The PS2 era was an iconic era of gaming, and to this day, it remains the best-selling games console to ever hit the shelves. One of many reasons why this happened was the sheer volume of amazing games that were on the platform, from iconic JRPGs like Final Fantasy, to showstopping open-worlds like GTA: San Andreas. There really was something for everyone.
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But this also led to everyone jumping on the bandwagon, and a saturated market filled with duds. Bad games were a dime a dozen in the PS2 era, but even with plenty of turds to sift through, we still feel that a lot of games had poorer receptions than they deserved.
So, we want to cast our minds back to the golden era of console gaming and give some unfortunate games their day in the sun.
10Yu-Gi-Oh: The Duelists of Roses
The Heart of the Cards
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Duelists of the Roses
As someone who poured too much time into Duel Links, I know what makes a good Yu-Gi-Oh game and what doesn’t. However, Duelists of Roses is one of those games that are very hard to pin down.
You see, as an authentic Yu-Gi-Oh game that mirrors the tactics and rules of the actual card game, it’s a terrible representation and one that would definitely aggravate the purists.
However, if you can set that aside and just accept the game for what it is, it’s actually a pretty interesting strategy game.
It’s essentially like a grid-based JRPG chess game through the lens of the popular anime and card game, and while it does take some getting used to, mastering the systems is rather rewarding in the long run.
It’s a game with lots of cool ideas and a fresh take on the Yu-Gi-Oh duel format, and just because it doesn’t follow the authentic formula doesn’t make this a bad game, far from it.
9Sonic Heroes
Three’s Company
Sonic Heroes
I considered chucking the edgy Shadow the Hedgehog game onto this list, but even I can admit that it’s more enjoyable as a meme than an actual gaming experience. However,we do have a Sonic representativein the form of Sonic Heroes.
This was a game that had you playing as a group of three heroes at once, with four unique groups to choose from and their own stories to enjoy.
The need to switch between character types to access necessary abilities was a cool gimmick. The game looked and sounded amazing for the time of release, and the game had co-op, which wasn’t super-polished but was still a lot of fun.
The thing that pulled this game down was the weak level design that didn’t get the most out of the core gimmick, but even with that in mind, the game is still worth checking out, whether its for nostalgia or to witness a rare anomaly in the Sonic catalog.
8Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
The Beginning Of The Decline
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
With the power of hindsight, I think we can all admit that Naughty Dog spoiled us with reference to the Crash series, because when they farmed it out, they never quite managed to meet the lofty highs again. At least, not until Toys for Bob got involved.
However, despite the fact that games like Twinsanity were genuinely bad, some were actually decent, and Wrath of Cortex is a game that captures a lot of what Naughty Dog managed to implement into their Crash Trilogy.
Admittedly, Wrath of Cortex doesn’t really do anything new with the Crash formula and doesn’t push the series forward. But more of the same, when the previous games were so stellar, is hardly the worst thing in the world.
Plus, the level design was great; it looked the part, and it didn’t overstay its welcome. Yes, the vehicles were trash, but you can’t win them all.
7Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights
Ruh-Oh, Shraggy!
Scooby-Doo! Night of 100 Frights
Licensed video games get a hard wrap, and to be fair, so they should, as the average level of quality is pretty poor. However, you occasionally get a game that does something cool with the license and punches well above its weight.
That’s exactly what Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights did, not that the reviews would ever have you believe that. This is one of the very rare examplesof a 2.5D Metroidvania, offering Hanna Barbera charm in spades and comical platforming and mechanics that make you feel like you’re experiencing a mystery as part of the gang.
It’s one of the most lovingly crafted licensed games out there that respects the source material and gives an authentic Scooby experience for fans. But equally, doesn’t take itself too seriously.
The Ol' Ball & Chain
If there’s one reason why I long for the PS2 era, it is definitely because mascot platformers were in such steady supply, and while that did lead to some stinkers, there were quite a few that were brilliant but just didn’t get the attention they warranted.
Whiplash is one such game that has you play as a Weasel and Rabbit duo as they aim to escape from a genetic testing facility by any means necessary.
The humor in this game feels like it wouldfit seamlessly into Cartoon Network’s golden era, the platforming was solid, and the story was surprisingly good, too.
The combat and level system do drag the game down slightly, but provided you aren’t looking for GOTY levels of brilliance and just want a fun romp, Whiplash can provide that with ease.
5Blood Omen 2: Legacy of Kain
Let There Be Blood
Blood Omen 2
When anyone ever brings up the Legacy of Kain series, it’s always Soul Reaver this and Soul Reaver that. But, there are plenty of awesome games within this series, and while reviews would have you believe otherwise, Blood Omen 2 is certainly one of them.
It’s a huge leap forward compared to the first Blood Omen, as this one plays like an action RPG of the era, complete with a series of cool vampire-fuelled powers to utilize a nice mix of combat and stealth, and a unique blood system that you need to replenish, often by killing innocents.
It’s a game where you get to unapologetically play as the bad guy, which is a ton of fun, and the boss battles are pretty memorable, too.
I’ll grant you, the story falls flat, and the controls are very stiff, even for the time released, but if you can look past that, there is a lot of fun to be had here.
4Cold Fear
A Survival Horror Hidden Gem
If you want to understand just how a game as good as Cold Fear got such weak reviews, I can answer that pretty succinctly. It wasn’t Resident Evil.
In fact, many see this one as a shameless RE4 ripoff, despite the fact that the two games came out extremely close to each other. Hence, no one remembers this one.
But they should, as it’s a game with fantastic shooter mechanics, a palpable atmosphere that would rival most horror games of the era, and some amazing weather mechanics and use of physics that really helped the game stand out from the sea of sloppy shooters on the platform.
But alas, due to the brilliance of RE4 and the fact that this game does have some jank issues, it never quite got its flowers. But, if you’re interested in playing brilliant survival horror games, this is a worthwhile hidden gem.
3Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Go, Force Lightnin'
Star Wars Force Unleashed
Star Wars games have a pretty patchy track record, with lofty highs in the form of KOTOR and devastating lows in the form of the modern Battlefront games. However, a few games perhaps got a worse reception than they deserved because of the scrutiny that comes with being a Star Wars game.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was one such game, as this game had one of the most fantastic original stories to ever come courtesy of a video game, allowed players to choose which side of the force to align with, and had some of the coolest force-related powers to utilize.
Sure, it’s a little clunky in areas, and it’s one of many games using this IP that just cannot quite nail down what lightsaber combat should feel like. However, for the narrative alone, this is one that Star Wars fans need to go back and witness firsthand.
2Ty The Tasmanian Tiger
You Ripper!
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger
This one is a game that arguably stands out from the rest, as it received a pretty modest score as opposed to a negative one, but I still feel this game fits the bill, as it deserved a lot more praise than it got.
Among the platforming titans of the era, like Sly Cooper, Jak & Daxter, and Ratchet & Clank, Ty is the ugly duckling of the group, and for the life of me, I just don’t know why.
Ty offered some of the most unique mechanics within the genre at the time, with boomerang-based combat, decent platforming, iconic level design, silly humor, and much more.
It’s a game that has just as much quality as the other mascot platformers of the era and offers just as many memorable moments. So, if you have never got to enjoy this platformer down under, you need to give it a go.
1Kingdom Hearts: Re: Chain of Memories
Forget The Cards, Embrace The Story
Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories
Before everyone starts furiously typing hate mail, I just want to say that I agree that the card-based combat present in this game was about as easy to grasp as a slippery eel, but hear me out on this one.
I don’t think any other game in the long-running KH series even comes close to matching the narrative brilliance of Chain of Memories, as the scenes in Castle Oblivion and the characters you get to know are as iconic as they come.
Plus, while many will disagree, once you get your head around the card system, it’s actually a pretty cool system to use and master, making each battle feel like a perfect blend of strategy and dynamic action.
Seeing as this was originally a GBA game, it was always going to struggle to transport the mechanics seamlessly, but I think this title does it a lot better than people give it credit for. It’s ten times the game Kingdom Hearts III is, and I’ll die on that hill.
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