As the Sony PlayStation 2 remains the highest-selling console of all time, it should come as no surprise that it's home to some of the best-selling ga?mes in video game history.

It's also received a wildly interesting collection of offbeat, strange, bad, and sometimes great games that, for one reason or another, never sold very much and are now extremely rare?? and valuable. Let's look at the PS2's biggest rarities, shall we?

10. Wild Arms: Alter Code F

The remake?? phenomenon is in full swing nowadays, but the concept of game remakes isn't as young as many would like to make you think.

Wild Arms: Alter Code F is a rich PS2 remaster of the original PS1 Wild Arms, featuring heavily updated 3D graphics and new characters. Despite its awesomeness and name brand, its success didn't quite carry over to the new version. Was it because people were unimpressed by the upgrades? Because they'd simply rather try out new stuff instead of going for a shinier version of something they knew? Because publisher agetec's masterplan was to have the rarest games on the system (you'll see what I'm talking about)? Who knows. Whatever the cause, nobody seemed too confident in Alter Code F, as it didn't even come out in Europe. The result is a rare classic that's worth over $300 nowadays.

9. .hack Quarantine

.hack was a very popular RPG series back in the heyday of the PS2. Even before the release of World Of Warcraft, .hack was already telling a tale regarding the possibly negative influence?? a super-popular MMORPG could have on the populace.

.hack Quarantine served as the culmination of the four-game series, but, likely due to the rule of diminished returns, .hack Quarantine ended up becoming a harder title to get than the other games in the series. Though it's not the most expensive game on this list, it's quite peculiar to find a game from a once-popular series at over $300.

8. Obscure

Don't let the name fool you. ObsCure's original take on survival horror saw us play as a team of teens trying to survive a mysterious monster attack on their high school, and it proved surprisingly popular upon release. Still, ObsCure came out just a year before Resident Evil 4 took horror games 鈥?and a large part of the gaming industry, really 鈥?in a new direction, so ObsCure ultimately lived up to its name. You can get an unused copy of ObsCure for a little over $330.

Interestingly, ObsCure got a sequel in the end, but copies of ObsCure 2 are far more common th??an those of the original game.

7. Echo Night Beyond

This is one of the few titles on this list that I only learned about when researching, and there's a reason for that. Echo Night Beyond, a sci-fi tale ??where the player's choices matter??, only featured a very small print run, and, even out of it, relatively few copies ever got sold.

Nowadays, Echo Night Beyond is one of those games that mostly just collectors know of and care about, even though it's seemingly not bad at all. I'd love to give it a try! Too bad I'm not about to shell out the internet's minimum asking price of $300.

6. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

This is a surprising entry because聽Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, the original remake of the first聽Silent Hill聽game, was actually quite a hit... on the Wii. For some reason, even though the game caused a huge splash on Nintendo's console 鈥?and Sony's consoles are the place where more Silent Hill fans tend to inhabit 鈥?Shattered Memories' PS2 vers??ion had a very limited print run and its copies ar??e now perhaps just as elusive as the titular town itself.

Even though it's part of an extremely popular game series, you'll be lucky to get a copy of this game for less than five hundred bucks.

5. Haunting Ground

Unlike Shattered Memories above, Haunting Ground doesn't carry the name of a huge franchise, but it's still the spiritual successor to the once-popular Clocktower series??. This one's rarity might be due to mismanaged ma?rketing 鈥?sometimes you should really make use of your brand names, Capcom.

Haunting Ground's apparent lack of commercial success might also have come about due to the game releasing right about when the paradigm-shifting Resident Evil 4 was coming out, so that's already two ways in which Capcom might've accidentally caused Haunting Ground to become one of the rarest and 鈥?at over $700 for a new copy 鈥?one of the most expensive games on the system.

4. Blood Will Tell

I don't know about you, but I always find it so appropriate when the rarest games belong to the mystery or horror genres, and the PS2 has that in spades. Blood Will Tell is a cult classic from Sega where a samurai teams up with a thief to 鈥?I kid you not 鈥?retrieve parts of the samu?rai's body.

Despite its grisly premise, that's not why Blood Will Tell has become so rare. It is just not that good of a game and was also probably too niche to become a mainstream hit, so it became a cult classic 鈥?and, at over $500 for a new copy, a very expensive one at that.

3. Marvel vs. Capcom 2

Plot twist time: games belonging to popular franchises don't ??tend to show up on these lists, even more so when they're extremely good and popular.

To this day, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 remains one of the most talked-about fighting games of all time. Still, its PlayStation 2 version is exceedingly rare and expensive. Why? Because of copyright shenanigans between Capcom and Marvel that took place shortly after the game's release, the game had a limited print run. That's why you may have to shell out $900 if you want a sealed copy of Marvel vs Capcom 2 today.

2. Rule of Rose

If you're a video game collector, Rule Of Rose likely pops up in your mind dozens of times a day. Another horror classic that became the stuff of legend, this time likely because its psychological horror elements were deemed too insidious and thus prevented the game from even getting distributed in most places. While it's true that Rule Of Rose features some rather disturbing themes, I'd sa??y none of it justifies turning the ga??me into a cursed artifact.

Rule Of Rose initially sold most of its very limited stock, so any sealed copy is expected to set you back by over eight hundred dollars.

1. Kuon

Here it is, the final boss of rare PS2 games. Kuon is, guess what, a survi??val horror game. This time, however, we're not talking about a game that owes its rarity to ?disturbing themes that prevented uncourageous publishers from localizing the game and trying to sell it overseas, but rather just bad marketing.

There are no surprising or even possibly haunted elements to this tale. Kuon聽only ever had a very limited print run and barely had any marketing from US publisher agetec 鈥?which you probably only know from this list because, well, it was seemingly way more dis?crete a p??ublishing company should ever be. Still, they inadvertently managed to create the legend of Kuon, whose new copies sell for over $1,100 now, so congrats, I guess.

The post Rarest PS2 games, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

The best Kingdom Hearts characters have a ton of personality, have been through hardship, or simply have powerful abilities that dynamically elevate the series' battle scenes. A key element why Kingdom Hearts resonates with so many people is not just the non-stop action; but the p??assion behind the cast's motivations.

Characters like Sora and Roxas aren't afraid to express their emotions: to cry, to scream, to love, to smile. Many of the legendary series characters are more intriguing than th?e average RPG cast, and it's refreshing to see heroes, (or in some rare cases, villains), that we can relate to.

Warning: There are spoilers for Kingdom Hearts 2, Kingdom Hearts 3, and Kingdom Hearts 3: Remind in this list.

15) Xigbar/Luxu

One of the best factors of the聽Kingdom Hearts聽narrative is how it intrigues its fans with subtle nods and mystery. Xigbar is certainly one of those characters that make you think. If you've played and finished Kingdom Hearts 3,聽you'll know that he is in fact Luxu, the Master of Masters' right-hand man. His witty humor makes him a great foil for Sora, and his boss battle in KH2聽is phenomenal.

14) Goofy

Despite his clumsy origins in cartoon form, Goofy is a reliable ally for Sora. He's the one in the Keyblade Hero 3 that gives t?he spiky-haired hero valuable advice and is the level-headed person in the group. Without fail, he's always there for his friends and knows when to pack? a punch when it's time to go to battle.

13) Donald Duck

Although Donald Duck sometimes forgets to heal us when we need him most, he's the best ally anyone could ask for. He comes in clutch for Sora time and time again as the group's reliable mage. Sure, he's a little hot-tempered, but that's just o??ne of the many reasons why we love him. Someone's got to stand up for Sora, right?

12) Namin茅

When Namin茅 first appeared in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, she came off as a mysterious force with her peculiar ties to Organization XIII. Bit by bit, we started to see her significance in the KH lore, especially during the end stages of Kingdom Hearts 2. While she still has a bit of mystery to her, her complexity makes her shine, and ??it's only made me all the more curious about her enigmatic natu?re.

11) Master Xehanort

Xehanort's presence is felt in almost every Kingdom Hearts entry, a testament to his significant influence on the series. He even has a whole arc named after him, with the Xehanort Saga, also known as the Dark Seeker Saga. It totally makes sense why, considering that he's pretty much the major antagonist for the entire series. He's the big bad that everyone's afraid of, including his multiple forms with Ansem, Xemnas, ??and?? many more.

10) Master of Masters

We really don't know much about the Master of Masters, but from his few appearances so far, fans have been intrigued by his presence. He seems to have everything planned with the Book of Prophecies in his mind and has a strangely goofy (not our pal Goofy) vibe from him. His personality makes him such an odd antagonist and the intrigue makes him one of the best Kingdom Hearts characters.

9) Ventus

Since Ventus basically looks like a carbon copy of Roxas, he sometimes gets overshadowed by Kingdom Hearts 2's main protagonist. But let's not forget that Ventus is a major protagonist, himself, with his crucial part in Birth by Sleep. As an apprentice to the legendary Master Xehanort and Eraqus, you already know he's a force to be reckoned with. You can even consider him as one of the most powerful Kingdom Hearts characters, alongside his other two co??mpanions, T??erra and Aqua.

8) Xemnas

Xemnas is a badass antagonist in Kingdom Hearts 2. The Organization XIII leader has dual blades, and his laser swords would put even?? Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul to shame. Xemnas is also an antagonist who has a just cause for his actions. He wants himself and his fellow Nobody Organization members to have hearts again but can only do so by making Sora defeat the Heartless. Therefore, he causes chaos throughout the worlds.

7) Xion

Xion is another Nobody stuck wit??h a dreaded path ahead of her. Those who have played 358/2 Days聽know that she's a fun, charismatic character who's similar to Sora in many ways. Roxas and Axel get to know her throughout the game as she struggles to wield the keyblade. The story behind her existence is a fascinating mystery that begins to unravel as the days continue. By the end, your heart will be broken as a friendship is torn apart by fate.

6) Terra

Compared to Ventus and Aqua, Terra often gets a bad rap as one of the more 'gullible' protagonists of Birth by Sleep. However, if you take a closer look, you'll realize just how exceptional he is. Ter??ra's ability to see the good in people, akin to Sora, and his willingness to learn from his mistakes, ad??ds to his realism as a character. His flaws do not define him, but rather, they contribute to his growth and development, making him a relatable and compelling character.

5) Aqua

Another character Kingdom Hearts fans love (myself included!) is Aqua. She is strong-willed, disciplined, and has a sharp wit about her that few other Kingdom Hearts characters possess. She has a stern exterior, but when it comes to her friends, she will do anything in her power to protect them, especially Ven, who drifted to sleep for a decade before she could rescue him again. She's one of the best Kingdom Hearts characters in my mind because of her adept ??abilities and strength.

4) Axel/Lea

Axel (or Lea) is a Nobody that nearly everyone loved as soon as he appeared on-screen. He has a rambunctious personality and likes to work outside the lines. His unpredictable nature and break-the-rules flair helped him gain a buddy in Roxas. He also goes through a tragic story as he's forced to take out his own best friend, who has lost their memories. Axel is just plain one of the best Kingdom Hearts characters: "Got it memorized?"

3) Roxas

The character that has arguably lost the most in the Kingdom Hearts series is Roxas. He loses his friends, has his body completely taken away from him, and is told that he was never meant to exist. It's quite tragic!?? During his time in Twilight Town, he tries to think positively. He is loyal to his friends like Hayner and Axel.

However, Roxas is less trusting of others than Sora in many ways. It makes for a refreshing change of pace from Sora's happy-go-lucky approach. He's more critical, able to think on his feet, and is a sharp wise-cracker. He also has a wonderfully dramatic theme song. Hop?efully, ??we get another game with Roxas again, his badass dual-wielding style included.

2) Sora

To some, Sora can be a nuisance. He's loud and obnoxious at times. However, what makes Sora one of the best Kingdom Hearts characters is his compassion for others. Unlike many video game protagonists, he is willing to show his feelings. He begs on his knees to see Kairi again towards Organization XIII member Saix. He cries when the Guardians of Light fail in one fell swoop in Kingdom Hearts 3. 

That willingness to show his? emotions, within a genre filled with masculine protagoni?sts, is a breath of fresh air. He's super relatable.

1) Riku

It can be argued that Riku has the most character progression of all of the cast in the KH series. He grew accustomed to the darkness as Maleficent convinced him to twist him into a servant. He betrayed his best friend Sora for the wellbeing of Kairi (even fighting against him). Then, after Xehanort's Heartless took over his body, Riku suffered for a long time, even taking the? form of the person he hates.

But he took that form to protect Sora and fight off the powerful (and angry) Roxas. Riku has an amazing character arc as he tries to reconcile his past mistakes. His struggle is the reason why he's the best Kingdom Hearts character.

The post Best Kingdom Hearts Characters, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Not many can say this, but I immigrated to Canada and then moved back to En?gland 16 years later, and man, that can cause issues for your games collection. It's been a nightmare after trading in all of my beloved PS2 games and special edition Mario Game Boy Advance as a kid all that time ago, and now returning to the United Kingdom with my PlayStation Plus selection from Canada.

You can't change regions for your games collection

Time after time, I come across the same issue. After more than a decade of using the same PlayStation Network account, I can't change my region from Canada to the United Kingdom. That means, if I make a new account, I'll lose access to all the PlayStation Plus games and the save data I've acquired through all that time. Annoyingly, I can't use my British debit card on my Canadian account so to keep playing my games: I need to get PS??N credit through a website like CDKey??s (and then use a VPN to access the credit I need) or ask a friend to get a code for me. Unfortunately, my Nintendo account doesn't allow me to switch regions either.

Additionally, transferring money from my UK bank to a Canadian account is costly, leading to many annoyances to keep my subscription going in Canada while living in the United Kingdom. It would be far easier to just be able to switch the region rather than going through all this hassle. After many years of purchasing games through PlayStat?ion and Nintendo's services, these companies should return?? the favour.

The accounts are not the only issue when you switch countries. Many systems used to be region-locked, so all of your retro games will likely not work overseas unless they get modded. Thankfully, that's not t??he case anymore with the big three systems and PC.

I had to buy Kingdom Hearts HD ReMIX three times before my saves worked again

One annoying issue I found in my gaming journey after moving to the United Kingdom is some of my game saves. No matter how many times I reinstalled Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX on my PS5 with a UK disc, I could?n't get my ?saves to work. After the collection was removed from PlayStation Plus, it was a big hassle.

I decided after the physical version didn't work, I'd get a digital copy from the UK PlayStation Store. Unfortunately, that didn't work either. To get my ??saves to finally work, I had to buy a Canadian version of the game digitally, and even then, it was a struggle for the PS5 to recognize I wanted the North American c?opy to boot up. I thought I lost hundreds of hours of save data but I finally prevailed after many attempts.

Overall, it should be easier for customers to keep their content, no matter where th?ey live. That's one of the dangers of keeping your ?library digital because you never know if you're going to lose your games.

The post Want to keep your games collection? Don’t move countries like me appeared first on Destructoid.

The most expensive PS2 games in existence are likely titles you've never heard of as they've had such limited runs in the market. They may have also launched late into the life cycle of the classic video game system like Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, which launched in 2010, a decade a?fter the PS2 was released.

Note: This information is based on UK store CeX's pricing. All prices are from the mint versions if provided.

10. Forbidden Siren 2

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment (SIE)
Release Date: February 9, 2006
Price on CeX: 拢190

Forbidden Siren 2 is an intriguing horror game that features multiple protagonists that switch. Unfortunately, this game didn't make it to North American stores but it did receive a release in Asia, Europe, and Australia. "Forbidden Siren 2 is very nearly the greatest survival horror game yet made, but every time we start to fall in love with it, the game trips over its own shoelaces and leaves us somewhat embarrassed to be seen with it," said GamesRadar's review. It's likely because of its own quirks that it became so hard to?? find a copy and wasn't available to Americans.

9. The Silent Hill Collection

Publisher: Konami
Release Date: April 21, 2006
Price on CeX: 拢220

This Silent Hill collection comes with three beloved (and expensive) games: Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill 3, and Silent Hill 4: The Room. The PS2 collection may still have a lot of value because the PS3 HD compilation was received poorly, and it doesn't include the fourth game. Destructoid gave it a terrible 3/10 score in its review. "No matter how engaging these games still are to play, there鈥檚 no escapin?g the fact that the games on this disc are significantly inferior versions, and for Konami to fail at publishing enhanced versions of such old games is a total embarrassment," said the review. "While newcomers won鈥檛 notice the missing visual elements, such broken audio is tough for anybody to forgive."

8. The Getaway (Limited Edition)

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Release Date: December 11, 2002
Price on CeX: 拢250

Limited to just 1,000 copies, The Getaway's limited edition is hard to get your mitts on. From eBay listings and YouTube videos, it seems like this version of the game only has a silver tint to the game's box and disc that makes it stand out. The poster that comes inside is included with every copy of The Getaway.

7. Armored Core: Last Raven

Publisher: FromSoftware/Agetec/505 Games
Release Date: August 4, 2005
Price on CeX: 拢260

Armored Core: Last Raven is the eleventh game in the series and Hidetaka Miyazaki's first project with FromSoftware before directing the legendary Souls franchise. It is an important entry as Last Raven ends the storyline that begins in the third installment?. 505 Games and Agetec weren't the biggest publishers of video games, so it makes sense there may be a scarcity of copies out there, upping the pric??e.

6. Samurai Western

Publisher: Spike/Atlus/505 Games
Release Date: January 1, 2005
Price on CeX: 拢270

Samurai Western is just as it sounds. You play a samurai roaming the Wild West with sword in hand. You're deflecting bullets and rampaging through the game, slicing up foes, in search of your lost brother. The game, published by Atlus, doesn't have the best reputation with a 58 Metacritic rating. "The aesthetics and the arcade-style gameplay can feel very enjoyable if spread out over an appropriate amount of time, but it has to be said that the majority of people who might pick up Samurai Western will find it supremely mediocre," said our coverage of the game.

5. Rule of Rose

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment/Atlus/505 Games/Digital Bros
Release Date: January 19, 2006
Price on CeX: 拢420

Another Atlus game that has seen obscurity, due to its price, is Rule of Rose. It was once far more expensive but strangely, a few new copies were found in the wild, bringing down its price. Rule of Rose is a psychological horror game that was critically panned across th??e board but has gained the attention of retro content creators over the past fe??w years.

"Rule of Rose is an emotionally tormenting experience, both in regards to playing and interpreting it," said Zoey Handley for Destructoid. "I can鈥檛 comment about how scary it might be because of my aforeme??ntioned virtual fearlessness, but I can certainly say that it鈥檚 an unsettling, uncomfortable, and moving experience."

4. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

Publisher: Konami
Release Date: January 19, 2010
Price on CeX: 拢465

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories might be the most notable game in this list as Silent Hill is a popular horror franchise, especially within the PS2 era. Originally a Wii game, it launched on the PS2 and PSP on January 19, 2010, which makes this one of the last games to launch on the system. This likely caused a lower distribution of copies as it was an aging platform. This is an interesting entry in the series as it was designed and written by Her Story developer Sam Barlow. Shattered Memories' PS2 version has a decent 77 Metacritic score.

3. Michigan: Report from Hell

Publisher: Spike/505 Games
Release Date: August 5, 2004
Price on CeX: 拢575

Developed by Suda51 studio Grasshopper Manufacture, Michigan: Report from Hell is a survivor horror game that has you playing through the first-person perspective of a cameraman. You can even see the battery symbol and the timing of the filming in the corners of the screen. 505 Games, like many of the games published on this list, likely didn't produce as many copies as EA or Activision at the time, possibly due to budget and this being extremely niche. Ironically, Michigan: Report from Hell never saw an American release ??but it di?d come out in Europe and Japan.

2. Kuon

Publisher: Agetec/FromSoftware/Indie Games Productions
Release Date: April 1, 2004
Price on CeX: 拢750

Yet another horror game makes the list, and Kuon is indeed one of the most expensive PS2 games. Developed by the Elden Ring studio FromSoftware, Kuon has you exploring a creepy Japanese castle in Kyo??to, Japan. ?The game has three different protagonists, who each have a role to play in the gruesome narrative.

"It's atmospheric, creepy, and sloooooow, even by survival horror standards," said Game Informer's review, according to Metacritic. It has a 57 Metacritic score, but it has found some fans with a Generally Favorable user score. "The atmosphere and aesthetic are second to none and the storytelling/lore is, in typical From Software fashion, masterful," said one person on the website Verified-Dream.

1. Gun Club

Publisher: Crave Entertainment/505 Games
Release Date: October 2, 2006
Price on CeX: 拢800

The most expensive PS2 game, at least in the UK, is Gun Club (NRA Gun Club in the United States). It is a Jarhead Games-developed title that was endorsed by the gun-activist organization NRA and then found its way to some European territories, thanks to 505 Games. It received horrible reviews from critics in 2006. "This is the sort of hastily slapped-together game that should have been a free bonus for subscribing to the NRA newsletter or something," said GameSpot's 1.6/10 review. This game's fairly inexpensive in the United States, but it's costly in ?the United Kingdom as the release was so scarce in the area.

The post Top 10 most expensive PS2 games in the UK, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

PlayStation 2 is often known as one of the best consoles of all time, as it introduced many iconic games that are still widely popular today. After all ??these years, it still holds up as my favorite console, and I even have a PS2 keychain on my lanyard to prove it.

The only problem is how difficult it can be to play these classic entries now that we've entered the modern age of the PlayStation 5. Fortunately, the PlayStation Plus' Classic Catalog and remasters allow us to experience nostalgia again. So, without further ado, here are the best PS2 games you can play on? the PS5.

Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

Let's kick off with a true classic, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. If you're a fan of Naughty Dog's impressive collection, including The Last of Us and Uncharted, you'll be fascinated to see the roots of this renowned studio, apart from its other popular series, Crash Bandicoot.

The story follows the adventures of its titular character, Jak, and his furry companion, Daxter. You'll embark on a heroic quest to find the cure for Daxter's condition after he transforms from a human to an ottsel (half otter and half weasel). The Precursor Legacy is a lot more light-hearted and comedic than the following titles in the series. And, if you get hooked on this one, you can complete the trilogy with Jak II and Jak III.

Ratchet and Clank

Ratchet and Clank presents another iconic duo of the PlayStation universe from the beloved studio Insomniac Games. Everything about this series screams fun as you wield a diverse array of weaponry and eliminate the lap dogs of the villainous ?Chairmen Drek. Here, you'll see how Ratchet and Clank met, opening the door to?? the rest of the series.

As one of the first games I played as a kid, Ratchet and Clank h??olds a special place in my heart, becoming a cherished part of my childhood. Even as an adult, I find myself drawn back to it, especially with the 2016 remake that beautifully updates ?its graphics, evoking a sense of nostalgia while also feeling fresh and new.

War of the Monsters

If you ever wanted to go on a monstrous city rampage like Godzilla or King Kong, you should definitely play War of the Monsters. The title basically explains what this fighting game is all a?bout, allowing you to battle it out with a fellow beast.

Compared to other fighting games I've played, War of the Monsters is a whole new level of chaos. The destructible environment means that everyth?ing around you can be reduced to rubble, turning an entire city into a battlegroun??d. The freedom to roam the map adds another layer of strategy to your attacks, and you may even get lost in its significant size.

Primal

Step into the action-adventure world of Primal, a classic PS2 game that follows the journey of the main protagonist, Jen Tate. You'll also assume the role of her ancient companion, Scree, with the ability to seamlessly switch between the two powerful characters. Engage in intense battles with demons from the immortal realm, unlea??shing devastating combos for satisfying takedowns.

This dark pathway explores four disti??nct demon realms, all to uncover the origins behind Tate's supernaturality. It'll help you discover her four demon forms: Wraith, Djinn, Undine, and Ferai.

Dark Cloud

Dark Cloud is a JRPG known for its adventurous dungeon-crawling and custo??mizable world. You'll take on the role of Toan (name can be changed) and other playable teamm??ates to fend off the ancient evil connected to the Dark Cloud tales.

When you?'ve had your fill of battling, you can take a breather and contribute to the growth of various towns. It's a rewarding experience to witness the tangible progress of your town ov?er time, providing a welcome respite from the challenging dungeons.

Sly Cooper Collection

Experience most of Sly Cooper's thievious escapades with the PlayStation 2 Sly Collection. Like many on this list, this series holds some of my fondest memories with the PS2, starting out with Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus. You'll meet the entire Cooper Gang with Bentley, Murray, and, of course, Sly. They'll put their thieving skills to the test to claim the ultimate prize of the Thievius Ra??cconus, a book stolen from Sly's family that contains his legacy's secrets.

Once you've knocked out the first one, you can start playing Band of Thieves, often considered the fan favorite. But, for me, my most treasured Sly entry has to go to Honor Among Thieves, one of the last installments of the collection.

Shadow of the Colossus

Any time there's a discussion about the best PlayStation 2 games, Shadow of the Colossus always ends up in the conversation. Its awe-inspiring an?d visually stunning designs of its immersive world and the legendary Colossi are still highly regarded even today.

Play as the young ma??n known as the "Wander," on a mission to explore the Colossi-run lands for a mystical revival power. The road to this ancient ability is treacherous, where almost every showdown feels like a boss fight.

Bully

When Bully first came out, I probably spent more than a month on it, diving into the school life of the rambunctious Jimmy Hopkins. Despite the game releasing back in 2006, I still regard it as my second favorite game of all time (my number one is on this list, too). It's just got so much packed into one game, including memorable side mi?ssions, an elaborate school system, and a whim??sical cast of characters.

One of the things that drew me to Bully was its slightly less violent nature than Rockstar Games' other hit series, Grand Theft Auto. I wasn't really allowed to play GTA in my younger days, so it was nice to have a sorta PG-13-esque alternative. But don't get me wrong; Bully is still pretty violent, where you'll often go ??toe-to-toe against Bullworth Academy's notorious bullies in Jimmy's qu??est to become the top dog of the school.

Tomb Raider: Legend

You'd probably have to be living under a rock if you haven't heard of one of PlayStation's most iconic characters, Lara Croft. There are a lot of ways you can start your Tomb Raider journey, but since we're on the scope of PS2 games on the PS5, you can try out Tomb Raider: Legend.

Lara finds herself on yet another epic adventure in t??he hopes of finding ancient artifacts. With her dual pistols and dynamic agility, she navigates through diverse environments, from dense jungles to icy snowscapes. As you raid the game's numerous tombs, you'll uncover the enigmatic origins of Lara Croft to further the franchise's expansive lore.

Max Payne

If you're looking for an action-packed story PS2 game, look no further with Max Payne. It's the first-ever title to introduce Bullet Time in games, offering the player better control with its slow-motion gunplay. You can think of it as the origins of Red Dead Redemption's famous Dead Eye targetting systems, considering that Rockstar Games published Max Payne.

Although Max Payne has been on a path of justice as an undercover cop, the?? journey turns violent when he's wrongfully framed for a murder. It'll certainly be a challenge in light of the cops and mob that's hot on his tail, but fortunately, you got the Bullet Time on your side to ease the tension.

Grand Theft Auto Trilogy - The Definitive Edition

I know I've covered a lot of Rockstar Games on this list, but I just have to add one more to the pot with the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy collection. GTA is likely one of the biggest franchises out there, and it relatively started with the three games presented here. With this Definitive Edition, you'll get to play Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and San Andreas, all remastered for the PS5 with improved gr??aphics and gameplay.

San Andreas is one of the most widely known entries, taking us back to the '90s with Carl 'CJ' Johnson. Going even further back, Vice City centers around the 1980s, in which you'll experience the revengeful path of Tommy Vercetti. Last but not least is Grand Theft Auto III, featuring the dark origins of Liberty City with the character, Claude. With the highly-anticipated release of GTA 6, i??t's the perfect time to start or get back to the trilo??gy on the PS5.

Indigo Prophecy

Indigo Prophecy, also known as Fahrenheit, is an underrated PS2 game made by Quantic Dream, the creators of the beloved Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls, and Detroit: Become Human. This interactive narrative was one of the first times I experienced a choice-based game where you'll have to make life-altering decision???s as multiple characters.

What made it so interesting to me was the unique gameplay of playing as the killer and the cop chasing you, making you question whose side you should be on. There's also some life-simulation mixed in with Indigo Prophecy's sanity meter. That means you must keep the characters happy by performing mundane tasks like eating, sleeping, or? showering, all the whi??le dealing with the turmoil of your crimes.

Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal

While I do love the original Ratchet and Clank, the third entry, Up Your Arsenal, is probably at the top of my list. Ratchet and C??lank are in their prime, making you feel like an absolute boss in this galactic world. Once again, the duo needs to save the world with a mission to stop the series' long-st??anding villain, Doctor Nefarious.

One of the significant reasons why Up Your Arsenal is my favorite among the series is the base of operations of the Galactic Rangers. You'll get to embark on many activities here, such as pla?ying Captain Qwark minigames, customizing your suit, and taking on new missions across the galaxy.

God of War HD

Apart from icons like Lara Croft and Sly Cooper, God of War's Kratos has become a household name, especially with the successful 2018 release of God of War. But, before Kratos became a father to Atreus, it all started with the PS2, where he was a demi-god Spartan warrior for the God of Olympus. Wield th??e legendary weapon, t?he Blades of Chaos, and take down notable figures from Greek mythology.

If you enjoy the chaotic life of the great Kratos, you can experience another PS2 gem with God of War II. Heck, you can play the entire series while you're at it, including other hits like PS3's God of War III and the PS4/PS5's Ragnarok.

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection

Concluding this list of the best PS2 games to play on the PS5, I present to you my most cherished series, Metal Gear Solid. While Bully holds a special place as my second favorite title, the timeless appeal of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater makes will always my number one, regardless of the years that have passed. The entire franchise is brimming with the most compelling narratives and diverse gameplay mechanics, most of which can be experienced in the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection.

Although the first one wasn't technically released on the PS2, as it initially launched on the original PlayStation, the other two in the collection did. Still, you can start off with Metal Gear Solid to witness the monumental Shadow Moses mission of Solid Snake, as he must destroy the bipedal tank Metal Gear. It's also perfectly fine to begin with Snake Eater, given that it's a prequel for the entire series. Then, you can eventually throw in Sons of Liberty in there to discover MGS's second protagonist, Raiden.聽I'm hopeful that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots聽will make it the PS5 to relatively complete the collection, but at least there's Metal Gear Solid: Delta to look forward to.

The post 15 Best PS2 games you can play on PS5 appeared first on Destructoid.

Even though the PlayStation 2 collection is considered one of the greatest of all time, many hidden gems slipped through the cracks. Some titles didn't quite get the attention they deserved, whether due to an overshadowing of a big hit release o??r a simple ov??erglance. It's time to give them their time in the spotlight with our 10 most underrated PS2 games.

GUN

When you think of Western-styled games, the Red Dead Redemption series is probably the first one that comes to mind. But before this franchise took off, PlayStation 2 had titles like Red Dead Revolver and GUN. While Red Dead Revolver could be seen as a hidden gem, GUN is definitely the more underrated one.

It's curious to me why GUN fell off the radar, especially since it actually feels a lot more like Red Dead Redemption than Red Dead Revolver. The title came with plenty of open-world adventures, including side missions and riding horseback around its extensive map. GUN's storyline was memorabl?e, too, as you follow the retaliatory journey of Colton, a g?unslinger who wants to take out those who did him wrong. Its action-packed opener alone reels you in, but there are certainly other stimulating moments that are just as good, if not better.

Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit

Indigo Prophecy /Fahrenheit is one of the most underrated Quantic Dream titles that didn't get much popularity in th??e PS2 days. I didn't even know about it when it was first released until I discovered it in my late teens. It was something I was always looking for that combines murder mystery, life simulation, and significantly impactful choices.

Playing the role of a murderer and having a cop chase you was one of the stand-out features I wish we had more of in games. I often questioned myself on whether I should move the investigation further along or allow a killer to slip through the cracks. It's an intriguing conundrum that instilled more replayability just to see what other shenanigans you can get into. Though, I will say that Indigo Prophecy has some? bizarre lore that isn't too logical. The Quantic Dream title is still an underrated gem, nonetheless, especially with the intense firs?t half of the game.

The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

Every year, I find myself nostalgically hoping for a remake or remaster of The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Among the trilogy collection, the third installment stands out as the best, with its captivating combat and unique elements that diverge from the film. It's a game that I can only hold onto with my memories since you can't really play it anywhere else besides ??the PlayStation 2.

Everyone you love from ?the series is in their prime, taking you on three distinct storyline paths: the Wizard, King, and Hobbits. Having so many characters, including Frodo, Aragorn, and Gandalf, makes the game feel more prominent, even if you can play the title in just a few short hours. The co-op features were also a nice touch that made the long trek to Mordor all the more worth it. After all, who wouldn't want to fight side by side with a friend?

As a Lord of the Rings fan, living through the events of the heroic Fellowship of the Ring members was a dream come true as a kid. What's more, I loved seeing the all-new aspects that weren't present in the film, including a great battle between Gandalf and hordes of orcs. I just wish the PS2 Return of the King got more attention to finally greenlight t??he remaster i??t deserves.

The Sims Bustin' Out

Almost every Simmer I know began their life-simming journey on PC, mainly because of mods and easy-to-use mechanics. For me, it all started with The Sims Bustin' Out on PlayStation 2, an incredibly underrated game that I believe is the best of them all. Yes, the Sims franchise has heavy hitters like the fan-favorite Sims 2 and the more modern fourth installment. But Bustin' Out continues to be at the top of my list.

The Sims Bustin' Out shines a spotlight on a feature that doesn't appear too often in the franchise: a linear storyline. There are times when I don't want to embark on the? complex journey of creating a family legacy, and I crave a more straightforward path, which this game provides. The journey begins at your mom's house and unfolds as you climb the career ladder, unlocking new locations with each significant promotion. It feels much more interesting this way since ??you never know what type of house you'll live in next.

The goals of each household are also fun to clear, providing new social interactions and items in Build Mode. They added more personality to classic Sims characters with objectives themed after their personalities. You could flip off Dudley Landgraab to match his careless trailer life or unlock break-dancing by becoming friends with the Club Rubb employee. There were just way more opportunities to get to know these NPCs, which hasn't been that prevalent in the Sims' newest iterations.

Okami

The Okami sequel reveal during the Game Awards 2024 was one of the most surprising parts of the show, given how the game flew under the radar initially. Back when it was released in 2006, the PlayStation 3 was on its way to launch, causing many pl??ayers to miss out on this grand adventure. Regardless, it still garnered many positive reviews despite not being commercially successful.  

The majestic qu??est of Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess who takes on the form of a white wolf, is unlike anything I've experienced before. Not only does it immerse you in Japanese myths and folklore, but it also gives you the distinct power to end enemies with a stroke of a paintbrush. Or, i?n this case, a wolf's tail. Almost anything you can imagine can be drawn by Amaterasu's Celestial Brush techniques, such as Cherry Bombs, a cure from cursed plants, and water lilies to walk across water.

Although Okami didn't get as much recognition during its initial launch and the years that followed after, it's starting to make its way out of the underrated class. We'll have t??o see if the upcoming sequel will give it some justice, where everyone will know of the great Amaterasu.

Dragon Ball Z Budokai 3

You're likely thinking: how could a title from one of the world's most popular anime be considered underrated? I was hesitant to put Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 on this list, but compared to the popularity of the franchise's other titles, I rarely hear about this gem. It usually gets overshined by Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, which became successful enough to get the spiritual successor, Sparking Zero.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 gave me a lot of fond memories, kicking back with my cousins and brother as we duked it out in battle. The roster felt top-tier then, bringing in over 150 characters from Dragon Ball, GT, and Z. Utilizing their robust combos was the most satisfying feature, and I remember I used to imitate them in real life to be just as cool as them. Thoug?h, I did have to take a break from the game after my mom caught me repeating Vegeta's "Drop dead!" At least now, it's a funny memory.

Fatal Frame

The first time I lived through the horrors of Fatal Frame was back when they sent out game compilation demos in the mail. I probably shouldn't have been playing it at the ripe age of six, but it was still one of the most thrilling gameplay I've experienced in my life. However, despite my positive yet scared impressions of it, I was surprised that it wasn't really on anyone's list of favorite PS2 horror games. It's possible that it got overshadowed by the big hits such as the Resident Evil or Silent Hill series.

What made Fatal Frame different from the rest was the ability to get rid of ghosts through a camera. Any time you're in a room, things could seem peaceful through the naked eye, but once you whip camera mode, you start to see the horrors hidden inside. Taking out the paranormal with a simple camera shot? differentiates from the usual guns-blazing route, adding a unique twist to the horror genre.

The Warriors

During the golden age of the PlayStation 2, film video game adaptations were just starting to find their footing. We've already seen it with the likes of LOTR: Return of the King, and now we'll dig into another PS2 treasure with The Warriors. Whether you're a fan of the film or not, the game is a timeless beat 'em up, where every battle feels like a cinematic showdown. It's the perfect game to unwind and release any?? pent-up frustration, one virtual p??unch at a time.

The Warriors is just plain fun to play with its immersive combat system of weapons and fistful brawls. It also uniquely expands the film by introducing new concepts to its lore with prequel features. I know there's a lot of desire out there for Rockstar Games remakes, considering the apparent choices of Bully and GTA San Andreas, but I'm still hoping that The Warriors somehow makes it in there. Maybe then, it will get the a??tte??ntion it deserves.

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves

Like Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3, you wouldn't necessarily classify a Sly Cooper title as underrated. The series made a big name for itself on the PlayStation 2, starting with the hit Sly Cooper and the Thievious Racoonus. Besides the original, Band of Thieves is likely the fan-favorite, but for me, Honor Among Thieves is Sly Cooper at its peak. After all these years, I don't?? understand why the third installment isn't talked about more. It's got the most lively maps, a whimsi??cal character ensemble, and many unforgettable missions.

Playing Honor Among Thieves is the most fun I've experienced in a game. There was something exciting about finding new members of the Cooper gang, in which every chapter felt different from the last. Thievin??g is, of course, the main part of the gameplay, but there are many more elements?? to it to diversify gameplay. One day, you'll enter a flying competition, while the next, you'll take on the role of a pirate and embark on treasure hunts.

Honor Among Thieves is a heartfelt tribute to Sly Cooper fans, weaving together loose ends from its predecessors and reuniting us with beloved characters. With Sly 3's arrival on the PlayStation Store, there's hope it w??ill gain the recognition it should've gotten long ago and perhaps even become the next fan-favorite.

Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith

When it comes to discussing the best Star Wars games, titles like Knights of The Old Republic, Jedi Survivor, and The Force Unleashed often dominate the conversation. However, one game that's often overlooked is Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith. ?While the movie was a massive success, the game didn't quite receive the same level of recognition.

I remember picking it up at a local Blockbuster and getting completely hooked on it within the first hour. The PS2 Revenge of the Sith truly made you feel like a Jedi, even if you dabble in the Dark Side a little. There are some pretty cool moves, like Force Push and Force Lightning, where you don't even need a lightsaber to eliminate en??emies. You also indulge in legendary battles of beloved characters, such as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Yo??da.

If you have watched the film already, you'll get insight into never-before-seen scenes, including a deeper look into Anakin's vicious Jedi Temple takeover. Plus, there's an alternate ending that would change everything you know about Star Wars if it ever became canon.

The post 10 most underrated PS2 games appeared first on Destructoid.

Look, we know the Nintendo Switch follow-up is imminent. It's just a question of knowing when it's coming out, plus everything else there is to know about the elusive console. While an analysis suggests Nintendo could be ?a market leader in the next generation, the current Switch is still sel??ling pretty well.

According to a post on Bluesky from 鈥狹at Piscatella, executive director and analyst at market research firm Circana (NPD), the Nintendo Switch has now outsold Sony's PlayStation 2 in the US. To date, the former has now sold some 46.6 million units in its lifetime compared to the PS2, which sold just shy of 43 million in the States, as noted by data from VGSales.

Piscatella goes on to say that this makes the Switch the second best-selling video game hardware platform in the country, "?trailing only Nintendo DS." This is even though spending in the US fell by 7% for gaming software, hardware, and accessorie??s.

Some other interesting statistics

Check out what else Piscatella has to say about the video game industry. For example, while the Nintendo Switch has now outsold the PlayStation 2, i?t came second behind the PS5 for sales during November of this year.

A post further down also lists the best Nintendo games for the previous month. Right at the top, we see Super Mario Party Jamboree just ahead of Mario & Luigi: Brothership. We can also see 鈥?according to the chart 鈥?that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom climbed back up from 13 to sit comfortably at the number five spot, wedged between Echoes of Wisdom and Sonic X Shadow Generations.

This shows just how much life Nintendo is getting out of its hybrid console. It's been on the market since 2??017 and will hit its eighth birthday i?n March 2025, which is roughly when rumors and speculations predict the Switch 2 will finally emerge. Maybe.

The post Nintendo Switc??h has outsold t?he PlayStation 2 in the US appeared first on Destructoid.

Sony recently revealed that the PlayStation 2 has sold more than? 160? million units worldwide, further cementing it as the best-selling vide?o game console of all time. However, some f?ans were left with one burning question: How many PS2 units did Sony make in total?

As a result of this mystery, a fas?cinating photo has been making the rounds all over social media, which shows a PlayStation 2 memorial from the Sony Interactive Entertainment headquarters that states the company had produced 160,636,885 units within the console's lifetime, from January 2000 to March?? 2013. This seemed like some solid evidence, but ?we still needed further confirmation that this was an accurate number since many users were questioning the legitimacy of this picture.

Fortunately, Shawn Layden, ??the famous former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment America, stepped in to confirm t??his information. Via his personal Twitter/X, he popped on the thread and said that the production number is legitimate. This means that, from 2000 to 2013, Sony had to manufacture exactly 160,636,885 PS2s in order to meet the growing demand for its successful entry into the sixth generation of home consoles.

What makes this number even more mind-blowing is the fact that the PlayStation 3 came out in November 2006 and yet? Sony still had to build and sell multiple PlayStation 2s, even many years into its successor's lifetime. This is un?deniable proof of what an amazing video game console it was and how much of an impact it made on the entire industry.

Celebrating the PS2 during the PlayStation brand's 30th Anniversary

The timing of this revelation couldn't be more perfect because December 3, 2024, marks the 30th Anniversary of the entire PlayStation brand, and Sony has???? been celebrating this special occasion all over social media. While every single system in this family has ?b?een both successful and influential, nobody can deny that the PlayStation 2 was on a whole different level.

After all, the PlayStation 2 had one of the most diverse catalog of exclusive video games, with multiple incredible titles that changed the industry forever, making their debut on Sony's sixth generation console: Ratchet & Clank, Jak & Daxter, Sly Cooper, Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3, Silent Hill 2, Devil May Cry, Final Fantasy X, Kingdom Hearts, Shadow of the Colossus and so much more. On top of that, the PS2 was so popular that many developers kept releasing new games for it even when the PS3 was already out, and one of them was Electronic Arts, which released multiple yearly entries of its FIFA series until late 2013.

Yesterday, Sony rolled out a new PlayStation 5 update that lets users change the console's theme, sound effects, and menus into nostalgic ones that are based on the PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS4. So, if this staggering production number has given you fond memories of your PlayStation 2, now is the perfect time to update your PS??5 and make it look and sound like Sony's most profitable console.

The post Sony made a staggering 160,636,885 PlayStation 2s in the console’s lifetime appeared first on Destructoid.

Those who were around when the PlayStation 2 launched will know just how enormous this ?console was in terms of gaming impact. While later generations have only become more advanced and complex as the years have gone by, Sony's second foray into the console mark??et still reigns supreme, even after 20-odd years.

In fact, the PS2 still holds the title of the biggest-selling console of all time. According to Sony, the PlayStation follow-up 鈥攚hich was released in 2000 and recently celebrated its 24th anniversary 鈥攈as sold?? more than 160,000,000 units worldwide.

To put that into perspective, the Nintendo DS 鈥?arguably one of the most successful handheld consoles in history 鈥?sold around 154 million units worldwide in its lifetime. That's pretty close, but it does put it around six million units behind the PS2. However, the Switch 鈥?which is still going 鈥?is currently at over 146 million sales, Nintendo notes. There's still time for the hybrid console ?to c?atch the PlayStation 2 up.

So(ny) many PlayStations!

The PlayStation 2 very much struck a chord with gamers at the start of the new millennium. With the machine itself featuring a DVD player 鈥?at a time when DVD sales were on the rise 鈥?not to mention a back catalog of games the size of a war budget, ??it was a console that was very much on the cutting edge.

Add onto that online capabilities, despite it perhaps not being a major selling factor for most back in the early 2000s, and ??you have a system that cemented Sony's place in the gaming market.

Its longevity is also worthy of note. The PlayStation 2 was discontinued in 2013 after an impressive 13-year run. In fact, the last game to be released for it was FIFA 2014. That's some pretty good staying power!

By comparison, the PS3 and Xbox 360 both lasted for about 11 years, which is still a pretty great run overall, but still means the PlayStation 2 has one of the (if not the) l??ongest lifecycles of any home console, as well as being the best-selling. Does anyone else feel like we trul?y peaked back then?

The post Years later, the PlayStatio??n 2 is still the ??biggest-selling console of all time appeared first on Destructoid.

At this rate, the priciest PS Plus subscription tier is a tough sell if you're not into cloud gaming

PlayStation Plus offers three subscription tiers鈥擡ssential, Extra, and Premium鈥攁nd out of all of them, the middle option feels like the best value. As someone who treasures retro games, especially the ability to easily play them on modern hardware, I thought I'd be a re??gular Premium subscriber above all. But the initial wave of PS Plus Premium classics was sparse, and the ??rollout since then has been as incremental as folks had feared.

Sony's updates to its classic catalog have been disappointingly irregular, and whenever it has added old-school titles from the PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable days, they typically haven't been the most exciting inclusions. To this day, many fan-favorite games that defined these consoles remain absent from the catalog, such as the original Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon trilogies.

Right now, it seems like most of the value of Premium is tied to the streaming-only PS3 classics and cloud?? gaming in general. Unfortunately for players like me who never got into the PlayStation Now service, that's not a great deal鈥攂ut it could be so much more enticing if the PS1, PS2, and PSP library did more heavy lifting.

For all of the backlash, I've slowly but surely come around on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack thanks to the N64, Se?ga Genesis, and DLC inclusions. I hope PS Plus Premium can ?step it up too; otherwise, I'll swap to the Extra tier when my sub runs out.

As more games join the service, I'll update this list, including notes about any PS1 classics with trophies, or games that are exclusively playable with PS Pl??us Premium.

Classics included with PS Plus Premium

PS1 classics

Here are a??ll of the PS1 classics available on PS5:

• 2Xtreme ($9.99 standalone)
• Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare ($9.99 standalone)
• Ape Escape ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Cool Boarders ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Dino Crisis (exclusive to PlayStation Plus Premium) (*trophies*)
• Disney鈥ixar Buzz Lightyear of Star Command ($5.99 standalone)
• Disney鈥ixar To?y Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! ($5.99 standalone)
• Doom (1993) ($4.99 standalone)
• Doom 2 ($4.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Everybody's Golf ($9.99 standalone)
• Everybody's Golf 2 ($9.99 standalone)
• Grandia ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• G-Police ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Harvest Moon: Back to Nature ($5.99 standalone)
• Herc's Adventures ($4.99 standalone)
• Hot Shots Golf ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Hot Shots Golf 2 ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• I.Q Intelligent Qube ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Jet Moto ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Jet Moto 2 ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Jumping Flash! ($9.99 standalone)
• Kurushi Final: Mental Blocks ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• MediEvil ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Mr. Driller ($9.99 standalone)
• Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus ($4.99 standalone)
• Oddworld: Abe鈥檚 Oddysee ($4.99 standalone)
• R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 ($9.99 standalone)
• Rally Cross ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Resident Evil Director's Cut (exclusive to PlayStation Plus Premium)
• Star Wars: Demolition ($4.99 standalone)
• Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace ($4.99 standalone)
• Star Wars Rebel Assault II - The Hidden Empire ($4.99 standalone)
• Syphon Filter ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Syphon Filter 2 ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Syphon Filter 3 ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Tekken 2 ($9.99 standalone)
• The Legend of Dragoon ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Twisted Metal ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Twisted Metal 2 ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Wild Arms ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Wild Arms 2 ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Worms ($9.99 standalone)
• Worms Armageddon ($9.99 standalone)
• Worms World Party ($4.99 standalone)

PS2 classics

Here are a?ll of the PS2 classics available on PS5:

• Ape Escape 2 ($9.99 standalone)
• Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits ($14.99 standalone)
• Dark Cloud ($14.99 standalone)
• Dark Cloud 2 ($14.99 standalone)
• FantaVision ($9.99 standalone)
• Garou: Mark of the Wolves (exclusive to PlayStation Plus Premium)
• Ghosthunter ($9.99) *trophies*
• Hot Shots Tennis ($9.99 standalone)
• Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy ($14.99 standalone)
• Jak II ($14.99 standalone)
• Jak 3 ($14.99 standalone)
• Jak X: Combat Racing ($14.99 standalone)
• Kinetica ($9.99 standalone)
• Mister Mosquito ($9.99 standalone)
• Okage: Shadow King ($9.99 standalone)
• PaRappa The Rapper 2 ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Primal ($9.99 standalone)
• Red Faction ($14.99 standalone)
• Red Faction II ($14.99 standalone)
• Rise of the Kasai ($14.99 standalone)
• Rogue Galaxy ($14.99 standalone)
• Siren ($9.99 standalone)
• SkyGunner ($9.99 standalone) *trophies*
• Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Star Ocean: Till the End of Time ($20.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($9.99 standalone)
• Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter ($9.99 standalone)
• Star Wars: Racer Revenge ($9.99 standalone)
• Summoner ($9.99)
• The Mark of Kri ($14.99 standalone)
• Tomb Raider: Legend ($19.99 standalone)
• TimeSplitters ($9.99 standalone)
• TimeSplitters 2 ($9.99 standalone)
• TimeSplitters: Future Perfect ($9.99 standalone)
• War of the Monsters ($9.99 standalone)
• Wild Arms 3 ($14.99 standalone)

PSP classics

Here are all of the PSP classic??s available on PS5:

• Ape Academy 2 ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies)
• Ape Escape Academy ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Ape Escape: On the Loose ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Daxter ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Disney鈥ixar Up ($5.99 standalone)
• Echochrome ($9.99 standalone)
• Echoshift ($9.99 standalone)
• Gods Eater Burst ($9.99 standalone)
• Gravity Crash Portable ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Jeanne d'Arc ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Killzone: Liberation ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Kingdom of Paradise ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy ($14.99 standalone)
• LocoRoco Midnight Carnival ($9.99 standalone)
• MediEvil Resurrection ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• No Heroes Allowed! ($9.99 standalone)
• Pinball Heroes ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Pursuit Force ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Resistance: Retribution ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Ridge Racer 2 ($9.99 standalone)
• Secret Agent Clank ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny ($9.99 standalone)
• Super Stardust Portable ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow ($9.99 standalone) (*trophies*)
• Tekken 6 ($9.99 standalone)
• Thrillville ($9.99 standalone)
• Thrillville: Off the Rails ($9.99 standalone)
• Toy Story 3 ($9.99 standalone)

It's worth noting that some beloved games are included in the separate Remasters list on PlayStation Plus Premium. Notable examples include Patapon, Patapon 2, LocoRoco, LocoRoco 2, Toukiden: Kiwami, and Gravity Rush. So w?hile it's a l??ot of various newer remasters, there are gems that fit the "classic" vibe of the PSP and Vita era.

As for PS3 games, again, they're streaming only on PS4 and PS5. There are way too many for me to list out and link 鈥?sorry! But Tokyo Jungle and PixelJunk Monsters sure do rule.

The post All Games on PlayStation Plus Premium appeared first on Destructoid.

Tired that the pursuit for realism and graphical fidelity has driven m?ost big budget? games nowadays to play and look the same? There's a good, if peculiar, solution to your woes!

It's time to dive de?ep into the vast library of PlayStation consoles, which I believe is responsible for the creation of the weirdest, most inventive, and sometimes just plain creepiest games ever made.

Mister Mosquito (PS2)

After Metal Gear Solid made stealth games a thing overnight, it was only a matter of time until they got weird. In 2001, we got Mister Mosquito, a stealth game where you played as a Mosquito whose mission was to suck blood out?? of a family without getting noticed.

Mister Mosquito was very weird, even when not being lewd, which it sometimes was. I never finished Mister Mosquito because the novelty wore off rather quickly for me. Still, I'll never forget expecting something akin to an actual simulator, only to find myself piloting a mosquito that behaved like a Mecha from an anime game, thrusters and targetin?g systems included.

LSD: Dream Emulator (PS1)

Though it's one of the older titles on this list, LSD remains the go to game whenever someone mentions peak PlayStation games weirdness. I understand why, as you'll have a?? hard time taking a screenshot that doesn't feel like a picture taken straight out of a dream.

Interestingly, however, LSD is barely a game. There ar??e no objectives, challenges or even a plot to speak of. It's less like rescuing the princess from the castle, more like a chill trip through the Windows 95 screensaver museum. It doesn't get more unique than this.

Katamari Damacy (PS2)

A simple way of describing Katamari Damacy is as "that game where you roll everything into a ball". But, as soon as you're done talking, someone will go?? "everything? Like, I'm pretty sure you can't capture the sun". That smartass is wrong.

In Katamari, we play as The Prince. We're tasked by King Of All Cosmos with, well, rolling everything into a ball. We start off small, then, as the ball gets bigger with all the stuff it has picked up, we gain the ability to capture ever-larger objects. Katamari Damacy is?? weird, funny, easy to grasp, and also a fant??astically innocent showcase of the PlayStation 2's power.

Noby Noby Boy (PS3)

If you found Katamari Damacy weird, nothing can prepare you for Noby Noby Boy.

Controls-wise, Noby Noby Boy is as simple as it is strange. You play as a sort of animal with a face on both e??nds of its body. This animal eats objects to gain the ability to stretch from both ends to an unbelievable size. Having players use the left and right analog sticks to make each respective side grow was a seeming?ly intuitive design choice, though it doesn't really make the game any less confusing.

Players are used to only controlling one character at a time, and Noby Noby Boy has you embodying two gigantic twizzlers at the same t?ime.

And, even with all that, I've yet to mention the most peculiar part about Noby Noby Boy. Though it looks like any other kid-friendly platformer where you're just supposed to save the world, Noby Noby Boy had galaxy-spanning ambitions. You see, Noby Noby Boy's girlfriend wasn't in ano??ther castle, she was on another planet.

Noby's objective was growing to the point of reaching his girlfriend across the stars, so the game recorded every single inch grown by every single player and added it to a grand total. Once the grand total of all Nobys on the Internet had grown long enough to permeate the distance between them, then Noby would have reached its goal. And guess what? It totally did only six years after the game's release. Sadly, this beautiful experiment in growth and cooperation has been delisted from the PlayStat?ion Store.

Vib Ribbon (PS1)

Upon first glance, it's clear that you can do weirder and more minimalistic than Vib Ribbon when it comes to graphics, but the gameplay is up there as well. Vib Ribbon combines elements of side-scrolling with those of a rythm game. Players are walking on a treadmill that will bring obstacles based on the intensity o?f the game's soundtrack.

The original Xbox got a lot of deserved love by allowing you to play whatever soundtrack over your games, but Vib Ribbon did it first 鈥?and with a twist. You could amp up or lower the game's difficulty by getting the Vib Ribbon CD out of the console and r?eplacing it with whatever music CD of your choice. This gave players? the chance not only to have their desired soundtrack, but to also have it influence the game itself.

Kula World (PS1)

The original PlayStation was the console that really got the ball running for 3D graphics, and Kula World shows that in the most literal of ways. You play as a beach ball as it fully navigates and flips over floating 3D labyrinths to find keys and get to the next level. It's a platformer like no other. The closest comparison I can think of is Fez if Fez had been done over ten years prior, and in 3D.

It also had a pretty neat and ethereal soundtrack. An inferior version of Kula World w?ould easily dominate the mobil?e gaming landscape had it been released later, but this way it has the honor of being the strange game about being a beach ball that was ahead of its time.

Tecmo鈥檚 Deception: Invitation to Darkness

"James Bond villain" is a term often associated with rich guys in possession of a lair of sorts filled with all sorts of deadly gadgets he'd gladly use against the good guys. In most movies and games, we tend to go against the James Bond villain-type guy. That, however, is not the case in Tecmo's Deception??. Here, we pla??y not as the hero, not as the actual villain, but as the villain's employee who's tasked with making the lair as dangerous as possible to prevent adventurers from breaking in.

Being bad provides some unique fun in a game that sadly didn't?? spawn an entire genre .

Incredible Crisis (PS1)

As far as simplicity goes, you'll have a hard time beating Incredible Crisis. Most of the game's many challenges don't require players do more than just hit the same button repeatedly - think the torture from Metal Gear Solid, but (even) funnier.

Still, simplicity doesn't equate to normalcy, and the setting of Incredible Crisis definitely doesn't, either. It tells the story of a hopefully very specific point in time for a Japanese family where every member is dealing with trials, tribulations, and freak accidents worthy of a PG-13 version of Final Destination. ??It has been a long time, but I'm still hard pressed to think of a game that made kid me laugh as much as this one.

Kowloon's Gate

In the now-gone Kowloon Walled City, a relatively small place in China which illegally grew into most densely-populated city in history, Kowloon's Gate found one of the most mesmerizi??ng settings in the history of gaming.

Kowloon's Gate's simple plot ??of having to find a number of magical symbols to save the world is quickly forgotten as soon as we begin to marvel at the eerily amazing visuals of cutscenes and the game's areas.

If you're looking for a game capable of making you fe?el like you're visiting a doomed techno megalopolis in the?? '90s, then this is the one for you.

Garage: Bad Dream Adventure (PS1)

In my opinion, Garage is the holy grail of strange horror games. And, if Kowloon's Gate got you interested in the subject of Kowloon, then you should definitely try it out.

While it plays more or less like a classic point & click adventure in a fantastical setting based on Kowloon, everything seems deliberately much more obtuse than it needed to be. Garage takes the technology-meets-hell visuals seen in Kowloon's Gate to?? unimaginable heights, and adds an infinitely d??isturbing plot that I'd honestly have a hard time describing here.

The history of Garage is almost as interesting as the game itself. It only came out in Japan in the late '90s in a release so limited that Garage became a thing of myth shortly after release. For two decades, many thought Garage was a game made up by Internet trolls to fool people, but someone was lucky enough to find an actual copy and put the whole thing online to prove its existence. It was only in 2022, 23 years after its original release, that Garage saw an English language release that you can now play on ??Steam.

The post Strangest PlayStation games ever made appeared first on Destructoid.

The PS2 is arguably the best console ever created with many popular franchises like Kingdom Hearts, Devil May Cry, and God of War taking root on the system. Other series really took off during this generation of consoles, like the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Here are the 10 best selling PS2 games,?? ranked by sales numbers.

10. Kingdom Hearts

The strange crossover between Disney and Square truly worked during the PS2 generation of consoles with over 5.9 million copies sold worldwide, as of 2007. Sora, Donald, and Goofy fought against dark creatures called the heartless in Disney worlds we all know and love like The Little Mermaid's Atlantica and Hercules' Olympus Coliseum. The action-RPG system is fast-paced, and lets you summon the likes of Dumbo and Genie to the battle. While the first game hasn't aged the best, the Kingdom Hearts franchise is still beloved worldwide.

9. Final Fantasy XII

After the success of the 10th entry, Final Fantasy XII took us back to the world of Ivalice, featuring kingdoms and olden-style language. It sold over 6 million copies, according to a 2009 interview with Yoshinori Kitase in Gendai. This entry in particular was different from other entries in the series, as it featured a real-time system similar to an MMO. "It was a triumph in many ways with its open world combat flow and groundbreaking (at the time) AI-manipulating gambit system," said our review for the remaster The Zodiac Age.

8. Tekken 5

Tekken 5 is also reported to have sold around 6 million units. This is the fighting game sequel that introduced the fan-favorite characters Asuka and Lili, in addition to the badass Dragunov and Raven. The game has an impressive 88 Metacritic score based on 62 reviews. "Better balancing, a ton of gameplay modes, smarter AI, and high-quality presentational elements are tough things to beat -- but聽Tekken 5聽has all of them," said IGN's review when the game was released in 2005.

7. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

When you combine the reported sales of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Substance, you'll find that a total number of 7.03 million copies were picked up at stores. Launching in 2001, this game was a gigantic step in Hollywood-style storytelling within games. The second title also added a first-person camera for aiming down sights and the ability to hold foes up at gunpoint. Many love this game, despite a surprising swi??tch of the main protagonist.

6. Grand Theft Auto III

Grand Theft Auto III revolutionized gaming when it first came out on October 22, 2001 because of its big open world mechanics and mature content. As a result, it sold around 8.3 million copies worldwide. I remember going around my friend's house at nine years old and being amazed at how open the game was, and freaked out by how many atrocities could be performed by the player. A remaster was released for this game, but the less said about that, the better.

5. Final Fantasy X

Final Fantasy X was the best-selling PS2 game in the series at over 8.5 million copies, according to a 2013 press release. This was a big deal back in 2001. FFX was the first game in the RPG franchise to have voice acting with James Arnold Taylor as Tidus and Hedy Burress as Yuna. The elaborate love?? story between the two main characters also attracted many to the RPG. Composer Nobuo Uematsu also constructed a musical masterwork in the game's soundtrack,?? with standout tracks like "Movement in Green," "To Zanarkand," and of course, the epic battle theme.

4. Gran Turismo 4

The Gran Turismo series was huge during the PS2 generation, as its modern competitor Forza was yet to take shape. It drew 11.76 million racing fans to buy the game from store shelves in 2004. This game was praised for its fantastic graphics at the time and simulation mechanics. "Gran Turismo 4 is the Encyclopedia Britannica of driving, with more than 700 distinct sets of wheels to prove it, and introduces you to it with the restrained reverence of a martial arts instructor," said Eurogamer's review. "It wants you to win through training and discipline, not bru?te force and chrome elbows to the side paneling."

3. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

The Grand Theft Auto series began to take over the industry with its next entry, Vice City. It sold a total of 14.2 million copies worldwide (according to the Guinness World Records 2009 Gamer's Edition book). This entry took us back to the '80s; the theming was exceptional, with a fantastic soundtrack and neon throughout the city everywhere. It also features an engaging narrative following Tommy Vercetti, voiced by Goodfellas actor Ray Liotta. "The game of fast cars and ruthless criminals packs more action and excitement into the first few hours than can be found in the entirety of most games," said IGN's 2003 review.

2. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec accelerated excitement from the PlayStation 2 fanbase even more, with almost 15 million copies sold in 2001 and beyond. It brought incredible visuals for racing enthusiasts at the time, and likely convinced many to take the leap from the PS1 to the PS2. The official website says the game added "impairing sunglare, shimmering heat waves, real-time reflections" and more to make this game as realistic as possible at the time. There was also an Arcade mode and a Simulation mode added to Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec to make it as appe??aling to a wide audience as possible.

1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Arguably the best of the PS2 trilogy, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is on top of the best selling PS2 games list with 17.33 million copies reportedly purchased by PS2 players around the world, according to the Guinness World Records 2009 Gamer's Edition. Playing as Carl Johnson, you're living in the '90s, trying to save Carl's family after his mother was murdered and trying to flee corrupt cops who frame him for homicide. The game has an amazing 95% Metacritic average rating from 80 outlets.

Game Informer gave it a perfect score, saying "San Andreas breaks the video game mold and emerges as something far greater." (Via Metacritic) Despite a terrible remaster much later on, it seems to still?? hold a place in many fans' minds as one of the best in th??e series.

The post Best selling PS2 games, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Having a large library of game adaptations can be considered one of the biggest testaments to a franchise's success. In this regard, only a few can rival One Piece.

But surprisingly, for the flagship of the Shonen demographic, the games based on the series can vary from sleeping hits to entries even die-hard fans struggle to love. Here are all One Piece games, ranked.

All One Piece Games, Ranked From Worst to Best

To be fair in our rankings, we decided to only focus on games that made it to the West officially with an English localization. We also won't be including crossovers such as J-Stars Victory Vs+ and Jump Force.

24. One Piece Grand Cruise

• Available on: PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 (PlayStation VR)
• Released on: 2018

One Piece Grand Cruise is a VR title that allows you to interact with and assist the Straw Hats in two scenarios. But although both will involve battles, you won't be able to jump into the fray directly. Instead, you will be in charge of operating a canon to face either a Kraken or stop a Marine attack. A short experience that offers very little, Grand Cruise feels like a missed opportunity.

23. One Piece: Run, Chopper, Run!

• Released for mobile devices
• Released on: 2015

One Piece: Run, Chopper, Run! was a 2.5D endless running game that put fans in the role of every?one's favorite cotton candy-loving reindeer. The game also allowed players to equip multiple costumes. Once equipped, each costume offered a new ability to Chopper. Unfortunately, the game was not successful, and its service ended in 2016.

22. One Piece Bon! Bon! Journey!!

• Released for mobile devices
• Released on: 2020

One Piece Bon! Bon! Journey!! was a puzzle gacha game. In it, players were tasked with assembling combinations of at least three matching bonbons within rows. Doing that would then allow your characters to perform attacks and damage enemies. The game was a success upon its release, but Bon! Bon! Journey!! was discontinued two years later.

21. One Piece: Grand Battle! (PS1)

• Available on: PlayStation 1
• Released on: 2001 (Japan) / 2003 (United Kingdom)

One Piece: Grand Battle! is a straightforward 2.5D fighting platformer with a roster featuring characters from the East Blue arc. As the first in the series, the game features impressive visuals for its time and follows the Super Smash Bros ??format. Nostalgia aside, the title?? did not age well and offers a pretty basic experience by today's standards.

20. One Piece Unlimited Cruise SP / SP2

• Available on: Nintendo 3DS
• Released on: 2011 (SP) / 2012 (SP2)

One Piece Unlimited Cruise SP and SP2 are localizations released after the debut of SP's Japanese version. Each game features half of the title's story, as well as some exclusive features. Among them, we have the Marineford Episodes. The mode adapts the arc it's named after and brings many of its protagonists as playable characters. Unfortunately, that is overshadowed by how both SP and SP2 feature considerable downgrades when compared to the original Unlimited Cruise episodes.

19. One Piece: Thousand Storm

• Released for mobile devices
• Released on: 2016

A gacha action RPG, One Piece Treasure Cruise won the hearts of many through its simplistic gameplay and F2P-friendly approach. The latter is seen in how the game did not have a character-pulling system. Instead, players could pull for Cards, which could then be equipped to characters to provide buffs or skills. Treasure Cruise was discontinued in January 2024.

18. One Piece: Grand Battle!

• Platforms: PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube
• Released on: 2005 / Released in Japan as One Piece: Grand Battle! Rush

One Piece: Grand Battle! is the western version of One Piece: Grand Battle! Rush. Unlike the latter, however, the game only adapts the events up to the first portion of Alabasta. The title also shifts from the platform style present in previous entries in favor of an arena fighter approach. Grand Battle! was the first title in the series to debut in Nor??th Am?erica and features 16 playable characters.

17. One Piece Gigant Battle

• Available on: Nintendo DS
• Released on: 2010 (Japan) / 2011 (Europe)

One Piece Gigant Battle is a platform fighting game whose combat heavily resembles that of the Super Smash Bros series. The game also plays very similarly to Jump Super and Ultimate Stars. Here, you can take any characters from its roster of 20 to the field and join up to 4v4 battles. You can also use dozens of supports to get the upper hand. The title was the only game in the Gigant Battle series to be released outside of Japan.

16. One Piece: Romance Dawn

• Available on: Nintendo 3DS (also PSP in Japan)
• Released on: 2012 (PSP) / 2014 (3DS)

A turn-based RPG, One P矛ece: Romance Dawn allows you to follow Luffy from the beginning of the OP story to the heartbreaking end of the Marineford Arc. The title features solid combat mechanics, but it's hurt by its map designs and lack of side content. Nonetheless, One Piece: Romance Dawn offers a unique experience sure to at least entertai??n fans.

15. One Piece: Pirates' Carnival

• Available on: PS2 and GameCube
• Released on: 2005 (Japan) / 2006 (United States)

Any successful manga/anime is guaranteed to receive a minigame-centric title at one point. In One Piece's case, that's Pirates' Carnival. The game allows up to 4 players to participate in 40+ minigames. All of which can be played either as standalone experiences or as part of its Board Game mode. A casual experience that follows the formula made famous by the Mario Party franchise, One Piece: Pirates' Carnival brings a niche but fun experience to all.

14. One Piece: Grand Adventure

• Available on: PS2 and GameCube
• Released on: 2006

A direct sequel to Grand Battle!, One Piece: Grand Adventure was released exclusively in North America and Europe. Apart from its versus mode, the game allows you to take part in mini-games and tournaments and dive into a story mode (known as Grand Adventure). Although the latter is geared toward younger audiences. Grand Adventure also deserves a special mention ?for featuri??ng characters like Zeff within its 24-playable characters roster.

13. One Piece: Unlimited Adventure

• Available on: Nintendo Wii
• Released on: 2007 (Japan) / 2008 (North America)

An open-world action RPG featuring an original storyline and set after the events of Enies Lobby. One Piece: Unlimited Adventure follows the Star Hats after they come into contact with a glowing orb. The game brings a? good degree of exploration to p?layers. Being able to play as all Straw Hats is also a plus.

Apart from the above, Unlimited Adventure also relies heavily on crafting and building. Both of which would become staples for the serie?s. For fans of fighting games, you can also take control of more than 40 characters in up to 7v7 versus battles here.

12. One Piece World Seeker

• Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
• Release Year: 2019

One Piece: World Seeker is an action RPG that puts players in the control of Luffy af?ter he finds himself in Jail Island. This time, the plot takes place after Dressrosa but before the Zou arc. Players can also play as Law, Sabo, and Zoro through Extra Episode DLCs.

Like the Unlimited series, World Seeker allows you to fu??lly explore its open world map and f?eatures a simple combat system. You can also use multiple traversal abilities to cover ground fast and add more flair to exploration.

11. One Piece: Unlimited Cruise

• Available on: Nintendo Wii
• Release Year: 2008 (Japan) / 2009 (Europe)

The second game in the Unlimited series, One Piece: Unlimited Cruise, features a non-canon story that takes place after the Thriller Bark arc. The action RPG was released as two episodes and features many of the mechanics present in its predecessor. All while also benefiting from some quality-of-life upgrades. Like in Adventure, the game allows y??ou to take part in an open-world single-player mode, as well as face friends in Versus.

10. One Piece Bounty Rush

• Available on: Mobile devices
• Released on: 2018

One Piece Bounty Rush is a gacha real-time action game that overcame its troubled launch to become a fan favorite. The game features many modes, with its most well-known being its PVP 4v4. In it, you are tasked with capturing treasures on the battlefield and then guarding their areas from your opponents. A feat you can accomplish by performing explosive combos and characteristic attacks. Bounty Rush also boasts a roster of more than 250 char?acters going from East Blue to Egghead.

9. One Piece Pirate Warriors (PS3)

• Available on: PS3
• Release Year: 2012

Pirate Warriors is the title responsible for starting what many believe to be the greatest One Piece game series of all time. Developed by Omega Force, the game features the musou style made famous by the developer's Destiny Warriors franchise. On it, you can take a multitude of characters and battle against hordes of hundreds. This was a match made in heaven, as One Piece's?? larger-than-li?fe attacks were a perfect fit for the genre.

Except for Skypea and Thriller Bark, players can experience all of the arcs up to Return to Sabaody in Pirate Warriors. Its small roste??r, however, might cause it to become repetitive relatively fa?st.

8. One Piece: Unlimited World Red

• Available on: 3DS, PS3, Vita, Nintendo Wii U, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PC
• Release Year: 2013

The latest game in the Unlimited series, One Piece: Unlimited World Red features huge visual upgrades when compared to previous titles. The game also features another original non-canonical story, this time situated between Punk Hazar?d and Dressrosa.

Overall, the core of the Unlimited experience remains almost the same here. Although Unlimited World Red shakes things up by focusing way more on combat. The latter of which is still as s?traightforward as it was in the Wii installments. The franchise's building and crafting mechanics are also taken to another level. Now, you can upgrade a whol?e town.

7. One Piece (GBA)

• Available on: Game Boy Advance
• Release Year: 2005

Sometimes less is more. An action platformer developed by Dimps and released exclusively in North America, One Piece allows players to follow through the events of the East Blue saga. Featurin?g a solid but simple beat 'em-up combat and well-made sprites, this game is a blast. Honestly, the only downsides here are its length and how you cannot battle with any Straw Hat apart from Luffy.

6. One Piece Pirate Warriors 2

• Available on: PS3 and PSVita
• Release Year: 2013

One Piece Pirate Warriors 2 further polishes the combat system featured in the original game while also increasing its roster to 37 characters. The former is not an understatement, as the game feels faster, more consistent, and way more responsive. The title also removed QTEs and the divisive platform sections players came to hate in Pirate Warriors. On the other hand, Pirate Warriors 2's most debatable point lies in its main story, where you don't play through the series' arcs. Instead, the game f?eatures an alternative What If original scenario.

5. One Piece Treasure Cruise

• Available on: Mobile
• Release Year: 2014

One Piece Treasure Cruise is a gacha turn-based RPG that allows you to revisit the whole story of the fran??chise. The title al??so allows you to take more than 200 characters to the field in various modes. Most of the characters must be pulled in true gacha fashion.

The game's biggest differential, however, lies in its combo mechanic.聽When in battle, the mechanic will allow you to perform sequential attacks by聽tapping.聽You can also find a deep team-building system here. This can be seen in how players, ?more often than not, need to completely rework their teams based on the opposition.

4. One Piece: Burning Blood

• Available on: PS5, PS4, PSVita, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
• Release Year: 2016

One Piece: Burning Blood is an arena fighter that allows you to take part in up to 3v3 battles. The game won the hearts of fans by featuring a straightforward but still entertaining combat system. Here, understanding how to efficiently counter your opponent will be key. Another huge highlight lies in its roster. The version released for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC offers 44 playable characters and 50 supports. That helps make up for the fact that Burning Blood features an extremely compact main story (cover??in?g only the Marineford Arc).

3. One Piece Pirate Warriors 3

• Available on: PS3, PS4, PS5, PSVita, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
• Release Year: 2016

One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 goes all out by featuring huge combat and graphical upgrades when compared to 2. Differently from the latter, however, the game's story mode covers the canon of the series until the Dressrosa Arc. As the arc was still ongoing when the game was released, PW3 features an original non-canonical endi?ng for it.

There are very few things not to love here, as the added mechanics 鈥攕uch as the Kizu??na Rush and Overdrive鈥?m??ade the game as fun as it can be. Its 46-character-long roster also helped.

2. One Piece Pirate Warriors 4

• Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
• Release Year: 2020

Although not featuring a massive jump when compared to 3, One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 builds upon it by offering a massive roster of more than 60 characters. You can find some wild names here, such as Big Mom, Kaido, and Gear 5 Luffy 鈥攖he latter available via a DLC. The game also made significant changes to combat. Among the tweaks, the biggest one? lies in how players can now perform aerial combos.

Pirate Warriors 4 also features a bulky story mode. In it, you can go through the Alabasta, Enies Lobby, Marineford, New World, Whole Cake, and Wano arcs. Like PW3 with Dre??ssrosa, the g??ame features a unique non-canon story for Wano.

1. One Piece: Odyssey

• Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
• Release Year: 2023

In One Piece: Odyssey, you follow the Straw Hats after they shipwreck on the island of Watford. The game brings players a true-to-form RPG experience that? takes place between the Whole Cake and Wano arcs. Among its highlights, we have a huge amount of explorable areas and activities. That is then paired with a fine-tuned turn-based combat system. You can also control all the first nine Straw Hats while exploring and in battle.

Odyssey also set itself apart for the quality of its original storyline. The latter of which segments the title as the best One Piece game released in the West to date.

The post All One Piece Games Ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Barely any PS2 games have been added to the PlayStation Plus Classics catalog since the service's 2022 revamp, and the ones that are included are HD conversions or remasters, meaning they lack the additional features seen in the emulated Play Station 1 and PlayStation Portable titles. However, that may be about to change according to a leaked listing for an upcoming re-release of 2002's Star Wars: The Clone Wars game.

This comes courtesy of PS Deals (via Gematsu), which specialises in tracking the backend of the PS Store for updates. The listing obviously isn't live, but PS Deals was able to find and share a description and screenshots for Star Wars: The Clone Wars alongside a purported release date of June 11. This should mean we'll see the game added to the Classic?s catalog in next month's update.

What's most interesting, however, is how the game will?? be "enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters." This will make it the first PS2 game on the catalog to have such features, and seems to suggest that there'll finally be a dedicated PS2 emulator on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Ideally, this will result in PS2 games being more frequently added to the service.

I can think of several PS2 classics that myself and fans would love to see arrive on PS Plus via emulation, such as the original Ratchet & Clank and Sly Cooper games. Although I wouldn't be surprised if more obscure choices took priority considering Sony's track record with the catalog so far. To date, the PS1 line-up still lacks era defining games like the first Tomb Raider and the Crash Bandicoot series, but does have Buzz Lightyear of Star Command. Not to mention it seems the first of these emulated PS2 games will be a Star Wars movie tie-in rather th?an any major first-party exclusive.

Still, we can always hope, and more PS2 games is better than none. It should at least add some extra value to the Premium tier for PS Plus a??nd, depending on which games are added, could incentivise more people into subscribing. Maybe one day, Sony will somehow get a PlayStation 3 emulator working too, so we don't h?ave to make do with its cloud streaming service to play old PS3 games.

The post Looks like PS Plus may finally get a PS2 emu?lator start??ing with Star Wars: The Clone Wars appeared first on Destructoid.

From Sandover Village to Metal Head City, the Jak & Daxter games have take?n us to many differen??t locations over the years.

While there hasn't been a recent entry, these PS2 and PSP games are worth venturing into. Those two PlayStation platforms are fondly remembered for a reason, and games like the Jak and Daxter series are definitely a part of the ??f??ond memories that many of us have from those wonderful times.

Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy - 2001

2?001 was the year this mascot platformer franchise kicked off, with Jak and Daxter teaming up to find a way to reverse the latter's otter-like transformation

The Precursor Legacy is more light-hearted than future entries with vibrant graphics and a brighter tone in its script. One of the most impressive parts of the first game is that yo?u can see previously explored areas in the distance. Therefore, it was a good showcase of what the newly-released PS2 could do.

Jak II - 2003

Inspired by the likes of Grand Theft Auto 3, this sequel to Jak & Daxter took on a darker tone. After entering a strange portal, Jak is captured and experimented on with dark eco for years. Daxter eventually breaks him free, and Jak swears vengeance on ??his captors. The protagonist looks older, potential??ly trying to make the series appeal more to older audiences. The script became a little edgier, too.

Haven City's the main hub of the game as Jak and Daxter can explore the open area in vehicles, quite similar to GTA. It also introduces guns into the gameplay experience. One of my major complaints is that the checkpoints are too sparse. According to HowLongToBeat, it takes around 17 hours to finis?h the story, li?kely somewhat due to the bad checkpoint system.

Jak 3 - 2004

Developer Naughty Dog came out swinging with a sequel one year later. Man, it was amazing to have sequels released so quickly back then. This time Jak and our otter-like friend step into the desert landscape of the Wasteland. Instead of New Haven, the hub area is Spargus City. The game features n??ew vehicles like dune buggies that players relished controlling. There are also animals, if you pr?efer that option.

Jak 3 had positive reviews when it was first released. IGN gave it a staggering 96/100 score. "Jak 3聽offers a gamer just about everything," said reviewer Ivan Sulic. "There are twelve interesting guns, four melee attacks, a dark Jak with melee and ranged attacks all his own, and a light Jak capable of shielding himself, flying, freezing time, and self healing." Despite this game releasing just a year after Jak II, it added a lot of features into the mix.

Jak X - 2005

Jak X took racing to the extreme, yet kept the storyline of the series accelerating forward. Inspired by the likes of Mario Kart, Jak and his friends use items to defeat their foes in front of them and pass their position. Each of the race vehicles can be destroyed, and similar to the Burnout series, you'll see the car parts fly?ing all over. It's an absol?ute rush to play this game, even to this day.

At the beginning of the game, Jak and his friends are poisoned by Krew. The only way to get the antidote is to win the Combat Racing Championship. What's present is a funny script with the quips you'd expect from Jak & Daxter. Jak X is the final Jak & Daxter game developed by Naughty Dog, as the studio moved on to the blockbuster Uncharted series.

Daxter - 2006

Our animal companion Daxter starred in his own PSP game back in 2006. It tells the story of Daxter between the very beginning of Jak II and when he later freed his pal. This game was developed by Ready at Dawn, the studio that would go on to make The Order: 1886.?? Instead of Jak's guns and kicks, Daxter uses an electric swatter to exterminate bugs.

During platforming segments, Daxter throttles a flamethrower to propel himself, which he'd also employ for combat. Similar to his human pal, Daxter rode vehicles to get around the city. The game was an impressive graphical showcase for the PSP at the time, releasing one year after the platform's launch. It currently has a decent 85 MetaCritic score overall, ranking just above Jak 3??, which is an impressive feat fo?r a portable entry.

This is the onl??y game not available to play on PS4 and PS5 in some shape or form. Hopefully, a port arrives for PlayStation Plus Premium members soon.

Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier - 2009

PlayStation's last effort with the duo is Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier, from High Impact Games, launching on both the PSP and PS2. It's since joined ??the PlayStation Plus Premium retro games lineup. Instead of a hoverbike or a dune buggy, Jak pilots a battle ship. Daxter also turns into a strange dark eco monster that fires orbs towards his foes. He even spins like Crash Bandicoot, perhaps a reference to Naughty Dog's origins.

Despite the new vehicle and Daxter transformation, The Lost Frontier returns to the s?imilar platforming and third-person shooter hybrid gameplay you'd expect.

Unfortunately, The Lost Frontier is commonly known as the worst title in the series. It currently holds a 71 MetaCritic score, which is far lower than prior entries. "As you might expect from a new developer鈥檚 take on a series with such history, The Lost Frontier doesn鈥檛 feel essential," said Game Informer's review. "If you? miss this game, you鈥檙e not going to be missing any major plot movements or character development in the Jak universe."

Despite this game teasing another adventure, this series has become dormant ever since. Jak IV artwork was showcased in a special Limited Run Games offer, but the original studio ?Naughty Dog seems to have moved ?on from the series, which is a huge shame.

The post All Jak & Daxter games in order appeared first on Destructoid.

[Update: The full song has been released! You can find it on? YouTube as part of this Game Changer? album playlist, as well as via the embedded video below. The album can be found on iTunes and BandCamp. And you can find the full music video here.]

The Grammy award-winning The 8-Bit Big Band and Lawrence are releasing a new cover of the Marvel vs Capcom 2 song "I Wann??a Take You for a Ride." It's been covered many times by the VGM community, but in this instance, new verses and a bridge accompany the admittedly repetitive tune.

Marvel vs Capcom 2 jam gets taken for a ride

Despite the original release from Marvel vs Capcom 2 repeating the same line over and over again, it's one with a special place in fan memories with a funky beat too delicious to ignore. Thankfully, The 8-Bit Big Band and Lawrence bri??ng their own vision to the bop with a full song based on the loop. This version adds ??new lyrics, verses, and a bridge next month on November 10.

The 45 seconds released on social media from The 8-Bit Big Band has an outstanding suite of brass instruments and thrilling vocals. Almost time for MAHVEL, baby.

Last year, the 8-Bit Big Band (and Button Basher) won a "Best Arrangement - Instrumental or A Capella" Grammy for its cover of "Meta Knight's Revenge" from Kirby Super Star. Since its release in?? 2021, the theme received over 1 million views on YouTube.

Perhaps with this upcoming Marvel vs Capcom 2 cover, they'll get anothe??r Grammy. Nevertheless, The 8-Bit Big Band has an upcomin?g show in New York on December 15. Its fourth album, "Game Changer," accompanies the Marvel jam on November 10.

The post T??he 8-Bit Big Band and Lawrence transform popular Marvel vs Capcom 2 song (Update) appeared first on Destructoid.

The Tekken series is renowned across the world, and Tekken Tag Tournament is one of the most memorable titles in the series.

Why is it so special? Well, you can switch characters mid-combo, giving the 3D fighting formula a nice kick in the pants; but funnily enough, it only took Namco two months to develop the game (according to Tekken steward Katsuhiro Harada).

鈥淭he project took 5 minutes to plan and only 2 months to develop (arcade version)," said Harada recently on social media. Harada says the game "made a considerable profit" because the cost was low. To add more context, Tekken 3 was completed, and then management at Namco "ordered [Harada] to release" a 3.5 version "within six months." At the time, the team was working on a prototype for Tekken 4, which was eventually released on the PS2.

Harada is now the Chief Producer of fighters at the company, and the General Manager of the Original IP games projects at Bandai ????Namco.

The PS2 development of Tekken Tag Tournament got weird

As for the PS2 version, Harada notes: "The port to the console version had to be done in time for the launch of the PS2 due to the lack of memory on the [PS1,]" Harada said. "The PS2's specs at the time had too much room for drawing processing, and the 3D modelers were baffl??ed by the number of polygons, which was even more than enough to place many mobs in the battle stages, so they elaborately created even the teeth in the characters' mouths."

Tekken Tag Tournament, as a result, had characters rarely opening their mouths because of a resolution problem. The PS2 fighting game is now 23 years old and released to glowing reviews. According to Metacritic, GameSpot gave a 96/100 score. "Graphically, the game has taken a very large leap, and the arcade version of the game looks downright ugly by comparison," said ?the reviewer.

Looking forward, Bandai Namco will be releasing Tekken 8 early next year. It's the beginning of a new era without Heihachi in the pic?ture. It will also include a new Arcade Quest mode.

-

The post Tekken Tag Tournament w??as developed in just two months, Harada says appeared first on Destructoid.

8BitDo has announced that they鈥檝e finally gotten around to creating a wireless Bluetooth receiver for PS1 and PS2. The timing couldn鈥檛 be be?tt?er since I just bought a PSone the other week.

Previously, 8BitDo ??released wireless adapters for SNES, NES, and Genesis consoles. These allow you to connect any 8BitDo controller, as well as many different modern ones, to a classic console. I persona??lly have ones for my SNES and Genesis, which I use for my SF30 Pro and M30 controllers. My dog hates cords, for some reason, and won鈥檛 cross the living room if one is on the floor, so this sort of thing is just convenient for him.

8BitDo doesn鈥檛 currently have a controller that strictly emulates the look and feel of an original DualShock, but the Pro 2 controller comes pretty close. If that鈥檚 still too far off, you can connect a DualShock 4 or Dualsense. DualShock 4 sounds like the obvious choice for me, but they also list the Wii U Pro controller as compatible, which I鈥檓 a fan of. However, this also means I can use my arcade stick for some Bloody Roar.

Some people are wondering about how it will work with games that use the PS2鈥檚 pressure-sensitive buttons, but the press information I鈥檝e read doesn鈥檛 really address this. My guess is that it won鈥檛. This might cause some issues for some games like 2000鈥檚 The Bouncer. Howev??er, I usually forget this feature even exi?sts until I run up against it.

Hopefully, now that the PS1 is out of the way, 8BitDo will be quick to b??ring about adapters for the N64, Sega Saturn, and Turbografx-16.

It appears that the 8BitDo retro receiver for PS1 and PS2 is available right now from their website for $24.99 USD.

The post 8BitDo drops retro receiver for PS1 and PS2 appeared first on Destructoid.

Full Metal Max

Getting into the Metal Max series has been one of the most exciting experiences to come my way in this hobby recently. I picked up Metal Max Xeno Reborn on a whim, and the next thing I know, I鈥檓 hungrily trying to consume everything from the series I could get my hands on. That鈥檚 unfortunately not a lot. Most of the series has never left Japan. While there are some fan translations landing for some of those titles, there was only one official release for the series in North America before Metal Max Xeno. That was 2005鈥檚 Metal Saga on PS2.

Don鈥檛 let the name fool you. This isn鈥檛 some spin-off. Metal Saga is a whole-fat entry in the series. There were some trademark issues resulting from Data East going bankrupt, so the developers at Crea-tech couldn鈥檛 actually call it Metal Max for a time, but that鈥檚 the only disruption. It takes place in the same world as the previous games, making reference to those narratives, and the mechanics all follow the formula set out by the previous two titles. It鈥檚 the true Metal Max 3 in everything but name.

Unfortunately, the shift to the 3D perspective wasn鈥檛 an effortless o??ne?.

[caption id="attachment_387134" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The stupid end of the world

Metal Saga starts out in much the same way that the original Metal Max does: the protagonist tells his parent that he鈥檚 setting out in the world to become a hunter. Taking place in a post-apocalyptic future, Hunters travel around and take down ??the various monsters that roam the devastated planet.

Like the original Metal Max, the actual over-arching narrative isn鈥檛 clear from the start, and only takes shape at the very end. Largely, you鈥檙e let loose on the world and left to do whatever you feel like, and Metal Saga ??just trusts that you鈥檒l eventually find your way to the conclusion. It鈥檚 up to you to just travel around, get stronger, and make? money by defeating Wanted Monsters. In tanks.

I can鈥檛 stress this enough: Metal Saga, like the series before it, is a game about tanks. There are vehicles in there that aren鈥檛 tanks, but everyone talks about tanks like they鈥檙e mankind鈥檚 greatest achievement. If you want to ac??tually complete the game, you鈥檒l need to scour the world for the best tanks, then outfit them with the best equipme??nt. It鈥檚 amazing.

[caption id="attachment_387135" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

You remind me of my grandson

The post-apocalypse of Metal Max is a tale as old as time. Humans were starting to get a little panicked about how they were destroying the planet. Rather than take personal responsib??ility, they created an AI called NOAH to help them fix it. NOAH decided that the best way to save the planet was to get rid of the source of the problems: humans.

That鈥檚 pretty realistic. Humans would definitely try to take a shortcut for solving their problems, and an AI would almost certainly follow a request right ??down to t?he letter.

Not a lot of people in Metal Saga know what caused humans to get pushed to the brink of extinction. Furthermore, the plot of Metal Max involved the protagonist finally shutting NOAH down, bu??t since no one knew the world was even still in peril, few people really know that even happened.

But while the Metal Max series is incredibly on the nose for something that was created in 1991, it鈥檚 incredibly lighthearted about the whole affair. If The Last of Us is a finger wag and Fallout is a head shake, then Metal Max i??s a roll of the eyes. It鈥檚 not just abou??t man鈥檚 inhumanity to man; it鈥檚 about man鈥檚 baffling, ceaseless stupidity.

While you travel the world, you keep bumping into survivors who just have the strangest priorities. There鈥檚 a cult that worships bodybuilding. You might find a retirement home full of elderly people driven to crime by neglectful grandchildren. Your primary rival in all of this is a rich heiress who is more interested in collecting tanks than taking down the monsters that threaten the remnants of humanity. It鈥檚 nowhere near as ridiculous as Metal Max 2 could get, but it certa?inly does?n鈥檛 wear a straight face.

[caption id="attachment_387136" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Tasty corpses

This sort of leads to Metal Saga鈥檚 biggest issue: it鈥檚 empty. Metal Saga has a huge world, and a?? tonne of Want??ed Monsters to hunt, but not a lot in between.

It鈥檚 always been a series standard to kind of just let you loose on the world with a few gates to keep you from wandering straight to the end of the game. Metal Saga is much the same, but there鈥檚 less to distract you. There鈥檚 a dearth of side quests, and they're actually difficult to bump into. There are so many rooms in the dungeons and towns that are just empty, and that takes a lot of? the fun out of e??xploration.

Those empty rooms might be by design rath?er than just an indication of unfinished content, but that鈥檚 actually worse. I don鈥檛 want to check each and every room in case one of them might have a fridge to lo??ot.

The??re was one dude credited with monster design, Masato Kimura, and he went absolutely nuts. This big empty world is absolutely packed with different monster attacks, including howitzers wearing fishnets and a stealth bomber that is actually just a big manta ray. According to a guide I found, there are 232 types of regular monsters. While some of them are mostly palette swaps, a huge number of them are unique. It also doesn鈥檛 lean too hard on just recreating monsters from past games. It鈥檚 an impressive effort.

[caption id="attachment_387137" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Optimus Swine

At this point, I鈥檝e played a decent chunk of the Metal Max series. I have to say, Metal Saga currently sits near the bottom of my list of favorites. The core gameplay that I love so much about the series is still there. Everything built around that is??n鈥檛 anything too insulting, but it鈥檚 a lot weaker than anything that came before it.

On the other hand, before Metal Max Xeno, this was the only game in the series that came West. Even now, the only way for hardcore anglophones to experience the other games is to use fan translations. In no small way, Metal Saga is way better than no Metal Max at all. If fan translations aren鈥檛 your thing, then this is absolutely something you sho??uld play.

My eyes are constantly peeled for any news on the series. Cygames bought the rights up in 2022 directly after the release of Metal Max Xeno Reborn and the cancellation of Metal Max Xeno: Wild West. The series director (who actually didn鈥檛 have a creative role in Metal Saga) is even on board. Currently, it looks like we鈥檙e getting a remake of the first game of the series, but I have my fingers crossed that they鈥檒l also look to finally localize previous games in the series. At the very least, re-release Metal Saga.

The series has had a mess of ownership issues. It has never really received the attention or the love that it deserves. I鈥檓 hoping Cygames winds up being the parent it really needs. I just want someone to love Metal Max as much as I do.

For ot?her retro titles you may have missed, click right here!

The post Met?al Saga for PS2 is a lot better than no Metal Max at all appeared first on Destructoid.

Are you ready for prime time?

So, I was facing off against 鈥淭he Stiff鈥?which I鈥檓 sure is already a nickname, but there鈥檚 no way his friends don鈥檛 call him 鈥淪tiffy鈥?behind his back. It starts off with this big dude and Kyle Travers pointing guns at each other in a cutscene. The fight ?starts and I unload said pistol at the guy, and it does basically nothing. His h??ealth bar is cut down by an amount that would be offensive to the whole clip of bullets I put into him. So I ditch it and beat him up with fists.

As I鈥檓 fighting him, guns just keep dropping out. He鈥檇 fall down, drop his pistol, get back up, reach behind himself, and reveal a new pistol. I can only imagine Stiffy was wearing an absolute tangle of holsters on his back. Or maybe he just has a gunsmith up his ass. He finally takes enough damage and runs to the roof, where Kyle and Stiffy face off again in a cutscene, pointing ??pistols at each other. Kyle is like, 鈥淲hy don鈥檛 we ??settle this with hands?鈥?which we already were, because our guns are apparently loaded with Nerf.

I beat on Stiffy for a while more and he falls off the edge of the building. Kyle ??grabs his arm, and he鈥檚 left dangling.

Stiffy鈥檚 like, 鈥淵ou won鈥檛 drop me. You aren鈥檛 a killer.鈥?Which completely ignores all th??e dudes who I filled with buckshot on the way in. However, then Stiffy 鈥?and I swear this actually happens 鈥?reaches behind himself and pulls out yet another pistol, pointing it at Kyle and demanding he lifts him to safety.

He gets dropped because that鈥檚 an incredibly stupid idea, but that鈥檚 just sort of how 2006's Final Fight: Streetwise rolls.

[caption id="attachment_373035" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Mobygames[/caption]

Horrible swansong

What a horrible swansong for Capcom Studio 8. The studio was responsible for the two Maximo games. To be fair to the developers, Final Fight: Streetwise wasn鈥檛 the game they envisioned. Supposedly, marketing decisions caused the drastic change in tone and approach, bu?t I was unable to confirm this, because I couldn鈥檛 find anyone on the team to talk to.

In any case, the resulting tone of Final Fight: Streetwise is what I鈥檇 describe as an edgy teenager鈥檚 take on Yakuza. Final Fight already had a bit of a grittiness to its art, but Streetwise is just smeared with dirt. It鈥檚 so grey. It鈥檚 oppressively g??rey. I think some parts of the game take place during the day, but all ??I can remember is dirt.

You play as Kyle Travers, the brother of Cody Travers from the original game. Cody has been living vicariously through Kyle鈥檚 street fighting career. I鈥檝e read that this is due to Cody having arthritis?, which prevents him from fighting. The game kind of neglects to mention this, but maybe it did, and I was just distracted by how badly it fails to crop cutscenes for a 16:9 resolution. In fact, I actually had to turn off widescreen in the Xbox settings just so that some characters would appear fully on-screen.

Th??e plot is just so outlandishly awful. Cody makes some vague statements early on, then gets abducted, then you find him, and he鈥檚 just been doing drugs. Apparently, a new drug ca??lled 鈥淕low鈥?has been taking over the street. It turns people into Hulkamaniacs, but they also go insane. Cody was using this to get back into the fighting scene, which he鈥?needed to be abducted for?

[caption id="attachment_373036" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Mobygames[/caption]

They're just sleeping

It鈥檚 definit??ely one of those stories that make you question who the bad guys really are. I me??ntioned shooting a bunch of dudes early on, and it鈥檚 really a hugely accidental tonal shift. I found a shotgun in an alley, then suddenly I was just murdering addicts.

It鈥檚 kind of like how Yakuza would let you throw people off rooftops, but no one actually dies outside of cutscenes. The only difference is that I think Yakuza does it for fun, whereas Final Fight: Streetwise kind of implies this is a cool thing to do.?? When you get to the last few acts of the game, you鈥檙e just mowing down addicts like that?鈥檚 how you deal with someone dealing with chemical dependency. Kyle seriously just wants to cure Cody of his addiction, and everyone else can just die, I guess.

As well as being tonally galling, there are a tonne of plotholes everywhere. The person who is behind the drug keeps appearing and d??isappearing whenever she sees fit, and it鈥檚 really hard to tell if she鈥檚 with you or against you. That division might be on purpose, but it鈥檚 so clumsily handled. One moment she鈥檚 bandaging your arm, telling you she needs to take responsibility for her actions. The next, she鈥檚 literally helping Mr. Badguy do evil.

With that said, the devs obviously had some respect for the source material. High-top ninja Guy and daddy poundcake Mike Haggar make appearances, and they鈥檙e not entirely bastardized. Haggar stopped being a mayor so he could run a gym, which doesn鈥檛 seem right but is pretty far away from character assassinatio??n. There鈥檚 a decent attempt to stick with co??ntinuity, even if I鈥檓 completely certain that this one is going to be ejected from canon if it hasn鈥檛 already.

[caption id="attachment_373037" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Mobygames[/caption]

Digital hell

Weirdly, Final Fight: Streetwise wasn鈥檛 overly excruciating. The fighting system kind of sucks, but so did many of the era. I mostly just found the game to be just hilariously off-kilter. One of the enemies spawned directly in front of me in plain view, and as if Final Fight: Streetwise was embarrassed by this slip-up, the thug started contorting and folding in on themselves until they?? were eventually sucked into the ground. It was like the thug broke the hard-fought immersion of the game and was being dragged into digital hell for eternal punishment.

Kyle鈥檚 voice sounds like someone doing an impression of Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid. It鈥檚 convincing enough that I had to check if it was David Hayter, and it was not. It鈥檚 Trent Kaniuga, who isn鈥檛 really known as a voice actor. Despite this, I both love and hate their performance. They both capture the qualities of David Hayter that I find hokey and irksome, but they also sound like they鈥檙e just so into the role. It is delivered so earnestly that I can鈥檛 help but find it somewhat charming.

I actually wound up giving up on Final Fight: Streetwise. I was nearing the finale, but then a boss lept at me in a cutscene, and the entire game locked up. This resulted in me losing multiple hours of progress, including some rather prolonged and excruciating sequences. It鈥檚 not that I have bad save practices, it鈥檚 that Final Fight: Streetwise does. In order t??o save the game, you actually have to pause, go to quit, and after confirming that you want to quit, only then does it actually ask if you want to save. Obviously, since I was planning to play through to the end, I hadn鈥檛 saved and quit in quite a while.

That was less funny.

[caption id="attachment_373038" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Mobygames[/caption]

A stronger nose

Capcom USA closed down Capcom Studio 8 after the release of Final Fight: Streetwise. Some sources indicate that this decision was made even before the game鈥檚 release. A ??lot of things point to the game just having a horrifically troubled development. You can peek right through the cracks and see the squirming mass of adversity beneath.

I kind of regret that I didn鈥檛 finish Final Fight: Streetwise, but I also don鈥檛 blame myself for not getting back up after it kicked me in the face. You don鈥檛 typically tell the person with the broken nose that they should maybe have a strong??er nose. Maybe I鈥檒l pick it up again once my nose has healed.

That鈥檚 not really a recommendation, though. While Final Fight: Streetwise isn鈥檛 the complete bastardization that I feared, it is just ??unfathomably dumb and blatantly underdeveloped. There was maybe a decent game that someone was trying to build this mess up to, but we didn鈥檛 make it there. Instead, we just got a monument of trash.

For previous Weekly Kusoge, check this link!

The post Final Fight: St?reetwise is appropriately book dumb appeared first on Destructoid.

The invisible controller

There's a prevailing modern philosophy in action game design that says that the controller should "disappear." You should feel like you're doing something when you press a button and the character on the screen responds. You should map "looking around" and "walking" to two different sticks be??cause we look around and walk at the same time. You should put "shoot" on a trigger because it? feels a bit like pulling the trigger on a gun. You should not have your character stop in place every time they ready their gun, because holding a gun does not incapacitate the legs.

And yet,聽Resident Evil 4, among the most celebrated action games ever made, breaks every one of these rules. It constantly emphasizes the break between the player and the character. The presence of the controller is always felt. The movement is bizarre and unnatural. In recent years, it's been subject to some criticism (IGN's review of the remake says the original game's star "struggles to get around as thoug??h he鈥檚 wearing an old pair of skinny jeans that haven鈥檛 fit him since his police academy days"). When the remake demo was released, I heard no shortage of praise for the new, more traditional dual-stick controls, usually accompanied by the phrase "they fixed the controls" or something similar.

But here's the thing:聽Resident Evil 4's controls were already perfect.

Feeling the fear

The first three Resident Evil games are often celebrated (and sometimes derided) for their bizarre control schemes. These are games about rookie cops and civilians tossed into the deep end of a zombie apocalypse. They're not sprinting through action sequences, they're scrambling when they reach for their guns. Of course they move as though they're being controlled by someone who can't see the end of the hallway. They're scared. The game wants y??ou to feel that fear, and it communicates it by forcing you to fumble with the controller, by drawing attention to the inherent clumsin??ess of playing a video game and likening it to the inherent clumsiness of being terrified.聽

[caption id="attachment_369322" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Capcom[/caption]

Feeling the controller聽is feeling the fear. It's feeling the limits on what the medium will allow. I?t's feeling what the characters literally cannot do, ??feeling the exact wall that stands between them and survival.

But Leon Kennedy (at least by the beginning of Resident Evil 4) is a different kind of protagonist. He's an action hero. The opening minutes of RE4 establish that Leon's here to save the president's daughter, and he doesn't care how many zombies and zombie-adjacent locals he needs to roundhouse to ?do it. So why is his movement?? so weird?

Trouble in kickass paradise

Resident Evil 4 is an "action game" in that its protagonist is an action star. When he's shipped off to Spain, he's confident in his abilities. He already shooed the zombies out of one police station, and he?'s been in Cool Guy School training alongside guys named stuff like "Jack Krauser" ever since. He's rolling into a new country with a shiny new over-the-shoulder camera that communicates confidence and grace.

[caption id="attachment_368170" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Then he runs into danger and totally freezes. Leon is out of his element in聽RE4. He's more graceful than he was back in Raccoon City, but as he quickly and aptly notes, he's not dealing with the same zombies this time around. He's learned a cool roundhouse kick, and he moves like he's in h??is own skin, but caution automatically takes over when it's time to open f??ire. He can feel the controller. When he's established control over a situation, he can smoothly sprint ahead and start throwing kicks and punches, but usually he's frozen in place, firing his gun with shaky hesitation.

The Resident Evil games have always been good at communicating character beats through control schemes, and聽RE4 does that expertly. Leon is a聽lot more comfortable here, and you can feel that comfort in the new level of control he has over his movement and his gunplay. But he's still scared, and you can still feel that fear when you feel what he can't do. The horror on display might be pretty schlocky, but it's genuinely effective at establis??hing tension.

Frightful future

I've played the聽Resident Evil 4 demo a few times. I like it a lot! But it is, at least in the small segment that I've actually experienced, a "good" action game in a way that the original simply wasn't. Leon Kennedy is right at home perfect-parrying his enemies, sprinting as he guns down cultists, and pulling off sick stunts without breaking a ??sweat. It feels surprisingly natural. In fact, I can barely feel the co??ntroller. I'm not sure if I love that.

[caption id="attachment_368981" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Capcom[/caption]

To be clear, I don't doubt that the Resident Evil 4 remake can capture the majesty of the original game. The remakes of聽RE2 and聽RE3 are both phenomenal pieces of design, and they both dramatically overhaul their respective original games' control schemes. I'm sure the latest remake will be just fine. But when I hear people talk about the way it changes the game's controls, as though these changes are both necessary and unequivocally "better," I just feel a little sad. Resident Evil 4 might have good controls now, but i??t also had great controls then.

The post Resident Evil 4 (2005)’s ‘bad’ controls were, and are, great appeared first on Destructoid.

Get ready

If someone told me they were creating a new OutRun with 3D graphics, I鈥檇 be extremely skeptical. OutRun was not merely a raster racer through and through, it鈥檚 the God-empress of raster racers. I would think that adding some depth to that would hurt the appeal. Not so, because OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast is about as faithful as I could imagine.

To be clear, OutRun 2006 is sort of the sequel to the sequel. OutRun 2 was released in arcades in 2003, and followed up with a port to Xbox in 2004. Afterwards, OutRun SP was released in 2004 as an upgrade to OutRun 2. OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast is?? a console (and PSP) combination of th?e two titles. It is the ultimate version, and I have no idea why it hasn鈥檛 been ported since. Probably the Ferrari license. It鈥檚 always licensing.

[caption id="attachment_368300" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Magical Sound Shower

I feel like OutRun 2006 is unexpected since the racing genre had long moved on from the seminal 1986 arcade title. What I thought would have happened is some soulless simulation racing game with the OutRun name slapped on. Instead, OutRun 2006 is OutRun. The only thing that? really changed is that now the graphics are in 3D. New mechanics and progression are piled on top?? of it.

The setup is the same; you take the wheel of a Ferrari, with your girlfriend sitting next to you. Then, you take off on a journey across a branching?? course. While there are rivals on the ?road this time around, you鈥檙e not required to pass them. You merely have to get to the end of the course before your time expires.

That鈥檚 easier said than done, but the addition of drift is a welcome feature. The drift is that special kind of unrealistic that we鈥檝e seen in the Mario Kart series. You can throw your car into a drift by?? pumping the break in a turn, and then it鈥檚 stuck there until you deliberately steer out of it. You can snake back and forth with it, in a way, never having to leave it at all. It鈥檚 an amazingly perfect fit fo?r the series.

[caption id="attachment_368301" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Love kills

Or, at least, that鈥檚 the regular mode. There are two of these big branching courses: OutRun 2 and OutRun SP. That鈥檚 already a lot of course, but to ensure that you don鈥檛 put the game down immediately after completing a run of each, there are alternate modes. There鈥檚 something of a campaign that have you completing smaller missions and beating rivals in a race. That鈥檚 probably the best way to gather Out Run miles that can be used to unlock ?more Ferraris and additional tracks on the soundtrack.

The most unique is perhaps the Heart Break Mode. While the OutRun games have classically had you travel alongside your girlfriend, this time around, she tells you to kill. Okay, I鈥檓 being slightly facetious. She doesn鈥檛 just tell you that you must commit vehicular manslaughter by crashing into other cars, sometimes she tells you to evade aliens or run into ghosts.?? If you鈥檙e unable to fu??lfill her perfectly reasonable demands, or even if you鈥檙e just too slow, she鈥檒l start physically abusing you from the passenger seat.

I really think the protagonist of OutRun could do better. A woman who leaves you because you don鈥檛 wreck ??your high-performance sports car by turning it into a murder machine is probably not worth your time??. I get wanting a little excitement, but my idea for excitement is going through the Popeye鈥檚 drive-thru.

[caption id="attachment_368302" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Splash Wave

There鈥檚 a wide spread of what you can unlock, from over a dozen Ferraris to remixed and classic tunes. Considering Splash Wave is unequivocally the best piece of music ever composed for a video game, it鈥檚 unusual that there are even other tracks available. However, there are three versions of Splash Wave, including? the ori??ginal. That鈥檚 immediately the best soundtrack ever assembled.

My biggest complaint is that it takes a long time to unlock new gear, and that means you鈥檒l be driving the same courses a lot. Regardless of how much unique mileage is in the game, you鈥檒l always have to drive the first stretch of road, and frequently need to see the second areas. As much as I love OutRun, I feel the formula works best in small sessions as opposed to grinding through ??it to unlock more stuff. You can choose individual slices of tracks, so you鈥檙e not just racing the same ones repeatedly, but I feel shortening the experiences drains Out Run of some of the things that make it sp??ecial.

[caption id="attachment_368299" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Passing Breeze

I may be repeating myself, but I didn鈥檛 think a 3D OutRun would really work, let alone one that was created in the 鈥?0s. I suppose it鈥檚 important to remember that in the late-鈥?0s and early-鈥?0s, Sega was creating some of the most unique games that hit the market. Even if some of them aren鈥檛 the best (I don鈥檛 like the Sonic Adventure games, I鈥檓 sorry), titles like Crazy Taxi and Panzer Dragoon Orta were in a class of t??heir own. They just don鈥檛 make games like these anymore.

Speaking of which, it pains me that we haven鈥檛 gotten ports of any of the games I just mentioned. It feels like Sega was on an apology tour, and we chose to forgive and literally forget. OutRun is even worse since we鈥檝e received ports of the original title but not Turbo OutRun, OutRunners, OutRun Europa, OutRun 2019, or OutRun 3-D. Considering Sega is one of the better companies when it comes to making its classic library available, this seems like an issue that needs addressing. Especially when it comes to OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast.

For other retro t??itles you may have missed, click right here!

The post OutRun 2??006: Coast 2 Coast is an unexpectedly faith??ful sequel appeared first on Destructoid.

With a smile and a song

Over the past two decades, the聽Kingdom Hearts聽series has wowed its audience with powerfully emotional music fitting for the keyblade wielder's grand adventures. From the calming wonder of "Dearly?? Beloved" to the rocking "Rage Awakened," composer Yoko Shimomura brings a magical sound to each game.

With this list, we'll discuss the best Kingdom Hearts聽songs from Sora's beginnings on Destiny Islands all the way up to his stepping foot in Quadratum. Let us know your favorites in th??e comments section below as this article?? is just scratching the surface.

There will be聽spoilers聽for the聽Kingdom Hearts聽series within this article. You have been warned!

10. The 13th Struggle (Kingdom Hearts 2)

//youtu.be/dAAnOQxL5HI

"The 1??3th Struggle" successfully brings the chaos of an Organization XIII battle and turns it into musical form. The threat of danger signaled by the constant deep strings, the manic melody, and the? heavy percussion all make this an epic battle theme that will keep your blood pressure rising until the end of the fight.

9. Edge of Existence (Kingdom Hearts 3)

//youtu.be/yVl3QRNkb8A

In the mysterious new world of Scala ad Caelum, this music piece by Yoko Shimomura heightens the drama unfolding in the story of Kingdom Hearts 3.聽The combination of brass, strings, and percussion all make for an epic track to explore this final level with. In addition, there is a beautiful few seconds of the piano playing that spins off from the main melody, adding to the mystery of this long-forsaken pl?ace.

8. Rage Awakened (Kingdom Hearts 2)

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa7SyxcKTbs

Epic is one word to describe "Rage Awakened." During the boss fight with ?the Enigmatic Soldier, the stakes are raise?d and the music elevates with a rocking backdrop. The strings in this piece tell of the soldier's sad past as the thunderous drumming reflects his might as he strikes you down over and over again.

7. Vector to the Heavens (Kingdom Hearts 3 Re Mind/ Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days)

//youtu.be/g3xFtfdQwoI

In聽Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days,聽two friends are torn apart by fate, and "Vector to the Heavens" is an emotional piece that also works as a battle theme. Piano forward in 358/2 Days, this song hits you to your core as the stunning Xion's theme is impacted with drama from the strings and secondary piano backdrop. The central theme of Kingdom Hearts' "Dearly Beloved" is also woven through it as Xion is deeply connected to Sora and decides to return to him. The Kingdom Hearts 3 Re Mind version takes a wholly different approach with ??a rocking guitar and deep drum baseline. Both work well within the context of each game.

6. Destati (Kingdom Hearts)

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6zzv2KCcZo

Yoko Shimomura is a master of bringing atmosphere to her music, and "Destati" absolutely nails it. In the deep darkness of End of the World, the chilling vocals of the choir mixed with the dramatic piano all make for a groundbreaking piece. It's absolutely incredible how the pace picks up as the strings and percussion begin to reveal themselves throughout it. The Kingdom Hearts 3聽rendition of this song is also striking.

5. Traverse Town (Kingdom Hearts)

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKOXLOsA2tA

If you want to talk about nostalgia, "Traverse Town" is certainly that. It's like a warm hug. The jolly melody embraces Sora and the gang as they explore the characteristic town. While it's not as epic as a聽 song like "Destati," the song is a wonderful jazzy piece that elevates the world and makes us feel welcome within it. This context also makes sense as Traverse Town is a place many have escaped to, like Pinocchio and Leon (Squall). The charming vibe of Traverse Town's theme makes it one of the best Kingdom Hearts聽songs in existence.

4. Lazy Afternoons (Kingdom Hearts 2)

//youtu.be/KBvXUIQfcbk

If you want some chill vibes after a long hard day, you can't go wrong by listening to "Lazy Afternoons." This is the song in Kingdom Hearts 2聽that sets the tone for Roxas' version of Twilight Town. The beautiful playing of the flute next to the melancholic strumming of the guitar makes this yet another nostalgic-sounding piece. There is a subtle use of the xylophone in the background, calling you back to fonder times. If you want a nice Sunday walk, it's recommended to play this while strolling throu??gh your hometown streets.

3. Scherzo Di Notte (Kingdom Hearts)

//youtu.be/hk-7eifOh1E

When Sora enters Hollow Bastion, it is a time of uncertainty. He loses his keyblade, his friends, and almost his hope. However, he carries on forward with The Beast beside him.聽"Scherzo Di N??otte" carries that brave attitude onward with strong instrumentals and a marching drum beat in the background. The melody is upward and onward, while the brass instruments add wavering one-off melodies that stray away, representing Sora's struggles. It's an epic piece that is fitting for a late-game world such as Hollow Bastion.

2. Roxas / The Other Promise (Kingdom Hearts 2)

//youtu.be/E_BS8egSU3k

Roxas' story throughout the majority of the聽Kingdom Hearts聽series is emotional. He is pulled away from his friends, stuck inside Sora's heart, and holds anger within him. He is the counterbalance to Sora's upbeat attitude, but Roxas holds much compassion within him too. His theme, otherwise known as "The Other Promise," shows that perfectly. The flute play??ing is absolutely tragic as the melody is beautifully charming while the backdrop of the piano is emotionally strained?. The playing mid-way through the track in "The Other Promise" version is then intensified, adding to the drama.

"What I try to remember is not to repress your emotions," Shimomura said in an interview with Hatalabo (translated by KH13). "If you need to cry, cry outrageously [..], especially since music is an expression of emotion." She also mentioned, "the more expressive you are emotionally the more expressive the music becomes." You can certainly hear the emotion in this piece by the legendary game composer, and that is why it's one of the best Kingdom Hearts聽songs.

1. Dearly Beloved (Kingdom Hearts 2)

//youtu.be/sihC5l_gIak

For any great JRPG, you need an amazing main menu theme, and the聽Kingdom Hearts聽series delivers that in spades. "Dearly Beloved" is an awe-inspiring piece that has chronicled Sora's journey up to this point. It's highly adaptable, with each title in the series having an alteration on the piano-led track. Kingdom Hearts 3's version sounded momentous as it was the last entry in the Dark Seeker saga, while Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory聽has an eccentric jazzy take on the familiar song.

After much consideration,聽Kingdom Hearts 2's聽version of "Dearly Beloved" is the one that stands out the most. It has a sensational held string section at the top of the number with a stunning harp elevating the introduction. The piano then hits alongside the sweeping strings, stirring the heartstrings. It's melancholy and has plenty of tones within the piece that revolves around the main piano melody that resembles the adventurous and dramatic spirit of the game. This version of "Dearly Beloved" is simply perfect, and the piece itself has been featured in the ClassicFM Hall of Fame six times, according to KH13.

The post 10 best Kingdom Hearts songs, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Rowr, Fsss! Fsss!

Movie-licensed games have long been given a bad rap, but to be fair to them, that鈥檚 only because they鈥檙e usually bad. This goes back to t??????????????????????????he 鈥?0s, with some of the earliest video ??games to hit the market. I don鈥檛 have an explanation for why these titles are often bad. The fact that they have to be rushed to meet the same release date as the movie certainly does no favors. However, my theory is that, when a game already has advertising that comes from a larger industry, why even bother trying to make it good? It鈥檚 going to sell on recognition alone.

With that in mind, here we have 2004鈥檚 Catwoman, based on the film starring Halle Berry. It has the distinction of being based off what is considered by some to be? one of the worst big-budget films of all time. It would be really ironic if this game turned out to actually be good!

It鈥檚 not.

[caption id="attachment_361650" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The city's finest

I鈥檝e never seen Catwoman, and I鈥檓 going to be honest with you, I don鈥檛 really want to. I prefer the Catwoman that was pushed out a window by Christopher Walken in the holiday classic Batman Returns. The movie apparently focuses on a woman named Patience Phillips who鈥檚 killed by her boss in a different way. However, a cat revives her, and that makes her a cat woman for some reason. Neat how that works. When someone is resuscitated by mouth-?to-mouth, does that turn them into The Human Kiss?

Catwoman actually starts with the titular zombie breaking into a jewelry store. Except there are already people there. So after a non-lethal takedown of the thugs, the police roll up, give Catwoman five seconds to surrender, then just light the place up with a torrent of gunfire. To be fair to the police, there were gunshots before they arrived. However, I鈥檓 not sure how they鈥檙e going to explain that to the owner of the jewelry store. 鈥淲e had reason to believe there was a woman armed with a whip inside?鈥?/p>

The entire opening sequence is riotously funny. Catwo??man then escapes the store and is confron??ted by two police officers who have apparently wasted all their ammo and are going to take Halle Berry on bare-fisted.

Upon (non-lethally) dispatching the officers, a helicopter rolls up, puts the spotlight on Catwoman鈥檚 leather pants, and starts dropping a hail of bullets on her. ?However, non??e of these bullets can hit you. You can stand in one place, and the environment around you will be absolutely torn to shreds, but not one bullet will pierce your feline flesh.

[caption id="attachment_361652" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Who are we? The Wild Cats!

Catwoman itself is terrible, only worth playing for these moments of awkward hilarity. The controls are uncomfortable and atrocious. You use the L button to get on all-fours like a cat, and the R button to jump, then the rest of the buttons don鈥檛 do much of anything. The worst part of using L and R for basically everything is that the Xbox and Gamecube controllers have analog trig??gers. More uncomfortably, the Gamecube鈥檚 controller makes a loud 鈥減ling!鈥?every time you push them down all the way, so you鈥檙e playing with resistant buttons that scream at you. The A button is used for an unlockable 鈥減ose鈥?move, where you get guards horny so you can get the 鈥減ussycat鈥?score multiplier.

I鈥檝e sworn to myself I was goi?ng to avoid using 鈥減ussy鈥?as a euphemism in t??his article. It is taking every scrap of my willpower to abide by that.

You whip and attack with the C-stick or equivalent right analog stick, which is fine in theory, but Catwoman mostly ignores your commands anyway, so it adds no additional precision. Many of its controls are completely against intuition. If you want to swing on a pole, you have to hold L, but if you鈥檙e hanging from one using your whip, you press back and forth. It鈥檚 like two people were designing the ?controls, they were located in different countries, they didn鈥檛 speak the same language, and they hated each other.

Not that better controls would simplify things. The camera is vocally disinterested in what鈥檚 going on. It won鈥檛 show you important details like what鈥檚 in front of you, with the game helpfully telling you to switch into first-person view to look around the environment. It takes its time to show you what鈥檚 going on. Once, I jumped through a window, and when?? the camera finally decided to pan down to where I had landed, a guard had me in his arms, and another was taking shots? at me.

[caption id="attachment_361653" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Impenetrable layer of suck

This isn鈥檛 to say Catwoman is difficult beyond its impenetrable layer of suck. It鈥檚 actually extraordinarily unwilling to let you die. You know the whole 鈥渏ust kill me already,鈥?countered by 鈥淚 want to watch you suffer?鈥?That鈥檚 the vibe going on in Catwoman. You can fall 20 stories, and you won鈥檛 die. No, it鈥檚 much worse. You have to th??en climb back up through its irrationally crappy platforming sections.

The only mercy it really has is sometimes, very occasionally, it will open up a shortcut, so you can get back up faster. However, this has the implication that the developers expected that you鈥檇 fall, so all those times they chose not to help you back up was just maliciousness. Checkpoints would have been better, but while Catwoman has these, I never saw them in platforming sections where they would have matt??ered.

So, I climbed up again and again, as a? cat with nine lives that it couldn鈥檛 lose fast enough.

[caption id="attachment_361655" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The bottom of the platforming sections

The effort to tell the story is token, ?at best. Like I said, I never watched the movie, so I don鈥檛 know how faithful it is to the movie鈥檚 plot. However, after the jewelry store heist, Halle Berry then chases around a cat for some strange reason. A lot of important narrative context is completely glossed over, resulting in storytelling that is just as messy as the game itself. I guess that at least makes it consistent.

The combat is simply misguided. You can either beat up guards until they cower in fear from your relentless slapping or kick them into dumpsters and other containers. At one point, early in the game, I opened up one of these containers and a guard just jumped in under his own power. I鈥檓 not sure if I beat him up enough prior to opening the trapdoor where he just decided that fleeing into a trash compactor would be better than facing Halle Berry鈥檚 tight pants, but it was extremely funny to watch. Of course, while the implication is that Catwoman doesn鈥檛 kil??l or even subdue her targets, I took every opportunity I had to knock enemies off ledges to the bottom of platforming sections. See how they like it.

To no one鈥檚 surprise, Catwoman is awful. It鈥檚 an arche?typal licensed movie-game rushed out to take advantage of branding. Some of the developers moved on to bigger and better things, but you can tell their hearts weren鈥檛 in it for this one. Well, except for whoever was responsible for the puddles. They did a phenomenal job.

For previous Weekly Kusoge, check this link!

The post 2004’s Catwoman belongs in the litter box appeared first on Destructoid.

Oh no, you can鈥檛 skip the tutorial

Wetrix was an easily overlooked little puzzler. Released in 1998 for the N64 before getting ported to PC and Dreamcast, it was unconventional, to say the least. While the name is probably supposed to remind you of Tetris, there鈥檚 a lot more to it than trying to wipe out a wall of tetrominoes. The goal is to wall up areas to hold water, and doing a good job rewards you with ducks. I think we can all agree that?? ducks are a pretty great reward. They鈥檙e like chill geese that won鈥檛 drag your child? away.

If Wetrix was easily overlooked, its 2000 sequel blended in with the carpeting. Despite enjoying the original and knowing the existence of a follow-up, I only recently got around to trying it. That鈥檚 because it鈥檚 not named Wetrix 2 in North America. It鈥檚 Aqua Aqua.

[caption id="attachment_362813" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Uppers, downers, lefters, righters

To be clear, it鈥檚 only Aqua Aqua in North America. In Europe, it was Aqua Aqua: Wetrix 2.0, which gets the point a lot clearer. On the other hand, Japan had the stylized Aquaqua, which is slightly more fun to say. 鈥淎-kwa-kwa.鈥?/p>

The box art was also awful in North America. If the name wasn鈥檛 unrecognizable enough, the cover looks like it belongs at the bottom of a bargain bin. The game, on the other hand, doesn鈥檛 belong there. I mean, as long as you like Wetrix, it doesn鈥檛. And you should.

I outlined the basics above, and that largely remains accurate. In fact, I鈥檓 scouring my brain for any major differences between Wetrix and Aqua Aqua, and I鈥檓 coming up with bupkiss. You make ponds. Except for this time, your reward var??ies depending on the board you鈥檙e playing on. Sometimes it's dinosaurs, and dinosaurs are nearly as awesome as ducks.

You鈥檙e given a square of land to build on, and you create your pools by setting various bloc??k shapes on it that fall from the sky. These 鈥渦ppers鈥?aren鈥檛 the only things that drop on you, however. There are also 鈥渄owners,鈥?bombs, fire, water, and ice. You have to manage all these various terrain movers to create the biggest, deepest pools for your dinosaurs.

[caption id="attachment_362814" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Rainbow!

Actually, saying 鈥渂iggest, deepest,鈥?pools might be a bit inaccurate. Scoring is a bit of a mystery in Aqua Aqua, even after playing the tutorial. Essentially, points are scored for mos??t actions you take, whether it鈥檚 fixing a hole in the landscape or dropping enough uppers. To get higher scores, you need to build your multiplier, and there鈥檚 a slew of ways to do this.

One of the most obvious is simply by ?having more lakes. While having one big body of water has its advantages, more lakes will increase your multiplier. Having a certain amount of depth in one of these lakes will also attract the aforementioned 鈥渓ake mates鈥?like dinosaurs. They鈥檙e multipliers too. If you have enough water on your board, a rainbow will stretch across; that鈥檚 another multiplier. Finally, clearing water by dropping fire on it might land you with an item for your bingo board. Completing lines will do various things like鈥?increase you ?multiplier.

Aqua Aqua is more of an art than a science. It鈥檚 hard to be exact with it, but the main factor in deciding your success is not spilling a lot of water. As you spill water, ?a gauge fills, and when it鈥檚 at maximum, the round is over. The gauge also depletes, so losing a bit of liquid isn鈥檛 the end of the world.

[caption id="attachment_362815" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Ducks and Dinosaurs

One of the main new additions to Aqua Aqua is a story mode. Well, 鈥淪tory鈥?is a little generous, but it gives you a series of levels to play through. Four to be exact, which isn鈥檛 a lot and won鈥檛 take you very long provided you know the basics of how to play. The basics are something you have to know going into the story mode because it鈥檚 not unlocked until you play through an excrucia??ting tutorial. However, there is motivati??on to pursue higher scores on each of the stages.

The main wrinkle here is twofold. F??irst, the matches aren鈥檛 endless. Survive for enough time, and it ends. Second, there are monsters who will occasionally bombard your landscape. By getting enough points in the time before they show up, you can block their attacks, but even if they do hit you, it isn鈥檛 the end of the match. Us??ually, it will just jazz up your landscape a bit.

Be careful, however, if your aquascaping gets a bit too undulating, you鈥檒l?? trigger an earthquake. While these are survivable, they鈥檙e pretty devastating. You鈥檒l need to pop some dow?ners to prevent your board from becoming too bumpy. It鈥檚 a pretty nice mechanic that rounds out the skill you鈥檒l need to keep water held in.

[caption id="attachment_362817" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Another Wetrix

Aqua Aqua, and by extension, Wetrix, isn鈥檛 my favorite puzzle game, but it鈥檚 a nice deviation from block stackin??g and bit matching. There鈥檚 a lack of precision in a lot of its mechanics, but it鈥檚 easy-going enough to make up for these. Building ponds isn鈥檛 exactly as relaxing as it sounds, but it鈥檚 fun, especially if you have a second player to join in.

On the other hand, Aqua Aqua doesn鈥檛 really make much of a case for being a sequel. There were some new features planned, like the ability to expand the size of your board, but it was scrapped, and nothing was really dropped in place of it. There are these disgusting goblin things that roam around the screen, but they鈥檙e better off ignored. Instead, it鈥檚 mostly just Wetrix again, which is fine because it鈥檚 a pretty decent game. I wish there were nicer, more feature-packed modern ports, but Aqua Aqua was the last we鈥檇 see of the series.

For other retro titles you may have mi??ssed, click right here!

The post Aqua Aqua is the sequel to the moist-maker Wetrix appeared first on Destructoid.

These Disney worlds are not wishes your heart makes

The聽Kingdom Hearts聽series is known for its wondrous world design and impeccable recreation of Disney classics. However, as Sora strikes down the heartless one by one, the worlds he explores sometimes drag down the whole experience. They make you wish you ??were just watching the movies that inspired them.

From Sora feeling like the third wheel in the world of Arendelle to playing arduous mini-games in 100 Acre Wood, here are the ten worst Kingdom Hearts worlds.

10. Prankster's Paradise (Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance)

[caption id="attachment_361614" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Pinocchio聽is one of the most cherished Disney classics, and yet聽Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance's聽interpretation of it is so forgettable. It's hard to remember a story element, boss, or landmark to find in this world. Wha??t saves it from being further down the list is being able to rail over the rollercoaster track with the Flowmotion mechanic and the gorgeous music by Yoko Shimomura.

9. The Grid (Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance)

[caption id="attachment_361613" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

While the Rinzler battle at the end of the world is exhilarating, the rest of The Grid is absolutely dull. The environments are unimaginative open spaces with dark lighting and little wonder behind the art design. The Tron world in Kingdom Hearts 2聽was colorful,?? unique, and had intriguing areas to discover; it also has the light cycle mini-game that fits right into the canon of the world that Sora is stepping into. The ?repetitive electronic music in The Grid also gets irritating after ten minutes, and the storyline matters so little to the overall narrative. To add to all that, the live-action actors like Jeff Bridges look creepy with their low-poly models in this 3DS game.

8. Deep Space (Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep)

[caption id="attachment_362004" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Lilo & Stitch聽is a beloved Disney film, and yet its world in聽Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is lackluster. The reason? It's all set in the spaceship where Stitch is imprisoned. We don't get to explore the sandy beaches of Hawaii and surf along the waves. No, we have to find our way through a bland white ship, an annoying vertical area that requires plenty of platforming (not one of the series' strengths), and an awkward pinball-like exterior sectio?n that feels out of place. The boss fight with Gantu in Ventus' playthrough also leaves much to be inspired.

7. San Fransokyo (Kingdom Hearts 3)

[caption id="attachment_362362" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

San Fransokyo is a bad first impression of what Kingdom Hearts 4's聽Quadratum could be like. There is some neat Japanese-inspired architecture spread across the area, bu??t it has so little to do. There aren't any side quests like cooking in a fast food restaurant or defending citizens from the heartless.聽 It's also jarring that the world?? has invisible walls with Hiro calling you via video chat every time to move out of the area.

The original concept art for San Fransokyo in Kingdom Hearts 3 had so much promise. The idea is that the Baymax from the end of the movie, left in an interdimensional rift out of power, turns into a darker version of itself. The storyline in this world went for something way more forgettable, however. One of the few entertaining moments in this world is seeing Sora sitting alongside Hiro and his friends on the film's Asian interpretation of the Golden Gate Br??idge. It had a neat flashback to Roxas hanging out with his friends with sea salt ice cream on the clock tower.

6. Arendelle (Kingdom Hearts 3)

[caption id="attachment_362363" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

As one of the most successful Disney movies ever, Frozen聽was inevitably selected as a Kingdom Hearts 3 world, and it failed to impre?ss during Sora's third adventure. The storyline within Arendelle hardly includes Sora, as the Frozen characters barely interact with him. There's also a pointless recreation of the scene where Elsa sings "Let It Go." We could just watch the ?movie instead. Sora, Donald, and Goofy don't even team up with the powerful princess and instead are stuck with a buff snowman lacking in personality as a party member.

Square Enix had to pad out the story with a confusing maze out of ice. The strange waymarking and level design within this area leave players scratching their heads before they eventually escape. While the snow does look beautiful in Kingdom Hearts 3 with Sora leaving footprints on the ground, Arendelle felt like it was thrown in because it was mega popular rather than a well-rounded world to experience. At least the music stirs your heart as Sora ventures through this wintr?y landscape.

5. Monstro (Kingdom Hearts)

[caption id="attachment_362364" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Monstro is one of those Kingdom Hearts聽worlds that hasn't aged well. The insides of the whale are strung with untextured, alien-like blobs on the walls, and the overall level design makes you want to tear your hair out. The hallway placement is in a random manner as you traverse from chamber to chamber. It's hard to memorize which doorway goes where. This, mixed with the terrible camera in Kingdom Hearts, makes for an arduous experience.

While there's a lot of character development within this world for Riku and Sora, this is one part of the original game many fans grimace at the thought of.聽 The boss is also quite annoying as it poisons Sora wh?enever it touches the ground; thankfully, it's relatively easy if you use the Aero spell that helps defend the keyblade wielder.

4. 100 Acre Wood (Kingdom Hearts)

[caption id="attachment_362365" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

While聽Winnie The Pooh聽is a childhood favorite for many, the聽Kingdom Hearts聽games make his adventures so boring. It's supposed to be the one area that you feel safe in and take a break f??rom battling the heartless. On the other hand, there are some mini-gam??es that are time-consuming, irritating, or will make your brain go numb.

For example, the mini-game in which you're protecting Pooh from bees requires you to stand on a branch and strike the bees as they come by. This lasts for minutes, but it feels five times longer while pla??ying it. These mini-games truly test your patience.

Thankfully, this world is completely skippable, but it will give you valuable resources if you complete each chapter within the 100 Acre Wood, like an upgraded Stop spell and the Bambi summon. What makes it worse is that you have to ?collect torn pages in hidden areas of the game to gain access to each location of the 100 Acre Wood.

3. Atlantica (Kingdom Hearts)

[caption id="attachment_362366" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Atlantica is commonly critiqued by the Kingdom Hearts fanbase, and for good reason. The controls feel awkward, your move set is limited due to Sora's new merman form, and both of Ursula's boss fights are annoying to deal with. In addition, getting around is awkward, especially towards the latter half of the world, where you have to ride a dolphin to get to Ursula. It's never explained in any of the cutscenes, and when you do find the dolphin, tons of enemies spaw??n around it before you can grab its tail.

Getting back to Ursula, she's the final boss of the Atlantica world, and, my gosh, she's a nuisance. The only way to attack Ursula is by hitting her head, but she keeps casting spells that cause serious damage. Sometimes, it's really hard to avoid her incoming spells because of the awkward controls, and it's difficult to connect moves because of he??r frantic movement and Sora's limit??ed move set. Atlantica truly is one of the worst Kingdom Hearts worlds in existence.

2. Disney Town (Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep)

[caption id="attachment_362367" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Mini-games are the scourge of the Kingdom Hearts聽series, and most of your time in this world is spent playing them. From janky volleyball with fruit to the kind of kart racing you'd expect from a cheap Mario Kart聽clone, Disney Town is a curse on聽Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep. There's also a rhythm mini-game with Chip and Dale that feels out of sync. What makes it worse is that this sickly sweet world feels incredibly out of place within one of the darkest stories within the Kingdom Hearts聽canon. It's so bright, colorful, and silly that it doesn't match the tone聽Birth By Sleep聽is going for at all.

1. Deep Jungle (Kingdom Hearts)

[caption id="attachment_362368" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

While聽Tarzan聽is a nostalgia blast from the tail-end of the Disney Renaissance era, Square Enix plagues fans' memories of the film with terrible level design. The game doesn't clearly tell you where to go to activate the next story element, and even after multiple playthroughs of Kingdom Hearts,聽you'll get lost in the manic nature of? Deep Jungle.

While the story is rock solid as it builds the relationship between Donald and Sora, Deep Jungle is simply a mess??. Swinging around on the vines in this world is als?o awkward as you have to time your button presses between each jump. You'll fall many times due to the timing of these swings, the bad camera, and the strange jumps that Sora makes while platforming.

The post 10 worst Kingdom Hearts worlds, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

The best stuff that didn't come with the box

Games and consoles have lasted for around five decades, and you know what has been with them all this time? Gaming accessories. Many of these devices, like motion controllers and link cables, opened up new gaming opportunities that weren't available before. Others, like the Power Glove or the Sega Activator, wer?e merely expensive novelties. But some of the best gaming accessories make memorable experiences for everyone, and here are 10 of them for you to consider.

10. Game Shark or Action Replay

[caption id="attachment_360730" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Amazon Canada[/caption]

Game Shark and Action Replay used to be amazing resources for gamers on consoles like the PS2 and Nintendo DS. They're the ultimate cheating device that lets you gain legendary Pok茅mon from the get-go and even fight the final boss of Kingdom Hearts 2 in Mickey's throne room. You can even make Mario invincible throughout an entire playthrough of聽New Super Mario Bros.聽This kit helped make games easier and allowed for more intriguing playthr??????????????????????????oughs, making ?it one of the best gaming accessories you can purchase.

9. PlayStation Move

[caption id="attachment_360486" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot vi?a PlayStation's YouTu??be Channel[/caption]

The PlayStation Move isn't the grandest step in gaming on this list, but it has survived two, technically three, generations at this point. The Nintendo Wii brought a wave of casual gamers into the ecosystem with magnificent titles like Wii Sports聽and聽The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess聽utilizing its motion-based technology. When the PlayStation Move controllers launched in 2010 (four years after the Wii),聽Sports Champions聽was surprisingly compelling, especially with its swordplay and table tennis. There is also the highly underrated Sorcery聽that lets you live? out your wizard dreams with entertaining spell-based gameplay and inventive u??ses of the PlayStation Move technology.

The controller also felt more responsive than the Wii remote and nunchuck at the time with its camera-based tracking. The Move then was utilized for PlayStation VR on the PS4. While the gaming accessory p?ales in comparison to what Oculus provides with its own controller, the PlayStation Move helped bring in? new fans to the VR medium.

8. Kinect

[caption id="attachment_360660" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Harmonix[/caption]

Like the PlayStation Move, Xbox's Kinect tried to capture the casual audience that Nintendo's Wii brought into the space. To Microsoft's credit, the Kinect succeeded at doing that with over 24 million units sold, according to GameSpot. This is one of the best gaming accessories because it was extremely simple to use. You don't need a controller, eliminating a barrier of entry. The聽Dance Central聽series is a blast with flashy choreography, step-by-step instructions on how to pull off each move, and, most importantly, an excellent setlist. The pack-in game Kinect Adventures,聽while simple, was a thrill with fun mini-games for the whol??e family.

There were some stumbles, like Han Solo cringingly dancing to a spoof version of "Ridin' Solo" by Jason Derulo in Kinect Star Wars聽and poor body tracking in聽Sonic Free Riders.聽However, the Kinect stands tall as an excellent motion game accessory that has been? elevated into a tool for hospitals.

7. Dance Dance Revolution Pad

[caption id="attachment_361167" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot ?via Konami's YouTube Channel[/caption]

Dance Dance Revolution was ??a phenomenon back in the early 2000s. It took over arcades and the ho??????????????????????????me as well. Laying these mats on the floor, each direction that you input is commanded by your feet.

The goal of Dance Dance Revolution is to get the best score (or at least enough points to survive each song) and move your feet to the rhythm. As with the Kinect and Dance Central, the DDR pad is a great way to exercise and lose some pounds. Dance Dance Revolution was so popular that even a Super Mario spinoff was made exclusively for GameCube! Now, this unique controller is being used in legendary walkthroughs for games like Elden Ring.聽

6. Taiko Drum

[caption id="attachment_360729" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Bandai Namco[/caption]

One of the coolest arcade experiences around doesn't involve traveling to the far-off world in Halo or shooting criminals in Time Crisis. No, this game involves hitting a plastic drum in time to some sweet anime tunes. Taiko no Tatsujin, a rhythm game that uses a taiko drum as its instrument, is one of the best arcade games ??you can find. But arcades are pretty sparse these days, which is why it's a good thing Bandai Namco created a taiko drum accessory for home consoles like the PS2 and Nintendo Switch.

The concept is extremely simple but entertaining. Like Guitar Hero, you're drumming to the beat with sticks in your hands. Similar to an actual taiko drum, you can play the instrument in-game by hitting the inner circle of the drum (red) or the rim (blue). Hitting the pseudo-instrument, you get the tactile feeling of playing to the beat, and switching between the inner and outer sections of the drum is challenging yet satisfying to pull off. This, plus the addition of Nintendo, JPOP, and anime soundtracks to the song list, makes Taiko no Tatsujin a great rhythm game to sink your teeth into.

5. Wii MotionPlus

[caption id="attachment_361277" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Nintendo[/caption]

On the topic of Nintendo accessories, the Wii MotionPlus was a giant leap from the original Wii remote. You place this upgrade on the bottom of the original controller, and then a deeper level of accuracy is added to your games. Later on, Wii remotes with the MotionPlus technology already installed were released to the public. Wii Sports Resort聽is the best example of this tech, letting you wield a sword or throw a frisbee with greater precision than previously. It was almost like a leap from the PS4 to PS4 Pro but at a much lower cost. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword聽also utilizes the Wii Motion Plus. It tracks the movements of your hand, so you can slice an opponent in a specific way with the Master Sword, avoiding a brok??en shield and hitting ??the hip, for example. Shooting with the bow and arrow is also satisfying with this accessory. This Wii remote upgrade is easily one of the best gaming accessories in history.

4. Guitar Hero/Rock Band Controllers

[caption id="attachment_361169" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Harmonix[/caption]

Some of the best gaming accessories in existence (that sadly fill the stock rooms of thrift stores today) are the Guitar Hero聽and聽Rock Band聽instruments. The genre was a phenomenon back in the mid-late 2000s and these plastic peripherals were all the rage. It was thrilling to jam out with your mates until the wee hours of the morning, rocking out to songs from AC/DC, The Beatles, Aerosmith, Green Day, and the Ramones.

The guitar requires a level of accuracy as players strum the controller's buttons to play different notes. The drums, just like Taiko no Tatsujin, are聽satisfying to use and had a pedal that you had placed your foot down to keep in beat. Then, th??e least wanted role in the band, the singer, would hopefully provide the bars to get you through the song. It was a grand time as you finished the story mode, unlocked all the songs, and tried to get the ??best high scores on the leaderboard.

3. Game Link Cable for Game Boy

[caption id="attachment_361170" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Luis Quintero[/caption]

The Game Boy link cable isn't thought about much these days, but before Bluetooth wireless connections and Wi-Fi, this was the only way to trade Pok茅mon and play multiplayer games with another Game Boy owner. Part of Pok茅mon's early success was the ability to battle and trade with other players. To get a full Pok茅dex, you needed the link cable to trade, so Graveler could evolve into Golem, for example. Battling with your buddies was also cool as you could prove to your friends that training your Po茅mon was your cause. Fighting games like Street Fighter 2聽and聽Killer Instinct聽also supported this cable on the Game Boy Color.

2. The Fight Stick

[caption id="attachment_361171" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Hori[/caption]

Speaking of Bandai Namco, which has created the聽Tekken聽series, arcade fight sticks have helped elevate the competitive scene. Rather than begging your mom to go the arcade after school, you could play these fighting games with an arcade-style stick at your very own house. Decades later, fight sticks are now used at competitive fighting game events like Evo and CEO, among many others. They provide a great amount of precision with every movement of your character. In addition, the buttons are tactile and can help you make those split-second decisions within a match of Street Fighter V聽or Mortal Kombat 11.聽Some of them, however, are pretty expensive with HORI?'s Fighting S??tick Alpha ranging around $200.

1. PlayStation VR Headset

[caption id="attachment_361172" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Polyarc Games[/caption]

One of the most impressive gaming accessories ever made is the PlayStation VR. It is cheaper than the competition and sweeps you off into different worlds surprisingly well. The screen itself has a lower resolution, but seeing Quill in Moss beneath you in its small mouse form looking at you is something else. The deep perspective you gain from the device is absolutely marvelous. It truly sucks you into the narratives that games like Wanderer or Trover Saves The Universe are trying to tell. You can play the entirety of Resident Evil 7 on this thing, and it's intense. The inventiveness of Astro Bot: Rescue Mission with t??he ??VR headset, like hitting an obstacle with your head, is marvelous.

The previously mentioned PlayStation Move controllers work well enough as your input as you shoot objects in front of you and strike foes with a sword. The PlayStation VR 2 will likely be an upgrade, but with the price that it's offered at and the poor launch window lineup, i??t might be worth checking out the original PlayStation VR heads?et while it's cheap used.

The post 10 best gaming accessories, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Revisiting a few retro classics on the PlayStation 2

Throughout the thirteen-year-long lifespan of the PlayStation 2, from 2000 to 2013, we saw the release of many enormously successful and beloved titles. While several of these titles have resurfaced in recent years, in the form of remasters, remakes, and re-imaginings, it's worthwhile diving back in time to appreciate them in their original glory. As with any list, there are many other excellent candidates worth checking out, but for those looking to experience (or re?-experience) what the PlayStation 2 has to offer, these entries are a good place to start.

[caption id="attachment_358111" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via MobyGames[/caption]

10. Tony Hawk鈥檚 Pro Skater 3

When it comes to skateboarding games, and by extension, the skateboarding scene in general, few names have reached the same level of international popularity as Tony Hawk. Developed by Neversoft, and published by Activision, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3, on the PlayStation 2, built upon the formula previously established by earlier Tony Hawk games.

Among the many other new additions was the Hidden Combo system, which greatly expanded players鈥?ability to create and pull off complex trick combos for additional rewards. Its online multiplayer capabilities, while a bit rudimentary ??by today鈥檚 standards, were also a notable first for the series. Despite the title now being old enough to drink as well as skate, it still stands the test of time as one of the greatest skateboarding games of all time.

[caption id="attachment_358114" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via MobyGames[/caption]

9. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

It鈥檚 hard not to find yourself swept away at times, like you're in a desert wind, by this aged PlayStation 2 classic. Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time combines several popular game mechanics of the time, and repackages them in slightly uno??rthodox w?ays.

Its excellent parkour and platforming mechanics, complimented by the game鈥檚 unique time ?manipulation mechanics, grant a combined richness and complexity that help the game stand out from its contemporarie??s, both then and now. The fleshed-out combat system allows players more freedom with which to respond to enemy attacks, while still visually appearing as a fluid dance of blow and counter-blow.

With a remake now in development at U?bisoft, there鈥檚 no better time for new and existing players to dive back into this original classic.

[caption id="attachment_358452" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via MobyGames[/caption]

8. Spider-Man 2

With all eyes currently on the upcoming聽Marvel's Spider-Man 2, in development at Insomniac Games, it鈥檚 easy to forget the wall-crawler鈥檚 earlier PS2 title of the same name. Based loosely on the 2004 film of the same name, Spider-Man 2 gave players the free ?rein to explore the questionably-rendered New York City landscape, performing heroic deeds both great and small, and of course, delivering pizza. Even your friendly neighborhood superhero needs to pay the rent.

While Treyarch has, in more recent years, built up mainstream appeal through its work on the Call of Duty franchise, particularly the Call of Duty Black Ops series, most fans would probably concede that its earlier work on the console releases of Spider-Man 2 was spectacular, even amazing. The web-swinging mechanics in particular received praise for their fluidity. This system would later go on to inspire future developers, including Insomniac, who expanded and enhanced this system with improved realism and additional functionality. Peter Parker鈥檚 legacy would live on in both future games and internet memes alike??.

[caption id="attachment_358453" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via MobyGames[/caption]

7. Gauntlet: Dark Legacy

While many modern players have at least passing familiarity with Activision Blizzard鈥檚 Diablo franchise and other, more recent major AAA entries in the action RPG genre, it鈥檚 comparatively easy to overlook older retro titles that once dominated the industry, such as Midway鈥檚 Gauntlet: Dark Legacy. Dark Legacy acts as both a remaster of, and an expansion to, the original retro arcade and console game. Among the slew of added content were both new levels and character types for the player to unlo??ck, as well as enhanced 3D graphics.

With simple but entertaining puzzles, a satisfying combat system with a ton of purchasable upgrades and one-use items, and challenging boss fights, Gauntlet: Dark Legacy remains a great solo or local co-op experience to this day. Also, anyone who hasn鈥檛 yet experienced the twisted?? irony of hearing the ever-present narrator announce: 鈥淩ed Dwarf needs food badly!鈥? only for said player to grab two cherries hovering over the ground, and be met with: 鈥淩ed Dwarf is greedy鈥? has really been missing out.

[caption id="attachment_358126" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via MobyGames[/caption]

6. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2

For those who feel that simply cutting in and out of traffic, or pulling off clever drifts, are too mundane, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 attempts to satisfy that heightened craving for danger and destruction. The gimmick behind this particular Need For Speed title is infer?red in the name itself. Instead of just pitting yourself against normal NPC racers, now you have a fully-equipped police department intensely eager to put an end to your flagrantly law-evading ways.

Hot Pursuit 2 follows on the heels of 1998鈥檚 Need For Speed III: Hot Pursuit, introducing vastly improved graphics, a reworked pursuit system, (where the police would gradually roll out spike tra??ps, helicopters, and other units in response to the player鈥檚 increasing aggression,) and a wide assortment of new customizable vehicles for the player to unlock. One of the only downsides to the PlayStation 2 port is the absence of the Career Mode. However, while notable, this is but a slight disappointment, compared with the self-evident childish fun one can have smashing through police cars and pulling off ridiculous maneuvers left and right.

[caption id="attachment_358313" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via? Sony Interact?ive Entertainment[/caption]

5. God of War

It鈥檚 easy to forget that, before fatherhood and the associated 鈥淏oy!鈥?memes were introduced in Santa Monica Studios鈥?soft reboot of the franchise in 2018, Kratos first smashed his way onto the worldwide stage during the PlayStation 2鈥檚 lifespan, in 2005鈥檚 seminal God of War. The plot behind the original God of War is fairly straightforward: For reasons of his own, Kratos decides to take vengeance on the gods of Olympus, and may the be?st man (himself) win.

The hack-and-slash formula works well here, as does the often excessive brutality of Kratos鈥?attacks. He is the stereotypical no-nonsense protagonist who knows exactly what he wants, and doesn鈥檛 particularly care how large a body count he leaves in his wake along the way. If the player can get past the inherent over-the-top absurdity present throughout the na??rrative, it can be an absolutely divine experience.

[caption id="attachment_358130" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via MobyGames[/caption]

4. Star Wars: Battlefront II

Of all the Star Wars games that have been released over the past 40 or so years, few indeed have come close to matching the thrills of playing as any one of several classic legacy characters, on a vast number of iconic exotic locales. While its story campaign still holds up fairly well even by today鈥檚 standards, it鈥檚 the multiplayer experience that largely defines Battlefront II鈥檚 legacy.

The sequel introduced many new features, such as online multiplayer support for up to 32 concurrent players, an overhauled AI system for friendly and hostile bots, and more. Its popular 鈥淗eroes vs Villains鈥?mode even allowed players the opportunity to put some of the galaxy鈥檚 most notable characters in team deathmatches against one another. It鈥檚 hard to say no to a Star Wars game that allows Boba Fett, Yoda, Darth Vader, and Mace Windu to brawl openl??y in a public street.

[caption id="attachment_358131" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via MobyGames[/caption]

3. Bully

With Grand Theft Auto V, and its associated Grand Theft Auto Online component, continually racking in mountains of cash that would make even Scrooge McDuck envious, it鈥檚 easy to overlook some of Rockstar Games鈥?prior works, as is the case with Bully. Everything about it, from its story, to its world design, feels deliberately small in scale. (Almost small enough to fit into a school locker.) When contrasted with the sprawling vistas and adrenaline-pumping action of other Rockstar franchises like Grand Theft Auto or Red Dead Redemption, it can be hard to associate the quieter, mundane world of Bully with these giants.

Bully puts the player in the shoes of protagonist Jimmy Hop?kins, as he attends Bullworth Academy, a fictitious satirical interpretation of elitist private schools in the northeast US region. In traditional Rockstar fashion, you have a ton of comedic cliches and tropes on display. The alcoholic and depressed English teacher, the creepy Gym teacher, the strict Math teacher, etc., all overseen by a pompous principal who definitely doesn鈥檛 take a liking to you at the start of the game. (鈥淵ou will keep your nose clean, boy, or I shall clean it myself!鈥?

While the combat and navigation controls are a bit janky, the story, characters, and charming satirical humor manage to hold this game together as an underrated gem that stands the test of ti?me.

[caption id="attachment_358454" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Rockstar Games[/caption]

2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

When compiling any 鈥淏est of鈥?retro games list involving sixth-generation consoles such as the PlayStation 2, it鈥檚 almost impossible not to mention Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. While its name has been dragged through the mud recently, owing to Rockstar鈥檚 disastrous remaster bundle Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy, its generational influence remains uncontested.

With an art style that pops out at the player, a crew of iconic characters spouting quotable lines, and a world that was not only open, but also felt alive, it鈥檚 hard not to appreciate how much Rockstar Games was able to pull off here, given the technological limitations of the time. ??So if you鈥檝e not yet played through this classic, go buy yourself 鈥渁 number six with extra dip鈥? before ?sitting back and causing some destruction.

[caption id="attachment_358314" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Capcom[/caption]

1. Resident Evil 4

"Where's everyone going? Bingo?" - Leon Kennedy

While Leon鈥檚 cliche observational humor might occasionally tread into the area of dad jokes and general embarrassment, it can indirectly be a welcome distraction at times, as the player navigates the treacherous world of Resident Evil 4. Gone are the generic zombies looking to just scratch or bite you. Present instead are eerie axe-wielding psychopathic villagers and other, worse fi??ends best left undescr?ibed.

Resident Evil 4 acts as a soft reboot for the franchise, placing a heavier emphasis on ac?tion, specifically combat. That said, a smart player quickly learns when to hold their ground, when to walk away, and when to run. Wh??ile this fourth entry in the main series offers a reasonable degree of difficulty for both new and experienced players, the mostly linear structure makes it unlikely you鈥檒l ever find yourself too far off the correct path.

With a remake little more than two months away, players will soon have the opportunity to jump into a reimagined adaptation of this beloved horror cl??assic.

If you're in the mood for another great list, here are the ten best PlayStation 2 games, ranked 鈥?iconic status aside.

The post The 10 most iconic PlayStation 2 games, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life

The Matrix was red hot when I was in high school. I remember the anticipation my friends and I had for the upcoming Matrix Reloaded. I also remember the subtle disappointment that crept in when it was released. It wasn鈥檛 horrible, I guess it just wasn鈥檛 what we were hoping for. Matrix Revolutions kind of just nailed the coffi?n shut. What a dark time.

Around that time came Enter the Matrix, which probably still stands as the most ambitious attempt to tie a game into a movie series鈥?canon. The Wachowskis were heavily involved, the live-action cutscenes had the same look as the movie, and parts of the plot were heavily extrapolated in the game. From a narrative perspective, it fit so well, but when it came to gameplay, well鈥?/p>

I wasn鈥檛 terribly impressed by it as a teenager. My favorite part was the way you could unlock cheats through this command line mini-game. It was really cool, and someone obviously put a lot of work into it. The rest of the game, though. Somehow Enter the Matrix is even worse than I remember.

[caption id="attachment_357363" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Never send a human to do a machine's job

I find it amusing that the complaint I remember most about when Enter the Matrix was going through the press wringer is that you don鈥檛 get to play as Neo. He features very little in the game as a whole, even though the plot is parallel to the movie. Instead, you play as either Naobi or Ghost, who are featured in Matrix Reloaded in more minor ways.

The plot might be the one reason to ever return to Enter the Matrix. As I said earlier, the Wachowskis filmed over an hour of cutscenes with the actors. Without any introduction to the materials, you might鈥檝e mistaken them for being pulled directly from Matrix Reloaded rather than having been made fo??r the game. Some elements that were glossed over in the movie receive greater detail in the game. The recall of the captains, the highway chase, and the sabotage of the power plant all cross over with the movie, lending greater context to the plotlines.

I鈥檇 make the comparison and say that this is like Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, but that was a plot inserted in and around the existing material. Enter the Matrix was?? designed to sit alo??ngside it, and while this is tantalizingly ambitious, it would not only prove to be the game鈥檚 downfall but would also cheapen the movie.

[caption id="attachment_357364" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

How do you define real?

The most major issue that arose from having Enter the Matrix be intended as a companion piece is that it had to come out in unison with the movie. Although Enter the Matrix did have? a reasonable development time of about 2 years, it鈥檚 plain to see that it wasn鈥檛 finished. There are a lot of great idea?s and small touches, but I鈥檇 have a difficult time fingering one that feels tight or polished.

If I had to theorize, I鈥檇 imagine that the development time wasn鈥檛 sufficient due to both the difficulty in working closely with the Wachowskis and over-ambition. I鈥檓 not implying the Wachowskis were demanding 鈥?I haven鈥檛 seen either side of the development stating complaints 鈥?it鈥檚 more that they were already busy directing the movies and coordinating with animators for the Animatrix.

That鈥檚 enough theorizing, however. The result is that the game is a mess. It鈥檚 the debris from a city-destroying meteorite impact. Contemporary reviews weren鈥檛 great, and more recent retrospectives seem to dance around the game鈥檚 failing, but often while playing through Enter the Matrix, my brain conjured images from Superman for the N64. I鈥檓 not saying it鈥檚 as bad, but the way that nothing seems to c??lick into place is just eerily sim?ilar.

[caption id="attachment_357365" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Not like this

That鈥檚 not to say there鈥檚 nothing of value in Enter the Matrix beyond the high-quality cutscenes. A lot of its idea would have been neat if they were executed with a greater degree of polish. The interplay between hand-to-hand combat and gunslinging is, uh, present. You can point to Max Payne as being a better Matrix series, but t?hey games are more about shootouts and omit the martial arts that contribute to a lot of fight scen?es.

However, actually getting in a shootout is as basic and boring as it could possibly be. Drawing your weapon and firing is the same button on the Gamecube controller, and you merely need to vaguely point your character in the direction of what you want to die and they鈥檒l handle the rest as best they can. If you鈥檙e feeling sassy, you can lock on with R, but remember to let go when you want to target someone else because your character doesn鈥檛 take death as a good reason to change targets. You can zoom in and aim manually, but only if you don鈥檛 trust your character, which is understandable. Sometimes they鈥檙e willing to aim at the person across the room, but more often, they won鈥檛 acknowledge them until they鈥檙e being given a ??lapdance.

You can activate focus, which is usually more affectionately known as 鈥渂ullet time.鈥?Using this not only gives you more opportunity to react, but also makes your character hit harder and aim better. You can also dodge bullets and leap around like a gibbon on a hot plate, which gives you basically everything you need for a complete Matrix experience, so long as it can ??stop squirreling out for a few minutes.

[caption id="attachment_357366" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Denial is the most predictable of all human responses

Again, to the credit of Enter the Matrix, there鈥檚 a lot of contextualized movement in the game. You can run up walls, dive backward, dive forward, run up a wall and kick someone in the face. If all of this was combined in a way that was well polished, ??it would open up for some pretty grand gun-fu. Instead, it鈥檚 more often just slow-motion slap-fighting.

The A.I. is cataclysmically daft. Mashing buttons never really fails to work; it鈥檚 mostly just up to you whether you kick or punch them to death. There are throws and disarming techniques, but when slow-motion fists work so well, I rarely found a need for it. If anything, throwing someone to the ground was detrimental to your progress, as trying to hit someone when they鈥檙e down is so dishonorable, that your character will rarely cooperate and do it. Shooting them when they鈥檙e down is much? more reliable, but it takes a decade to pu??ll a shotgun out of your pants.

All the action is apparently motion-captured by the actor鈥檚 stunt doubles, and a lot of effort has gone into replicating the choreography of the movi?e, but it all goes together in such a jittery, incohesi?ve mess. On medium difficulty, learning how to pull off all the maneuvers isn鈥檛 even as important as managing your focus and health as resources.

[caption id="attachment_357367" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Fate, it seems, is not without a sense of irony

That鈥?檚 to say nothing of the horrendous level design that left me lost in areas where I had already been. Or the in-game cu?tscenes that sometimes feel like they were edited together at the very last minute. Much of the non-combat animation is horrendous and the graphics for a 2003 game are terrible. Once again, all things that point to a rushed development.

Playing as Ghost and Niobe allow for some divergence. Levels play out differently, and while sometimes the objectives are the same, in some situ??ations, you actually complete complimenting goals. Niobe always drives the vehicles, for example, while Ghost rides shotgun. With Niobe, you actually get behind the wheel in some poorly designed driving sections, whereas Ghost has more of an on-rails shooter.

When it all comes together, 鈥渏ank鈥?isn鈥檛 a sufficient word to describe the sheer depth of the problems Enter the Matrix has. I play a lot of bad games, as that鈥檚 the point of this column, but rarely have I been as awestruck as I鈥檝e been with Enter the Matrix. It鈥檚 obvious there was a lot of passion behind the project, but what we got was the interactive equivalent of emptying a toaster鈥檚 crumb trap. I鈥檇 say it would be worth playing merely as a companion to Matrix Reloaded, but the possibility that I鈥檇 be interested in another watch of that movie seems rather r??emote.

This is a long shot, but what I would love is if someone made another attempt at Enter the Matrix. Like, take the cutscenes and build an entirely new game around them. With new talent, modern technology, and no looming deadline, just try the concept again. That鈥檚 a situation where I鈥檇 actually watch Matrix Reloaded again; if the video game companion to it was actually worth pl?aying.

For previous Weekly Kusoge, check this link!

The post Enter the Matrix will have you taking pills appeared first on Destructoid.

Perfectly level flying is the supreme challenge of the scale-model pilot

Sky Odyssey was a community recommendation from way, way back. Since then, I鈥檝e had it earmarked, and I鈥檓 not sure why it鈥檚 taken me so long to get around to it. It was pitched to me as 鈥渓ike Pilotwings,鈥?and I鈥檓 an absolute sucker for Pilotwings. As it turns out, it鈥檚 an apt comparison. It feels like the logical conclusion to the original SNES title鈥檚 fi??xed-wing biplane challenges.

I鈥檓 also something of a fan of flight sims, but have you noticed that there鈥檚 a dearth of arcade flight simulators? There are plenty of games about spitting ordinance at other aviators and many about just flying, but w??hy am I not seeking out treasure or being encouraged to fly recklessly? A game that鈥檚 like, 鈥渢here鈥檚 a massive storm; why not land on an aircraft?? carrier?鈥?and you do that because there鈥檚 nothing more awesome to do.

And that鈥檚 2000's Sky Odyssey. It鈥檚 one of those games that makes you won?der why we don鈥檛 get more games like it.

There's nothing more awesome

Here鈥檚 how a typical mission is set up in Sky Odyssey: cross the strait between islands. You are low on fuel?. Rendezvous with an air tanker for more fuel. There鈥檚 fog. There are strong gusts. The islands below you are crumbling. Try not to die.

Sky Odyssey is a game that tells you to fly through air currents to pick up speed, then you find yourself fighting for control of your plane as it鈥檚 swept along. There are no half-measures here. In the first mission, you鈥檙e already threading through a ravine. The second mission of Sky Odyssey starts with your fuel line leaking, and you鈥檙e forced to mat??ch speeds with a train to top up and make it to the runway. I don鈥檛 know why y??ou took off in the first place. Everyone told you that your fuel line was leaking; were you just not listening? It鈥檚 pretty fortunate that there鈥檚 a fuel train leaving the station right when you鈥檙e set to take off.

It feels like the design document was, 鈥淲hat鈥檚 the coolest thing you can do in a plane?鈥?Below that was 鈥淲ithout combat.鈥?And then below that was, 鈥淣ot in the bathroom.鈥?Every mission starts with 鈥済o to this location,鈥?and then they just start adding in the sorts of nightmares that planes wake up screaming from. If Sky Odyssey ever got a ??sequel, they could only top these things with dragons an?d exploding zeppelins. Which I鈥檓 on board for.

This isn't about transportation, it's about survival

It aims for a sweet spot between flight simulator and action game and nails it with unimaginable accuracy. The whole story involves hunting for treasure in the most air transportation unfriendly chain of islands in existence. It鈥檚 mostly just a f?ramework to connect a bunch of harrowing flight missions around. This isn鈥檛 about transportation, it鈥檚 about survival. Survival in a world that really hates powered flight.

Along the way, you get to customize your plane, and this is sort of where I find Sky Odyssey to be at its weakest. There are three planes to start with, and anything beyond that is locked behind ridiculous criteria that are unexplained. Usually, this ?means beating the game鈥檚 ?other modes within time or point constraints, but one involves landing on alternate runways. It鈥檚 cool as an extra special feature, but the three planes you're left with aren鈥檛 that exciting.

You get to choose a custom part every time you complete a mission. There are lots of ways to tweak your plane鈥檚 weight and power, ?but there鈥檚 usually little indication going into a mission that giving a specific attribute attention is beneficial.? So, if you start a mission and find that a lightweight plane gets thrown around too easily, you have to fully exit back to the initial menu to be able to tweak things. It really throws a damper on experimentation and maximizing efficiency.

Orchestral defense

Sky Odyssey is also not a very long game. There aren鈥檛 a tonne of missions, but frustratingly, if you crash during a level, you have to start t?he whole thing from the beginning. Some flights can take up to 10 minutes, and it鈥檚 an absolute pain to do the whole thing again because of a small mistake. One time, I made the mistake of pulling up too hard while I was decelerating on a runway, and my plane spontaneously disass??embled itself on the tarmac. I鈥檓 not sure whether it was a glitch or just something I don鈥檛 understand about aviation, but having to do the whole mission again when I was literally at the finish line is a horrible feeling.

This leads to this horrible problem that I鈥檓 not sure anyone else has. After a setback, I want to walk away from Sky Odyssey, but it鈥檚 just sl?ightly not compelling enou?gh to make me eager to come back to it.

One of the most striking things about Sky Odyssey is its soundtrack. It was scored by Kow Otani, who also did Shadow of the Colossus. It鈥檚 incredible. It鈥檚 intense. While Pilotwings leaned hard on some weird electro-jazz, Sky Odyssey feels like someone composed for a historical epic that got canceled, so they s?hifted all the tracks over to this flight simulator. When a pack of wolves is let loose in a concert hall, this is how an orchestra pleads for its life. It makes flying through a ravine sound like a climactic moment.

Citizen Plane

I think Sky Odyssey came out at the wrong time when we didn鈥檛 realize we鈥檇 be in for a rather homogeneous two decades of flight games. It鈥檚 like Citizen Kane: misunderstood in its own time but worth re????-examining today. It鈥檚 Citizen Plane. Yes, I think I鈥檓 really clever for coming up with that one.

I can imagine two ways that Sky Odyssey could be improved for a sequel. The first is simply to move it to modern hardware so more severe weather si?tuations could be incorporated. Things like tornados, for example. The second way would be to embrace the ridiculousness. Add in aliens, end-of-world weather, and make me fly to space or something. Activision or Sony or whoever owns the rights, give me a call, and I鈥檒l put together some design ideas. Except, I keep my phone on silent, so if I don鈥檛 pick up, I鈥檒l call you back.

For other retro titles? you may have missed, click right? here!

The post Sky Odyssey for PS2 gives airplanes the cold s?weats appeared first on Destructoid.