Top 10 Lists : The Top 10 Greatest Japanese Games For PS2 America Will Never Get. Start Importing!

Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana was translated and brought to the USA. The game was sold out incredibly fast, although due to low production, but sold out incredibly fast nonetheless. It was one of the most unique RPG's gamers ever layed hands on in America, where instead of battles and powering up as the main focus of the game, you instead focus more on gathering material and creating items. It may sound boring but once you play it you will be addicted. Atelier Iris 2 didn't do as well as the Item Hunt aspect of the game wasn't as inovative an the battles were much easier. This third game however really focuses on the battles more, with dynamic attack animations, and even an burst meter that when filled up makes your characters Godly. This game is like a mix of the first AI and emphasis on battles. However it plays slightly different, as it's more quest-oriented than free roaming. The main problem with this game is that it's not very import friendly, and it's very difficult to figure what to do without any knowledge of the Japanese language.

I may not be a Naruto fan (or a fan of it at all for that matter), but that wont stop me from saying that this is one of the funnest fighter around. It plays very similar to Nintend's Super Smash Bros, but with lifebars. All the attacks are relatively simple to do, but skill and timing are both essential if you wish to win against a skilled player. America received Naruto: Ultimate Ninja, which is really Naruto: Narutimate Hero 1 for PS2 that came out many years ago. And even that game was decent enough, but NH3 totally blows the first one again with its complete cast of characters, attacks, items and stages.

Japanese 2D fighter competitors may argue that this fighter, also made by the masterminds of SNK, is the most balanced and tournament happy fighter. It definitely is, however, it's incredible small cast of characters is what ultimately gave the King of Fighters XI the spot above this game's. Although the small roster may play a role in this game's incredible balance. Garou is more known as Fatal Fury in America, and was released on the Dreamcast in USA, but the PS2 version will never see the light of the western shores.

Street Fighter fans and American 2D fighter fans expected a lot from Capcom's Capcom Fighting Evolution. But that game turns out to be the biggest dissapointment in fighting game history. Everybody thought the same thing: "The concept and idea were good, but was executed so poorly it hardly matters". SNK, Capcom's former rival in 2D fighters steps up and shows them how it's done. The result is superb. Characters from all of SNK's big games such as The King of Figters, Fatal Fury/Garou, Metal Slug, World Heroes, Last Blade and more, all present. And each characters can use techniques from their respective game, such as Samurai Showdown characters doing Rage Explosion, Last Blade characters doing Attack Deflection e.t.c. And as expected of SNK, the game is well balanced. Even the bosses are from various SNK universes to lay the smack down on you. As with most SNK fighters, great skill is needed to master the characters and techniques.

In America, the only thing people probably think of when they hear 2D fighters is Street Fighter. In Japan they say "Street who?". The King of Fighters is one of the longest running 2D fighter made by SNK, who specializes in 2D fighters. Japanese gamers are more competitive than you can imagine, so it's no wonder that King of Fighter's huge cast of characters, yet balanced gameplay appeal to them more. This serie has a huge fanbase in Japan, while the few games that do make it to America aren't even being noticed. What really gives the King of Fighters its ultimate success beside it's cast of unique and unforgetable characters, is its story. This is one of the few 2D fighters that have a serious story that is still on-going even now, almost everyone has a deep story and not just some random fighter picked up on the street. The King of Fighters XI is the latest installment in this fighter serie, and it's definitely the most balanced, tournament-able, and skill-reliant 2D fighter in existence.

As an SRPG game, it isn't very difficult. The battle system is very unique and plays similar to Namco's Tales RPG. However this seems to hardly matter to people, as the main attraction of this game is the huge cast of characters and villains from the Capcom and Namco universe. Street Fighters, Resident Evil, Final Fight, Captain Command, Strider? Check. Soul Calibur, Tekken, Tales of Destiny? Check. Half of the cast are from Japanese released-only games, but the funnest part of the game is guessing and identifying who you are getting next in your team. Another reason for this game's success is the nostalgic music for each character that plays when their turn start.

Yet another Tales games. This one was the most beautiful looking one in terms of 2D, until Tales of Destiny remake came out, and outshined this game. But that doesnt change the fact that this is an excellent Tales RPG. Outstanding voice acting, interesting and unique 3 fielded battle system with the new Force Grid skill system are enough to make this game shine amongst all the other Tales.

Do not confuse this game with the American release of "Tales of Destiny 2" on the PS1, that game was actually Tales of Eternia. Tales of Destiny 2 (JP) is the true sequel to one of the most popular Tales game, Tales of Destiny released also on the PS1. This title, sporting one of the most fast-paced battle system, best soundtrack out of all the Tales, and topnotch computer AI made this Tale's battle system one of the best one yet. Add in great characters, and incredibly high replay value, this game is another must have for RPG/Tales fans alike.

This SRPG serie made by Banpresto spawned over 30+ games in history! Yet chances are you've never heard about it, as not a single one made it to American shores. SRW is a SRPG serie that mixes its original characters along with Sunrise's Giant Robot anime/cartoons all together for an epic story, nolstagic music and characters, and experience. The most noticeable serie that Americans will be familiar with would be the Gundam series, such as Gundam SeeD, Wing, and more. Add in the shows from the 60s, 70s, and 80s like Mazinger Z, Getter Robo, GaoGaiGar...the list goes on, and you'll find yourself just trying to figure out who all these heroes are, there is way too many of them to keep track of. However the main selling point of this serie is it's astounding battle animations. Every attack are animated to the point where your jaws will drop in awe. Don't understand Japanese? You'll miss out on its amazing story, but that won't stop you from enjoying the game's nostalgia, music, and the awespiring animations.

With it's recent release in 11/30/06 in Japan, this game's sales are already over the top. And why wouldn't it be? This is one of the most beautiful 2D games I've ever layed my eyes on. This game is a full remake of the original Tales of Destiny that was released on PS1. Anyone familiar with the Tales RPG series will be quite familiar with it's battle system, one of the most fun and unique battle system ever invented in an RPG. This remake however broke the boundaries of fun in battles even further with fast paced air combos. Add in the beautiful remixed sountrack and visually impressive animations, you got yourself a nearly flawless RPG that even Japanese illiterate can enjoy.

Almost every game on the list is either an RPG or a Fighting Game. It shouldn't be surprising, as most action games already makes it to America with no problem, but its these 2 Genre that has the most problem due to a smaller fanbase of the genre of America. So if you are one of the few who are fans of these genres, you should really check these games out and consider importing them as well. Be sure to check how the game looks on YouTube.com first before making the decision, as importing is expensive (Usually 64$ for 1 game + shipping).

List by YanDaMan263 (12/18/2006)

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