I got through phases of games, and right now I’m in the one I like to think of everything-modern-is-making-me-angry-so-I’ll-turn-back-to-vintage-games - and that’s in the form of PCSX2 on my Steam Deck.
Playing the PS2 generation on the Steam Deck is kinda the ‘perfect’ generation: I can upscale the resolution without a performance hit, I can apply HD texture packs, Retro Achievements and I can drop the TDP to extend the battery life.
Anyway, I never had a PS2 (it was just a touch before my time), so there’s so many games I’m yet to discover there. I’d love to hear any suggestions you might have for what I can play on there:
Just a couple notes:
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No GTA games because they’re better with the PC versions. While I’ve bought the games, the account that Rockstar demands people have to play their games makes me angry on principle (a single-player game forcing an online check each week to be able to play it? No thanks), so I’ve got cracked versions to play.
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No Final Fantasy because I’m not even sure where to start!
So if anyone was around back in the PS2 era, and has some recommendations for games they’ve loved, I’m all ears. I’ve been having such a fun time playing these.
Some big thanks to my friends who made and run RetroDECK (my choice for emulating on the Steam Deck), and to the PCSX2 team (who I’m chatting to right now actually, so keep an eye out and in a week or so I’ll share that chat with them all about creating and maintaining the PS2 emulator!)
Also, if you do have a Steam Deck, and want to play with the HD texture packs I do, then it’s really simple. Just download the pack, and name then according to their game’s I.D. code - SLUS-20743 for example, then place it in the texture_packs folder:
From there, go into PCSX2, then right-click the game, select properties, graphics, texture replacement and tick the two boxes I have:
Then you’ve got the games looking the best they can be!
Here’s a link to a stack of pre-done HD textures for a lot of PS2 games, to help you on your way!
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Ratchet and Clank is a great series, and so are the Jak and Daxter series; both are excellent platformers for different reasons. Although, it might be easier to play Jak 1 and 2 through OpelGOAL, which will run the games natively on the Deck instead of emulation and isn’t too hard to set up.
It’s a bit of a black sheep, but Spyro A Heroes Tale is a guilty pleasure of mine. It isn’t as great as the original Spyro trilogy on PS1, but it’s entertaining in its own right. I’m currently playing through it and enjoying it.
I’m running off of pure nostalgia here:
Armoured Core 3
Any of the Ratchet and Clank games
Spyhunter 2 - great local coop
Just throwing Tokyo Extreme Racer Zero into the mix.
I came here to make sure outrun 2006 is mentioned. Try it!
(Also SC2, Burnout and Gradius V but I saw those mentioned)
Highly recommend playing ‘Forbidden Siren’, but WITH A WALKTHROUGH. Amazing and scary story, but for a slow gamer.
Silent hill 2 Tekken
But my actual favorite was guitar hero.
Ratchet and Clank is the best, and the story is best experienced in order but the first game is a bit clunky so starting on the second game isn’t the worst idea. I personally started with Up Your Arsenal! then got hooked on the series and backfilled.
The original Yakuza games! Yakuza and Yakuza 2. There is a patch out now to for the original Japanese dub for the first game
SSX Tricky, and any of the NBA or NFL Street games, they’re all gas, no brakes. If you can get someone else to play two player (don’t know how well that works on steam deck emulation), check out Cookies & Cream. It’s one of the more clever two player co-op puzzle games, and it’s one of the first games my wife and I played together when we were first dating.
Not played by many because it’s one of the last releases on PS2, but if you like horror games then check out Rule of Rose. Up there for some of the best graphics on the console too.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_Rose
Others are suggesting Resident Evil Outbreak File 1 and 2. It’s much better played online with other people than AI. There’s fan server support: https://obsrv.org/ (you have to make an account to see the forum, sorry) and they have guides to set it up on PCSX2. I’d recommend learning how to install it to the virtual hard drive because the loading times are pretty awful otherwise and server hosts generally only make hard drive install only servers.
Their Discord community is a good way to find a group to play with, unless you have a few willing friends :)
Metal gear solid 2: snake eater
Burnout 3 is one of the best arcade racing games for this generation.
I see you have Kingdom Hearts II in there. There’s also the original Kingdom Hearts as well.
The Simpsons: Hit & Run is like GTA but more “family-friendly”.
There’s also other Ratchet & Clank games on the PS2, including the original, Going Commando, and Deadlocked.
If you like racing games, Need for Speed: Underground 2 is one of the best games in the NFS series. IMO it’s better than Underground 1.
Also, appreciate the guide for higher res textures.
Seconding Burnout 3!
Also, appreciate the guide for higher res textures.
You’re so welcome! Let me know if you ever run into any troubles!
Every single one of those games is excellent, but tbh I’d recommend starting with Underground 1 and then going onto Underground 2, they’re both fantastic IMO.
R-Type Final – more than 100 fighters to unlock across a branching campaign, including at least one secret stage.
I was a little disappointed with R-Type Final 2, but I might need to just play more.
I will ALWAYS suggest amplitude (sequel to frequency on PS1). Best rhythm music game ever.
I love Magic Pengel and Graffiti Kingdom. First is a turn-based JRPG, second is an action platformer. Both share the same gimmick where you collect materials to make the characters you play with the clunky in-game 3D modeler.
