PS2
Here we have all the games in the PS2 Section.
PS2
A Bit Special
More of the madcap mayhem that made the prequel such a popular title with plenty of bizarre inhabitants as the giant ball engulfs all that it can rolling around Japanese towns all wondrously realised in the games unique style. Not just towns though – a school, ski resort, even the bottom of a lake keep things fresh and innovative. Tactical additions to gameplay such as having to race your katamari or having to become a giant fireball through collecting wood and rubber. Known in English as We Love Katamari.
PS2
Sports
Tribute must be played to this superb golf game in the fact that it brings the freshness of a round of golf to the living room with sunshine and birds tweeting in the trees. Solid game engine underlines the fine look to inspire players to knock a shot off their score. Known as Hot Shots Golf in the West.
PS2
Sports
Few games can sooth like Everybody’s Golf, possibly designed to ease the tensions of Japanese workers and students. Beautiful courses have detailed rendering and the sounds of nature are never too far away. Any one of the series titles show why it has become the definitive golf game and its not just big in Japan.
PS2
Action
A fine Gundam title but more importantly a fine game in its own right with ginormous mech going for it in the confines of the sphere or in the more tactical open spaced mode. A massive multitude of mecha to unlock too but playing through the mission mode is a pleasure in itself with the controls soon feeling right after only a short bit of practise. Zone of Enders fans will be right at home here. Subtitled ‘Encounters in Space’ in the English version.
PS2
Shoot Em Up
Part of the ‘Ore Tachi Gamesen Zoku’ series (We are the game centre gang – sounds tougher in Japanese!)
PS2
Action
The feudal Japan setting in the winter months makes the visual pyrotechnics stand out as players soon discover you are no ordinary samurai. Koei is a real master of such action titles and Genki kowtows to a fine developer. Known as Warriors Orochi in the West.
PS2
Simulation
A turn-based combat game making great use of the fabulous characters on offer from Namco and Capcom. Its hard to choose but Valkyrie from Namco and Strider from Capcom are two fine avatars brought to life with slick animation and superb voice acting. Great to meet them all in greater depth.
PS2
RPG
Any game with such a healthy dose of ninjitsu can’t be bad as Naruto lays into an array of assailants often using their ninja skills to control puppets to attack him. Action RPG with emphasis firmly on the action side with it playing out like an episode from the immense anime. And the lush cel shaded look makes this appear closer to the anime than ever before. Splendid settings from caves, villages to waterfalls but often prime locales for a ninja ambush. The Versus Mode allows keen pugilists the opportunity to take on their least favoured opponent in a visually stunning scrap.
PS2
RPG
Any game with such a healthy dose of ninjitsu can’t be bad as Naruto lays into an array of assailants often using their ninja skills to control puppets to attack him. Action RPG with emphasis firmly on the action side with it playing out like an episode from the immense anime. And the lush cel shaded look makes this appear closer to the anime than ever before. Splendid settings from caves, villages to waterfalls but often prime locales for a ninja ambush. The Versus Mode allows keen pugilists the opportunity to take on their least favoured opponent in a visually stunning scrap.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Beautiful ‘new age’ anime graphics with a cel-shaded, mean and moody look making this a must have for fans of the Naruto series. Slick presentation and seamless cut scenes as you’d expect from an anime tie in. Ginormous o.t.t. special moves and solid play mechanics mean even those not aware of the series will have plenty to get their teeth (and fists) into here.
Couple of slight disk scratches. Tiny bit of wear on manual edge.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Furious, frantic fight action as the tradition of martial arts and manga collide in a rather noisy world. The specials are truly worthy of the name and summon spirits and even pet frogs in order to overcome an opponent. The backgrounds have depth and look superb, yet alas the noodle (or ramen) shop cant be visited. Known as Naruto Ultimate Ninja in the West.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Brings the ninja themed Naruto world to life with an explorable 3D world consisting of RPG elements. The gaming arena remains exactly the same areas as soon as a fight breaks out. And you are never far away from a battle. Also known as Naruto Uzumaki Chronicles (or Whirlpool Chronicles.)
PS2
RPG
Brings the ninja themed Naruto world to life with an explorable 3D world consisting of RPG elements. The gaming arena remains exactly the same areas as soon as a fight breaks out. And you are never far away from a battle. Also known as Naruto Uzumaki Chronicles (or Whirlpool Chronicles.)
PS2
Sports
Sega Sports goes on the offensive bringing American football a yard closer to ESPN style coverage with ultra realistic replays and slick play mechanics.
PS2
Action
Ancient chanbara title set in feudal Japan with lovely period setting cut scenes adding to the atmosphere. Includes a few mini games to boost your stats such as gambling away on the dice. Plenty of weapons to choose from; some looking more at home in the garden shed, but adding to the variety nevertheless. Battles are jammed with speed lines and the fleeting effect screen when the fatal blow is struck does justice to the samurai’s honour – even in death.
PS2
Simulation
Based on the hit manga series that was made into a popular live action drama starring the young conductor and the affections of Megumi Noda or the Nodame of the title. The game involves conducting the orchestra with a few choice clicks making for perfect swishes. The quirkiness of the manga shines through in the adventure sections with the studious Chiaki the attention of more than just Nodames attention.
PS2
Platform
Absolutely lush backgrounds feel like they are bringing a fairytale to life in this spiritual sequel to the much vaunted Princess Crown on the Saturn. Items and experience are important as magical spells are released with a fair heap of graphical gunpowder. But at its core its good old fashioned 2D platform fighting and this cat is lapping it up. Absolutely huge quest with some nightmare inspired bosses.
PS2
Platform
Absolutely lush backgrounds feel like they are bringing a fairytale to life in this spiritual sequel to the much vaunted Princess Crown on the Saturn. Items and experience are important as magical spells are released with a fair heap of graphical gunpowder. But at its core its good old fashioned 2D platform fighting and this cat is lapping it up. Absolutely huge quest with some nightmare inspired bosses.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Including a character named Tony Tony Chopper, you’d be excused for thinking this a 70’s top flight football game. Yet as anime experts will be well aware, One Piece is based on an invigorating nautical quest to find the legendary treasure. Grand Battle 3 boasts sixteen playable characters and seven stages all full of the series high tension energy. The arenas open up as the fight requires and the look is distinctive and very slick. A title to treasure.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Including a character named Tony Tony Chopper, you’d be excused for thinking this a 70’s top flight football game. Yet as anime experts will be well aware, One Piece is based on an invigorating nautical quest to find the legendary treasure. Grand Battle 3 boasts sixteen playable characters and seven stages all full of the series high tension energy. The arenas open up as the fight requires and the look is distinctive and very slick. A title to treasure.
PS2
Action
Plenty of land lubbing high jinx in the One Piece pirate world as every sea dog worth his salt scours the Seven Seas in pursuit of Golden Roger’s treasure. Monkey Luffy is the leader of the motley crew of sailors and his strectchy limbs come in handy in a tight spot, yet the whole cast is worthy of mention such are the rich characters on show. Its possible to select a back-up character too so the fine designs can be savoured some more. Deliriously fine cel shaded graphics sit at ease with the background splendour. Special moves are simple to initiate and power ups pop up at random giving this a feel of Power Stone with its all action gameplay. A variety of innovative mini games gives players the opportunity to unlock hidden extras such as animation clips or sound bites from the hit series.
PS2
Platform
A fine 3D platform escapade with the manga coming to life complete with speed lines and stretchy limbs. The look is 3D, but the action is more 2.5D making it both playable and full of clever gaming twists that bring the vibrant series kicking, screaming and yelling to the PS2. Known in the West as One Piece Round the Land.
PS2
Action
Samurai slasher less cerebral than the ‘Biohazard’ series, but the beautifully realised feudal Japanese world draws you in. Capcom’s class oozes through this title along with some sublime action sequences.
PS2
Action
Capcom’s polish is more than evident as this epic samurai slasher captures gamers hearts and minds. Beautifully set in a Feudal Japan with plenty of adversaries straight from Japanese mythology. Thankfully the slash of steel can bring down even the biggest and baddest of boss monoliths.
PS2
Action
Third and possibly final installment of the samurai slasher seeing refreshing new backgrounds with the addition of Parisien Jaques played by Jean Reno (Leon, Wasabi.) Whilst never cynical, Genki is very envious of the angel who teaches Jaques to speak Japanese in an instant. Reaches new pinnacles on the PS2 with fully rendered scenery in glorious 3D including beautiful forests and marvellous magic effects. A true samurai would only play with the sword controller though.
PS2
Simulation
Genki is just pleased its more than a slot or fruit machine simulator with Ken and the post-apocalyptic scenes adding to the atmosphere, rather than just menacingly crunching their knuckles and waiting to mutter the immortal words of the series.
PS2
Simulation
Sammy has fine lineage in the pachinko stable and excels here once again in recreating the parlour at home with colourful eye candy graphics and toe tapping tunes.
PS2
Simulation
A good license to add much to the pachinko genre as steel balls tumble to many aggressive sounding threats and grim looking outcomes from the Mad Max of the anime world. This is the updated Special Edition with even more shouts of ‘Kiai.’
PS2
Rhythm
The Para Para dance craze swept Japan like the cherry blossom front with deeply tanned girls and bleached blond boys tossing about there limbs in the clubs from Shibuya to Sekijo. The game involves flicking out arms and legs in time to the beat and onscreen prompt proving a fine work out and building up a fine ability to para para!
PS2
Rhythm
Genki is a massive fan of Master Onion and its great to see him in such good form teaching martial arts. Beard Burger is also great fun as Parappa must flip and toast hamburgers in style under the pressure of the watching, hungry crowd. The 2D look works a treat and has aged like a fine claret.