Which PS2 Classics Still Feel Worth Revisiting?
The PlayStation 2 era was packed with big swings: weird ideas, bold art directions, and games that weren’t afraid to be a little rough around the edges. Some of those titles still hold up, but plenty of them are also begging for modern quality-of-life updates, cleaner controls, and a fresh coat of technical polish. But which ones would benefit from a redo, and which ones remain relics of perfection? Come with us as we explore a few of each!
Deni Williams from São Paulo, Brasil / Brazil on Wikimedia
1. Shadow of Rome
Capcom’s gladiator brawler had style for days, but its pacing and systems feel a little uneven now. A remake could tighten the combat flow, smooth out the stealth sections, and make the whole experience feel a little more cohesive. You’d get the same over-the-top Roman spectacle, just without the clunk that gets in the way.
2. Radiata Stories
This RPG’s charm comes from its lively town and huge cast, yet the original remains bogged down by technical limitations. If we’re being honest, a remake could expand the system, improve combat readability, and even give the world the visual personality it always deserved.
3. God Hand
It’s a cult classic for a reason! However, as much as we love it, the camera and presentation can make it harder to enjoy. A remake could preserve the ridiculous attitude while refining the camera and accessibility options. You’d still get that brutal, expressive combat, but you also wouldn’t fight the controls.
4. Okami
Okay, yes, it’s been rereleased, but it still hasn’t had the full modern remake treatment its art style deserves. An official remake would actually add richer animation, faster transitions into battles, and more intuitive brush mechanics without losing the original’s identity. The more we think about it, the more we’d enjoy the story with fewer interruptions.
5. The Warriors
This game nailed its gritty tone and co-op appeal, but its combat is just begging for modernization. Who wouldn’t love an updated brawling system and modernized checkpoints? Not to mention, a remake could make the city feel more alive.
6. Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
The narrative ambition was huge, and the cinematics were a big deal at the time, but that doesn’t mean it reached its full potential. At the end of the day, players could benefit from streamlined menus and polished UI—all while keeping the story intact. You’d still get the full sci-fi drama, just with less friction between you and the next scene.
Deni Williams from São Paulo, Brasil / Brazil on Wikimedia
7. Dark Cloud 2
It had dungeon crawling. It had town-building. But some systems feel buried under an older interface design. We’d love to see sharpened visuals and something to make the progression clearer without simplifying the depth.
8. Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
This series has a built-in remake pitch: stylish swordplay, cinematic flair, and a setting that still stands out. A remake could easily modernize movement and camera behavior, improve hit feedback, and boost environmental details. You’d also get to experience those dramatic moments with the responsiveness we always needed.
9. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly
Fatal Frame is already one of the most beloved horror games on the platform, but a true remake could make it genuinely terrifying. Luckily, we’re in store for one! We’ll admit there’s something horrifying enough about the outdated graphics, but with a little modern lighting and updated character animation, that incoming remake will amplify the tension.
10. SSX Tricky
Who didn’t love SSX growing up? We still have a soft spot for the original, but a solid remake could rebuild the tracks with modern spectacle and tighten tricks! Not to mention, we could also see online competition in the mix, which would be pretty awesome.
Mads Schmidt Rasmussen on Unsplash
Now, not every beloved PS2 game is begging for modern fixes. If you want to revisit these, the best version might simply be the one you already know.
1. Kingdom Hearts
Its mix of action combat, exploration, and storybook spectacle already feels complete. The slightly quirky pacing and presentation are part of its personality, and over-smoothing them would only make it less distinctive.
2. Steambot Chronicles
Part of its appeal is how unapologetically specific it is, from its oddball systems to its laid-back vibe. If you’re lucky enough to track it down, you should experience it as the PS2-era time capsule it already is!
3. Katamari Damacy
The controls are simple, the goals are clear, and the weirdness is delivered with perfect timing. A remake would likely polish the edges, but it would also totally ruin what made it feel so charming. One of the best things about it is that you can pick it up for five minutes and accidentally keep going for an hour.
4. Ico
Ico’s minimalism is the point, and the quiet pacing is a feature, not a flaw. The game communicates so much with so little that extra embellishment would just dilute the intent. Let it speak for itself and see what all the fuss is about.
5. Final Fantasy X
The presentation, music, and battle system haven’t lost their identity. Even the controversial parts are woven into the story’s personality, and smoothing them out would easily weaken the whole.
6. Burnout 3: Takedown
The speed, impact, and sense of controlled chaos hit a sweet spot that’s hard to replicate. Modern physics and visuals might make it shinier, but they could also make it feel less readable and less punchy. When it comes to pure arcade aggression, this is pretty much the gold standard.
7. Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
It’s bursting with personality, and its weapon lineup is still a master class in playful destruction! The mission variety and comedic timing are tuned so well that heavy modernization would just flatten the charm. Don’t you dare touch the classics!
8. Persona 4
The balance of slice-of-life pacing, dungeon crawling, and character chemistry is unusually stable—even nowadays. Weirdly enough, a modern remake could destroy the rhythm that makes the game so easy to live in.
9. Devil May Cry
It’s lean, it’s stylish, and it introduced a combat language that influenced action games for years! Some roughness is baked into its identity, and removing it might make the whole thing feel less bold. When you boot it up, you’re playing a piece of history that still has teeth.
10. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Its platforming is smooth. Its world is inviting. Its tone lands without trying too hard. The game’s straightforward design is exactly why it remains so replayable, and we couldn’t imagine what a remake would do to the beloved classic.
