5 Classic PS2 Games That Deserve Modern Remakes

Remakes have become a growing presence in the video game industry, with many fan-favorite titles reimagined for modern platforms. As a testament to their popularity, these games are often warmly received — which, of course, has spurred additional remakes. One console ripe to receive more remakes based on its games is the PlayStation 2, which is over 25 years old now. With that in mind, we're looking at PS2 games that we'd personally love to see remakes of for modern platforms.

To be clear, we're talking about full-on remakes here, not just a simple remaster, which several of these titles have already received. We're looking for games to be rebuilt from the ground up on modern hardware, maintaining the story and designs, but refashioned for contemporary audiences. We're also keeping this list to games that were, at least at the time of their initial release, PS2 exclusives. Here are five classic PS2 games that deserve modern remakes, ready to be introduced to a new generation.

Square Enix is wrapping up its "Final Fantasy VII" remake trilogy in April 2027 with the release of "Final Fantasy VII Revelation." We'd personally love to see the fan-favorite studio remake more of its classic titles in the future, including "Final Fantasy X." The 2001 game unfolds in the lush realm of Spira, following protagonist Tidus after his home is destroyed by the villainous Sin. Recruiting a group of heroes to help him, Tidus moves to prevent Spira from similarly being devastated by the all-powerful enemy.

Simply put, "Final Fantasy X" is one of the best "Final Fantasy" games of all time and could span multiple remake titles like "Final Fantasy VII" has. It takes an incredibly long time to beat "Final Fantasy X," especially for completionists, consistently longer than completing "Final Fantasy VII." Rather than a trilogy, Square Enix could make a whole line of games remaking the story, including its 2003 sequel "Final Fantasy X-2." This would give the narrative a better chance to breathe and look absolutely fantastic reworked for modern platforms.

After the rise and fall of "Metal Gear Solid," Konami revived its tactical espionage action franchise with remasters of classic games and 2025's "Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater." An incredibly faithful retelling of the PS2's "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater," the title proved how timeless the story and gameplay was while significantly improving its technical performance. Of course, "Snake Eater" wasn't the only "Metal Gear Solid" game released for the PS2, with "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty" also primed for a remake. The game has special forces soldier Raiden learn what became of missing hero Solid Snake as he faces a new threat targeting the President.

In all honesty, a remake of 1998's "Metal Gear Solid" should come before a remake of its 2001 direct sequel. What we're saying, really, is that we want both remakes of the first "Metal Gear Solid" and "Sons of Liberty" similar to last year's "Metal Gear Solid Delta." Free of the controversy behind the "Metal Gear Solid" character Raiden, with the protagonist switcheroo now relatively common knowledge, fans can see how excellent a game it truly is. We're hoping that Konami keeps its "Metal Gear" revival going, and a "Metal Gear Solid 2" remake should be part of those plans.

Before "Uncharted" and "The Last of Us," Naughty Dog developed the "Jak and Daxter" series for Sony consoles. The first game in the series is 2001's "Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy," introducing the titular duo as they embark on a quest to save their world. A third-person action platformer, the game feels like Naughty Dog's answer to 3D "Legend of Zelda" titles. The game provides players with a wide nonlinear world to explore, complete with side quests and minigames to complete along the way.

"Jak and Daxter" is a long-dormant franchise, with its last release being the "Jak and Daxter Collection" released for the PlayStation 3 in 2012. That compilation included a remastered version of "The Precursor Legacy," but more than just a technical update, the 2001 game needs a full remake. With other PS2 era classics like "Ratchet and Clank" and "Onimusha" getting revived on the PlayStation 5, "Jak and Daxter" should be next. A tale worth starting from the beginning, "Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy" is an early PS2 highlight that deserves a rebirth.

While 3D "Castlevania" games may get a bad rap, there are some solid titles that veered away from the side-scrolling perspective that the series was known for. The PlayStation 2 received a pair of underrated 3D "Castlevania" titles starting with 2003's "Castlevania: Lament of Innocence." A prequel story for the entire "Castlevania" timeline, the game's story is set in the 11th century and reveals the origins of Dracula's feud with the Belmont clan. The game follows protagonist Leon Belmont as he ventures inside the castle of the vampire who kidnapped his betrothed, battling all sorts of monsters along the way.

After the aforementioned successful "Metal Gear" revival and seeing "Silent Hill" revived with its own line of games, "Castlevania" should be Konami's next priority. We've already gotten a line of remastered game compilations and a new title in "Castlevania: Belmont's Curse," but the franchise's under-appreciated titles could also be remade. "Lament of Innocence" definitely deserves more love and, as the narrative's earliest story, would make the most sense as a reboot line's starting point.

Capcom has been on a successful run remaking the classic mainline titles in its "Resident Evil" series for years. Everything from the original 1996 game through to its fourth mainline installment and "Code: Veronica" have received the remake treatment. The spin-offs, understandably, haven't been revisited just yet, but one that we wish gets a remake is "Resident Evil Outbreak." The first multiplayer game in the series, the 2003 title has survivors working together to escape from Raccoon City before it's destroyed in the midst of the zombie outbreak.

Another PS2 game that's unplayable today, "Resident Evil Outbreak" could benefit tremendously from the improved infrastructure supporting online multiplayer games. The original version required players to have the PS2 online modem peripheral working with the main console to allow for online functionality. Modern online support, along with improved third-person gameplay from recent "Resident Evil" games, could go a long way in making a remake superior to the original title. After lackluster franchise multiplayer titles like "Resident Evil: Resistance" and "RE:Verse," an "Outbreak" remake could restore the multiplayer luster to the series.