Retro games are in style. You just need to take a look at the hype surrounding Nintendo, with their online subscription service you can play a plethora of remastered retro games from consoles like the Nintendo 64, SNES, and Genesis. This has been incredibly popular for Nintendo as people are looking to their past, choosing a huge dose of nostalgia whilst playing their favorite video games from days gone by.
But what if you’re a nostalgia seeker with a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5? What is the best way to get your retro kicks on the next-generation consoles that are sitting in your lounge? Well, let us tell you. There is a range of different PlayStation 2 games that have been remastered and made compatible with the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 5. So if you’re looking for a video game throwback on your PlayStation, we have compiled a list of the top 10 best PS2 games that are available to play on the PS4 and subsequently, the PS5. The games included in our list have originally been remastered on the PlayStation 4 and are also now compatible with the PlayStation 5. So let’s take a trip down memory lane and see what is out there.
The Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 and 2.5 Remix is a compilation within a compilation. Originally developed and published by Square Enix, Kingdom Hearts is an action role-playing game that utilizes hack-and-slash gameplay that incorporates various Disney characters and properties. The Kingdom Hearts series consists of thirteen games in total, which have spanned across multiple platforms, including the PlayStation 2. In the Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 and 2.5 Remix, you are getting two different remastered collections that have previously been released. Starting with the HD 1.5 Remix, there are 2 games included; Kingdom Hearts Final Mix and Re:Chain of Memories. Both of these games were originally released on the PlayStation 2, with the Remix being developed for the PlayStation 3. Its predecessor, HD 2.5 Remix followed a similar trend however, there are 3 games included in this collection: Kingdom Hearts II, Birth By Sleep, and Re:coded. Out of all three of these games, it was only Kingdom Hearts II that was released on the PlayStation 2, Birth By Sleep was initially developed and released on the PlayStation Portable and Re:coded was released on the Nintendo DS. If you were exclusively a PlayStation gamer, then this compilation is a great opportunity to play Kingdom Hearts games that were not initially intended for the PlayStation. The great thing about this release for the PlayStation 4 is that you are getting both remixes in one, HD 1.5 and 2.5 rolled into one, that’s over 150 hours of gameplay.
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Key Features
- Over 150 hours of gameplay
- 6 Kingdom Hearts games rolled into one HD mix
- Compatible for the PlayStation 5
- New opportunities to play cross platform KH games
Specifications
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Genre: Action-role playing
- Mode: Single-player
- Platform: Playstation 4, Playstation 5
- Rating: E
Pros
- This is seriously good value for money
- A perfect opportunity for new fans to discover the series
- It will keep you occupied for hours
Cons
- The narrative is still a little tricky to follow.
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Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 and 2.5 Remix
Before Disney+ released The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter on the PlayStation 2 was one of the few forms of onscreen media out there to give you further insight into Jango Fett. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter was developed and published by Lucas Arts in 2002 as a prequel to Episode II Attack of The Clones and a continuation of Haden Blackman’s comic book, Jango Fett: Open Seasons. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a brilliant precursor to Attack of the Clones as it fills in gaps that aren’t explored in the movie relating to Jango Fett, such as how he acquired his ship, Slave I, and most importantly, why he was chosen to be the template for the Grand Army of the Republic. In the video game, Jango Fett has been hired by Darth Tyranus to capture and kill the leader of the Bando Gora crime syndicate, Komari Vosa, as Darth Tyranus and Darth Sidious are anxious that Vosa is becoming too powerful and will jeopardize their plans at universal domination. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter was considered a success, not only for filling the gaps with Attack of The Clones, but its graphics, length, and level design were all lauded. Although this is a classic game, we do have to mention one glaringly crazy fact, this game is expensive! At $250, you’ll have to be a devoted Star Wars fan if you want to pick this one up.
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Key Features
- Prequel to Attack of The Clones
- Limited to 7,500 copies available worldwide
- Narrative-driven storyline
- Third-person shooter
Specifications
- Publisher: LucasArts
- Genre: Action-Adventure
- Mode: Single-player
- Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Rating: Teen
Pros
- The graphics are impressive for its time
- The story line is well fleshed out and dense
- Uses Jango Fett’s weapons are really fun
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What we love about Destroy All Humans is the fact that you are on the evil side of the story. Most video games will follow the narrative of the protagonist fighting for good against evil, you know, the usual heroic storyline of conquering bad for the glory of good. Destroy All Humans flips that trope on its head as you play as a world-conquering little alien who is very much on the bad side of things. Destroy All Humans does this in a very comical way, set in the 1950s, you play as a little Furon Cryptosporidium alien (Crypto for short), who has been tasked by his superiors to gather Furon DNA that is locked inside of human brain stems. It is your task to harvest these human brain stems, using terrifyingly named weapons like the Anal Probe Gun and psychokinesis to accumulate all the information you need to appease your masters. This cult classic has returned for the PlayStation 4, also compatible with the PlayStation 5, and has been remastered and restored, and the game has never looked so sharp. Also, there is a brand-new mission implemented in the storyline, the Lost Mission of Area 42. Destroy All Humans doesn’t take itself too seriously and is a laugh all the way through. Destroy all Humans 2 has also been released on the PlayStation 5, so if you enjoy the original you can also check out the sequel.
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Key Features
- Includes a brand new mission, the Lost Mission of Arena 42
- Unique and fun weaponry throughout the game
- Completely follows the original story line
- Improved graphics
Specifications
- Publisher: THQ Nordic
- Genre: Action-Adventure
- Mode: Single-player
- Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Rating: 15
Pros
- Destroy All Humans! has never looked this crisp
- Overall, this is a really fun light-hearted(ish) game
- The weapons are hilarious
Cons
- A few newer missions would have been good
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The PlayStation 2 era is what propelled Grand Theft Auto into video game history. Over a period of around five years, Rockstar Games released 3 iconic games that changed video game history and would make Grand Theft Auto one of the most recognizable video game brands in the world. Originating in Dundee, Scotland, Grand Theft Auto first hit the market in 1997 on the PlayStation and was followed by its successor Grand Theft Auto II in 1999. However, it wasn’t until the release of Grand Theft Auto III that the franchise was propelled into stardom. With the console and graphic improvements the PlayStation 2 offered, Grand Theft Auto III was the first third-person perspective game in the series departing from the bird’s eye view the player experienced in the first two games. Grand Theft Auto Vice City was the next installment in the series, which took the story back a few decades to the 1980s. Set in Vice City, based on Miami City, the game followed gangster Tommy Vercetti and his rise to power. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas followed in 2004 and is still considered one of the greatest video games ever made receiving great critical reception for its dense customization options, open-world map, and plot which was inspired by real-life events in Los Angeles during the 1990s. If you were playing Grand Theft Auto back then, you can walk down memory lane as Rockstar games released that complete trilogy on the PlayStation 4. They have scrubbed up the graphics, in-game lighting, and environmental upgrades to better set it to HD screens. This three-in-one trilogy offers great value for money and hours of illicit fun.
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Key Features
- 3 iconic Grand Theft Auto games in one
- Graphics, lighting and environments have all been improved
- PlayStation 5 compatible
- Modern day controls for all 3 games
Specifications
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Genre: Action-adventure, role-playing
- Mode: Single-player, Multiplayer
- Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Rating: 18
Pros
- If you played the original games, you will notice the improvements in graphics
- The modern day controls are a lifesaver and make it a lot more enjoyable
- 3 games in 1 is great value for money
Cons
- The AI is as stupid as ever, with a tendency of getting you killed!
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Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition
Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy is a PlayStation 2 game that will keep you on your toes. It is a game that will make you want to consider your options and when complete, play it again. This is because there are multiple different endings to the game, depending on the decisions you make throughout and your actions in different scenarios will affect the outcome of the game. This game became popular because of its replayability, there weren’t many narrative-driven video games in 2005 that would yield a different outcome depending on your choices and this won the game quite a few accolades upon release. Gameplay includes taking control of multiple different characters, including protagonist Lucas Kane and his brother Markus. The main plot of the game is thus: it’s nighttime in New York City, and Lucas Kane stabs a man to death in a seedy restroom, the interesting twist is that Lucas seems to be possessed whilst acting out the murder, adding a supernatural mysterious feel. Detective Carla Valenti has been assigned to the case and the storyline follows this cat and mouse to its conclusion. Developer Quantic Dream wanted to create a total experience for the end user, including a reversible cover with the game. On one side it is named Fahrenheit and on the other, Indigo Prophecy. Another cinematic and thoughtful inclusion was the score, an original fully orchestrated score composed by renowned writer Angelo Badalamenti who is most famously known for working on David Lynch films like Blue Velvet. This game is becoming increasingly scarce for the PS4, so strike whilst you still can.
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Key Features
- Cinematic score composed by Angelo Badalamenti
- Interactive decisions whilst controlling different character
- Features a reversible title cover
- Multiple endings depending on your decision
Specifications
- Publisher: Atari
- Genre: Action-Adventure
- Mode: Single-player
- Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Rating: 16
Pros
- The score is absolutely fantastic and really sets the scene
- The game will make you want to play over and over because of the multiple endings
- It is quite a mature game and will appeal to an older audience
Cons
- It is quite expensive due to its scarcity
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Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy
Ratchet & Clank is one of the most successful gaming series in PlayStation’s history. Whenever Sony releases a new console, fans highly anticipate the release of new installations in the Ratchet & Clank universe. This was also the case with their most recent console, the PS5, and to gamers’ delight, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart was a big success for fans and critics alike. However, today we are going to look back at where it all began, with the very first installation of Ratchet and Clank. Via the PlayStation hits series, Sony has released the original Ratchet and Clank game but this town round with a much deeper backstory. There are hours of Ratchet and Clank cinematics to accompany the game that was originally released on the PS2, taking clips from the feature-length film. Since the original release in 2002, Sony Interactive Entertainment has improved gameplay segments to bring it up to spec with their higher-powered consoles. There are also new flight sequences, new Clank gameplay, and new boss battles. So, although this is a trip down memory lane, there is a load of new content to keep things fresh. The updated graphics are also worth a mention, this looks a heck of a lot better than the PS2 version and has elevated the original to compete with any modern-day sci-fi futuristic adventure game. Although the storyline is quite short, there is still a replay value as you can explore the world whilst upgrading all the weapons inside your armory.
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Key Features
- Much more depth to the storyline than the original
- New planets, weapons and missions
- Elements from the feature length movie included
- Over an hour of new cinematics exploring the back story of Ratchet & Clank
Specifications
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Genre: Platform
- Mode: Single-player
- Platform: Playstation 4, Playstation 5
- Rating: E
Pros
- The updated graphics are extremely sharp
- The gameplay has been modernised and it holds up very well
- There is a replay value when the story is finished, upgrade your weapons and armoury.
Cons
- The actual gameplay is actually quite short
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As the name suggests, Jak X: Combat Racing is a vehicular action game that was originally released in 2005 on the PlayStation 2. This was the first game in the Jak and Daxter series that focused on racing and vehicular combat, the previous 3 games that came before Combat Racing were all action-adventure platform gameplay from a third-player perspective. Combat Racing was an interesting deviation from this and upon its release in 2005, the change in direction was well received. It was also the first game in the series to feature a multiplayer mode, the previous games were all single-player, which now meant you could compete against different components on the track. The plot follows Jak and his comrades as they race through deadly heats in the Eco Cup Championships in order to obtain the antidote for the poison they have all ingested. It’s a pretty peculiar storyline, but the plot is solid enough considering it is a racing game, which traditionally don’t have the most thought-out storylines. This game is becoming rarer and rarer, so the price is ever-increasing. If you have had your eye on this for a while, or want a dosage of nostalgia in the form of combat racing, get your hands on a copy before it is too late.
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Key Features
- The first vehicular combat game in the Jak and Daxter series
- The first multiplayer mode in the series
- Variety of tracks and racing modes
- Customizable options
Specifications
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Genre: Vehicular Combat
- Mode: Single-player, multiplayer
- Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Rating: T
Pros
- There is something satisfying about vehicular combat games, this is no exception!
- Multiplayer mode is enjoyable, get your friends involved
- This is getting quite rare and would valuable in a collection
Cons
- The graphics haven’t been hugely improved
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There aren’t many games out there with a plot line that includes a revolutionary uprising on Mars, but that is the exact plot of the 2001 PlayStation 2 game, Red Faction. Set in the year 2075, Earth’s minerals and natural resources have been completely eroded by human existence and forced by the necessity to feed the greedy population, a mining colony has been set up on Mars by the all-powerful, Ultor Corporation. You play as Parker, a miner who moved to the mining complex on Mars to start a better life, but soon realizes this was never going to be the case. The conditions in which the miners live are deplorable, human rights are a distant dream and there is a rampant disease spreading throughout the colony called The Plague. All of these factors play into sparking the rebellion that is led by the miners after one of their own was brutally and unnecessarily killed by a security guard. Red Faction was an early adopter of Geo-Mod technology, meaning you can geometrically modify the surrounding environment i.e. instead of opening a door, you are able to blow it open with the use of C4. Red Faction’s plot wasn’t the only thing that was revolutionary as it was the first-ever game that allowed the player to alter the environment under unscripted conditions. This version has been remade for the PlayStation 4, and although the graphics aren’t improved much, it is well worth the purchase.
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Key Features
- GeoMod technology is the games primary function
- Single-player narrative driven FPS
- Multiplayer split screen death matches available (no online multiplayer)
- The physical copy is becoming rare and hard to get
Specifications
- Publisher: THQ
- Genre: First-person shooter, third-person shooter
- Mode: Single-payer, cooperative multiplayer
- Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Rating: M
Pros
- The storyline is one of the best on our list
- The GeoMod technology facilitates a certain level of freedom
- A really solid single-player mode
Cons
- The graphics are very similar to the original
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The podracing in The Phantom Menace was one of the best scenes in the film, so no wonder Star Wars fans bought Star Wars Racer Revenge in their droves. Originally released in 2002 on the PlayStation 2 exclusively, Star Wars Racer Revenge is a high-speed racing game where you can control the chariot-like racing machines as seen in Episode 1. The game implements an original storyline which is set 8 years after the events in The Phantom Menace. Sebulba has been seething since his defeat against Anakin Skywalker and is out for revenge and to reclaim some respect for his podracing abilities. This time around, the tracks aren’t limited to Tatooine and you can race on different tracks throughout the Star Wars universe. Also, you aren’t confined to playing as one character, there is a selection of different characters and species that you can play as, each one with their own unique abilities and stats, a little like Mario Kart. The aim of the game is simple, finish first in the race whilst destroying as many of your opponent’s pods as possible. Watto’s Bribes are calculated at the end of the race, meaning you will accumulate more earnings if you destroy more pods on the racetrack. This is game is definitely a throwback and is a great addition to any Star Wars fan’s collection.
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Key Features
- 3 different game modes to play
- 13 different tracks to race on
- Choose what character to play as according to their special abilities
- Multiplayer split screen is available
Specifications
- Publisher: LucasArts
- Genre: Racing
- Mode: Single-player, multiplayer
- Platform: Playstation 4, Playstation 5
- Rating: E
Pros
- An enjoyable addition to the Star Wars video game franchise
- Different characters’ special abilities mean you have to choose carefully
- The controls are fairly intuitive and don’t take a great deal of learning
Cons
- More tracks featured in the PlayStation 4 version would have been a good addition
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If you are a fan of classic arcade games, then the Metal Slug Anthology will be your dream game. Currently released for the PlayStation 4, the Metal Slug Anthology includes all the Metal Slug games, for those who don’t know that’s a whopping 7 titles all housed in one disc! Originally released on the PlayStation 2 in 2007, this version is compatible with the PlayStation 4. Although there hasn’t really been much added to the PlayStation 4 version, we feel it’s an opportunity missed, this anthology is a nice throwback to simpler times for video games. The only slight difference now is there is a cooperative mode you can play, so if you have any buddies that enjoy retro arcade games then you can invite them around to help defeat the Regular Army. It’s a military-style themed action shooting platform game, delivered in the classic pixillated arcade-style platform gameplay. The game features battles between the Rebel Army and the Regular Army, the Rebel Army has gained control and is trying to quell the anti-revolutionary reaction from the Regular Army. Your job is to stop them from doing that. There really isn’t much else to this collection, it is just a fun, at times humorous cartoon-style video game.
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Key Features
- Scrolling shooter, arcade style classic
- 7 games included in this collection
- Taken from the PS2 2007 release
- Limited to 6,000 copies worldwide
Pros
- Good ole mindless entertainment
- Very retro and nostalgic
- You are getting a lot of games in one release
Cons
- There are no major improvements from the PS2 release
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Visiting video games you used to play can be a really enjoyable experience. Since a lot of us have grown up with video games now, old games can illicit some great memories of times gone by and there are many gamers who hold certain games close to their hearts. However, this means there is a lot of riding on remastering or re-releasing an old popular game. When you are coming up against people’s nostalgia and personal memories, there will be an extra critical eye when it comes to reviewing the new release. It is a fine line between improving the graphics, staying true to the original storyline, and implementing new features that will be coherent with the game and that fans are going to enjoy. All of these points have been taken into conclusion whilst accumulating this list. Being avid gamers, of a certain age, we realize the connection gamers can have with their favorite games from consoles gone by. We believe that this list is either true representations or out-and-out improvements of PlayStation 2 games for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. If you have enjoyed any one of these titles in the past, or have always wanted to get into a particular franchise, then you won’t be disappointed if you stick to the games on our list. Happy gaming!