The PlayStation 2 is the best-selling console of all time, and that naturally comes down to its massive library of titles. Sony’s platform was home to countless fantastic games, be it JRPGs, first-party exclusives, or Gran Turismo sequels.

A lot of 6th generation games have aged rather weirdly, and they can take some getting used to if revisited in this day and age. Consequently, many of the PS2’s biggest projects have been re-released on future consoles, although a few classics have yet to receive the remake treatment. Here are five games that could benefit from a remake, along with five that should not be touched.

10 Remake: Shadow Hearts & Covenant

The first two Shadow Hearts games – not counting the PS1’s Koudelka – sit among the PS2’s greatest JRPGs, even if they never quite managed to attain the same level of mainstream success as Final Fantasy X. Fusing horror elements with mystery and fantasy, Shadow Hearts’ story is gripping, unique, and filled with memorable personalities.

Covenant improves in nearly every way over its predecessor, but the two can be seen as a package deal. A remake would shine a light on a forgotten JRPG franchise that deserves more recognition.

9 Leave Alone: Tekken 5

Certain genres lend themselves to remakes more than others. Older JRPGs and action games might grow inaccessible due to outdated controls or mechanics, which can be tweaked in a remake or even a remaster. Conversely, fighting game franchises are in a constant state of progression. In many ways, Tekken 6 was Tekken 5’s replacement, as the former sought to bring over the latter’s competitive playerbase.

With the exception of perhaps Tekken 3, Tekken 5 is the best entry in the franchise. Outside of an updated version called Dark Resurrection, Tekken 5 will never be revisited. It does not need a remake anyway.

8 Remake: SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs

Despite being surpassed by both of its immediate successors, SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs would be this franchise’s most natural candidate for a remake. Starting life on the PS2 but also enjoying a successful spell on the PSP, SOCOM was the tactical shooter to play for a number of years before dropping off a cliff following the awful SOCOM 4 on the PS3.

A SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs remake would not only introduce the PS2 classic to younger players, but it could revive a once-great series that has been left to rot.

7 Leave Alone: God Hand

If a remake of God Hand were to be released, it would obviously be a cause for celebration. That said, Clover Studio’s classic beat ’em up does not need a remake to be enjoyed. The extremely deep and customizable combat is already perfect and the controls are ideal for the core gameplay. God Hand is an example of a PS2 game that is just as fun to play in 2020 as it was in 2006.

The somewhat barren environments and unimpressive visuals could benefit from a makeover, but they also kind of complement a cult classic like God Hand.

6 Remake: Burnout 3: Takedown

Neat as it was to revisit Burnout Paradise, 2004’s Takedown marked a high point in the series that Criterion Games never quite managed to reach again. Burnout 3: Takedown is still worth playing today; in fact, a remake only really needs to update the graphics and leave pretty much everything else untouched.

To this day, Burnout 3 remains the best arcade racer of all time. If there is one game that deserves to be on all of the consoles, this is it.

5 Leave Alone: Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil

On the one hand, a Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil remake could shine a light on one of the PS2’s most forgotten licenses, perhaps even sparking renewed interest in Namco’s series. As recently as 2019, rumors surfaced about a potential new entry in the franchise, as Bandai Namco trademarked “Klonoa Of The Wind Encore.”

Naturally, a new game would be preferable over a remake, especially since Klonoa 2 does not really need it. The stylized graphics have aged better than most PS2 games, the platforming gameplay is still as fun and challenging as ever, and the game’s blend of adorableness and darkness is still effective. Just re-release it on modern consoles without touching anything.

4 Remake: TimeSplitters 2

Cries for a new TimeSplitters game have echoed ever since the fourth entry stopped being in development. In 2018, the license’s rights fell into the hands of THQ Nordic, suggesting that the publisher might have plans to revive the beloved FPS series. Unfortunately, nothing has yet to materialize.

Although it might make more sense to remake the first TimeSplitters, its 2002 sequel is undoubtedly the best and most fondly remembered in the franchise. Naturally, TimeSplitters 2 does feel a bit dated nowadays, which is exactly why a remake is necessary.

3 Leave Alone: Persona 4

Turn-based JRPGs have gradually fallen out of favor. Quite a number of the genre’s PS2-era releases have aged poorly due to overreliance on random encounters, painfully slow combat, heavy focus on grinding, and stories that are a bit too generic.

While Persona 4’s dungeons and turn-based combat can be quite tedious, the game’s characters and plot are brilliant. The PS Vita’s Persona 4 Golden is, admittedly, the definitive way to experience this adventure; however, the PS2 original holds up well in the areas that matter.

2 Remake: Onimusha 3: Demon Siege

With Onimusha: Warlords earning itself a remaster in 2019, there is hope that its sequels could follow suit. Onimusha has been mostly dead since the PS2 era, despite the hack and slash series occasionally reaching heights that could rival God of War or Devil May Cry.

Onimusha 3: Demon Siege was the license’s attempt to craft a proper blockbuster, one that split its time between 16th century Japan and modern-day Paris. Out of all the franchise’s entries, a Demon Siege remake is the most likely to turn heads.

1 Leave Alone: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4

Tony Hawk Pro Skater has fallen far since the days of the PlayStation 1 and 2. The first four games defined their respective consoles, and they are still fun to replay today.

Very little of the license’s output post-Pro Skater 4 is worth playing, with even the HD collection of the first three games being a disappointment. After all the series has been through, it might be best to just leave the memories alone.

NEXT: The 10 Best PS2 Games That Never Left Japan