
More than twenty years after its 2000 release, the PlayStation 2 is still the best-selling video game console ever. While many things helped it succeed, its incredible game library is what truly set it apart. Many consider the PS2 to have the best selection of games of all time, including several now-classic titles that are still easy to find. However, some of these games have become incredibly valuable and can be surprisingly expensive.
The rarest and most valuable PlayStation 2 games are usually those that weren’t widely known or weren’t released in many countries. However, some popular games have also become rare and valuable collector’s items over the years.
March 2026 Update
- Added Quick Summary
- Added “How To Spot A Fake” section
- Added Chulip
Quick Summary: Rarest PS2 Games & What They’re Worth Today
Let’s take a quick look at some of the rarest PlayStation 2 games and what makes them so difficult to find before we reveal the rankings.
| Game Title (NTSC-U/C) | Current Value (CIB) | Rarity Tier | Why is it so expensive? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuon | $1504 | Mythic | Developed by FromSoftware, an extremely low NA print run by Agetec. |
| Rule of Rose | $813 | Mythic | Controversy led to a diminished retail presence. |
| God of War Retail Press Kit | $800 | Mythic | Very rare big box version of God of War. |
| Haunting Ground | $508 | High | Capcom’s cult-classic “Clock Tower” successor sold poorly during its initial run, meaning very few copies were ever produced. |
| Silent Hill: Shattered Memories | $499.25 | High | Released in 2010, years after the PS2’s heyday. Mostly known as a Wii game. |
| Futurama | $335.56 | High | Released just before the show was canceled, which limited its production significantly. |
| ObScure | $439.64 | High | With that title, it had to be rare. In truth, ObScure was a niche release that got a limited supply run, and the PC version is much easier to find. |
We sourced the prices for items in Loose, Complete In Box, and New condition from PriceCharting.com as of March 20, 2026.
We’re mainly focusing on individual games, but we’ve also included a couple of compilations because they’re really good.
How To Spot A Fake!
When something becomes valuable, counterfeit versions often appear. While not as widespread as fake Game Boy Advance games, PlayStation 2 fakes are showing up, so be cautious when buying games like Rule of Rose from retro gaming stores – make sure it’s genuine before you spend a lot of money.
Okay, so if I’m trying to figure out if a PS2 game is real or not, there are a few things I always check. Now, nothing is totally guaranteed – people making fakes are getting better all the time – but these tips should help me avoid getting ripped off, at least most of the time.
- PlayStation Logo on Disc – This is probably the best way to confirm if a disc is authentic. Real PS2 games have a PlayStation logo imprinted on the back of the disc and near the hole (in the small ring around it). There will also be a mastering code that consists of a few letters (for instance, PDSS) followed by a series number. If a PS2 disc doesn’t have this information, it is fake.
- Disc Color– PS2 games can have three types of colored discs (on the data side): gold, silver, and blue. If a disc looks purple or maybe even green, it is almost certainly not real. Important: PS2 games do not have a black bottom.
- Quality of Packaging – Due to the age of PS2 games, the packaging is likely to be in relatively rough shape, and a broken case doesn’t say anything about the content’s authenticity. However, if you manage to find a factory-sealed PS2 game, double-check the quality of the ESRB logo, as that can be difficult to replicate. To be honest, you should be wary of sealed copies in general.
23. Dragon Ball Z Budokai 3 [Limited Edition]
Complete In Box Price: $235.80
| Loose | $19.74 |
|---|---|
| Complete in Box | $235.80 |
| New | $1098.97 |
This special limited edition of DBZ Budokai 3 includes unique packaging and comes with a cute, miniature Broly figure and a Dragon Ball toy.
Here is an ongoing listing of the limited edition.
This collectible is valuable not because of the game itself – Budokai 3 is generally easy and affordable – but because of the box and included toys. Limited edition versions appear for sale fairly often, but you’ll want to look for a complete-in-box (CIB) listing, as finding a brand new copy is extremely rare.
22. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence [Limited Edition]
Complete In Box Price: $248.75
| Loose | $77.50 |
|---|---|
| Complete in Box | $248.75 |
| New | $450 |
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence is a fantastic value, offering the best version of what many consider the greatest game on the PlayStation 2. A regular copy of Subsistence is reasonably priced, especially if you’re buying used. The limited edition, however, is much harder to come by. It includes everything in the standard version, plus a 3.5-hour movie made from the game’s cutscenes, all packaged in a really cool collector’s box. While the movie is a bonus, the box itself is the main draw for collectors.
Even though Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is now out, I still suggest playing the original game if you have the chance. While Subsistence isn’t quite as valuable now that Metal Gear Online is gone, it does include some different elements and additions.
21. Goosebumps HorrorLand (With Goosebumps Calling All Creeps Book)
Complete In Box Price: $249.18
| Loose | $183.78 |
|---|---|
| Complete in Box | $249.18 |
| New | $598 |
I recently checked out Goosebumps HorrorLand, and it’s a pretty cool game if you grew up with the books! You basically get to explore the HorrorLand theme park, play a bunch of little mini-games, and meet all your favorite characters. A big part of it is collecting Monster Cards, which is fun. Honestly, if you’re not already a Goosebumps fan, this game probably won’t grab you, but if you are, it’s a really nice little throwback and worth finding a copy if you can.
However, a regular copy of the game is readily available and affordable on all platforms. This special edition is very expensive, not because of what’s in it, but simply because it’s rare. It includes the game itself, a protective sleeve, and a copy of the 1996 Goosebumps novel, Calling All Creeps!, which isn’t hard to find on its own.
20. Chulip
Complete In Box Price: $255.62
| Loose | $144.18 |
|---|---|
| Complete in Box | $255.62 |
| New | $284.95 |
A simple way to guess if a game is rare is to consider its name. If you immediately wonder what the game even is, it could be a good indication that it’s uncommon.
I remember hearing about Chulip way back when, and while it wasn’t a tiny game, it had a really weird release history. It first came out in Japan in 2002, which would have been a great time to bring it over here. But the North American version didn’t hit shelves until February 2007 – almost five years later! And to make things worse, that was just three months after the PS3 launched, so it felt like it never really had a chance. It was pretty much set up to fail, honestly.
The game Chulip originally came out as a PlayStation 2 title and was later made available on the PlayStation 3 through the console’s online store. However, it’s not currently playable on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5.
19. Star Wars Bounty Hunter [Limited Edition Action Pack]
Complete In Box Price: $299.99
| Loose | $230.76 |
|---|---|
| Complete in Box | $299.99 |
| New | $720 |
While not hugely expensive on its own, a complete copy of Star Wars: Bounty Hunter usually costs around $50. What makes this version special is that it came with a unique box and a Jango Fett action figure, unlike standard releases. You can see an example of the box and figure – though not the game itself – in this eBay listing.
The Star Wars Battlefront [Action Pack] costs $267.09 and includes everything you need to play.
Many special edition games from this time were produced in limited quantities, and most haven’t survived – they’ve either been lost or broken down for parts. It’s incredibly hard to find a complete, well-preserved box, and even a box by itself is rare. If you collect these, the easiest way to get one is probably to wait for a listing that includes both the box and the figure, then buy the game separately to finish the collection.
If you’re a fan of Star Wars, Bounty Hunter is worth checking out, especially since it’s now easily playable on consoles like the PS5 and computers. There’s no need to spend money on older versions of the game when the modern releases are available.
18. Robot Alchemic Drive
Complete In Box Price: $283.58
| Loose | $230.76 |
|---|---|
| Complete in Box | $283.58 |
| New | $720 |
Okay, so I recently dug up Robot Alchemic Drive for the PS2, and it’s a surprisingly fun game! It was one of the last games Enix made before they joined forces with Square, and it totally lets you live out your giant robot fantasies. You’re a pilot defending Earth from aliens. The single-player campaign is pretty long, with a bunch of different characters and mechs to try out. What’s really cool is you don’t actually pilot the robot directly – you control it remotely from the ground. It makes the battles feel way bigger and more epic. It’s not going to revolutionize gaming, but if you’re a fan of classic giant robot anime, manga, and movies, this is a really cool tribute to them.
The Japanese version, Gigantic Drive, usually costs about one-fifth the price of the Western release, which is now quite hard to find. If you come across Robot Alchemic Drive at a good price, I suggest buying it, even if you’re not a big fan of giant robots.
17. Silent Hill 3
Complete In Box Price: $303.78
| Loose | $175.33 |
|---|---|
| Complete in Box | $303.78 |
| New | $699.99 |
Aside from a few games inspired by Greek mythology, Silent Hill 3 is the most widely recognized PlayStation 2 title discussed here. Konami’s game is rightly considered one of the best horror games on the console. While the horror genre often leads to costly game development, most of these titles are niche favorites rather than major installments in popular series. Though it may not quite reach the level of its highly praised original, Silent Hill 3 remains a superb example of building suspense, atmosphere, and tension. The game’s protagonist, Heather Mason, is also a well-known and celebrated female character in gaming, not just within the horror genre.
Why does this game cost so much now? It’s become really hard to find, and even the computer version is considered old and unsupported. While Silent Hill 3 was included in the Silent Hill HD Collection, the only way to experience the original game is to find a copy of the PlayStation 2 version.
16. Futurama
Complete In Box Price: $335.56
| Loose | $219.83 |
|---|---|
| Complete in Box | $335.56 |
| New | $747.19 |
When it comes to pricey PlayStation 2 games, and considering all the popular franchises available on the PS2, few are as well-known as Futurama, the acclaimed animated series created by Matt Groening. The Futurama video game, released for the PS2 in 2003, received a generally unfavorable reception from critics.
The game wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t particularly good either. A lot of what made the original funny didn’t translate well to the game format. Surprisingly, this means Futurama is now one of the most expensive PlayStation 2 games you can find.
15. .hack/QUARANTINE
Complete In Box Price: $355.40
| Loose | $234.02 |
|---|---|
| Complete in Box | $355.40 |
| New | $381.04 |
The .hack series includes both video games and anime, but many fans remember the games more vividly. While the overall story is complex, the main series consists of four games, all released for the PlayStation 2. .hack/QUARANTINE was the last game in this core series.
The game was more popular in Japan, where it was known as “Absolute Encirclement.” Finding the North American version of this somewhat obscure series’ final installment is very difficult, making .hack/QUARANTINE a highly sought-after and expensive PS2 game.
14. Scarface: The World Is Yours – Press Kit
Complete In Box Price: $355.72
| Loose | $251.09 |
|---|---|
| Complete in Box | $355.72 |
| New | $853.72 |
Taking clear inspiration from Grand Theft Auto, Scarface: The World Is Yours is a surprisingly good open-world game for the PlayStation 2. If you enjoyed Vice City or San Andreas, it’s definitely worth checking out.
A standard copy of the game for the PlayStation 2 typically costs around $50, which is a reasonable price, and it’s available on several different systems. But the special Press Kit version is much pricier because it comes in a unique, collectible cigar box.
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2026-03-22 22:52