The Sony PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling video game console of all time, even over 20 years after its initial release in 2000. With a massive library spanning over 4,000 games, the PS2 was home to countless memorable gaming experiences across nearly every genre imaginable. And among the system‘s very best titles, surprisingly enough, were its movie tie-in games.
A Brief History of Movie Tie-In Games
Movie tie-in games, or video games based on films or other entertainment properties, have existed nearly as long as the game industry itself. Many experts cite Superman for the Atari 2600 in 1978 or Star Trek: Phaser Strike for the Microvision in 1979 as the first major examples.
In 1982 however, what‘s often considered the worst video game ever made threatened to destroy the concept of movie tie-ins entirely. The infamously terrible E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial for Atari 2600, rushed out in just six weeks to coincide with the film, was so bad that millions of unsold cartridges were buried in a New Mexico landfill.
Nevertheless, movie tie-ins soldiered on through the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. Disney in particular found success adapting its animated films into 2D side scrolling platformers. As gaming technology improved into the mid-90s, more ambitious efforts like Goldeneye 007 for N64 brought genuine quality to the movie tie-in space.
The PS2‘s Golden Age
By the time the PlayStation 2 arrived on the scene, Hollywood had fully embraced franchise filmmaking. Cinematic universes spanning trilogies or more around properties like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Spider-Man and The Matrix dominated the box office. Nearly all of them received video game adaptations. Combined with the PS2‘s mammoth user base, it was a perfect storm for interactive movie tie-ins to thrive as never before.
Whether they turned out as pure movie cash-ins or genuinely great games, PlayStation 2 owners during this period were spoiled for choice when it came to controlling their favorite big-screen characters. As you‘ll see, some of these tie-in games weren‘t just great relative to typical licensed shovelware. They were among the very best experiences the legendary console had to offer, period.
7. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Released in late 2002 to coincide with the second Lord of the Rings film, this movie tie-in brought the hack and slash action of the beloved fantasy trilogy to life like never before. Published by EA, The Two Towers lets players control Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli across a variety of stages and combat scenarios drawn straight from the film.
The graphics and gameplay themselves are somewhat dated today. But at the time of release, the ability to step into Peter Jackson‘s meticulously crafted Middle Earth was mesmerizing. Challenge mode provides added replay value, while cooperative multiplayer enables friends to quest together. If this was just a taste of LOTR glory on PS2, its sequel improved on the formula even more.
6. Peter Jackson‘s King Kong
Peter Jackson’s critically acclaimed 2005 remake of the 1933 classic got a truly stellar video game adaptation that same year. Published by Ubisoft, Peter Jackson‘s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie was released for PS2 and original Xbox to stellar reviews. Players switch between controlling the film‘s human characters like Adrien Brody‘s Jack Driscoll, to wielding the power of King Kong himself in epic first-person beast battles.
Unlike most movie tie-ins that ends when the credits roll, King Kong‘s video game notably features an alternate ending where Kong survives. Developers worked closely with Peter Jackson‘s Weta Workshop to faithfully recreate the film‘s visual effects and 1930s NYC aesthetic in seamless fashion. It all combines into one of the most immersive and cinematic PS2 experiences out there.
5. The Warriors
Released by Rockstar Games in 2005, The Warriors was a loving adaptation of the iconic 1979 gang film of the same name. 25 years after the movie‘s debut, Rockstar leveraged the power of PlayStation 2 to faithfully recreate The Warriors‘ grimy 1970s New York setting across a variety of impressively detailed environments.
Players control various members of The Warriors gang on their long, dangerous journey back home after being framed for murdering a rival gang leader. The tense action and constant threat of rival gang attacks made The Warriors a critical smash upon release. Fans praised its story driven gameplay and head-bobbing soundtrack packed with classic disco and funk hits. Though not actually based on any specific contemporary film, it‘s arguably the best PS2 game inspired by a cult movie classic.
4. Lego Star Wars
This family friendly 2005 action-adventure game took the tried and true Lego game formula up several notches by incorporating one of the biggest entertainment properties on the planet – Star Wars. Published by Eidos and developed by Traveller’s Tales, Lego Star Wars: The Video Game adapted the events of the three Star Wars prequel films using Lego bricks and the series’ trademark humor.
Players could control over 50 playable characters spanning the Jedi, clone armies, droids and many more. The fusion of Lego platforming and puzzle solving mechanics with Star Wars‘ iconic ships, worlds and action was a match made in gaming heaven. It became a massive cross-generational hit for PS2, not to mention spawning an enduring, decades-spanning franchise of Lego games.
3. Spider-Man 2
2004’s Spider-Man 2 from publisher Activision was a remarkable achievement that still stands as one of the PlayStation 2’s most fun comic book adaptations. Unlike many movie tie-ins that rehash a film’s plot, Spider-Man 2 chose to forge its own new storyline as a sequel to the previous game. This gave developers more freedom to refine and expand upon the very best parts of their original hit.
Most notably, Treyarch’s Manhattan setting was now a massive, freely explorable open world playground perfect for web slinging. Players could ignore the main story entirely if they wished, instead opting to swoop around the city performing good deeds for civilians. These lively urban dynamics made the friendly neighborhood superhero experience feel more alive than ever. Add in exhilarating boss battles against the likes of Mysterio, Shocker, Rhino and Doctor Octopus, and Spider-Man 2 achieved that rare movie tie-in feat of actually surpassing its theatrical namesake.
2. The Matrix: Path of Neo
What happens when the actual creators of an iconic film franchise also develop the video game tie-in? The masterpiece that is 2005‘s The Matrix: Path of Neo for PS2. Lana and Lilly Wachowski returned to pen both the script and game direction for this faithful extension of Neo‘s saga across all three Matrix movies. Published by Atari and developed by Shiny Entertainment, Path of Neo lets the chosen one take center stage with an arsenal of over 60 spectacular martial arts moves officially approved by the series’ fight coordinator.
Players guide Neo through a series of pivotal scenarios where choices determine branching outcomes a la Choose Your Own Adventure. Action lovers can blast through gun-fu shootouts with upgraded bullet time skills that literally warp reality. Diehard fans can nerd out spotting countless references to the original Matrix films and animated shorts. However you play, Path of Neo stands tall as the ultimate Matrix video game thanks to the unmatched seal of approval from its legendary creators.
1. Star Wars: Battlefront II
Fifteen years later, 2005’s Star Wars: Battlefront II from LucasArts still reigns as the greatest PlayStation 2 game inspired by a beloved film franchise. Improving upon virtually every aspect of the original 2003 Battlefront, Battlefront II delivered the ultimate online multiplayer experience set in a galaxy far far away.
Iconic heroes, villains, troopers and vehicles from both the classic and prequel Star Wars eras could finally clash together in all out war. If spending hours battling for command posts across Hoth, Tatooine and the Death Star wasn’t enough, a compelling new single player campaign starring an elite stormtrooper added even more replay value.
With enhanced visuals and intuitive controls combined with gripping Star Wars authenticity, Battlefront II achieved that special balance of appealing to hardcore fans and casual gamers alike upon its launch. Today it carries such legendary status that a 2017 reboot failed to meet the community’s expectations compared to Pandemic Studios original masterpiece. Even among 4,000+ games for PS2, this is the movie tie-in title that still has players hunting down old consoles just for the privilege of returning to a different time – one where Rebels and Imperials were most at home on PlayStation 2.
The Legacy PS2 Movie Tie-Ins Left Behind
2005‘s Star Wars: Battlefront II fittingly capped off a five year peak period when many consider PlayStation 2‘s movie tie-in efforts to have hit their zenith. However as the console entered it‘s twilight years later last last gen, the frequency of major blockbuster adaptations slowed.
By the time PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 ushered in HD gaming, movie tie-in games had largely fallen out of favor with both gamers and publishers. Production costs increased considerably while massive multi-million sellers like Call of Duty dominated attention. Even as superhero films grew more popular than ever during the 2010s MCU boom, video game tie-ins grew increasingly scarce.
Today, the mere phrase "movie tie-in game" often brings derision or assumptions of cash grab shovelware. But for one glorious PlayStation 2 era, movie games didn‘t just complement big theatrical releases or faithfully recreate our favorite characters. The very best of them delivered genuinely special interactive experiences that console owners of all types have cherished for the past 20 years.
