5 PS2 Video Games That Are Worth A Fortune Today

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The early 2000s were a golden age for gamers, and that was especially true for anyone lucky enough to own a PlayStation 2. By the time the PS2 debuted, Sony had already established itself as a major player in the video game console world. The PS2 cemented the company’s reputation and gave us some of the greatest video games ever created. Decades later, the games that defined the PS2 era are still being talked about and played. In fact, the PS2 has more hits fans have forgotten about than some consoles have had as bona fide successes.

Unsurprisingly, with a legacy that will stand throughout gaming history, the PS2 also has quite a few games that collectors are willing to pay through the nose for. The best PS2 games ever made had so many physical copies printed they actually aren’t worth much today, but some of the lesser-known titles and cult hits on the PS2 sell for unbelievable amounts of money. Whether you’re planning your next classic game collection project or cataloguing your old discs for a potential retirement sale, here are five PS2 games worth a fortune that you should know about.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2

The “Marvel vs. Capcom” games combine two beloved franchises with top-notch fighting game mechanics and eye-popping visuals. Every game in the series has its fans, but “Marvel vs. Capcom 2” is particularly popular. The game launched as an arcade cabinet in the year 2000 before slowly making its way to home consoles. In the same year it debuted, “Marvel vs. Capcom 2” came to the Dreamcast, and two years later, it was also on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

Any home console version of “Marvel vs. Capcom 2” is a worthy addition to a classic video game collection. The PS2 edition of the game, however, is one of the pricier titles on that console. Copies on eBay have regularly sold for somewhere between $80 and $100. Dreamcast editions of the game have often sold for a little more money but less frequently, likely because of how widespread the PS2 was compared to the Dreamcast. You aren’t going to need to take out a loan to afford “Marvel vs. Capcom 2” on the PS2, but the game is pricey enough that purchasing it officially makes you a PS2 video game collector and not just a casual fan.

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

How much would you pay to scare the pants off yourself? Some PlayStation 2 fans are willing to pay quite a lot for a terrifying experience, as it turns out. “Silent Hill” is a widely celebrated horror game franchise, and 2009’s “Silent Hill: Shattered Memories” holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers. It’s a survival horror story where players explore desolate environments, solve light puzzles, and run for their lives from terrifying creatures that essentially can’t be killed. The game also has a system where players talk to a virtual therapist, and their answers influence the game, which tries to tailor the horror to each individual player.

“Shattered Memories” is unique in the “Silent Hill” series largely thanks to its psych eval system, and gamers love it. Fans of “Shattered Memories” have spent years praising the game as being underrated and begging Capcom for an official remaster. Unfortunately, until the publisher decides to re-release the game, most gamers will have to play it via an emulator. PS2 editions of the game tend to sell for around $500, but some copies on eBay have gone for as much as $700. Owning a physical copy of “Shattered Memories” is a hefty investment, but the game could easily be the crown jewel in someone’s PS2 collection.

Haunting Grounds

“Haunting Grounds” is yet another survival horror game for the PlayStation 2 that’s been transformed into an absolute goldmine for video game collectors. The game was developed and published by Capcom in 2005, and though it’s something of a spiritual successor to Capcom’s popular “Clock Tower” horror series, it tells a completely original story. The game follows a girl named Fiona who survives a brutal car accident with her parents, only to wake up mysteriously trapped inside the dungeon of a castle. With the help of a dog named Hewie, Fiona must explore the castle, figure out what happened to her family, and find a way to escape back to her regular life.

Over the past 20-plus years, “Haunting Grounds” has transformed from a moderately successful horror title into a sought-after collector’s item. On eBay, physical copies of the game have frequently sold for more than $500, and sealed copies of the game have sold for well over $1,000. Much like “Silent Hill: Shattered Memories,” the resale cost of “Haunting Grounds” could massively come down if Capcom ever releases an official remaster of the game. Until that happens, however, gamers will still be able to make a mint by selling rare physical copies online.

Rule of Rose

The survival horror genre has given us some of the greatest games ever made. The entire “Resident Evil” franchise exists today because of how intensely gamers loved the early survival horror formula. When you take the genre’s popularity into consideration, it’s not so surprising that some early survival horror gamers are worth a fortune today. Still, when you see a copy of “Rule of Rose” with a $5,000 price tag, your jaw is bound to drop.

Developed by Punchline and released in 2006, “Rule of Rose” became a surprisingly controversial game. Because the story focuses on children but also includes some of the violence and graphic content you’d expect from a horror title, some people were up in arms before “Rule of Rose” even debuted. Sony ultimately decided not to release the game in the United States because of the controversial content in it, and decades later, we can safely say that decision has increased the collectability and resale value of the game exponentially.

Reviewers didn’t warm up to the game when it debuted. Many praised the story but criticized the actual gameplay for being totally underwhelming. Game director Shuji Ishikawa actually referred to “Rule of the Rose” as being “essentially an interactive movie” in a contemporary interview with IGN. It might not be the most engaging survival horror game to actually play, but thanks in large part to the controversy the story sparked, “Rule of Rose” is now frequently listed for over $1,000 on resale sites like eBay.

“Kuon” follows three different playable characters as they explore the eerie Fujiwara Manor. While exploring, players need to solve environmental puzzles and collect items to progress the game, but they also need to watch their backs. Fujiwara Manor is filled with monsters that will chase and attack players, and the game’s characters only have a few limited weapons and discoverable spell cards to use in their defense. “Kuon” earned mixed reviews upon its 2004 release, but over the years, it has built up something of a cult following. Players have come to appreciate its three-pronged story and uniquely spooky atmosphere, and some of them are undoubtedly drawn in by the ever-growing legacy of FromSoftware itself. Between the high demand for an early FromSoftware gem and the limited number of copies that were created, “Kuon” has become a sought after collector’s item. Multiple collectors have purchased physical copies of the game on eBay for more than $2,000, which easily makes “Kuon” one of the most expensive PS2 games around today.