keep it simple, the best start is Final Fantasy X International. For me, Final Fantasy VII will always be my favorite just because it was the first one I played, and especially at a tumultuous time in my life. It was comfort food.
But so was X, and it really can’t be emphasized enough how much of a phenomenon this game was when it first came out. The graphics for it’s time blew people away and even hold up to some extent by today’s standards (especially if you count the remasters). The story is like something you’d expect out of a Pixar film - it will tug at your heartstrings. The gameplay itself is so easy to get into, and even easier to be completely absorbed by. I love the sphere grid. The worldbuilding is rich, and the aesthetic is dreamy. I went back and replayed it somewhat recently, and was shocked because a lot of games and content in general have not aged well; but X definitely aged like wine.
There’s a plot thread involving the main character and his struggles to be himself in spite of years of resentment toward his father’s verbal abuse and toxic masculinity. When I was a kid I kind of felt embarrassed to be playing through those scenes if others were around, but it hits closer to home now that we are at least beginning (at least in some spaces/circles) to push past those cliches and have a little breathing room to let go of outdated masculinity norms ourselves. It’s not a perfect game, but it does seem like it was a bit ahead of its time.
Yeah, easily in my top ten, maybe even top five.
Bloody Roar is a fighting game where you can turn into a furry, and it’s so cool I think they have a PS2 sequel, games go hard.
Dr.Muto is a funny 3D platformer
Gitaroo Man!
I only played it recently but it really feels like an underrated gem that you don’t see mentioned that often in lists of “best PS2 games”
It’s a rhythm game with goofy visuals and cutscenes. Also super hard at points but the music is great!
Robot Alchemic Drive
that was such fun when I got it for my ps2 way back when. the game grumps playing it was hilarious too. GRANDMA!
Surprised I didn’t see anyone mention Persona 3 FES.
The definitive version of Persona 3, before they simplified the combat system for 4, 5, and remakes of 3.
The epilogue of the game, The Answer, has the best story in the series.
Persona series is [almost] totally standalone; no need to play 1 or 2 first.
I wanted to say persona 3 FES as well, if you can’t afford the remake on steam which is excellent btw.
Other similar options include Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne and the Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga duology
Is it better to play Persona 3 FES or Reload? I’ve already played P3P
P3P uses the same combat system as Persona 4 and 5, while the original P3 and P3FES system was quite different.
The actual changes are pretty subtle, but it makes the whole system feel totally different. The “1 More” mechanic did not activate on partial knockdowns with multi target moves, and being knocked down would result in skipped turn. Being hit while knocked down would also undo the knockdown.
Basically, multi target moves were much more situational, type weaknesses were much more dangerous (for both player characters and enemies), and there was a lot of potential strategy in getting enemies to skip turns.
I think it was a lot more interesting this way and P4/P3P/P5 simplified it to the point that P5 added a “play the game for me” button that autoselects the best move.I agree with the other commenter that both P3Re or P3FES would be mostly the same as what you’ve already experienced, but I think it’s worth it for the epilogue, especially if you liked the characters in the base game.
Between the two, I would personally recommend FES but I think most people would recommend Reload.If you played p3p I don’t think playing p3fes or reload will be a new experience as the story remains mostly the same. Combat is the same with little differences between p3p and p3fes, but reload is closer to p5’s gameplay.
Devil may cry! And the follow up if you like it
