PlayStation Plus has plenty of modern games, but one of the biggest perks might be the Premium subscription access to a back catalog of Classics titles. While the Classics line-up lacks the majority of iconic PlayStation titles of yesteryear, it does include some major hits here and there.
If you’re looking to relive the glory days of the PlayStation 2, you could do a lot worse than turning to the PlayStation Plus offerings. While there’s no Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas or Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the selection of great games ranges from action-packed platformers to lengthy RPGs. Among the PS2 titles on the service, these ten jump out as classics that have all stood the test of time and then some.
Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
What sets this 2004 classic from other shooters of the time is its unique physics-based gameplay. Players can sling enemies across rooms with psychic force, and manipulate objects to solve environmental puzzles. You can also use psychic attacks to complement traditional firearms for a very different kind of combat. If Control owes a debt to any game I’d argue Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy is it.
TimeSplitters
You’ve likely heard legends of TimeSplitters‘ greatness, but they probably focused on TimeSplitters 2. The sequel certainly took the multiplayer and maps to new heights, but the first game — the only one on PlayStation Plus — is still worth playing today.
As a launch title for the PS2, TimeSplitters came out of the gate running as a focused FPS with no fat to be found. Whether you’re looking to pre-game TimeSplitters 2 or simply want a dose of old-school action that you can run through in a few hours, TimeSplitters knows its strengths and delivers them with style.
Rogue Galaxy
Rogue Galaxy isn’t exactly a must-play RPG, mostly due to its fundamental repetition. The game’s long dungeons tend to struggle with diversity, so you’ll need some level of patience to see this one through to the end.
If you’re willing to stick it out, however, there’s a lot to appreciate about Rogue Galaxy. Unique crafting and skill systems give the game a lot of flair, and the space-faring setting has a piratical charm lacking in most sci-fi RPGs. For those who are still hesitant, don’t worry — the PlayStation Plus Classics catalogue has several other JRPGs that come with fewer qualifications.
PaRappa The Rapper 2
Decades later, the rhythm mechanics and precision of PaRappa have been thoroughly outdone by other titles in the genre. When it comes to creativity, however, PaRappa is still hard to beat.
PaRappa The Rapper 2 might not be as innovative as the first title was, but it refines on all the essentials to deliver another memorable experience. While Some fans will argue that the soundtrack isn’t quite as full of earworms, musical preferences are always up to the individual. Um Jammer Lammy is also worth checking out, but sadly, you won’t find either that or the first PaRappa game on PS Plus.
Soulcalibur 3
Following up Soulcalibur 2 was a tricky act, and most fans would agree that Soulcalibur 3 failed to eclipse its predecessor. That wasn’t for lack of trying, however. With a smorgasbord of new content, a great single-player mode, and the introduction of Soulcalibur‘s iconic character customization, Soulcalibur 3 threw everything at the wall to see what would stick.
This fighting game features the trademark grace and style of the Soulcalbur series, with cool blade combos frequently interrupting the typical fighting game rhythm of punches and kicks. The biggest downside is that Soulcalibur 3 lacks online play, so if you’re looking to go head-to-head with other players across the world, you might want to look outside of the PS Plus Classics catalog.
Jak And Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Jak and Daxter fans are spoiled for choice on PlayStation Plus. The Classics catalog includes Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, Jak 2, Jak 3, Jak X: Combat Racing, and Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier. Any of these can be a fun time, but if you’re going to start somewhere, you might as well start with the first.
Of the bunch, Jak and Daxter provides the most classic 3D platformer experience. The sequels, on the other hand, branch out to incorporate inspiration from games like Grand Theft Auto and more. While the diverse ambitions of the later titles are great, The Precursor Legacy might be the most consistently successful. It’s a close race either way.
Wild Arms 3
The Wild Arms series started out on the PS1, but the PS2 entry Wild Arms 3 is one of the most iconic for a reason. This JRPG leans into a distinct Wild West flair, setting it apart from the typically Europe-inspired high fantasy or sci-fi settings that defined most competing franchises.
Wild Arms 3 features some recurring elements from the first two games, but it’s not a direct sequel, so you don’t need to worry about doing the appropriate homework. That being said, if you fall in love with Wild Arms 3, you’ll probably want to go back and play Wild Arms 1 and 2 after you finish.
Deus Ex: The Conspiracy
No, Deus Ex: The Conspiracy isn’t a secret game in the Deus Ex franchise. Instead, The Conspiracy is a subtitle affixed to the PS2 port of the original Deus Ex, re-branding the game after the port made a few tweaks and compromises to make things work out on console controls and hardware.
Surprisingly, this can still be a great way to check out Deus Ex today. The original PS2 version had some performance and load time compromises that no longer exist on PS5, so the experience is now fairly close to playing on PC. As one of the games that defined the immersive sim genre, the creativity and interactivity of Deus Ex remain hard to beat.
Ape Escape 2
Most modern PlayStation exclusives fall into a similar brand of cinematic action gameplay (Astro Bot, of course, is exempt). Back in the late 90s and early 2000s, however, things were different, and Ape Escape 2 is a perfect example of how whimsical older Sony titles could be.
Tasking the player with, well, rounding up a lot of escaped apes, Ape Escape 2 builds on its predecessor by taking advantage of the PlayStation 2’s capability for more fluid and fun gameplay. From the themed environments to punny monkey names, Ape Escape 2 is filled to the brim with enough charm and creativity to win over the most hardened God of War fans.
Dark Cloud 2
Dark Cloud 2 is yet another offbeat PS2 platformer, and this one is even more ambitious than most. Along with crawling through dungeons and hacking away at enemies, you’ll also engage in side dishes of city-building, fishing, and even a golf game called Spheda.
The same basic mix of eclectic elements debuted in the first Dark Cloud, and both are playable on PlayStation Plus. Despite the strength of the first game’s atmosphere, it’s hard to ignore how many improvements Dark Cloud 2 made, giving the sequel the edge overall.