The sixth-generation console wars put up quite the fight, and gamers were the winners. The three-way war led to better exclusives, competitive pricing, and unprecedented choices. Between the three major players (sorry, Dreamcast), I chose the PS2. At the time, a DVD player was just as expensive as a PS2, and so having two for the price of one was a huge selling point. Add to that the backwards compatibility with PS1 games, and this was a no-brainer.
The Playstation 2 is the top-selling game console in history, selling over 170 million units worldwide. This number is unlikely to be topped, but who knows. The number of released games for it is equally impressive: over 3,784 games, according to a prominent online source. With a PS2 unit entrenched in that many homes, the opportunity to cash in on game compilations was ripe. Many publishers with revered back catalogs saw the convergence of technological opportunity (capacity on DVD Roms) and nostalgia, and gamers were happy to pony up.
Here are the compilations released for the PS2 in North America that I have. Disclaimer: I'm sure that I don't have all of the game compilations for the PS2; these are just the ones that I own.
Namco Museum
One of the first on the acrade scene, Namco made its mark with is Marquee franchises: Pac Man, Pole Position, Galaga, and Dig Dug. There are others, but these are the ones that you remember. There were a slew of releases for the PS1, over five different volumes, I believe. They must have really stretched their catalog out to do that. When I look at this collection, what I see is 10 games on a disc, but only four that I want to play. Don't get me wrong, they are good games, but they are so old school that you feel it.
Capcom Classics Collections 1 and 2
These complilations assemble many of the same games that were included in the Saturn and PS1's Capcom Generations series (Japan, PAL only) and threw in a few more games. The first installment has some of Capcom's most popular games such as Final Fight, Ghosts n' Goblins series, 194X series, Commando series, and of course, the Street Fighter 2 series. The second treatment offers some deeper cuts of Capcom's catalog, competent games that didn't make as big a splash but beloved all the same. Highlights include 1941: Counter Attack, King of Dragons, Knights of the Round, Magic Sword, and Strider, among others. Various unlockables are present with each game, and the presentation is pretty good.
Midway Arcade Treasures 1, 2, and 3
Midway's pedigree is in the arcades, and so these three volumes offer very nice ports of some big-name games. Volume 1 includes Defender, Gauntlet, Joust, Paperboy, Rampage, Robotron 2084, Smash TV, and more. The presentation in the first collection is the best, with an anthropoly-themed menu and hieroglyphics to represent each of the games on the select screen. They subsequent titles dropped that for a plain menu system.
Volume 2 picks up after the first collection with APB, Arch Rivals, Gauntlet 2, Mortal Kombat 2 and 3, Narc, Pit-Fighter, Total Carnage, and more. The game play is generally pretty good, considering that some of these arcade titles are not native to consoles. Playing Smash TV and Total Carnage with dual analog sticks is pure bliss, unlike the awkward methods employed for the 16-bit iterations of those games.
The third collection takes a vehicular racing slant, and offers OffRoad Thunder, Race Drivin', Super Off Road, Hydro Thunder, San Fransico Rush 2049, and more.
Taito Legends 1 and 2
Taito was also a major player in the arcades during the 1980's and 1990's, and it seems that is how they broke up their selections for these two compilations.The first disc contains their earlier efforts like Space Invaders, Elevator Action, Operation Wolf, Rastan, Raibow Islands, Bubble Bobble, and some other lesser-known entries. The second disc boasts a robust nearly 40 games, with some real gems in Elevator Action Returns, G-Darius, Darius Gaiden, Raystorm, Metal Black, Growl, and others. Some of these games are cost-prohibitive on the Saturn, so this is a great alternative for Saturn shooter fans.
Mega Man Anniversary Collection
This was one of Capcom's best decisions during the PS2 era. The first eight original series games on one disc, plus two extras that never saw the light of day in North America (Megaman: The Power Battle and Megaman 2: The Power Fighters). Some features include the ability to save games, an onscreen directional hint telling you where to go (not that useful), and the Megaman cartoon pilot episode. Some of the music has been altered slightly; some for better some not, and the control is pretty tight, but depending on how much muscle memory you have from the original NES games, it may feel too different, as in my case. Nonetheless, a great compilation.
Mega Man X Collection
Here we have the first six entries in the X series, and included here is the previsouly unreleased (in North America) Megaman Battle and Chase racing game. The X series is not as uniform in quality as the original series, with some big drop-offs in X4 and X5, but still, a collection of some incresingly expensive titles on one disc makes this compilation worth it. There are not a lot as far as extras, ans some people care more about that stuff than others.
Sonic Mega Collection Plus
This collection has all of the 16-bit Sonic games, plus the lock-on combinations with Sonic and Knuckles, and four more Genesis games: Ristar, Flicky, Comix Zone, and The Ooze (previously unreleased in North America). As long as you like Sonic, this could be one of the most complete collections that I've seen for a series (I'm ignoring the 3D Sonic titles).
Sega Classics Collection
This is an odd collection. On the surface, it looks like a collection of Sega arcade classics, but if you dig deeper, these games are not the same as you remember. They are modernized (I use this term lightly) versions of arcade classics, developed by third parties. The games are reinvented in 3D, with polygons instead of sprites, yet done so on the cheap. These titles were released separately in Japan as part of the Simple 2500 series (budget line), and were bundled together for this release in North America. The new take on the games does not meet expectations when you think of Sega, nor does nostalgia kick in because the games look and play differently from the originals.
Street Fighter Anniversary Collection
This collection contains two games: Hyper Street Fighter 2 and Street Fighter 3 - Third Strike. Also available is Street Fighter 2, the animated movie. This is a nice collection, as it is the only way to play these games on the Playstation 2. I prefer an arcade stick for fighting games, as I find the d-pad on the indigenous controller uncomfortable.
Street Fighter Alpha Anthology
The contents of this collection are no mystery, all three of the SF Alpha games are here, along with a remixed Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold. The alpha games were all released for the Playstation and Saturn, but this is nice way to get all three.
Gradius III and IV
Gradius III was a near-launch title for the SNES, but here is the arcade port, slowdown and all. Gradius IV has never been released before, and the it makes its debut here as a launch title for the PS2. The graphics are reminiscent of PS1 game, with its early 3D models. The gameplay is basically the same as what you would expect, but less fun for some reason. Maybe its that the game seems half-baked, or maybe it just doesn't have enough of its own personality. Either way, its a rare skippable entry in the renowned series.
SNK had a huge Neo Geo catalog waiting for the right moment to be unleashed for other consoles, and the PS2 was the prime opportunity. The collections include:
Art of Fighting Anthology
The Art of Fighting series is a prequel to the Fatal Fury series. The compilation includes Art of Fighting, Art of Fighting 2, and Art of Fighting 3: Path of the Warrior. I respect the franchise but my fighting game habits were raised on Street Fighter chops.
King of Fighters Orochi Saga
The KOF series has so many entries, its comical. This compilation includes KOF '94 through '98. I have played the first three on the Saturn, and they are fun, but I just can't get into them as much as I want to. Maybe because I suck at fighting games not by Capcom. Still, a fantastic collection for those who can better appreciate them than me.
Fatal Fury Battle Archives 1 and 2
The first collection contains Fatal Fury, Fatal Fury 2, Fatal Fury Special, and Fatal Fury 3.
The second collection offers Real Bout Fatal Fury, Real Bout Fatal Fury Special, and Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers.
Samurai Shodown Anthology
This compilation includes Samurai Shodown I through VI. This is on my backlog, so I have yet to play it.
World Heroes Anthology
Bringing together World Heroes, World Heroes 2, World Heroes 2 Jet, and World Heroes Perfect, this fighting game with a time travel back story has the most interesting characters and locales. Many of the fighters are based on actual historical figures, and the series quietly did well in the arcades.
SNK Arcade Classics 1
Given how many Neo Geo titles were produced, this is a nice sampling of a bit of everything. Metal Slug, Baseball Stars 2, Magician Lord, World Heroes, King of the Monsters, Shock Troopers, Samurai Shodown, King of Fighters '94 and more are offered up as a cornucopia of SNK arcade goodness. A great place for SNK newbies to start.
Metal Slug Anthology
This is what I am talking about. Metal Slug has an abundance of character, more so than any other game that I've seen. The action is frenetic, the animations are hilarious, and challenge is commendable. To have the first six entries plus Metal Slug X on one disc is mind blowing. If you can't already tell this is my favorite SNK series.
I'm sure there are many more compilations out there, and maybe I'll stumble across those as well. I am a huge fan of compilations; the value, the exposure to an entire franchise, and the special features are all reasons why. If I missed any good ones, let me know! I'll be on the lookout for them.
FAQs
How many games are in the PS2 catalog? ›
There are currently 4376 games across both this page (A to K) and the remainder of the list from L to Z. Play It! Atlus Co.
What is the biggest PS2 game ever? ›The biggest PS2 game ever made in terms of file size is "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" at 4.7 GB. What are some of the most disturbing video games ever made? I saw someone already answered Doki Doki Literature club but didn't go into any detail. Which is, in a way, understandable.
What is the last PS2 game? ›The last game to be released on the PlayStation 2 is Pro Evolution Soccer 2014, which was released in the United Kingdom on 8 November 2013. Repair services for the system in Japan ended on 7 September 2018.
How hard was it to develop for the PS2? ›PS2 development kits were rough, instructional documentation was messy (if it was provided at all), and anyone who was trying to develop projects for multiple consoles equally soon found themselves needing to devote more resources to the PS2 version of that game.
Is PS2 still the most sold console? ›The PS2 remains the best-selling console ever made, and it's not even close. Will any console ever be able to outsell the PS2? With each console generation that passes, it seems less and less likely. Objectively speaking, there was no gaming system more popular in the early 2000s than the PS2.
How much is PS2 now? ›The PS2 as of today sells for $35 – $120 depending on the condition of the console itself and if you have all of the accessories, including the original box, cables and controllers. The PS2 first arrived back in 2000, making it 20 years old!
What is the most sold game on PS2? ›The best-selling game on the PlayStation 2 is Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. An action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North, San Andreas was originally released in North America on October 26, 2004, and went on to sell 17.33 million units worldwide.
What console outsold the PS2? ›The Nintendo DS is still ahead in the ranks of best-selling video game consoles, though, with a whopping 154.02 million lifetime sales to its name. And Sony's PS2 tops the table with 155 million.
Did the PS2 outsell the Xbox? ›The Sony PlayStation 2 achieved sales dominance in this generation, becoming the best-selling console in history, with over 150 million units sold as of February 2011. The Microsoft Xbox had sold over 24 million units as of May 2006, and the GameCube had sold 22 million units as of September 2010.
What was the PS2 lifespan? ›The PlayStation 2 continued to be produced until 2013 when Sony finally announced that it had been discontinued after over twelve years of production—one of the longest lifespans of any video game console.
Will PS2 become rare? ›
Unlikely. PlayStation 2 was the best most selling console of all time. They aren't rare at all. Unless you own some sort of limited edition, or there are some quirks in certain batches that collectors look out for, a PlayStation 2 is not likely to be considered for it's investment potential.
What was the last PS2 server to shut down? ›The last official online server, which was for Final Fantasy XI, was ultimately shut down on March 31, 2016, with the DNAS following it a couple of days later on April 4, indirectly shutting down several remaining unofficial servers, with the exception of ones that support non-DNAS PS2 titles such as Tribes: Aerial ...
What year did PS2 stop making games? ›It continued to be produced until the beginning of 2013 when Sony finally announced that it had been discontinued after over twelve years of production, one of the longest lifespans of any video game console.
Are PS2 games worth keeping? ›Are PS2 games worth keeping? The PlayStation and PS2 are both video game consoles. Games for these systems can be very expensive to purchase, so it is a good idea to keep the old games you have from either system as they will become more valuable over time.
Did PS4 surpass PS2? ›The PS4 Has Now Sold More Games Than Any Console Ever, Surpassing The PS2. Sony's new financial report has revealed the PS4's game sales have now surpassed those of the PS2. PlayStation has now sold more PS4 games than it did PS2 titles, even though the newer console has sold 40 million fewer units.
What is the greatest console of all time? ›- Nintendo's Transitional Fossil. Nintendo Wii U. ...
- Microsoft's Current Contender. Microsoft Xbox Series X. ...
- Today's Hardest to Find Console. ...
- The Ultimate Family Console. ...
- Lowkey Legend. ...
- The Online Console Blueprint. ...
- The OG Grown Up Console. ...
- Nintendo's Groundbreaker.
The Xbox and PS2 were direct competitors, but Microsoft's console was technically more powerful. These games just couldn't cut it on PS2. Despite the PS2 being far and away the most popular console of its generation, it was actually the weaker hardware when compared to the GameCube and Xbox.
Why did PS2 sell so well? ›It's no secret that the PS2's built-in DVD player was a big part of the reason why the console was so successful in those early months and years. DVD players at that time were expensive, scarce, and, rapidly becoming the must-have accessory for anyone trying to keep up with the Joneses.
How much is a PS6? ›However, it is not hard to speculate on the cost of the PS6. Keeping the upgrades and the inflation in mind, we can expect the PS6 to be priced between $500 and $600. Plus, if we dig into the past, the PS5 was $100 more expensive than its predecessor, PS4, which retailed at $399.
Is the Slim PS2 better than the original? ›Overall Review
The main differences in the two consoles are primarily size and weight. However, with reliability and cooling greatly improved in the newer model, the PS2 Slim is the superior console in almost every way.
How much better is PS5 than PS2? ›
Is it true that the PS5 is superior to even the PS2? Yes in terms of technological aspect of it, its superior to the PS2 in every way except for the numbers of sales.
What is the #1 sold game of all time? ›The best-selling video game to date is Minecraft, a sandbox game released by Mojang in May 2009 for a wide range of PC, mobile and console platforms, selling more than 238 million copies across all platforms. Grand Theft Auto V and EA's Tetris are the only other known video games to have sold over 100 million copies.
What is the fastest selling PlayStation game? ›The best-selling game on the PlayStation is Gran Turismo. A sim racing game developed by Polyphony Digital, Gran Turismo was originally released in Japan on December 23, 1997, and went on to sell 10.85 million units worldwide.
What was the last year PS2 was sold? ›A week later, on January 4, 2013, Sony Computer Entertainment formally discontinued the console.
What did PS2 do better than Xbox? ›2 PS2: Better Quality DVD Playback
This alleviated the added cost of DVD players for some families, as well, since the PS2 could serve a dual function. In contrast, the Xbox had DVD playback capabilities natively but did not allow it at launch.
It'll be interesting to see if the Switch can hang around long enough to become the best selling console of all time, but Nintendo will have to sell around 33 million more units to surpass the PlayStation 2.
Which sold more Xbox 360 or PS2? ›Since the release of the Xbox 360, Microsoft has averaged 246,000 console sales each month in the US, while the PS2 has seen an average of 473,000 units—a number bolstered by an estimated 1.5 million sales in December alone.
Will the PS4 outsell the PS2? ›VGChartz has estimated lifetime sales of the PS2 at 157.68 million units, while we have lifetime sell-through estimates of the PS4 at just over 111 million units through to the end of May 2020. PS4 lifetime sales are therefore currently around 46.6 million total units behind the PS2.
Will anything ever outsell the PS2? ›However, there is no way that the PlayStation 4 will ever outsell the PlayStation 2. In fact, it's becoming pretty clear that no console ever will. At this time, it sounds like the PlayStation 4 has sold about 103 million units. That put it roughly 53 million units behind the PlayStation 2.
Is GameCube more powerful than PS2? ›The GameCube was factually more powerful than the PS2, and it's easily noticable when you compare the same game on the two systems. The GameCube version of the game usually would look sharper, clearer than the PS2 versions of the games.
Was there a white PS2? ›
The best-selling game console ever, Sony's PlayStation 2 continues to provide gaming excitement with the ceramic white limited edition console.
How much did a PS2 cost in 2002? ›sign up! NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Sony has launched a price war in the video game industry, reducing the price of its PlayStation 2 by one-third to $199 effective immediately. The company also cut the price of its PS1 console, the original PlayStation, from $99 to $49.
How much was the original PS2? ›Releasing at $299 in 2000, the PlayStation 2 took Sony's expanding collection of home gaming consoles into the 21st century with a real spark.
Will PS5 ever play PS2 games? ›If you own a PS5, it is possible to play certain PS2 games on your console. Sadly, you won't be able to play disk-based games since those are not compatible with the console. This means that if you have a stack of PS2 game disks at home, you can just keep them as a collection – a relic of the past.
Why are some PS2 games so expensive? ›Rare video games can come up to high prices due to the interest of game collectors. This is no different with the PlayStation 2. The PlayStation 2 is probably the greatest video game console of all time. Well, maybe not the greatest, but probably the most iconic!
Does PS2 overheat? ›As someone who has repaired MANY PS2 systems, i will say, the Fat model never overheats. It simply doesn't generate enough power, and it it actually pretty well ventilated.
Can you leave PS2 on all night? ›I've done it before and it will be OK as long as it's well ventilated you will be able to leave you're console on for a very long time.
Why do PS2 games stop working? ›There are plenty of reasons why a PS2 would be unable to read a disk. Usually, it involves either the disk or reading laser inside the drive being dirty. Sometimes, the disk is damaged, and the data on it isn't readable. Finally, in older devices, the laser may be weakening and about to fail.
Was there a PS2 shortage? ›The Historic PlayStation 2 Shortages (And Inflated Prices)
The PlayStation 2 wasn't the first console that failed to meet demand at launch, but there are a few reasons why it is infamously associated with the very idea of console shortages.
In the more than 20 years since its release, the PS2 has become the best selling video game console of all time. As of July 2022, it had sold almost 158 million units across the world, including over 55 million units in Europe.
Is PS2 vintage? ›
PS2 And GameCube Are Now Considered Retro Consoles.
How many PS2 have been sold? ›Sony's PlayStation 2 is the best-selling game system overall with over 155 million units worldwide.
Why is rule of rose so expensive? ›Because of the limited number of copies published, Rule of Rose has garnered a reputation as one of the more expensive video games to buy second-hand.
Is PS4 ending? ›Sony Is Quietly Waving Goodbye To The PS4 In 2023.
How many games does PS2 support? ›There are currently 4376 games across both this page (A to K) and the remainder of the list from L to Z. Play It! Atlus Co.
How many games are in the PlayStation library? ›There are currently 3308 games across both lists.
How many games are in the PS1 library? ›There are currently 4105 games across both this page (A to L) and the remainder of the list from M to Z.
How many PS2 PAL games are there? ›PAL Playstation 2 Game list & price guide. Prices for all 2763 PAL PS2 Games, accessories and consoles.
Which console has the most games? ›- 1 PlayStation 2 – 28. The PlayStation 2 sits at the top of this list for obvious reasons.
- 2 Xbox 360 – 24. ...
- 3 PlayStation 3 – 21. ...
- 4 Xbox – 12. ...
- 5 PlayStation 4 – 11. ...
- 6 Nintendo GameCube – 11. ...
- 7 PlayStation – 10. ...
- 8 Sega Dreamcast – 9. ...
Public Service Announcement: Today, May 9, 2023, is the last day PlayStation will offer the PS Plus Collection. This collection of games was a benefit for subscribers who owned a PS5 since its launch in November 2020.
Will PS Plus extra games be removed? ›
That's what's happening next month, though: the service's Last Chance to Play section has been updated with a whopping 32 titles that'll disappear on 16th May 2023.
How many games are PS5 only? ›The PlayStation 5 is backwards compatible with all but six PlayStation 4 games. This list only includes games that are released natively for PlayStation 5. PlayStation VR2 and backwards compatible games are excluded. There are currently 558 games on this list.
How many games are in the Xbox catalog? ›This is a list of Xbox One games planned or released either at retail or via download. There are currently 2959 games on both parts of this list.
How many games are in the N64 library? ›The list of Nintendo 64 games includes 388 licensed releases spanning from the platform's launch in 1996 to the final release in 2002. The Nintendo 64 home video game console's library of games were primarily released in a plastic ROM cartridge called the Game Pak.
How many games are in the Nintendo library? ›Play 100+ games on your Nintendo Switch system
Enjoy a curated library of more than 100 total NES™ and Super NES™ classic games—including Super Mario Bros.™, Metroid™, The Legend of Zelda™, Donkey Kong™, and more—all at no extra charge.
In the more than 20 years since its release, the PS2 has become the best selling video game console of all time. As of July 2022, it had sold almost 158 million units across the world, including over 55 million units in Europe.
Did any PS2 games have multiple discs? ›Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (2 Discs)
As a result, Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence was the only true multi-disc PS2 game directed by Hideo Kojima.
1 Eisei Meijin IV – April 13th, 2000.
What is the most sold console ever? ›1. PlayStation 2 – 159 million* *PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling video game console of all time.
What is the biggest game console? ›With dimensions of approximately 390 X 260 X 104mm, the PS5 now holds the record for largest console of all time.
What is the biggest console game of all time? ›
1. Tetris – 520 million. Arguably the most timeless video game ever created, Tetris sits comfortably atop the list of all-time bestsellers with 520 million copies sold, according to The Tetris Company.