10 Underrated PS2 Games That Officially Need a Modern Remake

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The PlayStation 2 is still Sony’s most successful game console of all time. Beyond its popular DVD playback feature – which was impressive when DVDs were common – the PS2 offered a huge variety of games. It featured classics like Grand Theft Auto and Gran Turismo, as well as launched major new franchises such as Ratchet & Clank and God of War.

The PlayStation 2 also has many overlooked gems that deserve to be remade. Games like Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction and Freedom Fighters have unique qualities that would make them even better with a modern remake.

Haunting Ground Will No Longer Be an Apparition

Haunting Ground is a game similar in spirit to its predecessors. Players control Fiona Belli and her dog, Hewie, as they explore a creepy, haunted castle. They soon discover that the castle isn’t empty – spirits of previous residents still linger, which understandably frightens Fiona.

The game is affordable in its current state, but sadly, that won’t let many players experience its unique and excellent blend of survival horror and a heartwarming partnership between a human and a dog. This should motivate Capcom, the game’s creator, to develop a modern version for the PS5.

Black Should Not Be Left in the Dark

Black follows Jack Keller, a highly skilled covert operative, as he relentlessly pursues William Lennox, a former CIA agent who has become a dangerous terrorist leader. Keller’s pursuit of Lennox takes him on a globe-trotting adventure, spanning countries like Russia and Egypt, as well as numerous fictional locations.

Originally launched on the original Xbox, the game still works on newer Xbox consoles thanks to backward compatibility. While it was also available on PlayStation 2, it hasn’t been made compatible with current PlayStation consoles. This is a notable omission that should be addressed.

Mercenaries Should Be Contracted for a Remake

In the action game Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction, players take on the role of a mercenary sent to North Korea to target the country’s new leader. The player character is motivated by a huge $100 million reward for completing the mission.

It’s rare for any game, especially a war game, to be set in North Korea. But Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction did just that, and it didn’t shy away from telling a gritty story. A remake of the game would feel just as relevant today as it did when it first came out twenty years ago.

Def Jam: Fight for NY Should Fight for a Remake

In the video game Def Jam: Fight for NY, popular hip-hop artists from Def Jam Recordings battle it out as leaders of rival street gangs. Players can control artists like Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, Ludacris, and Scarface as they fight for control of their neighborhoods.

Some people compare this game to titles from the mid-2000s. But if it were updated now, it could easily include more recent artists like Justin Bieber and Lady London.

Freedom Fighters Should Be Free for a Remake

In the alternate history of Freedom Fighters, the Soviet Union, not the United States, became the world’s leading power. The game is set in a New York City largely occupied by Soviet forces, and follows a small group of rebels fighting to liberate it.

If you like alternate history, even with a few plot holes, this is worth checking out. It’s fun to consider what the U.S. might have been like under Soviet control, and a new version could be much more engaging with today’s technology.

God Hand Should Be Handed a Remake

In God Hand, the skilled fighter Gene battles against a group trying to resurrect Angra, a powerful fallen angel who became the Demon King. Angra was previously defeated by the ‘God Hands’ – individuals with incredible superpowers, including Gene himself.

Although God Hand seems straightforward at the beginning, it surprisingly gives players a lot of freedom. Besides battling challenging foes, you can take on optional quests, gamble at the casino, and enjoy other fun diversions. It really makes you wonder what you’ll do next!

Shadow Hearts: Covenant Shouldn’t Stay In the Shadows

Set during World War I in a world with fantastical elements, Shadow Hearts: Covenant follows German Army Lieutenant Karin Koenig and Yuri Hyuga – who players will recognize from the first Shadow Hearts game – as they battle the dangerous Sapientes Gladio cult.

Shadow Hearts: Covenant is a one-of-a-kind game that blends the unsettling atmosphere of horror with the depth of role-playing games, making it both enjoyable and frightening. A remake for the PS5 has the potential to improve upon the original and make it even better.

Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy Should Conjure a Remake

In Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, you play as Nick Scryer, a psychic agent working for the Mindgate organization. His mission is to go undercover within a group of enemy psychics. As the story unfolds, he discovers that these opponents are more complex than they initially seem.

Players can use a variety of psychic powers in the game, like telekinesis and mind control, which are all really fun to play with. If the game was updated now, it could build on these powers even further, perhaps even letting players predict the future.

Dark Chronicle Could Open a New Chapter With a Remake

In Dark Chronicle, Max and Monica journey through time to defeat the evil Emperor Griffon. Griffon has already murdered Monica’s father, a king from an unknown land, and intends to reshape the world for his wicked goals.

If any PlayStation 2 RPG deserves a remake, it’s Dark Chronicle. The game already has a solid foundation, and its unique time-traveling features make it memorable. With a more fleshed-out story and a modern open-world design, it could be truly special.

Maximo Would Be Glorified With a Remake

In Maximo: Ghosts to Glory, the newly resurrected King Maximo sets out to win back his kingdom and title from his old advisor, Achille. It won’t be easy, though, as Achille fights back with a host of terrifying monsters that Maximo must defeat.

Okay, so I’m a huge fan of Maximo: Ghosts to Glory, and let me tell you, it’s a classic. Seriously, it’s one of the best! But if I could wish for one thing, it would be a remake. I think it deserves it more than any other PlayStation 2 game, honestly. Though, maybe they could add an easier difficulty setting for players today? It was pretty tough back then!

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2026-05-25 01:43