In the early to mid-2000s, Sony Interactive Entertainment was a juggernaut, with its PlayStation 2 (PS2) console still holding the title of the best-selling console to date. The PS2 era was a golden age for gaming, with iconic franchises like 'Grand Theft Auto' and 'Gran Turismo' getting a major overhaul, and the debut of new franchises like 'God of War' and 'Devil May Cry'. However, amidst this sea of memorable titles, there are some games that, while commercially successful at the time, have since been forgotten. These are the five hit PS2 games that no one seems to remember today, despite their impressive sales figures during the PS2's lifetime.
One such game is 'Dark Cloud', a third-person action RPG that was one of the earliest PlayStation 2 exclusives. It follows the fantasy hero Toan, who must recover elements known as Atla to restore his kingdom, which has been ravaged by a dark genie. What sets 'Dark Cloud' apart is its procedurally generated dungeons and quick-time events during duels with certain enemies. Despite its innovative gameplay and stunning visuals for a first-year PS2 title, 'Dark Cloud' was overshadowed by more prominent early PS2 releases. However, it is now available to play on the PlayStation 4 as part of their digital classics library, making it the perfect time to revisit this under-appreciated action RPG.
Another game that has fallen into obscurity is 'Yu-Gi-Oh! The Duelists of the Roses'. Based on the popular card game, this PS2 title sees longtime rivals Yugi Mutou and Seto Kaiba face off in a card-driven showdown. The game draws inspiration from the English War of the Roses and features a grid-based battlefield, adding variety to the gameplay. While it is primarily enjoyed by 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' fans, 'The Duelists of the Roses' offers a unique blend of card-oriented combat and grid-based battles, making it a refreshing change from contemporaries like 'Dragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors'. However, despite its success, no other 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' titles were released on the PS2, giving 'The Duelists of the Roses' a unique distinction.
'Scooby-Doo! Night of 100 Frights' is another game that has been largely forgotten, despite its popularity as a tie-in to the beloved animated series. The game follows Scooby-Doo as he searches for his friends in a haunted mansion, battling familiar enemies and collecting Scooby Snacks to unlock other portions of the property. While it takes a more conventional action-adventure approach, 'Night of 100 Frights' is chock full of Easter eggs and allusions to various Scooby-Doo cartoons. Despite its success, the game has been largely overlooked in favor of more puzzle-solving games like 'Luigi's Mansion'. However, it deserves a modern remaster, as one of the better animated series tie-ins of its era.
'The Getaway' is a hidden gem of the PlayStation 2, offering an open-world twist on the 'Grand Theft Auto' formula. The game follows the dual narratives of hardened crook Mark Hammond and police detective Frank Carter as they delve into London's criminal underworld. 'The Getaway' was successful enough to spawn a direct sequel in 2004 and a spin-off, 'Gangs of London', for the PlayStation Portable. However, the video game series has remained largely dormant for 20 years, apart from adaptations in other media. With its emphasis on cinematic presentation and narratives, 'The Getaway' is one of the better games of its era to follow in the footsteps of 'GTA'.
Finally, 'EyeToy: Play' is a game that predates the Wii and its motion-controlled games by three years. The game was initially packaged with the EyeToy peripheral, which essentially acted as a webcam for motion-tracking inputs. 'EyeToy: Play' features a variety of minigames, including rhythm games, soccer ball bouncing, and boxing. While it was successful enough to receive two direct sequels on the PS2 and a number of spin-offs, the games tied to the EyeToy peripheral have since fallen into obscurity. As Sony moved into the PlayStation 3 era, it continued to experiment with motion-controlled experiences, but the EyeToy died with the PS2 era, along with the games that were tied to it.
In conclusion, these five hit PS2 games have been largely forgotten, despite their impressive sales figures during the PS2's lifetime. While they may not have the same staying power as their more enduringly recognizable counterparts, they are still worth revisiting for gamers who missed them the first time around. As Sony continues to innovate and push the boundaries of gaming, it is important to remember and celebrate the games that came before, even if they have been overlooked in the past.
