The 10 BEST PS2 JRPGs of All Time

The 10 BEST PS2 JRPGs of All Time

In today’s video I’ll be sharing what I believe to be the top 10 best PS2 JRPGs. The PlayStation 2 is still the best selling home console of all time and is home to some of the greatest JRPGs of all time! Let’s dig in and see what the very best are.

Gameplay via
HazVsRPG: https://youtu.be/cKLROWewLys
Super Derek: https://youtu.be/ikgXwaAzM6E
Clemps: https://youtu.be/MT1w5zIsYik
Bawesome Burf: https://youtu.be/UdfXqCIRShc
Resonant Arc: https://youtu.be/ZreoH1Hd3qc
Hell Fire RPGs: https://youtu.be/y2Dxvfg6zek
High Level Reviews: https://youtu.be/xCFOcjXAcGI

🔔 Subscribe for more high quality, Japanese gaming content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjwl-kkkLtMZtgJ-KMtjTOg?sub_confirmation=1

🎧 Listen to my JRPG Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheLastHonestGamer/videos

🎮 Reviews on the latest JRPGs and other Japanese games: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe6Fr8KCSQ4FRZwN5w2Qjtmtrbkl39srx

✅ For business inquiries contact me at thegamingshelf@gmail.com

✅ Let’s Connect!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TaylorsShelf
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegamingshelf/?hl=en
Discord: https://discordapp.com/invite/WQg7fAk

Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

50 Comments

  1. José Ignacio Zomeño on May 7, 2021 at 2:31 am

    No Final Fantasy XII? You’re unbelievable



  2. Vincent Tran on May 7, 2021 at 2:31 am

    star ocean 3 bro



  3. jdotglenn on May 7, 2021 at 2:36 am

    Where is Digital Devil Saga 1+2 (the actual best role-playing game on the PS2)?



  4. cumnmrmpt aaa on May 7, 2021 at 2:38 am

    Good list, other than kingdom hearts. Tear away the nostalgia and u get the most tedious game in the world



  5. The Gaming Shelf on May 7, 2021 at 2:38 am

    Watch next: 10 Must-play PS1 JRPGs https://youtu.be/T04YJfZjZ8E



  6. Jerome Zapanta on May 7, 2021 at 2:40 am

    putting dark cloud on the list is so right, super suuuuuper good, 2 was even better than 1



  7. Alex Porri on May 7, 2021 at 2:42 am

    Never heard of Shadow Hearts before, looks really interesting.



  8. Daryl Leto on May 7, 2021 at 2:43 am

    No Star Ocean Till The End Of Time?



  9. Dahras1 on May 7, 2021 at 2:43 am

    Man, the Nocturne snub hurts my heart.



  10. Ahmad Farooq on May 7, 2021 at 2:46 am

    Tales of abyss was awesome.
    Redemption story was great



  11. ValiantParagonVideos on May 7, 2021 at 2:48 am

    Covenant is definitely better than SH, but you should definitely play the original yes, though I thought this was a "best" list not a "best for newbies. =p

    KH1, however, is better than KH2.



  12. sorrowinthewind on May 7, 2021 at 2:48 am

    Personally, take out KH as it is more like an action jrpg and include Wild Arms 3 or Suikoden V.



  13. victor calalang on May 7, 2021 at 2:48 am

    valkyrie prof silmeria is one of gems



  14. JomS RomuaR on May 7, 2021 at 2:50 am

    Persona 4 oh man this is a gem for ps2 amazing



  15. FhargaZ on May 7, 2021 at 2:51 am

    Plahing Shadow hearts again, so cool. I hated the ending of Disgaea 1, i am pretty sure i didn’t kill any ally, had to watch the real ending online 🤬



  16. Lonely Rocketburgers on May 7, 2021 at 2:53 am

    Romancing Saga: Minstrel Song



  17. Johnny Silverhand on May 7, 2021 at 2:55 am

    That’s blitzball music always hit



  18. CoryStation on May 7, 2021 at 2:56 am

    I’ve been playing Dark Cloud 2 recently on my PS5 and clicked this video to see if it would be on it, it’s not, but props for putting Dark Cloud 1 and Rogue Galaxy on there!



  19. FIRST-LAW-FANTASY ABERCROMBIE on May 7, 2021 at 2:56 am

    i actually loved the english voices of FF10 and about the infamous laughing scene: this sound odd was intended, the japanese original is no better in this scene



  20. Andrew Civinskas on May 7, 2021 at 2:58 am

    SMT fans furious about no Nocturne/DDS 🥲 (seriously though, if you haven’t played those games you really should)



  21. Rubedo Lobster on May 7, 2021 at 2:59 am

    I’m relieved to see Xenosaga and Shadow Hearts on that list, but I have to say that for me, FFX, TotA and Kingdom Hearts are surprisingly overated (Aside from a few lines of eye-rolling dialogue, I actually vastly prefer FFX-2). I have the utmost respect for everyone’s opinion of course, but I think as far as strategic gameplay and interesting storytelling goes, Pantom Brave and Digital Devil Saga are easily on equal footing with every game here. It’s also surprising to see that Nocturne didn’t make the list.

    Phantom Brave is a mostly unknown gem and I’ve never heard it mentionned anywhere in any kind of top ten or jrpg recommendation list. I actually tend to prefer spin-offs of the Disgaea franchise to the main games themselves (aside from DS4), and I would strongly recommend checking it out if you like NIS’s games, as it is a masterpiece in my opinion. It is also noteworthy for being very different in its storytelling, going for a (mostly) very serious narrative that is extremely emotional and touching, whereas NIS games are generally very silly.

    Digital Devil Saga, like most Shin Megami or Persona games, deal with very particular topics, including a mix of science, esoterism, mysticism and more in a way that makes the story exceedingly compelling. I can admit to the very drab and dreary look of the game though, but I think it’s also one of those unknown masterpieces people seldom know or recommend.



  22. Iron Wolf Man on May 7, 2021 at 3:00 am

    Ffx is so good i get sick of it by time you reach the calm lands. So good that you are required to use everyone in every turn making battles take ages. So good that encounter rates make you run into enemies every 2 steps. So good, that i uninstalled it before finishing it. These feelings came all 5 attempts to finish it. Such a shame because the story is quite impactful.

    On another note, i love rogue galaxy! Its grindy af for 100% but the story got me good



  23. Crimson Shadow on May 7, 2021 at 3:04 am

    no Suikoden 3 or 5, you sir, are pure fail based on that alone



  24. Timothy Reinholt on May 7, 2021 at 3:05 am

    Great video like always.
    You mentioned Tales of the Abyss but not the 3DS remake. Any thoughts on it?



  25. Rain Rirox on May 7, 2021 at 3:06 am

    Shadow heart incredible good memories



  26. Justin Jones on May 7, 2021 at 3:06 am

    I hate everyone who gets upset about that laughing scene they were sposed to be forcing the laugh it was actually kinda emotional



  27. lodycoli on May 7, 2021 at 3:07 am

    No smt nocturne?..



  28. 1StopGameplayShop on May 7, 2021 at 3:08 am

    Shadow hearts hd collection for the love of God



  29. MMA MacKela on May 7, 2021 at 3:08 am

    When talking about the PS2 and RPGs you should go with top 50 at least.



  30. Rain Rirox on May 7, 2021 at 3:09 am

    For rogue Galaxy they are 2 version on with a planete in addition



  31. jeff jackson on May 7, 2021 at 3:09 am

    Pretty good list, but Id probably drop Dark Cloud (really, not that great of a game and Dark Cloud 2 is far better), and put in Suikoden 5 or Grandia 2.



  32. EVERYWHERE MAN on May 7, 2021 at 3:11 am

    I’m so Happy to see Tales of Abyss



  33. Johnnie Murray-Monroe on May 7, 2021 at 3:11 am

    Bro Real Talk! As soon as the Persona 4 Music kicked on I teared up lol😁😥 Oh the Nostalgia. Great List Man! Officially A New Sub



  34. IBT on May 7, 2021 at 3:11 am

    (Talks about persona 4)

    **shows p4g gameplay**



  35. Mohamad Rifai on May 7, 2021 at 3:12 am

    Rogue galaxy simply the best man, all the features and the gameplay. I am a huge Persona fan, but Rogue galaxy is hands down better than Persona 4.



  36. Shin Shenron on May 7, 2021 at 3:12 am

    Valkyrie Profile 2
    Grandia 3



  37. Jaskarandeep Singh on May 7, 2021 at 3:13 am

    Rogue galaxy is definitely my favorite PS2 Jrpg



  38. Galileo on May 7, 2021 at 3:16 am

    All I remember from Shadow Hearts Covenant are oiled up wrestlers. Very oiled…



  39. Loki Loki on May 7, 2021 at 3:18 am

    Wild arms 3



  40. Gabri on May 7, 2021 at 3:18 am

    Ah, the ps2. The memories. Loved all the games listed. I would switch disgaea, xenosaga, and dark cloud with star ocean 3, radiate stories, and persona 3.



  41. Steve Empire Videos on May 7, 2021 at 3:23 am

    Instant fan of the channel



  42. Recht_voor_zijn_raap on May 7, 2021 at 3:23 am

    Currently replaying Rogue Galaxy.. Even after 13 years its still a blast to play.
    Level 5 is easily one of the best JRPG developers.



  43. Tashiro Sato on May 7, 2021 at 3:23 am

    Persona 4 Golden PC



  44. Artimes on May 7, 2021 at 3:24 am

    The ps3 generation sucked for jrpgs lol It was pretty much attributed to mostly crapy ports and indie developed titles.



  45. zorrento14 on May 7, 2021 at 3:26 am

    "in the west" aka white countries, Google it



  46. Joe Edwards on May 7, 2021 at 3:27 am

    I’ve always hated Disney cartoons so Kingdom hearts was always a no go for me. Maybe I missed out on something because I hear the game is “SUPER”



  47. Sissi Floralie on May 7, 2021 at 3:27 am

    Shadow Hearts <3. I played the first episode on PS1 just to see how it began but… don’t really like it. I do not remember the title.
    Shadow Hearts Covenant is the best from my point of view.



  48. HarryBoBarry on May 7, 2021 at 3:29 am

    I’m sick and tired of people spreading disinformation about the FF10 laughing scene. It’s intentional and is actually one of the sweetest scenes in the whole game. If you don’t believe me then go play the game or look up the scene on YouTube.



  49. Johnnie Murray-Monroe on May 7, 2021 at 3:29 am

    OMG AMD SHAWDOW HEARTS!! Such A great List!



  50. The Beach Gamer on May 7, 2021 at 3:30 am

    I’ve just liked and subbed after finding your channel on what seems to be super content and excellent breakdowns on a subject close to my heart in Jrpgs which I play a lot.

    If I am to debate but obviously each to their own opinion:
    1) I thought Dark Chronicle was better than the original Dark Cloud just because it felt a little less grind through the caves due to the entertainment of the golf and fish side games added plus the story I felt was more interesting and for the record I played the 2nd one first and it held no real tie in with the 1st game.
    2) KOH2 is better than 1 but I agree with you that it is better to play the first one as it is far more of a catalyst and its still a hell of a great game.
    3) Another sequel battle… Disgaea 2 I think made just enough improvements to edge the prequel but again just an opinion.
    4) Where is Star Ocean? One of the best storylines and entertaining RPGs on the Ps2. I would also shout out Valkryie Silmeria as another excellent shout although tbf your list is pretty stacked despite me being from PAL and not having played a couple of those games due to non Pal releases but it was good to see them in action. 👍
    5) One last shoutout to Final Fantasy XII. I didn’t appreciate this game when I was younger but now I am older and gone back to it, there is something brilliant about it and Balthiers story despite Vaan and Penelo being non existent leaders. Again great video and loved the detail.