5 Underrated PS2 Games That Everyone Should Have Played (& Probably Still Should)

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Everyone experiences nostalgia differently, but for many gamers my age, the PlayStation 2 era was incredibly special. It was when I first started buying my own games at stores like GameStop, and it was a time when many now-classic game series really began to take shape. The PS2 had some amazing, well-known games, and even some lesser-known titles that were fantastic, too.

The PlayStation 2 was home to many iconic games, including classics like *Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3* and *4*, and the early *Grand Theft Auto* titles. It also launched the first *God of War* and my personal favorite, *Final Fantasy X*. However, beyond these huge hits, there were several fantastic PS2 games that didn’t get the attention they deserved. While a few have been remastered recently, they still aren’t as well-known as they should be, and many are only playable on the original PS2.

Disney’s Kim Possible: What’s the Switch

I recently rewatched the Disney Channel show *Kim Possible* as an adult, and it’s still really good! Surprisingly, the tie-in video game is also a lot of fun. Big video game adaptations of popular franchises are often inconsistent, but *Disney’s Kim Possible: What’s The Switch* was a surprisingly enjoyable PlayStation 2 exclusive. What’s cool is you can play as Kim, her rival Shego, and even Rufus the naked mole-rat!

This game looks and moves well, and it tells a really enjoyable story with familiar, beloved characters. Interestingly, it was made by the same team that later created *Dead by Daylight*. Given that “Switch” is in the title, it’s surprising this hasn’t been brought back for the Nintendo Switch. If you can still play it on the PS2, it’s absolutely worth checking out!

The Hobbit

Enjoyed *Tales of the Shire* and want more action? You’ll be happy to hear about *The Hobbit* game from the PlayStation 2 era. Unlike games based on the movies, this one follows the original book. Even though it received mixed reviews, Tolkien fans shouldn’t miss it! It’s an action-packed game with sword-fighting and jumping, and it retells the classic story of Bilbo’s journey.

While the game isn’t overly complex, it’s still enjoyable. You move through levels, and at the end of each one, you can improve your items using the rewards you’ve collected. It also features a lockpicking challenge, similar to the games *Oblivion* and *Skyrim*. Originally made for the GameCube, it eventually came out on multiple platforms, so many players remember playing it on the PS2.

Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil

Despite receiving a fantastic score of 91 on Metacritic, this game wasn’t widely discovered by players. It’s a sequel to the 1997 classic *Klonoa: Door to Phantomile*, reviving the same side-scrolling gameplay but now beautifully recreated in 3D. If you enjoy platformers like 3D Mario games, you’ll find this game has a similar feel, though its story and world are quite unique.

Released originally for the PlayStation 2 and later the Wii, *Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil* featured impressive graphics and a really enjoyable way to play. Many players still consider it a great game today. It’s now available as part of the *Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series* collection on modern consoles, making it relatively easy to pick up and play compared to some older titles – though you do need to purchase the entire collection to do so.

Shadow Hearts

This game launched a trilogy that isn’t widely remembered today, even though it gained a dedicated fanbase. It’s a Japanese role-playing game with an interesting, somewhat mature story where the main character can capture monsters and then *become* them. It stood out thanks to innovative features like the Judgement Ring attack and Yuri’s Fusion ability.

The original *Shadow Hearts* game wasn’t perfect, but it was successful enough to get a sequel in 2004 and even a spin-off title. Unfortunately, the 2005 game was the last in the series, as it didn’t sell well despite many fans believing it deserved more recognition. Its release timing, close to the popular *Final Fantasy X*, likely contributed to this. Still, *Shadow Hearts* is a compelling PlayStation 2 game that more people should play.

Beyond Good & Evil

Released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2 and other consoles, this action RPG puts you in the role of a reporter who’s also a spy, investigating a mysterious alien plot. It was highly praised, even earning a Game of the Year nomination in 2004, and has gained a dedicated fanbase over the years. Despite a recent remaster bringing it to modern systems, many players still haven’t experienced this compelling game.

Originally, *Beyond Good and Evil* was planned as the first game in a series, and that idea hasn’t completely disappeared. While *Beyond Good and Evil 2* is still stuck in development, the first game is definitely worth playing, and a recent re-release makes it easier than ever to do so.

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2025-10-09 22:55