Summary
The PS2 quickly became the most popular console during the early 2000s. It was thanks to Sony taking a chance with the PS1 that led to the console’s success. Everyone wanted a piece of it, creating one of the largest libraries and a hard one to complete for collectors.
Tracking them down is one thing, but the prices are another. That’s because a majority were never released outside of Japan, leading to some cultural obscurity in the West. Even games that did release over here didn’t always get the biggest press. Here’s a breakthrough of some obscure games that are probably just waiting to be revisitedon the PS2.
8Demolition Girl
Too Many Games To Name
TheSimple Seriesbegan on the PS1 and offered Japanese players cheap games with silly gimmicks. It ballooned with the release of the PS2 as there were dozens of games, and some even grew into real franchises separated from the Simple Series, includingOnechanbaraandEarth Defense Force. They offer some of the weirdest gameplay mechanics and premises around, likeSimple 2000 Series Vol. 50: The Daibijin, or as it was known in Europe,Demolition Girl.
It’sa kaiju gameexcept that the “monster” is a bikini-clad model that players have to blast with military vehicles. OtherSimple Serieshighlights includeSimple 2000 Series Vol. 105: The Maid Fuku to Kikanjuu, which supports gun-toting maids, andSimple 2000 Series Vol. 113: The Tairyou Jigoku, which features a school girl running from bug-infested buildings.
7Dog Of Bay
Before Cats There Was
Remember when the 2019 version ofCatswas released and viewers were so appalled that the studio had to reissue a patched version in theaters? Now imagine playing a game with anthropomorphic dog people instead, who look just as off-putting as the cat people inCats, and that’s basicallyDog of Bay.
It’s a rhythm game featuring various performers trying to put on a show through basic interactions. It’s hard to watch, let alone play, thanks to the character designs, unlike anotherPlayStation rhythm game,Parappa the Rapper, as the anthropomorphic animals in that game are cuter and stylized better.
6Dragon Quest 5: The Heavenly Bride
There’s A 3D Remake?!
Dragon Quest 5: The Heavenly Bridewas originally released in Japan in 1992 for the SNES, and most have probably heard of it. It was groundbreaking for several reasons, including the ability to recruit monsters Pokemon-style, except that this was four years before Game Freak made their hit games in Japan. The first time North America got a chance to play the game was on the DS in 2009, which was a remake of sorts, but graphically it was a minor upgrade from the SNES version.
The bigger remake happened on the PS2 in 2004, which most probably don’t know about. Exclusive to Japan, this was a full 3D remake and the only one of its kind for the early games in the series, making it a real letdown for English fans who want to enjoy it.
5Fengshen Yanyi 2
Mystic Hero Fans Rejoice
While not a huge game, PS2 and GameCube fans might rememberMystic Heroes, which looked like aDynasty Warriorsspinoff if it were more childlike, akin toKingdom Hearts. Most fans of that game probably had no idea of its legacy in Japan, as there were several other games directly and indirectly tied to it.
It began withFengshen Yanyion the PS1, which was a tactical RPG that used typical grid-based gameplay. When it made the leap to the PS2,Fengshen Yanyi 2wasan action RPG, which then led toMystic Heroesas the third title.Mystic Heroeshad a GBA port as well, but it, too, remains trapped in Japan.
4Gekibo: Gekisha Boy 2
Look Out For Creepers
Gekibo: Gekisha Boywas released for the TurboGrafx-16 in 1992, which then got a PS1 port. This then led to a PS2 exclusive sequel,Gekibo: Gekisha Boy 2, which almost got a European port entitledPolaroid Pete, but it was canceled even after a prototype was made.
Both games are like a 2D version ofPokemon Snap, wherein players had to snap weird photos of NPCs while they were set on a guided path similarto on-rail shooters. The games are beyond weird and not family-friendly likePokemon Snap, but that doesn’t mean that they’re bad either.
3Jan Sangoku Musou
Put The Weapons Down For Tiles
Dynasty Warriorsstarted as a fighting game on the PS1 before becoming a giant action RPG franchise with tons of spinoffs fromSamurai WarriorstoHyrule Warriors.Most Musou-style spinoffswere also action-based, but that was not the case withJan Sangoku Musou, which featured manyDynasty Warriorscharacters competing in mahjong tournaments.
It should come as no surprise that it wasn’t released outside of Japan since mahjong isn’t that widely popular in Western territories. It’s also strange that it received a standalone title because there have been board game-style mini-games packaged with bigger releases like Sugoroku inSamurai Warriors 2.
2Metal Slug (2006)
There’s A 3D Game?
Similar to the PS2 remake ofDragon Quest 5: The Heavenly Bride, theMetal Slugseries saw a new 3D entry in the series, and the only one of its kind. What makes it weird is that most of the game’s menus can be read in English, and the voiceovers are dubbed, which isn’t completely unusual for Japanese exclusives.
Metal Wolf Chaosis another example from this era that was a Japanese exclusive, for the original Xbox, that featured English voice talent. The 2006Metal Sluggame featured similar gameplay mechanics as the 2D entries, such as multiple characters and weapons to play with and a goofy story. It’s a curiosity for sure if players have a decent Japanese PS2 setup.
1Seaman 2: The Peking Man Rearing Kit
A Hidden Sequel
Seamanwas one of the weirdest titles that players could buy forthe Sega Dreamcast, featuring a fish with a man’s face that they had to feed and interact with. Strange yet, Leonard Nimoy was the narrator, adding some class to the experience.
As obscure as it was, it got an even more buried sequel calledSeaman 2: The Peking Man Rearing Kit, which was only released on the PS2 in Japan following a PS2 port of the first game. The gameplay was expanded to offer more sim elements beyond just feeding a man-fish, but it sadly lacks Leonard Nimoy as a voiceover.
