The PlayStation 2 is nostalgic for many who grew up with the system. I remember spending countless hours repeatedly playing the Ratchet & Clank titles and exploring the different planets in-game, and they’re memories that will stick with me forever. No surprises, then, that I was ecstatic when the awesome remakes hit the PS4 and PS5 years later.
Some of PlayStation’s most significant titles back on PS2 have now received modern-day remakes, such as Crash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy, and Spyro Reignited Trilogy. But there are so many more that are still trapped on the old-school hardware and deserve a second chance!
After considering the vast pool of worthy PS2 games, here’s our list of the 15 best PS2 games that deserve a modern-day remake.
TimeSplitters
TimeSplitters was, at the time of its launch, renowned for having solid gunplay and well-crafted levels. Two decades later, it hasn’t aged especially well, but it’s a franchise that lives fondly in the memories of many PS2 enthusiasts who I’m sure would absolutely love to see a remake.
Among the features that set Timesplitters apart back then (and certainly would today too) is split-screen multiplayer, which allowed you to actually play through the entire campaign with a buddy. Couch co-op is a feature that is so often overlooked with a lot of modern games in favor of online multiplayer. It would be great to see an FPS game like TimeSplitters put a focus on couch co-op in addition to all the regular multiplayer modes popular today.
I could totally see a Timesplitters live-service style experience going down a treat, too, featuring all the typical exclusive events, game modes, and new characters we see in other modern shooters. In either case, TimeSplitters’ endless amusement makes it more than worthy of a comeback to the world of modern gaming. Maintaining the essential simplicity of the game is crucial, but updating the graphics, making minor adjustments to the gameplay, and adding new settings and characters would result in a game that is a blast to jump into and travel through time.
Jak and Daxter
Jak and Daxter is an action-adventure video game series that tells the tale of two pals through platformer, action, racing, and puzzle-based gameplay. Following Daxter’s transformation into an Ottsel after falling into a Dark Eco silo, Jak sets out with him on a mission to get Daxter back into his human form. The Jak and Daxter games are considered some of the best 3D platformers ever made, and they are amazing adventures with such fun mechanics that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Whenever I needed an action-adventure platformer that I could love just as much, if not even more, than the likes of Ratchet & Clank, I would turn to the Jak and Daxter trilogy. I’d even suggest that several mechanics of the Jak and Daxter games outshone its competitors completely. A personal favorite game in the series is Jak II, which featured highly entertaining combat systems and thrilling time-trial races that were a total blast to conquer.
A Jak and Daxter trilogy remake would generate equivalent hype and achieve comparable success to the Crash and Spyro remakes. It would be an immense pleasure to witness major Jak & Daxter gameplay scenes and levels in a reimagined state. Just imagine how the fantastical, cyberpunk and steampunk aspects of the Jack & Daxter universe might appear with modern graphics to create a fresh experience. The convenience of a portable system like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck could do wonders for Jak & Daxter, reigniting the nostalgia of playing the game with the bonus option of doing so wherever and whenever the craving calls for it.
Ape Escape
PlayStation once had a hit series for all ages with Ape Escape, which offered limitless entertainment across the initial PS1 release, as well as both sequels on the PS2. The Ape Escape franchise is a never-ending source of fun, set in a bizarre universe where a wicked monkey named Specter has gained super-enhanced intelligence. Specter gathers an army of monkeys and scatters them through time to wreak mayhem on the world. It’s up to you to save the day by jumping through time to intervene, using various tools, such as radars, clubs, and nets, to track down the apes before they cause major trouble.
After the success of earlier remakes like Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Ape Escape might be the ideal franchise to have a trilogy-styled game remake. Ape Escape’s 3D platformer gameplay is simple, enjoyable, and engaging, making it the ideal game to play while relaxing or on the go. In light of this, I can see an Ape Escape trilogy remake succeeding on modern consoles, particularly on more portable systems, such as the Nintendo Switch.
Overall, Ape Escape is a fun franchise that the whole family can participate in. The original titles are full of enjoyable puzzles, charming environments, and many levels to explore, providing a great deal of potential for success as remakes. These features would surely be enhanced and elevated for modern platforms, and I’d jump at the chance to play as Spike or Jimmy again, time-traveling to track down monkeys, and setting out to stop Spectre – all in HD.