Ok. This is the very first post to appear on ButtonSmasher regarding Sony’s ridiculously successful PlayStation 2 console and I do feel we should be doing something special about it. Unfortunately, lacking silly hats we wont. Sorry, but that’s how life is. Unfair and not very gentlemanly. Anyway. Let me suggest you have a look at five of the best games (very) recently released for the old thing instead. If nothing else, you might just be convinced that the PS2 is far from dying or being replaced by them PS3 thingies.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Konami): the latest version of the best football franchise for the PlayStation. Plays a proper game and almost manages to feel as good as Sensible Soccer. Oh, and it’s the first high scoring version if you know what I mean.

Guitar Hero III (Activision): classic guitar clicking with some lovely -if not classic- rock tunes. The visuals and play modes have been updated too and this time around you might actually enjoy the fact that it comes with wireless guitars.

Grim Grimoire (Koei): a rare real time strategy offering, that actually works almost as well as your average PC RTS. Happily sports some mighty impressive manga style visuals and interesting RPG bits.

Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (Square Enix): the most impressive RPG to ever hit the PS2. Fantastic graphics, an excellent fighting system and a very Euro-RPG feel help it stand out. Also manages to pull off a pretty unusual 2D/3D mix of gaming styles.

Buzz! the Mega Quiz (Sony): shockingly a quiz game. Moderately enjoyable, massively popular and rather on the kids-friendly side of thing, but it does come with four outrageous controllers.

Posted on January 29th, 2008 by konstantinos