Where's 'Game that defined the PS2'?

[vgrageaholic]

...and while I wait, care to suggest and debate them here

[fastbilly1]

Because it still has games coming out for it - FIFA and PES 2012 are both planned for release this year.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Because the PS2 is the console that... refused to die!!!

I think the "defining games" lists are going to get tougher to make as time goes on because it's getting harder to find great games that are exclusive to one console. I remember a couple of years ago I read a "Best RPGs of the year" list on IGN and the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC lists were 90% identical lol.

[noiseredux]

^I don't feel like a game needs to be exclusive to be synonymous with a certain console. Tetris was on EVERYTHING, but it is definitely one of the Game Boy's defining games for instance.

[BoneSnapDeez]

True but Game Boy Tetris was a very unique port, and there weren't nearly identical versions on the Game Boy's competitors (Game Gear and Lynx, I guess?).

I mean, to me Beyond Good and Evil is a defining PS2 game. But can I call it "defining" when there's nearly identical versions on Xbox, GameCube, and PC? I dunno.

To me the most defining games would perhaps be niche titles (like Tales of the Abyss on PS2), but then again... can I call that "defining" when most people haven't heard of it or played it?

I'm just glad I don't have to make these lists haha.

[isiolia]

I think it's more a question of what the focus of the list is.

Big games at the time versus reasons to own a PS2 now.

An example I'd give is Metal Gear Solid 2. When it came out, it was a huge deal. PS2s were preordered for it, Zone of the Enders was purchased just for the demo disc. You obviously don't need a PS2 to play it now, and arguably the PS2 version isn't even preferable in the face of the HD release...but from a historical perspective, it was huge.

There are definitely a number of obvious choices though. MGS2/3, FFX, GT3/4, God of War, Devil May Cry, Onimusha, Grand Theft Auto III, Kingdom Hearts, Xenosaga series, and so on. Okami, Ico, Shadow of the Colossus for "enthusiast" games as well. SSX was a surprise hit at launch if I remember (I worked at Software Etc during that), Dark Cloud got attention early on too.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Agreed ^

That's why we have Defining Games and Best Games for Today lists.

[noiseredux]

@Bone: you could say that Tomb Raider has an identical port on Saturn, but I think you'd agree it's a game that defines the PS1. Right?

@isiolia: remember when Dark Cloud was touted as Sony's Zelda-killer?

[Hazerd]

God Of War
Grand Theft Auto
Final Fantasy X

In all honesty isnt it system Exclusives that "define" a system?

[Stark]

@Bone: you could say that Tomb Raider has an identical port on Saturn, but I think you'd agree it's a game that defines the PS1. Right?

@isiolia: remember when Dark Cloud was touted as Sony's Zelda-killer?

I would agree with your assertion that Tomb Raider defined the PS1. Seems like the exception though. It's hard to come up with multi-plat games that a defining game for one system.

Dark Cloud is the bomb! It's no Zelda though.