Tag: Fighting Games
Eye of Typhoon gets North American release on PC and… 3DO
Also, a remake Apparently, it’s the 30th anniversary of Viccom, a South Korean game developer that I’ve just heard of....
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Meet Phantom Breaker: Omnia’s two new characters: Artifactor and Maestra
20 fighters in total Fighting game fans are going to have a pretty good couple of weeks ahead of them....
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Games to Watch Out for This February
We hope you've got loads of money, because an onslaught of games is on its way. Here are the games to watch out for this February.
The post Games to Watch Out for This February appeared first on GameSpew.
Rollback netcode comes to BlazBlue Centralfiction for PC today
Last year at CEO 2021 in Orlando, Florida, the fighting game community got several huge announcements for some of the best franchises in the genre. The big headlines included Baiken coming to Guilty Gear Strive, and Skullgirls was getting two more characters. One announcement that seemed to fly more under the radar, but was arguably the biggest one of them all: rollback netcode was heading to two BlazBlue games. Today, the PC version of BlazBlue Centralfiction at last has its rollback netcode.
For those that don’t know, rollback is a form of netcode that allows fighting games to function more smoothly online. To make a complicated system sound far simpler than it is, whenever there is a break in a connection between two players, the game will “roll itself back” to a previous point. Most of the time, this rollback is imperceptible to players.
The important part is that, unlike traditional delay-based netcode, it allows fighting games to function as intended o... An Xbox Fan’s Ode to Bungie
Ten of the Best Video Game Huggers
Bring it in I admit it; I’m a hugger. Don’t make this weird. Keep it office appropriate, but bring it...
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After five decades, Sega is leaving the Japanese arcade center business
Japan has been the savior of the arcade business for some time now, unlike the United States where arcades are mostly just Dave and Busters or Round1’s. (The latter is a lot of fun, at least.) But somehow, the arcade business has remained a stronghold in Japan, bolstered by fighting games, rhythm games, fancy claw machines, and other fabulous games like Gunslinger Stratos. But naturally, as the coronavirus impacts all industries, the arcades have taken a hit. And as for Sega, which has remained a strong supporter of the arcade, the company, unfortunately, is leaving the business behind.
It’s been about five decades of Sega in the arcade business, so the news feels bitter. In a somber statement released this morning, Sega announced it will sell the remaining amount of shares it holds to Genda Inc. Genda already holds the majority of Sega’s arcade shares, but this move sees Sega leaving the business entirely. The remaining locations won’t utilize the Sega brand... The Best Nintendo Switch Online Games
One of the best perks of Nintendo Switch Online is the ability to play dozens upon dozens of classic Nintendo games on Switch. At the time of writing, there are more than 100 SNES and NES games on the Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) service ($4/month, $8/3 months, $20/year), and an additional batch of Nintendo 64 games and Sega Genesis games in the NSO Expansion Pass ($30/year), with more on the way. The service also includes helpful features like optional save states for all the games available, rewinding your gameplay for NES, SNES, and Genesis, and unique versions of some games that start you out with end-game stats and gear so you can blast through each level.
A collection of more than 135 retro games (and counting) means there's a lot to parse. While many of the included titles are among the best games ever, there are some clunkers in the mix, too. For anyone wondering which of these games are worth your time, we picked a bunch of titles across the service's four available console libraries that we think represent the best on the service.
That said, just because your favorite isn’t listed doesn’t mean we think it’s unworthy. There are so many amazing retro games available on NSO, more than we have space to list. So think of this as a starting point for anyone unfamiliar with Nintendo’s (and now Sega’s) legacy catalog.
NES
Kirby’s Adventure
Kirby’s Adventure is the cute pink puff ball's first game on home console, and the follow up to 1992’s Kirby’s Dream Land on Game Boy. It’s also the game that introduced many of Kirby’s now-iconic abilities. Like in other 2D action-platformers, Kirby runs and jumps over obstacles and give baddies the boot, but he can also inflate himself to float over danger, or inhale enemies then spit them out as star-shaped projectiles that can hurt enemies and destroy objects. He can also gain special abilities by absorbing certain items and enemies, which opens up new paths and secrets hidden in each of the game’s 41 levels.
See our Kirby's Adventure review.
The Legend of Zelda
The original Legend of Zelda is a surprisingly open-ended adventure that still holds up today.
Zelda 1 features recognizable elements in its story and gameplay, such as a secret-packed overworld, numerous dungeons and bosses to overcome, and an array of items that unlock new abilities. However, unlike many of its sequels, most of Zelda 1 can be tackled in any order. And once you beat the game, you unlock a “Second Quest” mode that remixes the locations of dungeons and treasure for a totally new experience. Just be warned that there’s very little hand-holding in the original adventure compared to later entries in the series. Stumbling into strong enemies or impassable obstacles too early can be frustrating, but players are free to explore as they please and there’s something to discover on almost every screen, making your progress feel more genuine.
See our Legend of Zelda review.
Punchout!!
Speaking of NES games whose influence is still apparent in gaming today, the next NES game you should play on NSO is Punchout. This 1v1 proto-fighting game has elements of rhythm and puzzle games, and inspired everything from Street Fighter and fighting games in general, to action games with deliberate combat like Dark Souls and Monster Hunter. No, seriously.
Punchout Is all about timing and patience. Each opponent in the game’s roster has a unique fighting style and a unique personality to match. Your opponent will telegraph their moves with small tells that you need to memorize so you can respond with the proper counter move or dodge. Timing is also important, as some of the animations are quick and hard to spot, and your window of opportunity is short. Punchout is a tough game to master (and some of its characters are woefully outdated stereotypes), but the unique gameplay is still worth experiencing today--and hey, you can always use NSO’s built-in rewind feature for an easier playthrough.
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. wassn’t the first Mario game on NES, but it was Nintendo’s mustachioed plumber’s first full 2D platforming adventure.
Even if you’ve never played Super Mario Bros, you probably know what to expect: The evil turtle King Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach, and Mario’s gotta save her by running left and jumping on things. The plumber can consume mushrooms that make him bigger and stronger, use fire flowers to throw fireballs, or collect stars that make him temporarily invincible. Super Mario Bros. still holds up today, but if you want some more variety in your platforming...
See our Super Mario Bros. review.
Super Mario Bros. 3
If you’re going to play just one game in NSO’s NES collection, it should be Super Mario Bros. 3.
Super Mario Bros. 3 is arguably the best game on NES, and still one of the best 2D platformers ever made. It outshines all previous Mario games and, frankly, many of the games that came after. It’s also notable for refining and cementing many elements the series is still known for, such as the Tanooki Suit and Super Leaf power-ups, sectioning levels into “worlds” with specific themes, and characters like the Koopalings. There’s also an SP version that starts at the final stage of the game, and lets players select from one of eight different power-up boxes for extra help.
See our Super Mario Bros. 3 review.
SNES
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest
Donkey Kong Country 2 refined the core gameplay ideas introduced in the first Donkey Kong Country and added unique elements that make for a better game than the original.
Like in the original, players control a tag-team of two characters exploring dangerous levels set in a variety of tropical lands, but you won’t be playing as the titular Donkey Kong this time. Instead, Donkey Kong Country 2 is the first game in the series to give Diddy Kong the starring role--but he’s not alone. Diddy’s pal Dixie Kong joins him on a quest to save Donkey Kong from the clutches of series villain King K. Rool. You can play the entire game solo or with a partner, and there’s tons of secret items and bonus levels to discover, adding plenty of replay value to this charming 2D platformer.
See our Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest review.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
A Link to the Past set the structure that almost every Zelda would follow for the next 20-plus years.
Like the two previous Zelda titles, players controlled the hero Link on his adventure across Hyrule to defeat Ganon and save Princess Zelda. However, A Link to the Past is more guided and story-driven than the first Zelda, ditches the RPG mechanics Zelda II experimented with, and took dungeons from enemy-filled gauntlets into puzzle-filled labyrinths with unique themes, resulting in a well-paced adventure.
That formula would remain core to the series’ gameplay until 2017’s Breath of the Wild, but A Link to the Past’s gameplay loop was novel, and a refreshing change for the action-adventure genre at the time. It’s considered by many to be the best Zelda game, and it's easily one of the best games on SNES.
See our Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past review.
Super Mario Kart
Super Mario Kart wasn’t the first arcade racer with combative powerups, but it was certainly the most notable. It paved the way for the franchise’s dominance as the best-selling games on nearly every subsequent Nintendo console and handheld. Fans of modern Mario Kart may be initially disappointed by the SNES game’s lack of kart customization options and slimmer roster of racers and tracks compared to other games in the series, but Super Mario Kart is still a joy to play. It’s a pure arcade racer that doesn’t need gameplay gimmicks or excessive customization to hold your attention.
Star Fox
Star Fox was one of the first fully-3D console games, and one of the few games on the SNES to take full advantage of the Super FX chip--the first-ever 3D rendering chip available on a home gaming console. While not as pretty as future Star Fox games or the rail shooters that came after, the original Star Fox was a mind-blowing leap in video game graphics. To be fair, Star Fox 64 (which is available in the NSO Expansion Pack's N64 library) is basically a 1-to-1 remake of the SNES game's story, gameplay, and music, and is arguably a much better game, but the SNES version is still fun and worth playing if you’re a fan of Fox McCloud and crew. And if you need more space shooting goodness, Star Fox 2--which was originally canceled just after the game was finished and left unreleased for decades--is also available on NSO.
Super Mario All-Stars
Super Mario All-Stars is a collection of the original Super Mario Bros trilogy on the NES, plus Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan) on a single cartridge. All four games in the compilation were remade for the SNES with new graphics, controls, extra content, and more. Some have argued that the remakes are inferior to the originals, but they are easier on the eyes and have better controls. But hey, if you really want to play the original versions, they’re available in NSO’s NES library.
Super Mario World
Look, we know we keep calling the Mario games on this list some of the “best games ever made,” but for many, Super Mario World is the best.
Super Mario World was the first all-new Mario game on the SNES and the immediate sequel to Super Mario Bros. 3. World built upon everything Mario Bros. 3 excelled at--specifically the excellent level design, pacing, and responsive controls--and expanded the formula with bigger levels filled with secrets that encouraged players to replay and explore more than any prior game in the series.
Super Mario World was also the first game in the series to feature Yoshi as Mario’s rideable companion, as well as all-new power ups, enemy types, and gameplay mechanics that make World an incredibly deep game. And topping it all off is the richly detailed 16-bit sprites the perfectly capture the “feeling” of Mario, and an amazing soundtrack from series composer Koji Kondo.
If you only have time to play one Mario game in the NSO collection, it should be Super Mario World.
See our Super Mario World review.
Super Metroid
Super Metroid is a masterpiece of non-linear level design, atmospheric story presentation, and 2D action-platforming. The game starts strong with players controlling the intergalactic bounty hunter, Samus Aran, investigating a distress call from Ceres space station. As you quickly find out, almost all life on the station has been killed by space pirates and their leader, Ridley, who are after the last known Metroid--a parasitic organism that saps the life energy from its prey. Samus follows the space pirates down to the planet Zebes, the setting of the original Metroid.
From there, the game never lets up. Players explore a winding labyrinth of seamlessly interconnected levels, collecting power ups that bolster Samus’ arsenal with new weapons and abilities that unlock more of the map to explore, while the eerie (but catchy) soundtrack and atmospheric sound design create an engrossing atmosphere.
There’s a reason this game inspired a massively popular sub-genre that bears the Metroid franchise’s name, and why Super Metroid is often considered the best game in the series. Everyone should play it and find out why.
See our Super Metroid review.
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island is a strange game. A good game, mind, but a strange one. It’s technically the second entry in the World series, but is a major departure from the established gameplay and art style of previous Mario games. The most notable change is that you play as Yoshi--an entire pack of multi-colored Yoshis, actually. Mario is still here, but as a baby the Yoshis are escorting back to his parents (while also saving baby Luigi along the way).
Controlling Yoshi is also a departure from Mario’s purely jump-focused skills and power-ups. Yoshi can eat enemies to turn them into eggs, throw said eggs at enemies and obstacles, and jump longer distances than Mario ever could thanks to his floaty double-jump. In turn, Yoshi’s Island’s level design differs from other Mario games to accommodate the dinosaur sidekick’s unique kit, offering a more exploratory, puzzle-platformer structure.
Nintendo 64
Sin & Punishment
It’s hard to recommend many games in the NSO N64 collection due to the subpar emulation for Nintendo’s fifth generation console, but there is one N64 game every NSO Expansion Pack subscriber should play: Sin & Punishment.
Sin & Punishment is an on-rails sci-fi shooter that was originally exclusive to Japan, but gained a cult following in the west from the import crowd. Nintendo finally made it available to other territories in 2007 via the Wii Virtual Console, but with the Wii’s shopping services long-since shuttered, the NSO Expansion Pack is the only way to play this game today (aside from buying an expensive copy on the used retro market). And you should definitely play Sin & Punishment. It’s a gorgeous game for the time, with face-paced gameplay that remains buttery smooth from start to finish. It’s a quick playthrough, too, only lasting about 2 hours depending on how quickly you get through each stage, but Sin & Punishment’s unique levels and high score-chasing incentives provide plenty of replayability for those who want to spend more time with the game.
Sega Genesis
Gunstar Heroes
If you’re looking for a fast-paced run-and-gun shooter from the 16-bit era, Gunstar Heroes should be near the top of your list. This action-platformer is often regarded as one of the best in the genre and one of the best games on Sega Genesis in general. Critics lauded the fast-paced gameplay, varied level designs, and lush graphics at the time, and those elements still hold up well today.
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millenium
Phantasy Star was Sega’s answer to Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, and while the series never caught on as widely as its competitors, the early games are among the best JRPGs ever made. Phantasy Star IV is by far the pinnacle of the entire franchise. It was lauded for its unique science-fantasy setting, deep combat system, and manga-inspired cutscene presentation.
Simply put: every RPG fan needs to play Phantasy Star IV. Don’t be intimidated by the “IV” in the title, though. While Phantasy Star IV concludes the series' storyline, you don’t need to play the other games to understand what’s going on. Phantasy Star IV is set 1,000 years after the previous games, featuring a unique cast of characters on a mostly standalone adventure to save the Algol star system that will stick with you long after the final boss is defeated.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic 2 is a bigger and faster evolution of the original game’s 2D platforming gameplay, and many cite Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as the pinnacle of the Blue Blur’s cartridge-based games. This is also where series-staple elements were introduced for the first time, such as Sonic’s now-iconic spin dash move, the pseudo-3D “special stages,” and--most importantly--Sonic’s trusty sidekick Tails as the second playable character. Tails tags along with Sonic in single player mode, or a second player can take control of the double-tailed fox in split screen mode.
See our Sonic the Hedgehog 2 review.
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 2 is yet another game on this list that many consider the pinnacle of its respective genre--in this case, 2D beat-'em-ups. Players select one of the four playable characters: Axel, Blaze, Max, and Eddie. Each of the brawlers has their own unique look and fighting style, plus three difficulty levels to choose from, giving this brawler lots of replay incentive in either single or two-player mode.
Streets of Rage 2 was also a showcase of the Sega Genesis’ hardware strengths. The large, detailed sprites were some of the best in the 16-bit era, and the soundtrack from famed composer Yuzo Koshiro took full advantage of the console’s Yamaha YM2612 soundchip.
See our Streets of Rage 2 review.
NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL Spencer’s Top 10 Games of 2021!!
Another wacky year, all thanks to that evil little bug that’s still causing terrible global issues. I wish I had more cool and epic stuff to write about here, but 2021 wasn’t all that different from 2020. I did get to go back to movie theaters to see Dune and Spider-Man, so that’s great, I […]
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Exclusive: Let’s break down Dawn of the Monsters kaiju kombat
Godzilla never parried enough As you might recall, Destructoid previously reported on a brand new city-stomping brawler, Dawn of the...
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New PS5 fight stick and controller announced by HORI
The 25 Best PS2 Games Of All Time
Sony's PlayStation 2 established a library of quality games during its run, building up a collection of software that has stood the test of time. Whether you were looking for simulation driving at its very best, wildly imaginative adventure games, or thought-provoking journeys into mystery, the PS2 had it all. We're taking a look back at the best of the PS2 library, and across the console's monumental sales and the sheer volume of games released on it, we've narrowed the list down to the 25 best PS2 games.
More PlayStation best lists
Read on to discover which PS2 classics made the cut (in the alphabetical order).
Burnout 3
While Criterion's previous Burnout games had always skirted with turning your car into a destructive wrecking ball, Burnout 3 was the game that fully embraced a destruction derby flavor. Crash Mode was the highlight of this arcade racer, a drive down Road Rage Boulevard as you put the pedal to the metal in an attempt to cause as much collateral damage as possible while you reveled in the slow-motion carnage. Being an absolute menace was the driving force behind Burnout 3's success, with the rest of the game being racing bliss as you earned crashes and cash during your grand tour.
Read our Burnout 3 review.
Capcom vs. SNK 2
Bringing together many of the most popular characters from Capcom's and SNK's fighting games for a rematch, Capcom vs SNK 2 was one of the best 2D fighting games available on PS2 during the early 2000s. The follow-up added more characters, features, and refinements to the package, creating the definitive crossover of its time that saw it become a cult classic in the years after it was released.
Read our Capcom vs SNK 2 review.
Devil May Cry 3
After a lackluster follow-up in the form of Devil May Cry 2, Capcom went back to the drawing board for Dante's next demon-slaying adventure. The solution to reinvigorate the series? A prequel that charted the early days of Dante, a new antagonist in the form of his identical twin brother Vergil, and an arsenal of demonic tools that could be used to banish devilish foes back to the underworld. Devil May Cry 3 didn't just recapture the magic of the original game; it easily surpassed it with blockbuster levels of action and a story that wasn't short on twists.
Read our Devil May Cry 3 review.
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Dragon Quest VIII felt like the sum total of every Dragon Quest that came before it: a lavish and epic adventure for the ages. It was a role-playing game with an absurd amount of content, giving fans a constant supply of enemies and side quests to grind through. At a time when Japan's best RPGs were producing groundbreaking and experimental work within the genre--look at Square's Final Fantasy games from that time--Dragon Quest VIII was staunchly traditional, never wavering from its path and sharpening the elements of its formula that had made it so popular over the years. A safe RPG to dive into, but one that exemplified the very best of the genre.
Read our Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King review.
Final Fantasy X
The original PlayStation era of Final Fantasy games had raised the bar for what the series was capable of, and for its first mainline foray on the PS2, Final Fantasy X had some hefty expectations to meet. The RPG rose to the occasion, crafting a story that may have been more mechanically linear when compared to previous games, but was loaded with impressive visuals, satisfying turn-based action, and full voice-acting for its main cast. An underappreciated gem of a game in comparison to other Final Fantasy titles, Final Fantasy X is still an emotional odyssey that's packed with pure character chemistry, imaginative world-building, and a certified banger of a tune in its soundtrack.
Read our Final Fantasy X review.
God of War 2
How do you live up to and surpass a game that is widely hailed as one of the best action titles of all time? If you're God of War 2, you deliver an Olympus-smashing adventure that smooths out any rough spots from the original, gives its main character a good excuse to commit some more deicide, and awe-inspiring environments to explore. God of War 2 delivered on those ideas, pushing the PS2 to the breaking poi nt with its ambitious gameplay, and giving the console the sendoff that it deserved as the PS3 era began gathering steam.
Read our God of War 2 review.
Gran Turismo 4
Gran Turismo games are like the Halley's Comet of video game releases: rare, they take a while to appear, and they're absolutely worth observing when they do appear. The series' fourth mainline entry, Gran Turismo 4 pulled out all the stops for its arrival on PS2. With the genre getting more competitive now that Forza Motorsport had arrived on Xbox, Gran Turismo's shift into a higher gear saw it take first place with a game that contained hundreds of cars, improved driving physics, and an expanded career mode. B-spec mode introduced some managerial fun to the title, making it one of the definitive driving games to own on PS2.
Read our Gran Turismo 4 review.
GTA San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto games in the PS2 era helped form the foundation for the modern era of sandbox titles, and after a tour of Liberty and Vice City, Rockstar games were ready to raise the bar in GTA: San Andreas. A playground of gangland violence modeled after Los Angeles and Las Vegas, San Andreas was a leap forward that added RPG elements to the GTA formula. Players were given the opportunity to create a version of protagonist CJ that reflected their own playstyle, while the sandbox was in peak digital condition for all the chaos that could be caused inside of it. Every GTA game is a classic, but San Andreas stands tall as the best of the bunch on PS2.
Read our GTA San Andreas review.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
The 2000s were an era of plastic instrument peripherals, and you can thank Guitar Hero for making everyone feel like a rock-'n-roll superstar. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater developer Neversoft handled development duties on this title, crafting a game that retained the basic and accessible gameplay while adding a new co-op career mode and competitive challenges for grand rock-offs against the legends of rock. The soundtrack was pure fire of course, and mastering solo career mode would unlock DragonForce's "Through the Fire and Flames," a merciless gauntlet of sick licks and heavy metal riffs that few players were ready for.
Read our Guitar Hero 3 review.
Jak II
Jak and Daxter's introduction on PS2 was a vibrant and energetic romp through alien worlds, and for the sequel, developer Naughty Dog looked to turn everything that worked up to 11. Bigger and more ambitious in design, Jak II's foundational gameplay was enhanced by non-linear exploration, terrific voice-acting, and satisfying action. The story had a few twists up its sleeve, the graphical design made it a showcase title for the PS2, and a constantly rewarding gameplay loop kept fans coming back for more.
Read our Jak II review.
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts might be best known for having an overarching plot that's denser than a white dwarf star with all of its various narrative threads, but back in 2002, the first game was heralded for being an ambitious merger of worlds. Throwing Disney's greatest characters into worlds inhabited by heroes and villains from Square Enix's Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts was effortlessly charming and boasted some stellar design with its superb visuals. Future sequels and spin-offs may have further polished its various ideas, but as far as first impressions go, the original Kingdom Hearts was hard to beat.
Read our Kingdom Hearts review.
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
The original Max Payne was a game-changer in the action genre, merging bullet-time gunplay with a hard-boiled detective story of revenge and tragedy. For its sequel, Remedy Entertainment dialed up the noir influences, atmosphere, and action that had been a highlight of the first game, polishing these elements into a gritty gangland story. An admittedly short game, Max Payne 2 is still a stylish and cinematic experience that provides blockbuster fun from start to finish.
Read our Max Payne 2 review.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
While Metal Gear Solid 2 was a gigantic leap forward for the stealth and espionage series, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater took those advancements and used them to craft a cunning prequel that put players in the shoes of a young Big Boss. Codenamed Naked Snake, Metal Gear Solid 3 was a departure from the series' conventions as it in troduced new camouflage, close-quarters combat, survival systems, and injury gameplay mechanics to the franchise. Packed with a lengthy story and epic moments, Snake Eater's Subsistence edition is the definitive version of the prequel that irons out any lingering issues while also adding an impressive amount of extra content to the package.
Read our Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence review.
Okami
2006 was a great year for the PS2, but it was Okami that helped close the curtain on the PlayStation 2 with an unforgettable adventure. While its core gameplay riffs on Nintendo's Legend of Zelda series--complete with dungeons, boss fights, and puzzles--Okami was still very much a unique beast to play. On the surface, the cel-shaded aesthetic made Okami look like a Japanese ink painting come to interactive life, but beneath that gorgeous veneer, there was a game that embraced the very idea of art, using it to paint a masterpiece of epic design.
Read our Okami review.
Persona 4
Released on PS2 well after the PS3 had succeeded it, 2008's Persona 4 hasn't lost any of its magic over the years. If you enjoyed Persona 5, then Persona 4's mix of modern-day Japanese high school drama, dungeons, and monsters that need to be taken down a peg is going to be an instant dealmaker for you--especially when you add a lengthy murder-mystery story that drops plot twists on your head when you're least expecting it. One of the very best Persona games out there, the good news is that you won't need to track down a PS2 console to play it, as its Persona 4 Golden edition was ported to PC in 2020.
Read our Persona 4 review.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
While a Prince of Persia reboot had popped up in 1999, it was Ubisoft that proved that it had the right stuff for a fresh take on the iconic property. Embracing the third dimension, Prince of Persia was a groundbreaking fusion of parkour and time-bending magic that helped players survive numerous deathtraps. Constantly challenging and filled with exhilarating moments of triumph, Ubisoft's first foray into the Prince of Persia series helped spawn a new franchise, one that's due for a revival as soon as the current remake of the 2003 classic finally escapes from the development dungeon.
Read our Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time review.
Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Almost two decades later, Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal is still widely considered to be one of the very best entries in the series. That's no small feat for the Insomniac-developed game, especially when you factor in 2021's superb Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart into the rankings, but Up Your Arsenal simply had the right stuff back in 2004. The primary gameplay pillars of the series felt better than ever before, the selection of weapons that Ratchet could wield against Dr. Nefarious made the action constantly fun, and the online multiplayer turned the game into an all-time classic.
Read our Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal review.
Resident Evil 4
After the mainline games had thoroughly explored every corner of the Spencer Mansion and Raccoon City, Resident Evil 4 was a breath of fresh air for the series. Transplanting the bioweapon horror of the series into a Spanish village that was infested with a new breed of viral antagonists, Resident Evil 4 took a more action-packed approach but still had plenty of terror to unleash on players with its collection of spooky Los Illuminados enemies, atmospheric locations, and a behind-the-scenes betrayal of Nintendo that makes for a fascinating story.
Read our Resident Evil 4 review.
Rez
An absolute mind-trip of a game from Tetsuya Mizuguchi and the team at United Game Artists, Rez had you hacking mainframes to the beat of the music and the flow of an on-rail shooter. Fighting back against hostile programs, learning the rhythm of a stage, and constantly upgrading your avatar as you worked your way up the digital food chain made for a unique ride that was strangely cathartic as well.
Read our Rez review.
Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus was a unique and thought-provoking masterpiece of its time, arriving during the final days of the PS2 to definitively prove that video games could be art. Using both style and s ubstance, Shadow of the Colossus hooked fans with its unique design and wildly ambitious concept of traveling the land to slay more than a dozen titans. The game felt even better to play, tasking players with working out strategies for dealing with each Colossi and augmenting those epic battles with a sublime soundtrack. A colossal challenge that still managed to deliver a gigantic twist near the end. A remake would arrive in 2018, but the original game still stands as developer Team Ico's finest hour.
Read our Shadow of the Colossus review.
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill's first sequel still stands as a masterpiece of terror, taking the ideas of the first game and executing them on a grand scale. It's unnerving, and decades later, it still has a razor-sharp edge that'll stay with you long after you've put a sweat-drenched DualShock controller down. A nightmarish journey filled with abominable monsters, plot twists, and multiple endings, Silent Hill 2 never gives you a chance to catch your breath as it constantly keeps you on your toes. Plus, how many other video games can lay claim to having the best ending of all time?
Read our Silent Hill 2 review.
Soulcalibur II
Soulcalibur II's greatest triumph was that it leveled the playing field for both fighting game experts and novices alike. Striking a balance that allowed for anyone to feel like a master of the blade, the end result was a game that allowed for flashy combos, hard-hitting attacks, and some of the best couch co-op you could have on Friday nights with your friends. Each character had a style that made them a viable option for combat, the game looked like a million bucks, and even the story mode was worth investing your time in, just to see who would resist the sweet temptations of a demonic sword that was thirsty for souls.
SSX Tricky
The early 2000s were the golden age of extreme sports video games, and when it came to the fine art of snowboarding, EA's SSX was in a class of its own. 2001's SSX Tricky refined the formula of its predecessor while creating a benchmark for all future titles to be judged against, delivering pure downhill excitement and amplifying the experience with a few neat tricks. It was adrenaline-charged entertainment, every combo you pulled off was a slap in the face of gravity, and each track was brilliant to replay as you hunted for extras.
Read our SSX Tricky review.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
An overlooked chapter in the Tony Hawk series, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 was an earnest attempt by developer Neversoft to create a new foundation for the franchise. Gone were the two-minute runs that had formed the main template for THPS games, with Neversoft opting to embrace a more open-ended design where time was on your side. Career and Free Skate modes gave players time to explore the beautifully crafted stages, the introduction of spine transfers made the gameplay smoother than ever, and street tricks got a much-needed upgrade with new grinding and lip trick enhancements. All that, and it had a killer soundtrack that added a terrific atmosphere.
Read our Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 review.
Viewtiful Joe
What happens when you combine the power of cinema with pure Japanese Tokusatsu action? You get one of the best beat-'em-ups of the 2000s, a love letter to the art of film that's written with punches, kicks, and visual effects powers. Viewtiful Joe's challenging action made it stand out, but the tools that players had access to made overcoming each obstacle an absolute blast. From slowing down time to zooming in to deliver powerful haymakers, Joe's Viewtiful Effects arsenal made each run through multiple episodes an Oscar contender. It also looked great thanks to some colorful cel-shading, and clearing the game on a certain difficulty would even unlock Dante from Devil May Cry as a playable character.
Read our Viewtiful Joe review.
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