10 PS2 JRPGs Still Trapped on Original Hardware

6 days ago 5

PS2 JRPGs Still Trapped on Original Hardware

Published Mar 7, 2026, 9:30 AM EST

Murillo Zerbinatto is a contributor from Brazil. He's a JRPG enthusiast who has been around the world of games and content creation for more than six years now. He has a particular love for Final Fantasy and has absorbed all the content this long-running series offers, including its obscure spinoffs such as Dimension I & II, Explorers, and My Life as a King. While playing JRPGs is already a time-sinking endeavor, Murillo doubles down by being a platinum hunter as well.

The generational leap from the PS1 to the PS2 was one of the most remarkable in the industry. It was during the sixth generation that video games began showcasing more cinematic production values, with sharper visuals and full voice-over, as seen in Final Fantasy X and God of War.

That allowed many new JRPG series to be conceived. Although many of them achieved tremendous success during the PS2 era, others were left behind on the platform. More than a few series couldn't make the jump to the PS3 because the last entry fell short of sales expectations, thus dwindling any investment. Whatever the reason, there are many JRPGs stuck on the PS2 that deserve a modern port.

10 PS1 JRPGs Still Trapped on Original Hardware

Some are in dire need of a port, I would say, simply because I want to replay them.

This list explores some of those incredible JRPGs I would love to see resurface on contemporary platforms, whether as part of a collection, a simple port with newly added trophies, or maybe even a remaster with quality-of-life improvements.

When I say "trapped on original hardware," I mean that you can't play them on modern platforms, even though some received ports for other legacy consoles.

10 Suikoden III

Next Suikoden in Line

10 Highly Reviewed JRPGs That Would Flop Today - Suikoden 3

Konami quietly stepped back into the gaming spotlight with a few discreet remasters and remakes here and there. Among them was the mouthful titled Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars, which brought the first two games in the franchise to most modern platforms. I don't have official sales numbers, but according to player ratings, around 95% of users felt overwhelmingly positive about those remasters.

That could pave the way for a new remaster like Suikoden III, right? Maybe. Suikoden III is often cited as one of the best entries in the series, alongside the second game. It introduced the Trinity Sight System, which allows players to experience the plot through the perspectives of three protagonists.

It also featured gorgeous and seamless turn-based combat, 108 recruitable characters, and plenty of political intrigue. I'm not asking for a full-fledged remake or even a high-end remaster, Konami. Give me a simple Suikoden III port, and I will already be more than happy.

9 Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria

Before Lenneth

Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria

Square released a port of the first Valkyrie Profile close to the launch of Valkyrie Elysium. I don't think it was the most efficient marketing strategy, because, in my humble opinion, as someone with a marketing major, they should have released the port before Elysium. But honestly, nothing could have saved the latter from its underwhelming quality.

Nevertheless, if Square wants fans to keep remembering the Valkyrie Profile series, they could simply free Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria from its PS2 prison. The JRPG received high praise from critics and solid sales, at least in Japan, so chances are a modern audience would love discovering it, and older fans would gladly revisit it.

Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria is an insanely beautiful game that places us in the role of Silmeria, who is punished by being forced to inhabit the body of the human Alicia. With her Valkyrie powers, she must recruit Einherjar and prevent a war from breaking out between Midgard and Asgard.

8 Xenosaga

Freedom for KOS-MOS

10 JRPG Remasters We Would Love To See In 2026 - Xenosaga

Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht

Much is said about how Xenogears is Tetsuya Takahashi's beloved child, and that many people want to see it remade or remastered, and I am one of them. However, I still believe that if we ever receive a collection or port, it is more likely to be Xenosaga than anything else, especially considering how KOS-MOS frequently reappears in promotional art and crossovers.

Moreover, Xenosaga works as a reimagining of the world of Xenogears, so who knows, maybe a port or remaster could open the door for Monolith Soft to expand the Xenosaga universe, perhaps even tying it into Xenogears and Xenoblade Chronicles. It may sound like wishful thinking, but dreaming big or small takes the same effort, so why not aim high?

Plus, even when played in isolation, the Xenosaga trilogy is solid. The first entry is good, the second is decent, and the third is excellent, even if the overarching narrative had to be condensed from six intended games into only three. KOS-MOS and Shion deserved better.

7 Radiata Stories

A Unique Premise

Radiata Stories is an odd case. When I first played it, I didn't feel that overwhelming sense of love or excitement. It seemed like a fair average JRPG. However, I simply could not put it down, as strange as that may sound. That is because it always felt like something was happening in the world, as if that was the game's true purpose, showcasing the daily routines of even the most mundane NPCs.

And that is exactly what happens. NPCs have lives of their own, living independently of the player while following the game's day-and-night cycle. Radiata Stories also grants the player freedom, as you are not obliged to shove the protagonist Jack Russell into a conflict between humans and non-humans until you want to. But when you do, you will have to pick a side.

Surprisingly, even for Suikoden fans, Radiata Stories features a total of 175 recruitable characters. They join Jack in battle, though they are not directly controllable. Despite this massive variety, the JRPG's combat is fairly straightforward, without flashy moves or particularly creative strategies. Still, it is a truly unique game that would benefit greatly from a port and maybe give tri-Ace a much-deserved second wind.

6 Shadow Hearts

Since Penny Blood Might Not Happen

Two elements were not very common among JRPGs at the time: horror themes and timed inputs in turn-based combat. We had seen some horror-inspired games before and timed inputs in titles like Super Mario RPG and The Legend of Dragoon, but they were rare among the flood of JRPGs released back then. Shadow Hearts embraced both.

Shadow Hearts is not exactly a horror game meant to scare you senseless, but rather a horror-themed JRPG set in an alternate version of the real world with strong Lovecraftian influences. We play as Yuri, a protagonist who can transform into monsters and is tasked with protecting Alice. In battle, most actions rely on the Judgement Ring system, where well-timed inputs can result in critical hits, while mistiming them can cause you to miss entirely.

The first Shadow Hearts is incredible, and the second is even better. The third is honest, but not as fondly remembered as its predecessors. The issue is that I don't know if these games will ever break free from the PS2. The creator attempted to develop Penny Blood, a spiritual successor to the series, but so far, it has struggled to secure a publisher, significantly reducing the chances of it seeing the light of day.

5 Front Mission 4

The Mission Continues

Front Mission 3 is my favorite entry in the franchise. Fairly recently, Forever Entertainment remade the first three games, and despite some concerns regarding visuals and interface design, it was nice to revisit them. Will they also remake Front Mission 4? Hard to say, but I wouldn't complain.

Some may argue that Front Mission 5 is better, and I agree, but let us go in order. Front Mission 4 is not a bad game, it just didn't fully meet expectations. The game features a dual perspective, presenting the story through two protagonists, Elsa Eliane and Darril Traubel, as they become entangled in a geopolitical conflict.

The tactical combat returns, along with Wanzer customization. Characters can learn new skills and abilities with experience points and purchase new Wanzers and weapons with money. It starts strong, but by the end, it feels like a fairly standard tactical JRPG that doesn't particularly excel in any one area. Still, a remake could give the Wanzers a fresh coat of paint and a second chance to grind.

4 Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter

A Misunderstood Concept

Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter

Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter wasn't as well-received as previous entries, which had been building momentum with each new release. Capcom not only changed the game's aesthetic and atmosphere but also overhauled its entire design and gameplay philosophy. The turn-based system is creative and brutally punishing, but beyond that, the only thing clearly tying it to the franchise is the title.

We once again play as Ryu, who must help Nina ascend to the surface. The game takes place underground, and each new floor brings even greater dangers. The hero is also blessed with the power of the legendary dragon, which allows him to transform, at the cost of potentially soft-locking yourself if you are not careful.

However, a game over in Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter is not truly the end. With its roguelike-inspired structure, the game expects you to fail and restart. New Game Plus allows you to carry over skills, some unused experience, and even unlock new narrative events through the Scenario Overlay system. It was a unique mechanic, but widely misunderstood at the time, which prevented Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter from being fully appreciated upon release. Today, however, it enjoys cult status.

3 Grandia III

The Last Grand Adventure

Many JRPG series born on the PS1 made the leap to 3D on the PS2, but not all matched the success of their predecessors. Personally, I have nothing against Grandia III and even appreciate the adventure of our aspiring pilot Yuki, especially after having played Grandia Xtreme, the first PS2 entry in the franchise.

However, despite receiving fairly high review scores and selling well in Japan, Grandia III never reached the same popularity as its predecessors, and the series eventually faded into obscurity. That is, until anniversary editions and the Grandia HD Collection in 2019 brought the first two entries back to modern platforms.

Since official sales numbers haven't been widely disclosed, I have no idea how successful they were. Still, I would love for Game Arts and GungHo to continue their re-release efforts and bring Grandia III to modern hardware as well. Who knows, the franchise's blend of real-time positioning and turn-based combat could inspire future JRPGs.

2 Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

Give Us a Reimagined Version

Whenever I say that Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is my favorite entry in the series, even ranking it above Dragon Quest XI, people tend to raise an eyebrow. I agree that the latest mainline game is sharper, more refined, and more ambitious, but it didn't leave the same mark on me as the adventure of our young, not-so-cursed guard and his eclectic band of wacky companions.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King was developed by Level-5, who handled the transition into 3D with remarkable care and craftsmanship. The JRPG maintained the classic blueprint while modernizing it, featuring amazing set pieces, voice acting, a simple yet engaging progression system, and a more gripping narrative with tangible character development.

After the reimagined version of Dragon Quest VII, I believe it's only a matter of time before Square Enix releases new versions of other entries. Granted, Dragon Quest VIII has already received a 3DS version with quality-of-life improvements, so it's not exactly locked only in the PS2, but it isn't exactly easy to play it nowadays (we have a mobile version, but come on.) Plus, the 3DS version could serve as the foundation for a modern reimagining with updated visuals, allowing me to relive my teenage years by replaying this incredible JRPG.

1 Tales of the Abyss

Let It Be the Next Remaster

Ever since Bandai Namco started its Tales of remaster project, fans worldwide have been chanting in unison for one title: Tales of the Abyss. I wasn't too upset when the studio announced Tales of Berseria Remastered, because I know many Switch owners were thrilled about it, but now it is time to go full steam ahead and bring back truly older titles. (Please, do not make Tales of Zestiria the next remaster.)

Tales of the Abyss was originally released on the PS2 and later on the Nintendo 3DS — both hard to access original hardware, by the way! It's often considered one of the best entries in the Tales of series, both for the way the narrative unfolds, making us initially resent the protagonist Luke before appreciating his growth, and for its combat system. It features the classic Linear Motion Battle System, now enhanced with Free Run mode, which lets us fully move around the battlefield in 3D.

I am no game designer, and I don't know how hard it is to remaster a game, but I would love to see a Tales of the Abyss remaster similar to Tales of Symphonia. We are not asking for much, just make this JRPG available on modern platforms and call it a day. Do that, Bandai Namco, and you will win us over all over again.