2004 was a big year for gaming. Nintendo launched the DS globally, the PS2 got a slimmer redesign globally, and Japan got the PSP. In terms of big video games, this was the year as well Halo 2, Half life 2and Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. Those were all games that didn't hit the PS2, though, so what was Sony cooking now that they have new hardware?
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Between third-party and first-party support, it can be argued that 2004 was one of the best years of the PS2's lifecycle. Let's go through ten of the best games that came out this year, and see if they hold up as must-play experiences.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
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Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Rolling in the 90s
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas There was a throwback to the 90s, taking place in the titular San Andreas region of the West Coast. Players get to play CJ, a retired gangster who recently returned home, only to get caught up in his old gang's shenanigans.
In terms of size and gameplay mechanics, it was a big step up from the previous one Grand Theft Auto Entries, allowing players to move out of town locations and including stat progression depending on what CJ did and ate. Additionally, there was a regional gang warfare feature that was reminiscent of an RTS, and it was one of the standout aspects of an overall stellar package.
Ratchet and Clank: Up your arsenal
The conclusion of the first trilogy
Ratchet and Clank: Up your arsenal The original was the end Ratchet and clank The trilogy ends with a bang as the two titular heroes engage in an ongoing battle. While there are some big battle set pieces, it's the same for the duo as players can traverse the galaxy, landing on new planets to help the colorful locals.
The platforming remained solid, and the weaponry was as quirky as ever, with a shotgun that could shoot enemies or a bomb launcher that was littered with little baby explosives. The lighthearted story and often silly words also made it one of the funniest games of the generation.
Jack 3
Mad Max as a platformer
Jack 3
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November 9, 2004
Jack 3 Set yourself in the desert of the desert, as a tribute to Mad Max. Jak and Daxter could ride dinosaur-like mounts to get around the semi-open-world environment, or they could ride their buggy around for both combat and exploration purposes.
There was still plenty of platforming in the various levels, and Jack's weapons grew as his gun went from being a normal rifle to shooting explosives. The difficulty was fixed from the previous game, making it a more balanced adventure and a great ending to the original Jack and Daxter trilogy.
How exciting
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater It was the first prequel to the series, which tells the origin of Bigg Boss when he was just a naked snake. Set in the 1960s, players must infiltrate a jungle base in the Soviet Union to stop a group of terrorists eager to trick America into launching a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union.
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Players could sneak their way through the forest, painting in camouflage to blend in, and pick up animals for sustenance along the way. There are a million little mechanics that make this game great, but what fans still love most about it is the over-the-top story filled with men shooting bees, ghost daddies, flame-wielding astronauts, and more.
Katamari Damak
Weird, but fun
Katamari Damak
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September 21, 2004
- ESRB
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E // mild fantasy violence
Katamari Damak A difficult game to describe, because it takes place in a world where the king of the galaxy, the king of all universes, who one day destroyed the entire star system. He then sends his son to Earth with a magic ball that can clear objects, allowing the king to turn that debris into stars.
It doesn't make sense, but it doesn't have to be fun. At each level, players were set a target for their star size, and if they exceeded it, they would get bonus points. From paper clips to cones to birds to people, there was literally no limit to this force set for the stars.
Shadow Heart: Covenant
Fight for Europe
Shadow Heart: Covenant
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September 27, 2004
Shadow Heart: Covenant was set during World War 1 and focused on a group of adventurers who somehow find themselves fighting a paranormal organization that is trying to take over the world. The game introduced several prominent historical figures, such as Grigory Rasputin, but twisted them in the most grotesque JRPG ways possible.
The combat system was turn-based, but being active players could time their attacks with the wheel system to gain bonus damage. Other than the other games in the series, there isn't anything else as good Shadow Heart: Covenant On the PS2 as far as alternate history RPGs go.
Def Jam: Fight for NY
A hip-hop fighter
Def Jam: Fight for NY This is the second game in the series, which expanded the roster and list of hip-hop tracks to incredible levels. Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Ice-T, Xjibit, Ludacris, and many others took part in the arena, in most cases lending their faces and voices.
Who would have ever thought a wrestling match about rappers would be so compelling? Somehow, the teams at AKI Corporation and EA Canada have made this sequel as good as its predecessor as possible, and it's sad that there's no way to legally play it on current systems.
James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing
The gang is all here
There were many Bond games on the PS2, some original, some based on the movies, but they all lacked one thing: star power. right there James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing was different, as it used the likenesses and voices of Hollywood talents such as Pierce Brosnan, Judi Dench, Willem Dafoe, Heidi Klum, and many others.
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It was more than just a big budget story, as the gameplay was also great, with great set pieces more explosive than the last, literally in some cases. While it was more of an action game than a stealth game compared to other spy games on the PS2, incl Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing Still one of the best Bond games ever made.
Psi-Ops: Mindgate Conspiracy
If Master Chief had Jedi powers
Psi-Ops: Mindgate Conspiracy was an obscure but excellent third-person shooter that also had a gimmick. Beyond the usual weapons for a spy game, players can learn to control various extraordinary powers, such as telekinesis to throw enemies around and pyrokinesis to light them up like Christmas trees.
Other powers included a way to capture enemies to stir pot in heavily guarded rooms. Players could also use some of these powers outside of combat, to solve light puzzles, but this was primarily an action-focused game.
Burnout 3: The Takedown
Racing never looked so good
While the PS2 was better known for its exclusive racing series, Gran TurismoThere were also great third-party racers like that Burnout 3: The Takedown. It was an arcade-style racing game where the camera would stop and zoom in when a car crashed into the most brutal wreckage.
Adrenaline players could feel that racing their cars around was unmatched Burnout 3: The Takedown An instant classic. Even non-racing game fans couldn't deny how much fun it was to wreck or wreck others during the game.
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