The Rarest and Most Expensive PS2 Games
There are few video game consoles more iconic than Sony’s PlayStation 2. It was released in the US in 2000, along with a strong starting library of games such as Metal Gear Solid 2. The console was so popular and loved by fans worldwide that Sony didn’t discontinue it until 2013, when the PlayStation 4 — not one, but two generations of consoles later — was released.
The PS2’s longevity contributed to a vast library of games that includes thousands of titles across hundreds of developers. Many of these titles have remained affordable, but there are some that demand high value among collectors, either for being elusive or generally valuable. As a rule of thumb, the rarer a title is, the more expensive it becomes.
CGC Video Games™ has compiled a comprehensive list of the rarest and most expensive PS2 titles released in North America. Several popular genres are represented in our list, including fighting games, beat-'em-ups and RPGs. However, some of the rarest and most sought-after titles on the console are from the survival-horror genre, most of which feature female protagonists.
Here is our list of the rarest and most expensive PS2 games!
The Rarest and Most Expensive PlayStation 2 Games
MS Saga: A New Dawn
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MS Saga: A New Dawn was a role-playing game based off of the popular Gundam franchise. The game begins with players meeting Tristan and Fritz, two orphaned boys living in an orphanage. All too soon, a calamity strikes the Earth, resulting in Mobile Suits attacking and destroying the orphanage, killing its occupants. Tristan, stricken with grief and rage, sets out to find out why his home was attacked.
MS Saga: A New Dawn wasn’t very popular at first. It was the poorest-selling PlayStation 2 Gundam title in Japan, and American audiences offered mixed reviews. But since its initial release, MS Saga: A New Dawn has become a favorite of collectors, driving up the price. A sealed copy of MS Saga: A New Dawn typically sells for around $170.
Steambot Chronicles
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Steambot Chronicles is a fantastic example of a game that doesn’t follow traditional PlayStation 2 RPG genres or themes. Instead of a typical linear story, the game takes players through an open-world sandbox RPG with dating sim, steampunk and musical elements all wrapped up in one adventure. The risk of combining so many different elements into one game paid off, and Steambot Chronicles managed to create a decent fanbase and two spin-off games.
Although Steambot Chronicles gained a cult following, the game was considered a commercial failure in North America. As such, game producer Atlas decided to minimize production. A sealed copy of Steambot Chronicles will run collectors a little over $200.
Chulip
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Have you ever thought about combining Animal Crossing with a dating simulator? Chulip is an interesting attempt at such a game. The plot centers around a male protagonist who, after being thoroughly rejected by his crush, decides to write her a love letter detailing his feelings for her. Unfortunately, the letter is stolen. Players must lead him on a quest to retrieve it, which involves meeting the other townsfolk and gaining their trust, eventually earning the right to kiss them — which, in turn, gives the protagonist more “strength of heart.”
Strange, quirky and charming, Chulip is a truly unique experience, both in gameplay and collectability. Though it was released in Japan in 2002, its North American release was delayed all the way until 2007 due to localization errors and scheduling conflicts. Chulip became a Gamestop-exclusive title and was short printed, which means physical copies are extremely rare. A brand-new copy of Chulip will cost collectors around $200.
Samurai Western
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Another classic from Atlus, Samurai Western combines Japanese samurai warriors with the American Wild West to give players a unique beat-‘em-up experience. Players assume the role of Gojiro the samurai, who travels from Japan to America during the Wild West era to find and kill his brother. On the way, he passes by several villages in distress. The samurai code states that a samurai must help those in need, so Gojiro detours to help liberate these villages from various villains.
Samurai Western was a PlayStation 2 exclusive, which contributed to a low production rate. It’s also never been ported, so the only way to play it is to get your hands on an original PS2 copy. Collectors who are interested in purchasing a sealed copy for their collections can expect to pay around $275 online.
Wild Arms: Alter Code F
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Wild Arms: Alter Code F is a remake of the original Wild Arms that was released for the PlayStation 1. This enhanced version takes players back through the adventures of Rudy Roughknight and his friends, this time with 3D graphics, FMV cutscenes, a remixed soundtrack, new characters and much more!
The original Wild Arms was considered one of the best RPG games on the PlayStation 1, so it comes as no surprise that Wild Arms: Alter Code F received similar praise for its expanded story and features. Since its release in 2005, Wild Arms: Alter Code F has become a cult classic in its own right, which means that its value on the secondary market has skyrocketed.
If collectors want to get their hands on a sealed copy of Wild Arms: Alter Code F, they’ll need to be prepared to spend about $300.
God Hand
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God Hand, sometimes written as GODHAND, was released in North America in 2007. A classic beat-‘em-up game, players control Gene, a martial artist who inherits a “God Hand” — a divine arm with incredible strength and power — when he loses his own. Players can create their own combinations and attack styles by purchasing new powerups for the arm or playing through the story.
Upon initial release, God Hand wasn’t very popular among PS2 players. Its unique combat system and quirky story received mixed reviews, and critics were divided on how to rank the game in comparison to other titles released the same year. However, even with the initially mixed reception, God Hand sold well and eventually became a cult classic. A sealed copy of God Hand averages about $320, according to Pricecharting.com.
Xenosaga III
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Before the critically acclaimed Xenoblade series released on Nintendo Wii and Switch, developer Monolith Soft partnered with Bandai Namco to create the Xenosaga series. Xenosaga III was the last game in the Xenosaga trilogy and aimed to tie up loose ends from the first two games while also presenting a satisfactory conclusion. Although Xenosaga III was praised by critics, it was relatively unpopular and didn’t sell very well.
However, Xenoblade Chronicles is one of the most popular Nintendo RPG franchises in modern gaming, and it offers dozens of callbacks to the original Xenogears and Xenosaga games. Because of this, and the fact that Xenosaga is over a decade out of print, sealed copies of Xenosaga III have skyrocketed in price. A brand-new copy of Xenosaga III will cost collectors around $350.
.hack Quarantine
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The .hack series takes place in a timeline where a virus has forced every computer to shut down and a public ban of the Internet. Two years after the initial virus attack, a popular MMORPG is released. Starved of gaming and Internet usage, players eagerly flock to the game, only to fall into a coma upon logging in. In .hack, players control Kite — a player of the MMORPG — in his quest to free the comatose players, one of which is his best friend. .hack Quarantine is the conclusion to the four-part game series.
Most of the .hack series is expensive due to its popularity, but .hack Quarantine is the hardest to get ahold of. According to Pricecharting.com, sealed copies have been selling for around $350 at the time of writing this article.
Obscure
Obscure is a survival-horror game that puts a unique spin on the Sixth Generation survival-horror game genre. The game is set in an American high school, and players control five teenagers who are trapped in the school overnight. Obscure was a relatively ambitious project that introduced new mechanics to the survival-horror formula, such as co-op play and material fusion mechanics.
Despite its interesting gameplay, Obscure wasn’t nearly as popular as other survival-horror franchises like Silent Hill and Resident Evil. For that reason, not many copies sold, and the game was — once again — short printed. Yet, because it’s a survival-horror game, many collectors and gaming fans are still willing to shell out a nice premium for a sealed copy. A brand-new copy of Obscure goes for around $360 online.
Silent Hill 3
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Speaking of Silent Hill, the third entry in the series also demands a premium on the secondary market. A direct sequel to the first Silent Hill, Silent Hill 3 follows Heather — the daughter of Harry Mason, the protagonist of Silent Hill 1 — as she navigates through supernatural happenings and the Otherworld in an attempt to return to her father. The game received positive reviews and even a movie adaptation!
Though Silent Hill 3 sold well and isn’t particularly rare, the price of a sealed copy has skyrocketed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those looking to purchase a new copy can expect to pay around $375, according to Pricecharting.com.
Def Jam – Fight for NY
If you’ve ever wanted to see your favorite rappers go at it in the wrestling ring, Def Jam – Fight for NY is the game for you! This unique fighting game allows players to brawl as their favorite rappers and artists, including famous names like Flava Flav, Henry Rollins and Busta Rhymes. Though the game mechanics left much to be desired, the sheer singularity of Def Jam – Fight for NY’s story made it one of the most expensive titles for the PlayStation 2.
While Def Jam – Fight for NY Greatest Hits is generally common and inexpensive on the secondary market, the game’s original Black Label variant is anything but. Def Jam – Fight for NY’s black label variant sells for around $427 sealed.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
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The Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series for the PlayStation 2 is a staple among gaming veterans and anime fans alike. Based on the popular Japanese media franchise, DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 3 was released in 2007 to critical success. It built on its predecessors and introduced a slew of new mechanics and game modes, including a day and night cycle for stages, recordable battles and the largest character roster in any fighting game at the time, which included 98 total characters in 161 different playable forms.
Unfortunately, Atari lost the rights to publish the Budokai Tenkaichi series in North America shortly after Budokai Tenkaichi 3 was released. Because of this, the game only received one print run and very little time on store shelves. The game is much rarer than its predecessors, and its value has skyrocketed as a result. A sealed copy of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 — the original Black Label release, not Greatest Hits — usually fetches around $500.
Echo Night Beyond
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In a futuristic setting, a man and woman decide to spend their honeymoon in a resort… on the moon. Unfortunately — as is the case with most horror games — things don’t go according to plan. In Echo Night Beyond, players control Richard Osmond as he attempts to find his newly wed wife Claudia after their space shuttle crashes on the way to their resort destination. Interestingly, the game has a total of four different endings depending on choices the player makes throughout the story.
Despite the game now being a favorite of collectors, initial sales of Echo Night Beyond weren’t very impressive. The game was discontinued after a short print run, and sealed copies have since become very rare. Collectors searching for a sealed copy of Echo Night Beyond may pay upwards of $500, depending on the seller.
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
Silent Hill remains a staple series for the PlayStation family of consoles. However, none of the PlayStation 2 titles are more valuable than Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. A reboot of Silent Hill 1, Shattered Memories follows Harry Mason as he tries to find his missing daughter in the town of Silent Hill. However, the plot of Shattered Memories deviates into something more than the base game, offering a fresh experience for veterans of the series.
Despite the Silent Hill series being prominent on the PlayStation 2, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is actually a port from the Nintendo Wii. Because of its status as a port, PS2 copies of Shattered Memories are hard to find. A sealed copy normally sells for around $520.
Haunting Ground
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A spiritual successor to the popular Clock Tower series, Haunting Ground is one of the most desirable titles for the PlayStation 2. Players experience the game as Fiona Belli, a young woman who awakens in a mysterious castle following a car crash. She attempts to escape, meeting friends and foes alike in the process.
While Haunting Ground is definitely one of the rarest games for the PS2, its rarity — and its high price on the secondary market — can also be attributed to nostalgia. Fans looking for some familiar thrills have been scrambling to find Haunting Ground since Capcom released Resident Evil Village in 2021, rousing competitive bidding on auction sites like eBay. For this reason, sealed copies of Haunting Ground sell for around $560.
Blood Will Tell
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Blood Will Tell is a PlayStation 2 survival-horror RPG based off of the Japanese manga Dororo by Osamu Tezuka. A feudal samurai called Hyakkimaru must team up with Dororo — a thief — to defeat 48 fiends, who have stolen several pieces of Hyakkimaru’s body. Though the game is now a cult classic, reviewers gave it an average score upon release.
Blood Will Tell remains an elusive PlayStation 2 title and is one of the more expensive PS2 games in the bunch. A brand-new copy runs most collectors around $560.
Futurama
If you think you’ve seen every episode of Futurama, think again! The cutscenes in this video game adaptation of the original Futurama series make up an entire “lost” episode. By playing as Fry, Bender, Leela and Zoidberg, players attempt to save the Sun People from an evil tyrant by shooting through enemies, building a time machine and generally making chaos.
The Futurama television show was on the decline while the game was in development and was even cancelled shortly before the PlayStation 2 game was released. Because of this, the developers only released a limited number of copies. Today, Futurama for the PlayStation 2 can be found on auction sites for around $600, sealed.
Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is a classic brawler game featuring a roster of fan-favorite characters from the Marvel Universe and Capcom’s classic titles. Players could duke it out as Spider-Man, Akuma, Chun-Li, The Hulk and many more in one-on-one matches, co-op and three-on-three matches. Additionally, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 expanded on its predecessors mechanics and introduced several changes to gameplay, including a new character assist system.
Overall, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was praised by critics and fans to the point where it’s considered one of the greatest games of all time. Unfortunately, the game didn’t get a very long print run — Capcom lost the rights to use Marvel’s characters shortly after the game’s release, so Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was never reprinted past its initial first run. A sealed copy of the PlayStation 2 port will cost collectors around $900.
Rule of Rose
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Considered one of the rarest games for the PlayStation 2, Rule of Rose is the story of a young woman as she navigates the social order — and horrors — within a 1930s orphanage. While it was released in the US in 2006, other countries — such as the United Kingdom — outright cancelled localization due to the game’s psychological horror elements and rumors of erotic content.
Since localization was never finalized and the game saw a limited print in North America, sealed copies of Rule of Rose are hard to come by. The game is rare in itself, but those who bought it upon release were intent on playing it, especially since most of the players who bought it were survival-horror veterans. Brand-new copies of Rule of Rose demand a high premium, usually averaging $1,060.
Kuon
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Kuon is, by far, the holy grail of PlayStation 2 collectibles. Unsurprisingly, it is also from the survival-horror genre, like most of our other expensive PS2 games on this list. In Kuon, players control three main characters — Utsuki, Sakuya and Abe no Seimei — as they explore the Fujiwara Manor and protect it from an outbreak of monsters.
The game was popular in Japan, but wasn’t covered in the US. Because of its low advertising and a short print run, Kuon has become a very rare collectible game for the PS2. Loose copies of the game go for as much as $450 and complete in box copies can sell for as much as $800, according to Pricecharting.com. Sealed copies demand around $1,380, and that’s the lower end. If you still have a sealed copy of Kuon, make sure to treasure it and consider getting it graded with CGC Video Games!
I have a sealed copy of one of these expensive PS2 games; should I get it graded?
If you have a sealed copy of one of these expensive PS2 games, CGC Video Games absolutely recommends sending it in for grading. Professional video game authentication and grade offers many benefits outside of preserving your collectible with encapsulation. Grading with CGC Video Games also provides a clear indicator of condition, creates confidence for buyers and sellers and makes the video game collecting hobby more inclusive. To learn more about the benefits of video game certification, click here. If you’re ready to submit your rare PS2 games to CGC Video Games for grading, click here to get started!
About CGC Video Games
CGC Video Games is the division of Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) devoted to the expert grading of modern and retro video games from the most popular gaming consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation, Xbox and more. Since launching in 2022, the company has graded thousands of the most popular and valuable games, including several of the entries in this list. To learn more about CGC Video Games, click here.