PS2 News (Page 2)
Poll Which Persona Game Has the Best Opening?
Now it's personal
Atlus revealed the opening for Persona 3 Reload earlier this week, and it's so good that it got us wondering: which Persona game has the best title sequence? In case you don't know, each game in the series typically introduces itself with an animated opening, featuring a unique song and some gorgeous artwork. There's no doubt...
News Cancelled PS2 Game Daredevil: The Man Without Fear Surfaces Online
Blast from the past
It's not every day that you see an unreleased PS2 game emerge as playable almost two decades later, but that's precisely the case with 2004's Daredevil: The Man Without Fear. The Hidden Palace, which is a community dedicated to the preservation of rare and retro games, have published a playable prototype on PC. A third-person...
News Is Sony Working on a New PS2 Emulator for PS5, PS4?
Watch this space
With the frankly flabbergasting PS Plus price increases announced overnight, Sony is in need of a win for its subscriptions – and a big one at that! One way it could curry favour with long-time members is by upgrading its PS2 emulator, allowing it to bring back classics from the early noughties alongside the PS1 and PSP titles...
News Fans Vote Clive the Second Best Final Fantasy Protagonist
Guess the winner
Wow, people really like Clive Rosfield. The main character of the recently released Final Fantasy 16, the leather-clad hero seems to have really struck a chord with players, as he was voted the second best protagonist in Square Enix's mainline series. That's according to several thousand Final Fantasy fans, all of whom voted in our...
Poll Who's the Best Final Fantasy Protagonist?
There can only be one
Now that we've all had time to settle into a reality where Final Fantasy 16 exists, this is our chance to revisit a question that's reverberated around the Final Fantasy fandom for decades: just who is the series' best protagonist? Now, for the sake of this poll, we're going to streamline things and focus on mainline Final...
News Sony Will Celebrate Horror Series Siren's 20th Anniversary, Raising Hopes of a PS5 Revival
Back from the dead
Longtime PlayStation fans will recognise the name Siren, developed by a long-defunct offshoot of Japan Studio (Project Siren) and responsible for the three survival horror stealth games that comprise the trilogy. Sony is celebrating the series' 20th Anniversary, which has caused some to hold out hope for a revival. PlayStation...
Poll What's the Best PlayStation Startup Sequence?
PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5?
When you think of PlayStation, does a specific console startup come to mind? Sony's crafted some iconic system screens over the years — complete with some iconic sounds — but which one's the best? We know that's a potentially difficult question — and it might be wholly dependent on how old you are! — but it should...
News Capcom's Classic RPG Series Breath of Fire Is Now 30 Years Old
Come on, Capcom
Originating on the SNES all the way back in 1993, the Breath of Fire series is now 30 years old. It's one heck of a milestone, but then Capcom hasn't touched the franchise for what feels like an age. The Japanese company's last attempt at reviving the property came in 2016, when it launched the free-to-play, browser-based Breath of...
News Gran Turismo 4 Cheat Codes Discovered Almost 20 Years After Its PS2 Release
Pass the test
Gran Turismo 4 is one of the most iconic games in the PS2’s library, and it’s one of its best-selling too, topping over 11.5 million units throughout its lifetime. However, it’s taken almost 20 years for fans to find a bunch of secret cheat codes hidden in the game – but they really do exist. Originally posted by Nenkai on...
Feature ICO At 21 - Remembering Fumito Ueda's Seminal PS2 Classic
ICOnic
ICO is a video game that makes me feel things. Things that I can’t quite describe. Ever since I first stepped foot in the castle’s plundered hallways, heard Ico’s footsteps echo through the abandoned corridors, and practically felt the gentle breeze roll through its silent, long-forgotten courtyards, it’s a feeling I just haven’t...
News PS2's Best-Selling Console Crown in Jeopardy As Nintendo Switch Passes PS4
Only a matter of time
PS4 was a big success, right? Sure, but the Nintendo Switch is shaping up to be something else entirely. As part of its quarterly results, the House of Mario announced overnight that its hybrid console has now surpassed over 122.5 units sold worldwide, which actually puts it ahead of Sony’s previous platform. While the PS4 is...
News Soothe Your Yearning for The Simpsons Hit & Run Remake with Soundtrack on Spotify
A perfectly cromulent discovery
For some reason, Disney has seen fit to suddenly release a whole bunch of The Simpsons music on streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. To the surprise of loyal fans, this includes the full soundtrack to the groin-grabbingly good PS2 adventure, The Simpsons: Hit & Run. The beloved open world...
News Iconic PlayStation Franchise Gran Turismo Surpasses 90 Million Copies Sold
As series celebrates 25th anniversary
Gran Turismo, arguably the most iconic PlayStation franchise of all time, has surpassed 90 million units since its inception. As the series celebrates its 25th anniversary, creator Kazunori Yamauchi – who remains a force at developer Polyphony Digital – revealed the milestone in a reflective PS Blog post, in...
Guide All Resident Evil Games Ranked and Best Places to Start
A comprehensive guide to Resident Evil
The Resident Evil series is one of gaming's most popular and recognisable franchises, dating back to the PlayStation 1 and encompassing more than 25 years of history. With a hardcore following across the globe that hotly anticipates all upcoming entries — no matter where it's a mainline instalment or spin-off...
Random Every American PS2 Manual Has Been Preserved on the Internet
Pamphlet perfection
Back when we were little and we were lucky enough to be bought a new PS1 game by our parents, we’d spend the entire car ride home reading through the manual, trying to get a taste of the action that awaited us once we were reunited with our console. Those days are long gone, and while there are things to appreciate about the...
News Mortal Kombat Celebrates 30 Years of Fatalities with Mind Blowing Montage
Get over here and watch it
Mortal Kombat is celebrating 30 years of brutality, and while fans had been hoping for a new game announcement – or, perhaps, a compilation of old ones – this montage trailer will have to suffice. To be fair, it’s impressive: it segues between classic retro footage of the old arcade Mortal Kombat games and modern...
Review Hot Shots Tennis (PS2) - Bare Bones and Bettered By Its PSP Successor
You cannot be serious
Having taken control of the Hot Shot Golf franchise from Camelot in 1999, developer Clap Hanz proceeded to create five different instalments in the series – six, in fact, if you include the Japan exclusive Hot Shots Golf Online, which was used as a means to help flog the PS2’s Network Adapter domestically. Thus, in 2006,...
Random Jak and Daxter Fans Are Porting The Precursor Legacy to PC
Precursor master race
Who needs professional game developers, right? Tech-savvy fans of the original Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy are taking matters into their own hands, porting the classic PS2 platformer to play on modern PCs. This isn't an emulation job; the group's aim is to get the game running natively on PC by basically retooling the...
News Shadow Hearts Trademark Spotted, Possibly for PS Plus Premium
Filed by Universal Entertainment
A new trademark has been filed by Universal Entertainment in Japan for the PlayStation 2 RPG series Shadow Hearts, potentially suggesting at least one of the three titles could be part of PS Plus Premium's launch lineup. Spotted by Gematsu, it's a possible indicator of
Rumour PS Plus Premium's PS1, PS2, PSP Games Have Started to Leak
Riiiiidge Racer!
Update #2: A further round of PS1 titles have been found on Sony's servers: Worms Armageddon and Worms World Party. That takes the total up to five leaked games thus far, but only PS1 and PSP are represented right now. Update #1: Assets for PS1 title Mr. Driller have now been discovered as well. That means we've got three Namco...
News Beloved Classics Will Comprise PS Plus Premium Catalogue
Emphasis on beloved
Sony will not be tossing random retro releases on its priciest PS Plus Premium subscription tier! New correspondence from the company confirms that the 340 additional games added to the most expensive membership will comprise a “catalogue of beloved classic games” from the PS1, PS2, and PSP era. These will be available to...
Poll What Do You Expect from Retro PlayStation Games on PS5, PS4?
Save states? Rewind? Trophies?
There was unexpected excitement during this desperately dull April earlier today when a bunch of classic Syphon Filter games were rated for release on the PlayStation 5 and PS4 in South Korea. The releases – expanding to pretty much every entry in the series, aside from its PS2 outing Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain...
Talking Point What PS1, PS2, and PSP Games Do You Want on PS Plus Premium?
Let's go retro
The big headline on Planet PlayStation right now is the overhaul of PS Plus. The subscription service is to be merged with PS Now, with three tiers providing more benefits the more you pay. We won't explain each PS Plus tier right here, but the most expensive option is PS Plus Premium. The most eye-catching addition is
News PS Plus Premium Brings PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP Games to PS5, PS4
Legacy platforms live again
In case you've somehow missed it, Sony has announced a huge overhaul to PlayStation Plus. It's transitioning to a multi-tiered system, with three subscriptions offering extra value the more you choose to pay. At the top of the pile is PS Plus Premium which, among other things, adds games from legacy PlayStation platforms...
Random This Is How PlayStation Consoles Would Look if They Rendered Themselves
Inception
This is brilliantly random: how would each PlayStation console look if it rendered itself? Electronics Hub sought to answer that exact question, and came up with this stunning infographic. Effectively what you’re seeing is each Sony system – from the PS1 all the way through to the PS5 – rendered within the boundaries of its own...
As easy as 1, 2, 3
Update: Just as we warned, it really wasn't worth getting excited over the PlayStation Japan tease — not unless you're a massive fan of popstar Kenshi Yonezu. The now infamous tweet was indeed teasing a new Japanese PlayStation advert — but it has absolutely nothing to do with backwards compatibility. The numbers 1, 2, and 3...
Guide PS5 Backwards Compatibility: Can You Play PS3, PS2, and PS1 Games on PlayStation 5?
Classics
Can you play PS3, PS2, and PS1 games on PS5? Sony has talked a lot about the importance of PS5 backwards compatibility, but is the PlayStation 5 backwards compatible with PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 1? As part of our PS5 guide, we’re going to tell you whether PS5 is backwards compatible with PS3, PS2, and PS1 games. You...
Weirdness These PlayStation Sound Effect Acapellas Are Oddly Awesome
Sounds good
Each PlayStation startup sound has defined a generation, so it’s bizarre to see them performed acapella by YouTube group Maytree. From the bowel rumbling bass of the PS1’s intro all the way through to the PSP’s upbeat jingle, this is both spot-on and strange. It’s particularly amusing to see just how much energy is being invested...
Soapbox GTA: San Andreas Is Still an Open World Classic
Aw sh*t, here we go again
The rumour that Rockstar is remastering the PlayStation 2’s trilogy of Grand Theft Auto games for PlayStation 5 and PS4 last week had a profound impact on me: I simply had to return to the fictional state of San Andreas. My history with the 2004 open world is both fortuitous and a little bit embarrassing actually: despite...
News Metal Gear Solid 2 Looks Better Than Ever in 4K Upscaled Trailer
Digital Foundry works its magic
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is a special game, and part of what makes it so memorable is what came before fans could even play it. Prior to the big twist of Raiden actually being the main playable character, Konami introduced the PlayStation 2 sequel with the tanker mission starring Solid Snake. The game was...
News PS2, PS1 Wireless Pad Kickstarter Beats Pledge Goal with Time to Spare
Pick one up for $34
A Kickstarter for a wireless controller that hooks up to both a PlayStation 2 and PS1 console has flown past its pledge goal of $20,000 with one week to spare. Designed by a family-owned business named Retro Fighters, 1,875 backers have so far raised more than $125,000. Named the Wireless Defender, the pad connects to the two...
News This Portable PS2 Is the Handheld of Our Dreams
Play, beyond
Yeah, the Nintendo Switch is cool and all, but have you ever played a portable PlayStation 2? Probably not, because Sony never actually made one, and while both the PS Vita and PSP had plenty of PS2 ports on them – well, they couldn’t play GTA: San Andreas, could they? This hobby project named the PS2 Eclipse by GingerofOz can,...
Random PS2 Game Boxes Were Nearly Extremely Weird
Look at this thing
PlayStation games have always come in pretty ordinary boxes. The PS1 had its CD-like jewel cases, the PS2 kept things standard with a DVD box, PS3 shrunk things a little to match standard Blu-Ray releases, and it's been roughly the same since. Aside from its handheld machines, Sony's consoles have stuck to pretty regular game...
News The Still Excellent Persona 3 Is 15 Years Old Today
Style is permanent
Persona 3 celebrates its 15th anniversary today. It first released in Japan on the 13th July 2006 for the PlayStation 2, and its impact on the RPG landscape has been significant. With its supreme sense of style, outstanding soundtrack, and addictive gameplay mix of turn based dungeon crawling and social links, Persona 3 is really...
News Sony Celebrates the Evolution of Ratchet & Clank
Stunning trailer goes back in time
Sony’s released a stunning trailer celebrating the evolution of Ratchet & Clank across four generations. The clip, designed to promote the upcoming Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, shows various different titles from the series and their associated console. It also focuses on some of the televisions from the...
News Rockstar Marking Grand Theft Auto 3 20th Anniversary with 'Fun Surprises'
Many for GTA Online
Grand Theft Auto V will be coming to PlayStation 5 on 11th November 2021, but a few weeks before then, Rockstar has a big anniversary to celebrate. 22nd October 2021 marks 20 years since the launch of PS2 classic Grand Theft Auto III, and the studio is already putting plans together to commemorate the occasion. Some of them will...
Feature Resident Evil's Story So Far, Summed Up in 30 Mind-Twisting Minutes
Fasten your seatbelt
Are you picking up Resident Evil Village today? You should: our Resident Evil Village PS5 review already explained that it’s arguably the best instalment since the outstanding Resident Evil 4. But do you need some kind of story recap to get you up to speed? We can help, as we’ve put together a mammoth 30 minute video that...
Random Alabama Cornerback Patrick Surtain II Swags Out NFL Draft with PS2 Bling
Play, beyond
Former Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II swagged out the NFL Draft last night with custom PlayStation 2 bling, before being selected by the Denver Broncos with the ninth overall pick. The Rose Bowl defensive MVP – and son of a former Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs player – commissioned a custom DualShock 2 pendant, which...
News Ace Infographic Is the Master of Unlocking 25 Years of Resident Evil X PlayStation History
As series celebrates 25 years
We’ve spoken to some of the biggest developers in gaming about what 25 years of Resident Evil means to them, but for PlayStation the survival horror is symbiotic with its brand. An awesome infographic produced by Sony and shared on social media details the key moments from the two-and-a-half-decade relationship, and...
Talking Point Would You Buy a PS1, PS2, or PS3 Emulator for PS5?
RetroStation
The topic of game preservation on PlayStation is a pertinent one right now. Whatever its plans for PlayStation 3’s – and, of course, PS Vita and PSP’s – storefront, Sony doesn’t make it as easy as some of its immediate competitors to enjoy its back catalogue of games. While the platform holder will point to blockbuster remakes...
News Still Brilliant PS2 RPG Final Fantasy XII Is 15 Years Old Today
Don't Basch it
Believe it or not, Final Fantasy XII is 15 years old today. The PlayStation 2 RPG first launched in Japan all the way back in 2006, on the 16th March. We still remember waiting what felt like an age for the game to release here in Europe (it was actually a year late), and reading all about it in the Official PlayStation Magazine...
News Cory Barlog Admits He Had 'No Idea' What He Was Doing When Directing God of War 2
Still one of the greatest ever games
In news that’s sure to make you feel old, God of War II is celebrating its 14th anniversary this weekend. The game – which launched on the PlayStation 2 after the release of the PS3 – is widely regarded as a classic, with its larger-than-life set-pieces and overall mastery of Sony’s hardware. It also saw...
Criterion's first-person shooter turns 15
Criterion Games was absolutely on fire in the early noughties. Having made an incredible arcade racing series — the brilliant Burnout, of course — it decided to turn its hand to a totally new genre. This is something that you don't see too much of; usually, a studio finds its comfort zone and sticks to...
Random Watch Someone Build an Awesome See-Through PlayStation 2 Console
Clear winner
Remember when console manufacturers had a thing for translucent tech? Whether it was controllers or the consoles themselves, having a sort-of see-through shell allowed you to get a peek under the hood — and it looked cool at the same time. Sony brought this back for PlayStation 4 with the dark blue 500 million edition PS4 Pro, and...
News PS2-Style PS5 Consoles Withdrawn From Sale After Company Receives 'Credible Threats'
"Our team began receiving credible threats to their safety"
Remember that awesome-looking PS2-style PlayStation 5 console we mentioned a few days ago? This custom system was being offered in a limited run of just 300 units by SUP3R5, and pre-orders went live recently. Sadly, the process didn't go according to plan. Demand was such that the stock...
News Xbox Series X|S Runs PS2 Games Better Than PS5
A sad reality
PlayStation 5 can, in fact, play a handful of PlayStation 2 titles – but only ones that were ported to the PlayStation 4, like Jak & Daxter and Grand Theft Auto 3. Bizarrely, the Xbox Series X|S can play retro PlayStation titles much better – at least, until the inevitable batch of cease and desist letters get posted out...
Poll Is the PS5 DualSense Sony's Best Controller Yet?
It's time to Dual
The PS5 has been out for at least a week now (depending on where you live), and we want to know what you think of the DualSense — the console's high-tech controller. Featuring advanced haptic feedback functionality, adaptive triggers, and a built-in microphone, it's a premium piece of kit, and a key PS5 selling point. Here at...
Talking Point Happy 20th Birthday, PlayStation 2
A toast to the most popular console ever
There's no other way to describe it: PlayStation 2 was an absolute beast. Sony followed up the popular (and industry-changing) PlayStation with a more capable console in the year 2000, and little did we know it would go on to become the best-selling gaming machine ever. It's a record the PS2 holds to this...
Feature The Joy of Painting PlayStation 2
Hearts For Hardware
Over the last few years US based artist Randy Gallegos has been painting his way through the history of video game hardware and has recently applied his brush to Sony's PlayStation 2. We interviewed Randy over on Nintendo Life back in 2016 about his Hearts For Hardware series but this time we'll be talking PlayStation. It's...
Quiz Can You Name These PlayStation Launch Games?
Day one
How well do you remember the launch of each PlayStation home console? The release of a brand new game-playing machine is always exciting, but at the same time, it can be easy to forget the software that arrived alongside the hardware. And so here we are, with a quiz that'll test your knowledge of PlayStation launch titles. Think you're a...
