The PS2 games on this list represent the best that this summer has to offer. Some of them may not come out until late summer, but they'll be worth the wait. Traditionally, summer is a rough time for gamers. Lots of evil sun, few cool videogames. So feel free to use this list to find what few gems are out there, either for yourself or a loved one. The Top Ten PS2 Games of Summer are upon us.
1. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories - Driving/Shooting
You're going to buy, it. I'm going to buy it. It's GTA, we'll all buy it. Yes, this is the world's strangest port: handheld to console, and it shows. This is not the tightest GTA game out there, and the graphics are not on par with many of the new releases. But Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is fun, and it does have all the wide-open gameplay balanced with intriguing story that makes Grand Theft Auto so popular. Besides, we all wanted more of GTA 3 anyway. Rated: Mature2. NFL Head Coach - Sports Simulation
I cannot explain how excited I am about NFL Head Coach. I have always enjoyed the franchise mode of Madden more than the actual game. Sure I'd play a few games, then it was off to build my dynasty. I love the drafting, the play calling, the strategy. Now EA, bless them, has come out with a sim based solely on coaching, and it is deeper than anything Madden ever had to offer. It's football nerd heaven! Rated: Everyone3. Street Fighter Alpha Anthology - Fighting
If you are any sort of fighting game fan then Street Fighter Alpha Anthology is a must add to your collection. The game includes: Street Fighter Alpha (aka Zero), Street Fighter Alpha 2, Street Fighter Alpha Gold, Street Fighter Alpha 3, and Gem Fighter (aka Pocket Fighter). The Alpha game feature stories that predated the Street Fighter 2 game. The game look and play great. Capcom could do us all a favor by building better menus and including move lists, though. Rated: Teen4. MotoGP 4 - Racing
While of love Gran Turismo perhaps a little too much, I like my motorcycle racing a with a little more zoom and a little less simulation detail. Enter MotoGP 4 while the bikes, and the tracks are realistic, the game still feels like a game. In this case it means more fun. Rated: E5. Armored Core: Last Raven - Mech Combat Simulation
In Japan, Armored Core has a huge fan base. Many Westerners, however, complain that the game was too slow and too complicated. Well, this is a true sequel, so if you like detail oriented giant mech combat, then you'll be thrilled with Armored Core: Last Raven. If not, then you may want to pass. Either way, it is one beautiful game, and come on, giant robot fights! How do you pass on that? Rated: Teen6. Super DragonBall Z - Action/Fighting
Super DragonBall Z has a simple premise, let's make the DBZ games more like the cartoon. So they did. Bigger combos, better cel-animation, terrain as weapons, total insanity, kinda like the cartoon. Super DragonBall Z is simply over the top anime action/fighting goodness. Sign me up. Rated: Teen
7. NCAA Football 07 - Sports
Another EA football game? Come on, what kind of list is this? Yeah, I know. But NCAA Football 07 is very different from Head Coach, I promise. In this one you actually play football, and it's college, and... alright, it's still football. But! I did see it in action at E3, and it is great, so there. It stays on the list. Go Utes! Rated: Everyone8. Hitman: Blood Money - Stealth Combat/Action
This one came out in May, but since Agent 47 took a two year sabbatical, we'll let it slide. Simply put: best hitman game yet. Hitman: Blood Money has all of the violence and sneekyness you'd expect from the series, but they've worked out a lot of the kinks. Sneaky or guns blazing, Hitman: Blood Money provides the kind of escapist gun-slinging that folks love. Rated: Mature9. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja - Action/Fighting
Yeah, I thought what you're thinking. But, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja is a surprisingly good game. It really captures the look and feel of the anime, and all of Naruto's charm translate into a fun, if not memorable, gameplay experience. Rated: Teen10. Super Monkey Ball Adventure - Platformer/Puzzle
Super Monkey Ball Adventure won't hit shelves until August, but it'll be worth the wait. Yes, it is primarily a platformer, but the game contains 50 new puzzle levels and six new party games. I'm in. I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't enjoy watching a monkey running around in a plastic ball. Rated: TBD