10 games are still stuck exclusively on PS2

Released in 2000 and discontinued in 2013, the PlayStation 2 had quite a long run. Even when the PlayStation 3 came out, the PlayStation 2 remained popular for a while. Given the many great games it's had over its existence, it's no wonder people stuck with their PS2 for a while – if not to this day.

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Many of the popular games for the PS2 were remastered and remade for future consoles, such as Shadow of the Colossus, Okami and Kingdom Hearts. However, there are still plenty of games tied to the original PS2 that are worth checking out. Here's just a handful of them.

Updated October 31, 2024 by Hilton Webster: aIn the years since we last touched on this article, many older PS2 titles have seen the light of day again, although these entries have been lost to time. We've replaced some older entries to highlight some of the other big titles that haven't yet seen a modern release.

10

Fatal Frame III: The Tormented

Rei looks near her bed in Fatal Frame 3.

The Fatal Frame series has done well as a Japanese horror series, with the first three games appearing on the PlayStation 2. The first and second games were released on other consoles, but the third game is still only found on the PS2.

If you like horror, the series is definitely worth a look. The third game is unique in that you are not always in an ancient haunted area. You go to these areas in your dreams and wake up in the safety of your home. But the house slowly becomes the scariest part of the game!

The series is also known as Project Zero in Europe and just Zero in Japan.

9

Xenosaga episode 3Kos Mos and Shion Uzuki stand in a dark cave from Xenosaga.

It's fun to follow the legacy of the Xeno series. Today's Xenoblade series began with Xenogears on the PS1 and later became Xenosaga under MonolithSoft. This led to a trilogy of games, although Xenosaga Episode 3 remains the only game never to have been released on another platform.

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Xenosaga Episode 3 drew heavily on the philosophies of Nietzsche and had to conclude a story that was originally planned as a six-parter, while MonolithSoft also worked on both remakes of the first two games and the brand new Baten Kaitos.

8

Eternal ring

No, this isn't a typing error from Elden Ring, even though it's largely the same developer. Before Dark Souls became famous, FromSoftware developed numerous games, from the famous Armored Core series to more obscure titles like Ninja Blade. And in the middle of it all there was the Eternal Ring.

Eternal Ring was actually a launch title for the PS2 in 2000. While it wasn't anything special and doesn't contain any elements related to the much later Elden Ring, in retrospect it's a fun name and a look at some of FromSoftware's previous titles Title.

7

The Shadow Hearts series

Albert Simon looks straight ahead on the train.

Shadow Hearts, a series of role-playing games, lived and died with the PlayStation 2, and many fans are saddened by the lack of remakes to this day. The story explored a dark alternate history and the game had the elements of a survival horror game.

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The characters were loved for their rich personalities and the story was a bit confusing but ultimately interesting. The music also received high praise. It's definitely a must for JRPG fans.

However, Shadow Hearts is getting a spiritual successor from many of the original creators in the form of Penny Blood.

6

Haunted ground

Best Dressed Horror Protag Haunting Ground Fiona Belli

Haunting Ground is one of the many horror games released on the PS2 and as such fell into obscurity without any subsequent releases to make it stand out among a sea of ​​other titles. And that's sad, because Haunting Ground plays with the perspective of player control in a way that many games don't even consider.

In Haunting Ground you take on the role of Fiona Belli, who is being chased through a castle. However, it is never entirely clear why you are being followed, although you can guess it very well. The game has a sexual theme, with Fiona's pursuers scaring her to such an extent that over time you as the player will no longer be able to control their actions. It's a shame so few get to experience it.

5

Mr. Mosquito

9 Mr. Mosquito

This PlayStation 2 game has earned a reputation for being one of the strangest games of all time. You play as a mosquito in a family home and your goal is to stock up on blood to survive the winter. However, you have to be sneaky or people will attack you.

Honestly, the premise is good and it's a little surprising that no other game has tried something similar.

4

Champions of Norrath

Pelys, leader of the orcs in Champions of Norrath.

This action role-playing game set in the EverQuest universe was released in 2004 and received a sequel just a year later. Both games are relatively well received and have a loyal fanbase, but that's clearly not enough to justify releasing the game on modern consoles.

It's a game where you can create your own character and choose between barbarian warriors, wood elf rangers, high elf clerics, learned wizards and dark elf shadow knights.

3

Lament of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII

Promo for Lament of Cerberus

This game was the world's first (and so far only) third-person shooter Final Fantasy series. Although the critics' reviews were not spectacular, the game has a large fan base. After all, it's difficult to find a Final Fantasy game without dedicated fans. Among other Final Fantasy games, many have compared it to the Devil May Cry series.

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An evolution of Final Fantasy 7, the game plays a role in one of the most notable Japanese role-playing games of all time. While a new release of the game is currently not in sight, perhaps the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy will give us a new vision of Vincent Valentine gameplay.

Although Dirge of Cerberus itself is a spin-off, there is also an additional game for mobile phones, Lost Episode.

2

Dog life

The image of Dog's Life shows the player talking to a boy.

This game is just cute and different. The story and characters seem like they came straight from a Pixar or Disney film. You play a dog trying to save his crush from dog catchers. Due to the rather innocent plot, many critics considered it a game aimed more at children than teenagers.

Aside from its basic oddities, the game is largely unremarkable, although it does hold a particular record – the most video game comments by one person. Yes, Kerry Shale voiced 32 characters in this game. Surely that's enough to justify a re-release.

1

Drakan: The Gates of the Old Ones

Drakan

In this game you have to play a warrior and her loyal dragon companion. It's an action-adventure game where you play both on the ground and fly in the air. It was a sequel to a PC game, Drakan: Order of the Flame. Many fans liked the spell mechanics, as you had to actually draw the spell patterns in order to cast them.

Unfortunately, the company that developed this game no longer exists, which could be a big reason why it is still stuck on the PS2 console.

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