So I'm home from college for winter break and both my X360 and my GameCube are at school. The only console I have here is my barely-used PlayStation 2. And when I say barely used, I mean it - I've never actually finished a PS2 game before. I picked it up for bargain bin prices about a year ago as I figured it would be one of my last chances to buy one new, and seeing how it's the best selling game console of all time I figured I should probably have one. So for someone who is new to the console, what are some ESSENTIAL games to own? Preferably ones that aren't multi-console (though if it wasn't released on the GC I've probably never played it).

Also, here is what I own at the moment. What should I play first as I build up my collection?

• Manhunt
• Persona 4
• Ratchet & Clank
• Final Fantasy X

FFX is definitely the best game there. 
I feel as though Ratchet wouldn't hold up too well now, and I never got to into Manhunt. P4 is good, but a HUGE time commitment, and no where near as good as FFX.

Ratchet and Clank, Final Fantasy X, Manhunt, Persona 4

From what you have Final Fantasy X. Metal Gear Solid 3 is really great, then there are the God of War games. I've also heard that Odin Sphere is really good.

@ESREVER said:

Ratchet and Clank, Final Fantasy X, Manhunt, Persona 4

That's what I'd recommend, but only because I haven't played the latter two games.

The original Ratchet and Clank really doesn't hold up too well, some of the control options feel funny. When you get used to it, it's a solid and interesting game but strafing is handled especially funky, among other things.

Don't let this fool you into thinking that the subsequent Ratchet games have such problems. They don't. They're actually excellent. Going Commando is a great place to start. And I would still recommend Ratchet and Clank out of all of those anyway.

Other games you should play include Burnout Revenge, Devil May Cry 3, the Jak and Daxter series, and Kingdom Hearts.

Of the two JRPGs, I'd say start with FFX. It's shorter than Persona 4 which is a pretty slow burn.

Google top ps2 games.

Try getting a PS3 for xmas, HD remakes ain't going no where.

I think I'll start with R&C since I recently played through FFXIII and don't feel like starting up another FF so soon after. Do the PS2 Gran Turismo's hold up? If so, which one is best?

Thanks for the help guys!

You could play FFX or Persona 4, whichever grabs your attention better.

Games you should consider:

• Persona 3 FES
• Killer 7
• Final Fantasy XII
• Resident Evil 4
• Resident Evil Code Veronica X

Persona 3

Killer 7

Okami

Shadow Hearts 1+2

Ratchet and Clank first, then Final Fantasy X.

SSX, God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, ICO (Kinda high priced though), and RE4 are all games you should play too, if you have the time.

That's quite a collection. If you have the time and patience, Persona 4. If you want quick arcady fun, Ratchet and Clank.

Shadow of the Colossus, FF XII, and Okami are the big holes in your collection. And I think everyone should play some dumb extreme sports game from the early 00s but they were mostly multiplatform so you probably have. I feel like Matt Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 is the best alternative to the Tony Hawk games if skateboarding isn't your style, but I've never played an SSX game so those might be good too.

if u like jrpgz then go for persona4 ......its the most unique of them all :)

GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas are good games to own. At this point I've gotten rid of most of my PS2 games (wish I didn't). So I'm having a hard time remembering which I liked the most. Spiderman 2 was a really good open world beat-em up. The Metal Gear games are really good, but it's always best to get the Substance/Subsistence versions. ahh... now I'm just bummed out that I traded in all my old games...