Jap Ps2 Essentials

[ItsThere]

Having just sorted myself out with a jap PS2 for the first time (thanks to Rumbletum) i was wondering what the essential games are, new and old, that are region specific, i already have a UK one, so, for example, should i get a version of WE7 if i already have pro evo 3?
Also what is the difference between the Asia and Japanese games listed on Lik-Sang? I'm guessing the Japanese ones are the better of the two?

[Tom Salter]

Japanese games are the more collectible, but Asian tend to be cheaper.

Recommended games from Tom's 1337 list:

Dodonpachi Dai-ou-jou (everyone should own this game!)
Psyvariar
Devil May Cry
Katamari Damashii
Bujingai
Ico

And more when I wake up.

[wod]

initial d
rez
silent hill 3 (has english option)

[JU!]

Virtua Fighter 4: Evo

Winning Eleven 7: International Japanese vers (Def worth buying even if Pro Evo 3 is owened, its so much better it's near perfection)

Soul Calibur 2

[ItsThere]

I have Pal versions of VF4 EVO, Psyvariar, DMC, Soul Calibur 2 and Ico. Def will look up Do Don Pachi, looks so sweet, as for WE7i, it has an english option doesn't it? And where would be the best place to buy? I am psyched now, loving some PS2 action.
Katamari Damashii i need to find out a bit about and Bujingai I think will be a must buy. Thanks guys!

[ItsThere]

Just been checking through lik sang and was looking at metal slug. 3 looks great but i don't know much about 4, is it better or worse?

[innovator]

Just been checking through lik sang and was looking at metal slug. 3 looks great but i don't know much about 4, is it better or worse?

A lot better. Decent port too.

Try and get the original Dodonpachi on PSone first, it's better than Daioujou by a long shot.

Get WE7i from play asia, yes it has an English option but all player names are in katakana.

I own all of these and been through lots of PS2 titles:

Armoured Core 3 Silent Line
Bujingai
Devil May Cry
Gungrave
Hyper Street Fighter II
ICO
Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance
Onimusha
Onimusha 2
Psyvariar Complete Edition
Rez [Special Package]
Ridge Racer 5
Shadow of Memories
Shinobi
Silent Hill 2 Saigo no Uta
Silent Hill 3
Space Channel 5 Part 2
Vampire Night
Virtua Cop Rebirth
Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution
Winning Eleven 7 International

[SpikedJuice]

I have Pal versions of VF4 EVO, Psyvariar, DMC, Soul Calibur 2 and Ico. Def will look up Do Don Pachi, looks so sweet, as for WE7i, it has an english option doesn't it? And where would be the best place to buy? I am psyched now, loving some PS2 action.
Katamari Damashii i need to find out a bit about and Bujingai I think will be a must buy. Thanks guys!

I cannot stress this enough but I would definitely definitely get the Japanese version of DMC as well. You will not believe how much better it is when running at full speed.

Oh, and Fantavision.

[Darwock]

If you're into bemani then you can't ignore:

Guitar Freaks (1/2/3/4/5)
Drummania (1/2/3)

Only in Japan but require the peripherals to get the most from them.

[Zanzaki]

Go get yourself a Pop'n Controller and some of the Pop'n MUsic Games. The controller is expensive but it's worth it
You might want to check out Final Fantasy X International too, the best version of FFX

[tankplanker]

Pop n Music and the Guitar Freaks/Drummania range (along with beatmania) require dedication to get the most out of them, but you'll more than get your moneys worth out of them if you put the time into them.

I'd go with Taiko No Tatsjin as a good starting point, see the NTSC-uk for more info.