Summary
ThePS2was a forward-thinking console in many ways. It shipped with a DVD player built in which was one of the cheapest ways to get a DVD player back then. It later supported internet connections and an adaptable hard drive to store memory. Plus, a lot of the console’s games, even early on in its lifespan, supported Widescreen.
Some games even supported 480p projections, making them still look decent even decades later. It would be better if many of these games were remastered or at least received ports to modern consoles to enjoy something more than Widescreen support but that’s a topic for another day. Let’s rank these games based on how cinematic they still feelon the PS2 with Widescreen adjustments.
Jak and Daxterwas one of the earliest platformers on the PS2,and Naughty Dogutilized the hardware well. Players could enjoy a crisp platforming experience on their new console in Widescreen. This made scaling it up for various HD collections easy, including a recent native upgrade on the PS5 hardware.
Every series entry on the PS2 supported Widescreen, but with the possibility of 480p enhancements too. It’s hard to believe that Naughty Dog used to make platformers instead of dramatic action games likeUnchartedandThe Last of Us, soJak and Daxteris a good reminder of the studio’s early days.
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commandois another great platformer on the PS2 and the second intheRatchet & Clankseries. This sequel included a lot of visual and gameplay enhancements over its predecessor. On the visual side, it looked better graphically, plus it supported Widescreen and 480p options on TVs.
This was also the first entry that included RPG elements, allowing players to increase Ratchet’s health and upgrade his weaponry. It’s still a great game to jump into, in Widescreen or not, and the sequels that followed on the PS2 had complementary video support as well.
Dragon Quest 8: Journey of the Cursed Kingwas a huge step up from the previousmainlineDragon Questgamewhich used simple graphics on the PS1. This sequel added voice acting for the first time and created a magical world filled with artistically designed cel-shaded characters.
It’s one of the reasons why this game still looks good natively on the PS2, and the Widescreen support doesn’t hurt either. The turn-based gameplay, story, open world, alchemy system, and more also contribute to why this entry ranks so high for fans, and possibly why it was later supported on the 3DS.
God of Warwas a late entry for the PS2, but because of that, the team at Sony Santa Monica were able to squeeze a lot out of the console’s performance. It supports Widescreen and 480p projections as well. It’s an epic game that demands the best to help players engage with the gripping narrative and bloody gameplay.
Kratos is a father wronged by the gods, and instead of coping with grief, he turns to vengeance. The PS2 version is not the best way to experienceGod of War,as there was a remastered version for the PS3 that makes everything look better, but it still looks surprisingly good on the PS2.
Final Fantasy 12is easily the best-looking JRPG on the PS2, and the game had the benefit of launching so late on the system. In fact, in North America, it was released just weeks before the PS3 came out, so compared to the new console’s graphics, it was behind technically. However,Final Fantasy 12was such a swan song for Square Enix PS2 era thanks to their supportive sound system and Widescreen adaptation.
It was not universally celebrated on the same level asFinal Fantasy 10,asFinal Fantasy 12is a bit strange with its MMO-like combat andconnection to Ivalice. It’s another PS2 game that has been given the benefit of an HD remaster, giving players who missed it the first time another chance to jump in.
Final Fantasy 12has a good soundtrack and the PS2 does it justice. However, when it comes to soundtracks in games on the PS2,Grand Theft Auto: San Andreashas every game on the system beat. Its mix of Hip-Hop and Pop tracks from the 90s is amazing, and they sound great emulated in the game and through the PS2.
Besides the great sound design, the game supported Widescreen, making it an engaging experience for those longing to kick it on the streets in the 90s. The HD remaster is one that failed to live up to the expectations of PS2 fans initially, but eventually, it got there through numerous patches.
Resident Evil 4doesn’t have as good of a soundtrack, but the actual sound design is unparalleled forhorror games on the PS2. It made every zombified villager’s moans more haunting, and it looked gritty too,thanks to both the Widescreen and 480p support.
Every pop from Leon’s guns resounded off the walls, especially for those with good sound systems hooked up to their PS2. There was a grain to everything to helpResident Evil 4feel like a movie from the 70s, and even though it got a gorgeous remake on modern consoles, some still prefer the original look on the PS2 or even the GameCube.
Shadow of the Colossusis hands down one of the most cinematic games on the PS2 and maybe even on any PlayStation console. It’s simple in execution, as players aren’t given a lot of story beyond a mission: kill giants to revive the one that you love. These encounters made any boss battles that came before them seem minuscule in size and scope.
The sound design, Widescreen options, and 480p support helped it stand out too, but even without all of the bells and whistles, it still looked good on old school 4:3 monitors. When people discuss how video games are experiences, this is what they are talking about.Shadow of the Colossusis in the video game dictionary next to the word “experience,” even with its flaws.
