20. Grandia II
A sequel to the JRPG Grandia and another port from the Dreamcast, Grandia II takes place in a fantasy world, as are most JRPGs, set millennia after a war between gods. The character design in this entry has stuck with me for years after seeing my older brother play the game. I’d often ask him, “What was that game with the girl with the white thing on her head and blonde hair?” The answer was always the same. If you’re a fan of classic, turn-based RPGs, or especially character design, this is a must-add to your “to-play” list. I made Kane play it a couple of years ago, and he certainly enjoyed it!
(If you noticed the little Easter egg in this section, ur cool.)
21. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
One of the best GTA games ever made. While there are other editions such as the definitive edition, they lack the iconic feel of the original. That and it makes CJ look like he’s covered in oil, which is just disturbing. The game has a fantastic soundtrack, stellar gameplay, and a narrative that makes John Cena’s recent heel turn look like child’s play. I think every gamer alive during the PS2 era has memories of using cheats to spawn vehicles and go on rampages. The game is and always will be one of the best of all time. If you haven’t played it, what are you waiting for?
22. Pac-Man World 2
A true classic turned to 3D platforming? Yes, please! Not only this, but Pac gets special abilities, too—we love a Butt-Bounce! The story is relatively simple, but 3D platformer and Pac-Man fans alike will love this entry into the franchise due to the collection aspects and the added lore into the Pac-iverse. Not only this, but you can unlock emulated versions of older Pac-Man titles for the in-game arcade, letting you truly live your best Pac-life. You can also visit the museum to see concept art—a fairly new feature to video games—and listen to the JuKeBoX~ to groove to their funky tunes. (We also get to see Chomp Chomp in this entry, which, you know, is always a bonus.) We also stan a game that encourages eating your 5-a-day.
23. Rampage: Total Destruction
Monkeys? Check. Fun gameplay? Check. Skyscrapers? Double check. Have you ever wanted to be a giant creature and cause chaos in large cities? If so, this game is for you. You can choose from a large variety of characters, some of which are classic monsters, some of which are quite, should we say… out there. And you know what? The selection is kind of progressive. Women can be angry and destructive, too. With a bit of collecting, 32 unlockable characters, and over 100 cities to destroy, the game is great for someone who enjoys a quick, easy game. The levels consist of a few areas in a big city, some missions, and a couple of bosses to defeat. The 3D models are a bit janky, and the story is a bit naff, but it is a very fun game to play, especially if you’re playing with a friend.
24. The Sims/The Sims: Bustin’ Out
I could spend hours writing about how much of an impact the life simulation The Sims has had on the gaming industry, or instead, I could spend hours playing the game. This game is an absolute classic; if you have never played it, you are missing out. The PS2 version of the game is miles better than the PC counterpart as it prompts you to ‘Get a Life’, giving you missions and goals to advance in your Sims life. There is also the Free Play mode, which is basically the PC version with a controller instead of a mouse and keyboard. Sure, the Sims don’t have as much customisation as the newer instalments to the franchise, but even so, the interactions and playstyle give you a chance to change how you engage with the game. The interactions are hilarious, and I’m sure a few of us have had to restart our saved games due to a Mac and Cheese gone wrong. Bustin’ Out is just the same game with a bit more customisation and some new lots; many people find it to be the better game of the two.
25. The Sims 2: Castaway
Monkeys? Check. Fun gameplay? Check. Skyscrapers? Errr… not quite. In this story-led simulation game, your sim – and up to five others if you like – are caught in a storm whilst at sea, causing a shipwreck, and your sims become… Castaways. Fitting! Anyway, your crew is stuck on this island full of monkeys and ancient llama statues. Your mission is to help your Sims traverse the land, create relationships with the monkeys, catch boar, craft a home, survive… The list is endless, but ultimately, you need to find a way to get help and get home. The game is as insane as it sounds; it is quite difficult at times, but oh, is it such great fun? …Yes. The answer is yes, it is fun. I have spent hours playing this game, and due to the customisation of your Sims’ personality traits, the gameplay is different each time I start a new save. Surprisingly, I had never played this game when I was younger; I had only played the game for the first time around 3 years ago. This means that this suggestion is NOT nostalgia-based.
26. Sitting Ducks
Apparently, Sitting Ducks is a TV show based on a 1977 lithograph and a 1998 book; more importantly, it is a PS2 game. Strange. What’s also strange is the friendship between a duck and an alligator, the latter of which is part of a species that EATS the ducks. (This game is Shark Tale, ain’t it?) Anyway, in this game, you run around DuckTown, completing everyday quests for your fellow ducks and trying to keep your alligator friend incognito. There is a lot to do in this game, you’ll soon find your favourite character and mode of transportation. It’s essentially an elaborate fetch quest with some puzzles and Crazy Taxi thrown into it. The character’s 3D models in this game are works of art, and the voice acting isn’t too bad, either. With the cartoony music playing in the background, this game emanates nostalgia, even if you’ve never heard of this game/series/lithograph or whatever it is!
27. Super Bust-a-Move 2/Super Puzzle Bobble 2
Not to be confused with the Japanese rhythm game Bust-a-Move 2, in this game you shoot your balls and beat your rival. Okay, maybe I could’ve worded that better. Super Bust-a-Move 2/Super Puzzle Bobble 2 is a – you guessed it – puzzle game released on the PS2 in September of 2002. If there’s one thing Taito has done right in their lifetime, it’s creating this game with simple mechanics and the most adorable characters ever. Seriously, I am going to search for plushies of the characters after I finish writing this. If not, I guess it’s back to my designing table to create my own~ If you ever played Beehive Bedlam on Sky Gaming, the game is basically the same, but you have to defeat someone in each level, and there is an end. The transition clips are really cute, and to be honest, some of the cover art is incredibly wacky. This is a great arcade game to play on your home system and a definite must-play if you’re looking to waste some free time. The music in this title will surely get trapped in your head; you’ll be whistling the songs all day, specifically ‘Monsta’s Theme‘.
28. WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2007
I think I speak for all fans of this game when I say that the soundtrack is top-tier; it influenced my generation like no other game on the system, making us all edgy little 12-year-olds. Growing up in a coastal town in the UK, I never really had much exposure to the alternative scene. There was nary a Hot Topic nor a Blue Banana in sight, so the only chance I had to see alternative fashion or music was via wrestling or listening to my dad’s 70s driving anthems, and let’s be honest, most dads aren’t cool. My family also had the tradition of watching WWE every Saturday, and growing up with plenty of siblings meant this game could give us a chance to have our own wrestling tournaments without actually hurting each other. However, I’m not promising a real punch wasn’t thrown here and there. It’s a very nostalgic game and incredibly fun to play with friends. If you end up playing it, send us your custom Superstars!
29. .Hack (original series)
Bit of a curveball for this entry as these games are now expensive to buy physically. But if you’re okay with emulation or forking out £200–£300 then it might be worth it to experience one of the more experimental games on the PS2. The gameplay mainly consists of creating worlds using 3 “keywords” and then exploring the world, beating the dungeon and grabbing the loot. The gameplay is a strange hybrid of action and turn-based—rather difficult to describe, to be honest. The story is interesting and kind of chilling at times, doubly so when the email portion of the game comes into it. Worth a play if you like JRPGs from the early 2000s or want something a bit different.