PS2
Here we have all the games in the PS2 Section.
PS2
RPG
Not quite the charter granted by King John to acknowledge rights and roles, yet it does get a mention as the power that can overcome all others in this fantasy RPG. Players roam the lands with female characters taking a strong lead as the in game artists show us their fair hand with some beautiful work.
PS2
Action
D3 Simple games are true to the name in having a simple premise: fun. Often feeling like playing a game using improper gameplay ie doing not what your meant to be doing, such a driving a tank down downtown New York with turrets blazing.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Based on the anime exploits of a school student who visits a wonderful land in his sleep whilst spending his days playing RPG games when not at school. (Marchen is German for ‘fairy tale.’) Yet in this enchanted land our young protege finds his strength massively increased – a good job considering this is a fight fest. Graphics are beautifully cel shaded and the gameplay reaches the mighty plateau you’d expect from high riding Konami.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Plenty of characters to choose from the rich source material of the Marvel Comics and Capcom back closets. The sequel was no slouch, yet Capcom improves and finely hones with its expert hand. But despite the presence of Jill from Biohazard and Sakura from Street Fighter, Genki remains resolutely a Spidey fan. A very rare find on the PS2 as one of the platforms (possibly any platforms) finest 2D titles. Comes with added gallery. Subtitled New Age of Heroes.
PS2
A Bit Special
A promotional disk only available from McDonalds Japan. Demo versions of Parappa The Rapper 2 and Pipo Monkey are the suspiciously hamburger orientated titles.
PS2
Simulation
The second instalment of the popular Memories Off doesn’t disappoint, capturing the raw emotions of the game in beautiful visuals and striking orchestral score.
PS2
Simulation
A dating game with roster of ladies to cater for all tastes, for want of a better term. With the girl next door to the feisty foreigner personality, players should find fun and frivolity here. A bizarre ‘osu’ or ‘push’ game sees players having to hit targets rhythm action style to clock up a big score.
PS2
Action
Few can be as deserving of the nick name Solid Snake as Kojima’s hero. This one man war machine again dons John Rambo style headband and uses the art of stealth to progress without too much attention drawing strafe. Snake: beret off, we salute you.
PS2
Action
The stealth requirement distinguishes Metal Gear from more action orientated titles as players slip in and out of the bushes. Kojima deserves notoriety for such dedication to the project, not known since Miyamoto san.
PS2
Platform
Saving hostages who show their gratitude, looking at the sheer shock on faces of enemy soldiers as they get snuck up on by stealth, charging all guns blazing with a tidy power up including the tasty double machine gun, feeding your face until it grows a little too big, and vehicles galore…. Enough to make you well up with pride. Plenty of nw vehicles to command and giant boss ships to let rip into. A distinct shift in this instalment, but gives the player more chances (at times) and plenty of firepower for encouragement. Wearing its 2D tats with pride, Metal Slug: we salute you.
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
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
Action
Bringing their own style to the table comes hard negotiator Namco tossing the player into the full on One Year War against the Zeon in this intriguing collaboration with Bandai going by the moniker of Project Pegasus. Distinctive retro feel to this off shoot in terms of the late 70’s section of the mecha series it is based on, but the graphics engine is far from outdated. Freshening the series up with ground and space based missions offering freedom and a refreshing twist of Namco style. Also known by its Japanese name of ‘Kidou Senshi Gundam Ichinen Sensou.’
PS2
Shoot Em Up
Part of the ‘Ore Tachi Gamesen Zoku’ series (We are the game centre gang – sounds tougher in Japanese!)
PS2
A Bit Special
Innovative, if a little off- kilter, ‘Ka’ is played through the eyes of a mosquito trying to get a good feed. The much-maligned insect can fly freely within the room to close in on a human occupant and try and hit one of the sweet spots suitable for feeding. Unfortunately the family living in the house are aware of your humming presence and will lash out if flying too close or the blood isn’t efficiently pinched with a tight joypad rotation. Interesting scenarios with the mother preparing dinner and the slightly voyeuristic section with a lady in the bath. Sony again delivers another genre bending title. Just keep away from the smoking mosquito coils, no matter how tempting they look.
PS2
A Bit Special
Innovative, if a little off- kilter, ‘Ka’ is played through the eyes of a mosquito trying to get a good feed. The much-maligned insect can fly freely within the room to close in on a human occupant and try and hit one of the sweet spots suitable for feeding. Unfortunately the family, on holiday in Hawaii, are aware of your humming presence and will lash out if flying too close or the blood isn’t efficiently pinched with a tight joypad rotation. Interesting scenarios with the mother preparing dinner and the slightly voyeuristic section with the hot weather. Sony again delivers another genre bending title. Just keep away from the smoking mosquito coils, no matter how tempting they look.
PS2
Action
Unfortunately Genki’s only run in with a biker gang was when sat on a push bike. Still it was nice to see a few faces missing from class. The underground, midnight bike scene has many devotees in Japan as many a sleepless night will attest. Plenty of Yankee style attitude and covers a niche genre very aptly, as you’d expect from D3.
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
A Bit Special
Namco certainly has a back catalogue worthy of raiding as this compilation remonstrates: Mr. Driller, Kaze no Klonoa, Tekken, Ridge Racer and Ace Combat 2. As you’d expect souped up visuals and slick presentation with movie clips and artwork from the games. Play the games as the makers intended.
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
Sports
Sydney olympic champion Ms. Naoko Takahashi brings her running attributes to the PS2 in this strangely compelling marathon game. Plenty of options to play around with including player stats and courses in what remains an under populated genre.
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.)