PS2
Here we have all the games in the PS2 Section.
PS2
Action
Similar to Tenchu, players take on the role of a ninja and must use stealth to succeed with patience and good timing a requisite.
PS2
Shoot Em Up
Competent conversion of the until now Dreamcast exclusive that keeps its arcade roots in the high adrenalin, verticle on screen action. Whilst still lacking the wow factor in terms of visual impact, gameplay has clearly been made the all important goal of the developers for which praise is deserved. Besides you’re not given much chance to admire the scenery as you need your eyes to work independently to avoid the on screen onslaught. Also includes five mini bonus games not found on the DC where you must shoot the right balloons for example with more precision shooting required as well as evasive skills. A sort of training for the main event with high scoring being the goal.
PS2
Simulation
Bishonen romantic game with gothic look to the locales as Interchannel recreate a Japanese interpretation of a European setting.
PS2
Action
Konami takes on Capcom’s survival horror crown with similar camera angles, yet Silent Hill 3 cranks up the psychological tension to Hitchcockian heights. You know the bottom of the car is about to fall out, you just never know when in this rust belt town.
PS2
Shoot Em Up
High production values with fine attention to detail in the landscapes all interlaced with top draw GCI cut scenes adds up to a superlative sapping experience. A strategical element is added to the frantic, frenetic shooter action in that wing weapons must be selected in accordance with the level awaiting. Half way through the level the mother ship will drop in though for a well needed health boost and a opportunity to reconfigure for the intelligent bosses that vary their assaults. As is the way with modern shooters, dicing with death is actively encouraged as the multiplier spirals out of control by shooting the ships when they are really too close for comfort.
PS2
Sports
Sky diving on a snowboard to pull off tricks through sheer joypad dexterity. Sub game is a Pilot Wings style ‘Beat Balloon.’
PS2
Action
Sky diving on a snowboard to pull off tricks through sheer joypad dexterity. Sub game is a Pilot Wings style ‘Beat Balloon.’
PS2
Simulation
Slot machine simulator based on the emotional, epic anime full of hard love known as Kyojin no Hoshi (or Star of the Giants.) The story of the anime features young Hoshi as he battles through gruelling training and beatings from his strict father to become a pitcher for the Tokyo Giants. Its unlikely father would have approved of the fruit machine gambling exploits, but a top baseball player must squander their cash on something.
PS2
Sports
Namco felt the need to ditch the adorable sprites of earlier versions of the series to adjust the series for the PS2 crew. As such the official players of the era and the proper stadiums have been used. Yet the gameplay thankfully remains very familiar and as such it plays like a dream. Henman for champ then.
PS2
Sports
A football game which gets under the running of a club, not merely management. Dealing with flying boots can seem a lot easier than walking the tight rope of press conferences and hard to please Prima Donna strikers.
PS2
Platform
The hardware is capable of keeping up with Sonic’s speed and the game works as well in the third dimension as it does in 2D back on the Mega Drive. Fine blend of speed and action, masterfully mixed by the Sonic Team.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Arcade port is almost perfect with stirring orchestral score and dazzling, fluid special moves and combo’s. Still remains one of the finest fighters ever to grace the console scene.
PS2
Rhythm
Gyrate to the beat with the sexy Space Channel reporter Ulala. Just don’t ask about the story! Unique feel to graphics, full of futuristic frolics.
PS2
Rhythm
Ulala once again bust’s a groove whilst looking fab in her futuristic attire in this sleek Sega production. A great addition over the prequel is the two player co-operative mode which sees control of Ulala split with one player taking the direction pad, the other the buttons and frequent off screen scraps as to who was at fault for the missed hip gyration. Look out for a guest appearance from Michael Jackson on one of the stages, but his moves suffer in comparison to our Ulala. Much more affordable than the DC release.
PS2
Shooter
Release to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Space Invader legend. Includes plenty of versions including a 3D remake. Other versions include a two player competitive version where you shoot at each other through the invaders and a two player co-operative version where you share three lives.
PS2
Simulation
Utilises Fourthview technology allowing recordings to be made in 360 degrees so they can fit in all the members of this all girl band. MM are famed for their bold costumes as much as their girly music such as ‘Love Machine’. Plenty of material of the ever shifting band.
PS2
RPG
Breath-taking graphics and around sixty hours gameplay make this one for the true RPG fan. Enix return to form with real time battles and a bravery meter which builds up through successful attacks and defences, rewarding players with bonuses if they can resist the temptation to use it on an opponent.
PS2
RPG
Breathtaking graphics and around sixty hours gameplay make this one for the true RPG fan. Enix return to form with real time battles and a bravery meter which builds up through successful attacks and defenses, rewarding players with bonuses if they can resist the temptation to use it on an opponent.
PS2
Platform
Based on the atmospheric anime from Akira creator Otomo san and set in an alternative Victorian England, Steam Boy must harness the power of the Steamball. But this only follows the latter half of the anime: an original off-shoot in the plot awaits. Fan service at its finest, this captures the feel of all those weird and wonderful steam powered contraptions along with the period setting very well.
PS2
RPG
Atlus has a fair hand for RPGs and reciprocates its fans love in this opus. The isometric graphics look like they are hand drawn and blend seamlessly from the sweeping opening scene. Voice acting is of a high standard as one may expect from such a pedigree publisher. Savour every XP scrap.
PS2
RPG
Lavishly illustrated avatars full of emotion (especially where Genki is concerned as we seem to keep upsetting the ladies with our choice of retorts) and detailed backgrounds. All very appropriate for the exquisite isometric perspective gameworld that will see players battling from rogue sailors on a galleon what looked like washed up ghosts from Pacman on a beach.
PS2
RPG
Fine, frantic RPG with colourful as the avatar representatives with plenty of special moves in the combat to surprise even the most seasoned of RPG veterans.
PS2
Puzzle
Taito’s trusty puzzle title remains as addictive as ever in this competent PS2 conversion. The in-game characters have been revamped making for bizarre rivals that would seem more at home in Parappa The Rapper, Vib Ribbon or Rhyme Rider Kerorican.
PS2
Simulation
This instalment of the legendary robot series led to a full animated version, such was its popularity in Japan. The battles remain immense and fully intense with anime style productions skills to hike up the tension and emotion. Ann epic battle sim and manna from heaven for Taisen devotees.
PS2
Simulation
The series that takes mecha fans into a dream stratosphere where hulking beasts of machines battle for supremacy of the skies with ginormous laser blasts leaving tracers in the darkened outer space skies and over the top emotional avatars screaming in response. Truly big in Japan.
PS2
Simulation
This instalment of the legendary robot series led to a full animated version, such was its popularity in Japan. The battles remain immense and fully intense with anime style productions skills to hike up the tension and emotion. An epic battle sim and manna from heaven for Taisen devotees.
PS2
A Bit Special
Super gal Haruhi once again stars with a voice to melt the Cadbury’s Caramel bunny in this love adventure where players also get to make their own game. Superb high standards to the figure that comes as part of the package too matching the voice acting.
PS2
Rhythm
Bash out some beats to the eternal rhythm of the Japanese festival which celebrates life itself. Coaches players gradually before letting them loose in a drum sticks frenzy.
PS2
Rhythm
The sequel to the genre defining title brings a welcomed save feature and plenty more mini game madness including a Galaga style shoot em up where tapping the drum skin fires shots (Namco not being one to forget its rich gaming roots) and drum rolling to blow up balloons – a tap on the rium when done. But the crux of the fun remains the songs – from Doraemon and Anpanman anime songs to Beethoven via J Pop from the likes on Mini Moni.
PS2
Rhythm
Feisty festival title that brings not just the sound but the heat and colour of a Japanese festival to life on the PSP. Buttons (or ideally the drum sticks) must be tapped in tune to the on screen action. Control soon become intuitive though and there is a wide spectrum of songs that are bound to raise your spirits and get you shouting Wasshoi in joy. Undeniably bizarre but when it brings the spirit of a Japanese festival into your home it can’t be bad.