In the early to mid-2000s, Sony Interactive Entertainment was a juggernaut, with its PlayStation 2 (PS2) console still holding the title of best-selling console of all time. The PS2 era was a golden age for gaming, with established franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Gran Turismo being revamped, and new major franchises like God of War and Devil May Cry making their debut. However, amidst this sea of iconic titles, there are some games that, while commercially successful at the time, have since been forgotten. These are the five hit PS2 games that no one seems to remember today, despite their commercial success at launch.
One such game is Dark Cloud, a third-person action RPG that was one of the earliest PlayStation 2 exclusives. The game follows the fantasy hero Toan, who must recover elements known as Atla to restore his kingdom, which has been ravaged by a dark genie. What sets Dark Cloud apart is its procedurally generated dungeons and quick-time events during duels with certain enemies. Despite its innovative gameplay and impressive visuals for a first-year PS2 title, Dark Cloud was overshadowed by more prominent early PS2 titles and failed to capture the public's imagination. However, it is now available to play on the PlayStation 4 as part of their digital classics library, making it the perfect time to revisit this under-appreciated action RPG.
Another game that has fallen into obscurity is Yu-Gi-Oh! The Duelists of the Roses, the first Yu-Gi-Oh! game released for the PlayStation 2. Drawing inspiration from the English War of the Roses, the game features longtime rivals Yugi Mutou and Seto Kaiba facing off in a card-driven showdown on a grid map with varying terrain. While it may not have captured the public's imagination like other Yu-Gi-Oh! games, The Duelists of the Roses offers a unique blend of card-oriented combat and grid-based battlefields, making it a refreshing change from contemporaries like Dragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors. Although no other Yu-Gi-Oh! titles were released for the PS2, The Duelists of the Roses remains a unique and interesting entry in the franchise.
Scooby-Doo! Night of 100 Frights is another game that has fallen by the wayside, despite being a popular animated series tie-in. The game follows Scooby-Doo as he searches for his friends in a haunted mansion, battling familiar enemies from the animated series and collecting Scooby Snacks to unlock other portions of the property. While it may not have captured the public's imagination like Luigi's Mansion or Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Night of 100 Frights offers a more conventional action-adventure gameplay experience, complete with Easter eggs and allusions to various Scooby-Doo cartoons. The game was later ported to both the GameCube and Xbox, and spawned several direct follow-ups, but it still deserves a modern remaster.
The Getaway is another game that has been largely forgotten, despite being one of the PlayStation 2's hidden gems. The game follows the dual narratives of hardened crook Mark Hammond and police detective Frank Carter as they delve into London's criminal underworld. The Getaway offers its own open-world twist on the Grand Theft Auto formula, with a greater emphasis on cinematic presentation and its narratives. The game was successful enough to spawn a direct sequel in 2004 and a spin-off, Gangs of London, in 2006 for the PlayStation Portable. However, the video game series has remained largely dormant for 20 years, apart from adaptations in other media.
Finally, EyeToy: Play is a game that predates the Wii and its motion-controlled games by three years. The game was initially packaged with the EyeToy peripheral, which essentially functions as a webcam with motion-tracking inputs. EyeToy: Play features a variety of minigames, including rhythm games, soccer ball bouncing, and boxing. While many of the minigames are variations of one another, EyeToy: Play was successful enough to receive two direct sequels on the PS2 and a number of spin-offs. However, as the EyeToy died with the PS2 era, the games tied to the peripheral have similarly since fallen into obscurity.
In conclusion, while these five games may have been commercially successful at the time, they have since been forgotten. However, with the advent of retro gaming and the resurgence of interest in classic consoles, it is the perfect time to revisit these under-appreciated PS2 titles and rediscover the joy and innovation they brought to the gaming world.
