Sonyhas done amazing work with the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, but many gamers hold even more affection and nostalgia towards thePlayStation 2, which drastically updated upon their first console. The PlayStation 2 advanced the generation of gaming in considerable ways, a lot of which have now become the norm.
Related:10 Of The Most Underrated PS2 Games
Sony also took some bigger swings with more ambitious ideas andperipherals, with the EyeToy camera being one of the dominant examples. It’s easy to dismiss the device as a simple gimmick, but there are a number of games that make inspired use of the EyeToy and are actually enjoyable experiences.
10Disney Move
Not every EyeToy title is an incredibly deep experience, but the idea of combining this technology with variousDisneyfranchises makes a lot of sense and it was a brilliant strategy to hook young gamers on the peripheral.
Related:10 Modern Games That We Wish Used Motion Controls
Disney Moveshowcases a number of minigames that insert the player into classic Disney titles, like riding on Aladdin’s magic carpet, capturing ghosts on camera in the Haunted Mansion, or swordfighting alongside Peter Pan against Captain Hook.Disney Movedoesn’t overextend itself and it offers up enough variety while doing Disney justice.
9Formula One 05
Formula One 05is afast-paced racing titlefor the PlayStation 2 that captures a realistic take on formula one racing. There are some EyeToy titles that do require players to use their whole body as a means of steering the vehicle, butFormula One 05is much cumbersome.
Related:The 10 Best PlayStation 2 RPGs Ever Made (According To Metacritic)
The title leaves the racing mechanics to the standard controller and instead uses the EyeToy so the player can put their face on the racer and immerse themselves into the game that way. It’s a clever and subtle way to incorporate the peripheral.
8Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
TheHarry Potter serieshas dominated in the world of books and film, but it’s had a complicated time in the video game industry.Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabanis a multi-platform title, but it’s the PlayStation 2 version that’s the most memorable since it makes use of the EyeToy in some clever additional minigames. The core title is a decent enough game, but there’s a certain thrill to be had to wave a wand on camera, wear the famous Sorting Hat, and there’s even microphone support so players can speak spells while they weave their magic.
7EyeToy: Operation Spy
There have been a growing number of games that attempt to capture the energy of intense missions of espionage and stealth, butEyeToy: Operation Spytries to go above and beyond in this regard.Operation Spyisn’t a very deep game and it’s obviously not going to hold a candle to theMetal Gear Solidfranchise, but the title cleverly utilizes many of the tropes of thespygenre via the undercover missions the gamer must complete and the EyeToy technology. It’s an easy thrill, but one that still tries to do something different than the other EyeToy titles.
6EyeToy Play: Hero
Audiences have longed to step into the shoes of brave heroes ever since the beginning of gaming. There have been many incredible video game protagonist who are inspiring figures for gamers, butEyeToy Play: Heroreally tries to make the player feel like they’re a legendary knight. The aim ofEyeToy Play: Herois to rid the kingdom of an evil warlock, but what makes this title stand out is that it comes with a plasticswordthat’s used to track movements. It leads to a level of swordplay that’s actually quite fun and intuitive.
5EyeToy: Antigrav
Many of the titles for the EyeToy, likePlayorGrooveare meant for younger and more casual gamers who want more of a fun distraction than a deep and challenging video game.EyeToy: Antigravis meant to be the opposite of that and it offers a more advanced use of the EyeToy technology that’s meant for more seasoned users than newcomers.Antigravis a trippy take on a racing game and while the controls aren’t perfect, it’s still a rather impressive achievement.Antigraveven incorporates crouching and jumping into the game so the obstacles feel as immersive as possible.
4EyeToy: Monkey Mania
TheApe Escapeseries doesn’t get the respect that it deserves in terms of what it helped do forplatformerson the original PlayStation. The game made inspired use of the advent of the dual shock controllers and while the games have gained a cult status, it’s extremely exciting to see the PS2’s EyeToy do something with the franchise.Monkey Maniais a collection of minigames that’s far from perfect, but great fun with a crowd. This approach is rather common for the EyeToy, butMonkey Maniaexcels due to how it has over 50 minigames at its disposal.
3Sega SuperStars
TheSega SuperStarsseries is a glorious celebration ofSega’spast and while it’sSuperStars TennisandRacingthat made major strides for the crossover series, many don’t realize that the games got their start as an extension of the PS2’s EyeToy. SegaSuperStarsfeatures a number of minigames that attempt to put the player inside several of Sega’s most popular franchises likeSamba De Amigo, NiGHTS,andVirtua Fighter. Its approach isn’t dissimilar from other EyeToy titles, but the brand recognition of Sega’s very best mascots, some of which hadn’t been in games for years, makes a big difference.
2Lemmings
TheLemmingsfranchise is one of the most notablepuzzlevideo game series of all time and while video games have evolved and gotten more complex over the years, there’s still a good deal of nostalgia over something likeLemmingsthat prioritizes smart gameplay over hardware power. The PS2 port of the game incorporates the EyeToy in a clever way that makes the player feel like a powerful conductor. The titular lemmings are commanded by the player stretching their limbs across the screen and in different directions. It leads to a much more hands-on take to the classic puzzle title.
1Dance Dance Revolution X
Konami’sDance Dance Revolutionseries made major strides to popularize the music and rhythm genre for the home market.Dance Dance Revolution Xis one of the more robust entries for the PlayStation 2 that packs in the songs and features from the previous entries. While many EyeToy games make the peripheral mandatory,DDR Xallows the classic experience and then uses the camera accessory to fuel a number of minigames and other features. Since the game already makes use of the player’s feet, bringing arms and hands into the experience turnsDDR Xinto a full body workout.
