Best PS2 Games You Can Play On PS5

As a retro gaming enthusiast who’s been navigating the digital corridors of nostalgia since the days of floppy disks and cartridges, I must say the latest addition to my trusty PlayStation 5 is nothing short of a treasure trove! The lineup of classic titles that have found their way onto this modern marvel has brought back memories that were once thought to be buried deep within the annals of gaming history.

On the PlayStation 3, a limited selection of PlayStation 2 games was available for download, but they didn’t receive any improvements. However, on the PlayStation 4, these offerings became more extensive and the games, such as Dark Cloud 2, PaRappa the Rapper 2, and Okage: Shadow King, were visually upgraded using the PS4’s powerful capabilities.

The PlayStation 5 now provides an additional collection of PlayStation 2 (PS2) games, along with the previously released PS4 games. For quite some time, these PS2 games have been hard to find and purchase without shelling out a significant amount of money for used discs. Thus, emulation plays a crucial role in satisfying retro gaming enthusiasts. So, let’s explore the exciting new PS2 games that players can enjoy on their PlayStation 5!

6 Ghosthunter

Sony’s Forgotten Attempt At Ghostbusters

From the title itself, it’s evident that Ghosthunter was an endeavor to create a game devoid of copyright issues similar to the iconic Ghostbusters. Apart from capturing spirits, this series was renowned for its humor, so the developers chose comedian Rob Paulsen to headline the character with the memorable name Lazarus Jones. Nostalgic 90s children will recall Paulsen’s voice from numerous cartoons such as Yakko in Animaniacs and Raphael in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series.

He did some game work too, but rarely as the lead. Casting him as Lazarus fits well as he is a fast-talking jokester rookie detective who stumbles into an old school and accidentally releases ghosts from a contamination unit. Players have to try and recapture them by shooting spirits to weaken them and then chucking a grenade to seal their doom. It’s a weird first-party Sony game to be sure but it’s great more players get to discover it now that it is emulated on the PS5.

5 Mister Mosquito

A More Ridiculous Shadow of the Colossus

Mr. Mosquito” is another peculiar title that’s delightful to witness making a comeback. It revolves around a Japanese family, the Yamadas, who are tormented by the eponymous Mr. Mosquito during one summer. The gameplay style is a blend of “Star Fox” and “Shadow of the Colossus,” allowing players to maneuver freely in a designated area within each level, flying around a room.

The aim is to locate a vulnerable spot on one of the Yamada characters, such as Rena, during her initial stage, for Mister Mosquito to feed. However, if players are discovered, these colossal human characters will attempt to eliminate Mister Mosquito. Despite its unusual nature, this game is worth playing at least once. It would be fantastic if Sony could help bring the sequel, untranslated from Japanese titled “Ka 2: Let’s Go Hawaii“, to our shores.

4 SkyGunner

Atlus’ Hidden Anime Pilotwings

In contrast to “Mister Mosquito”, “SkyGunner” represents a more traditional flying game. Instead of an insect-themed narrative, this game revolves around a tranquil island city under siege by hostile airships and planes, aiming to ignite a conflict. Initially, players can choose between the characters Femme or Ciel to embark on their adventure.

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3 Sly Cooper And The Thievius Raccoonus

Combining Platforming And Stealth Well

Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus represented one of Sucker Punch’s initial major successes before they moved on to create the infamous inFAMOUS and Ghost series. The PlayStation 2 featured more conventional platformers like Jak and Daxter, while Ratchet and Clank introduced guns into the mix. However, unlike these games, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus focused on stealth, a concept that hadn’t been tackled extensively in platformer games until then.

If Sly, the main character, gets captured, he could meet his end with just one blow. However, he wasn’t defenseless; his sickle served not only as a useful tool for stealing but also as a weapon. Fortunately, the controls were straightforward, facilitating smooth stealth gameplay. Unfortunately, this new version on PS5 is merely emulating the PS2 version of the entire trilogy that was already remastered on the PS3.

2 TimeSplitters 2

A First-Person Trek Through Time

On the same day, the entire trilogy of the game “TimeSplitters” was released for the PS5, bringing delightful news to fans who have been anticipating remasters and sequels hinted at for what seems like an eternity. Although not full remakes, these emulated versions are bound to excite existing fans and attract new ones. Among the three games, “TimeSplitters 2” is generally considered the best by fan opinions and reviews from the past.

The game revolves around a special squad of agents on a mission to prevent extraterrestrial interference with time, traveling across different eras. For instance, their initial operation was set in Siberia during 1990. While stealth is suggested, it’s seldom mandatory because players often have the liberty to charge into each level armed and ready for combat. Levels also take you through Chicago, Notre Dame, and even the future.

1 Tomb Raider: Legend

Lara Gets Her First Reboot

Tomb Raider: Legend

The Tomb Raider series found itself in an unusual situation following its PS1 games. The initial major release for the PS2, titled Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, wasn’t well-received by critics, causing a hiatus for the series. Then came Tomb Raider: Legend, which served as a soft re-imagining by returning to a younger Lara Croft and improving control systems, addressing some issues from the previous installment effectively.

Lara exhibited greater agility during her leaps, maneuvers, and dives, making combat even more enhanced with an effective targeting system. The game’s settings frequently incorporated traps to be activated, allowing Lara to employ her grappling hook to bring down a pillar, thereby outsmarting some mercenaries. This title is an outstanding inclusion to the PS5’s classic library and serves as the standout entry in the Tomb Raider series, especially for enthusiasts of Sony’s Uncharted saga who should definitely give it a try.

2024-10-03 05:44