12 Best PlayStation 2 Obscure Games

Discovering obscure gems on the PS2 can be a daunting task. Yet, finding ones that are actually worth playing? That’s an even greater challenge. So this list will go far and beyond to let you know about one of the most obscure games that you can enjoy on the PS2.

From strange titles tucked away in the Simple Series to Japanese imports and games nobody cares about, there is plenty for an avid obscure games enjoyer to explore. Without further ado, let’s explore the best obscure games the PS2 has to offer.

Under the Skin™ 2004

About
	Release Date August 05, 2004
	Developer Capcom
	Publisher Capcom
	Genre Action Adventure
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Sci-Fi
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2004-10

Under the Skin is a silly game that, while it doesn’t take itself seriously, is a lot of fun. In the game, players assume the role of an alien who crash-lands on Earth. It’s your job to terrorize humans. Not in the veins of alien-themed games like Destroy All Humans, but you’ll have to steal their money.

The game features stages where players must humorously terrorize humans to collect coins. Such activities include punching humans in the face, electrifying them and so much more. But don’t get carried because another alien will be competing against you. It’s a silly game that anyone can enjoy, really.

Stretch Panic 2001

About
	Release Date July 27, 2001
	Developer Treasure
	Publisher Conspiracy Entertainment
	Genre Action Adventure
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2001-07

Stretch Panic, brought to you by the same minds behind Sin & Punishment, is an obscure action adventure that is surprisingly decent. While the level design could have been improved and the controls take some time to master, the slew of creative ideas poured into the game make it worth exploring.

Players control a girl named Linda, and she happens to possess a strange scarf that can grab onto things and even stretch. The game’s entirety sees Linda going through various levels, battling monsters and making use of her newly possessed scarf to rescue her sisters who have been bewitched by demons.

ChainDive™ 2003

About
	Release Date October 16, 2003
	Developer Alvion
	Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
	Genre Action Adventure
	Graphics 2D
	Perspective Side Scroller
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Sci-Fi
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2003-10

Chain Dive is simply put; unique. It’s a side-scroller but the premise behind the game is to juggle around with your chain and sword, slicing glowing points to reach a certain destination. While the premise may seem simple, the later levels that demand attention and precision will challenge your skills.

Chain Dive isn’t a difficult game, but it does require patience to conquer its unique mechanics. The game was released exclusively in Japan to mixed reviews.  Even in its country of origin,  Chain Dive is considered obscure. Can you imagine how obscure this game is in the West?

Firefighter F.D. 18™ 2004

About
	Release Date February 26, 2004
	Developer Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
	Publisher Konami
	Genre Action Adventure
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Modern
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2004-04

Firefighter F.D 18 lets you experience one of humanity’s worst nightmares, having your house catch fire, crumble and turn to ashes. Will you let that happen? Of course not. In Firefighter, as the name implies, your goal is to extinguish fires wherever you see them by spraying water until they are put out.

You’re a firefighter who’s equipped with an axe, and all the necessary tools to save the day. Most of the game sees the player extinguishing fires, rescuing civilians and several activities. There isn’t much to discuss about this game apart from you being a Firefighter whose purpose in life is to do his intended job.

Code of the Samurai 2005

About
	Release Date February 10, 2005
	Developer Red Entertainment
	Publisher SEGA, Midas Interactive Entertainment
	Genre Hack & Slash
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Samurai
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2005-02-10
2007-05-25

Code of the Samurai is an obscure hack and slash that many have slept on. It doesn’t play in the veins of high-profile games from the genre like Devil May Cry, Genji or Bujingai, no. Code of the Samurai is pretty different.

Based on the story of the Shinsengumi, the game puts you in the roles of two powerful samurai, Soji or Hijikata.On the surface, Code of the Samurai may feel like another forgotten hack and slash game, but its gameplay is what makes it stand out. You can’t rely on button-mashing in this game because enemies are vigilant and their attacks pack a punch. So how do you tackle this? through dodging attacks while swiftly unleashing a barrage of devastating strikes.

While waiting for an enemy’s hit, an arrow will be displayed on the bottom screen, that’s when you have to quickly react to achieve victory. It’s a game that requires patience and skill that you should check out.

Golden Knight Garo 2005

About
	Release Date April 20, 2005
	Developer Bitstep
	Publisher Bandai Namco
	Genre Hack & Slash
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2005-04

Releasing a hack and slash themed video game based on the Tokusatsu TV Show Garo proved to be a gem for the PS2. it was released exclusively in Japan, probably due to the huge popularity of the medium there.

The game controls well for a Japan exclusive, along with a decent story that will please all the Tokusatsu fans out there. As for the language barrier, you can complete the game without knowing Japanese, but you’ll miss out on the plot. Still, if you’re seeking non-stop action, check out this game.

Simple 2000 Series Vol. 118: The Ochimusha - Doemu Samurai Toujou 2007

About
	Release Date May 31, 2007
	Developer Tamsoft
	Publisher D3 Publisher
	Genre Hack & Slash
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Samurai
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2007-05

Hang in tight passengers with your seatbelts passengers because this ride into the most obscure games on the PS2 isn’t over yet. What we have here is an unknown hack and slash from the simple series.

It plays similarly to games like the Seongoku Basara Series and Koei’s Mystic Heroes. Most of the game sees you hacking and slashing through enemies while following certain levels to accomplish the level. Among the many Japan-exclusive Simple Series games, The Ochimusha is one of the few good games from that series.

Brave: The Search for Spirit Dancer 2005

About
	Release Date September 02, 2005
	Developer VIS Entertainment
	Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
	Genre 3D Platformer
	Concept Prehistoric
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

PS2 Releases
2005-09-02
2007-04-03

Brave: The Search for Spirit Dancer is one of the most obscure 3D platformers ever. When discussing the best PS2 platformers, Brave is rarely mentioned. Lucky for you, we’ve mentioned the game several times already, and we’re doing it again.

Brave: The Search for Spirit Dancer puts you in the role of a young native boy who will experience all sorts of heroic adventures to defeat the evil Wendigo. On the surface, Brave is a standard 3D platformer, but it does feature several ideas like mimicking animal sounds, a cute story influenced by native american folklore, and an adorable cast of characters. (Meadow Flower is my favourite, by the way)

Deka Voice™ 2003

About
	Release Date February 13, 2003
	Developer Acquire
	Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
	Genre Action Adventure
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Detective
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2003-02

One of the best things players grew to adore about the PS2 is the slew of different concepts and genres developers came up with at the time. Ape Escape utilized the DualShock’s analogue stick, and Lifeline was the first voice command-reliant game to land on the PS2. However, there’s another game that doesn’t get much attention – except from me. That game is Deka Voice.

Developed by Acquire, Deka Voice is a noir detective video game where you play as you guessed it, a detective who has to solve crimes and investigate. The game stands out not only for its plot but also for its captivating cel-shaded visuals and atmospheric setting. There’s also another obscure fact you should be aware of is that Deka Voice is the only game compatible with Sony’s Aibo robot dog. If you do well in the game, the robot dog talks!

Unfortunately, Deka Voice’s heavy reliance on reading comprehension makes it difficult for players without knowledge of Japanese to progress. It’s also a shame that Deka Voice may never get an English fan translation because of its heavy emphasis on voice commands, which adds further to its obscurity.

Mawaza™ 2005

About
	Release Date October 06, 2005
	Developer Media.Vision
	Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
	Genre Puzzle
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Isometric
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2005-10

Have you ever heard anyone talk about Mawaza? Astonishingly, this game has yet to be reviewed on the internet. Mawaza is a puzzle game developed by Media Vision, and the whole premise behind it is to connect dots, and form shapes to score points.

Players have to connect as many dots as they can in a short period of time before they can teleport to the next level. Mawaza isn’t a groundbreaking masterpiece, but it’s fun. Try it out whenever you have the time.

Technictix™ 2001

About
	Release Date January 25, 2001
	Developer Arika
	Publisher Arika
	Genre Rhythm
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Music
	Players Couch Co-Op, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2001-01

Sometimes you just want a game with a great selection of soundtracks to vibe to. Lucky for you, Technictix is the one. Many players have enjoyed Technic Beat on the PS2 without realizing it was a sequel to this obscure gem.

Technictix is a rhythm game but not in the traditional way other titles in the genre operate. Players control an adorable mascot who steps into certain circles and presses buttons to flow with the music. At the end of the level, your performance will be judged. Similar to games like Parappa the Rapper, you have to hit certain score points to progress further into the game.

Seek and Destroy™ 2002

About
	Release Date June 27, 2002
	Developer Barnhouse Effect
	Publisher TAKARA
	Genre Vehicular Combat
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept War
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2002-06

Seek & Destroy does what it says on the cover; find and obliterate anything that comes your way with the help of a powerful tank. As part of the obscure ChoroQ franchise, Seek & Destroy plunges you into the battlefield the moment you press start.

The premise behind the game is straightforward; you have to destroy all enemies on-screen using your tank. Be wary of your surroundings though, as some enemy tanks can sometimes shoot you from behind. All in all, the game is fun and easy to finish. Grab it if you like to blow stuff up.