From Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's own studios come:
The Getaway is a gritty, ground breaking gangster thriller, where the action takes place in a uniquely detailed representation of 40 square kilometres of London's best known streets. With over 1½ hours of cut scenes, a compelling plot line reminiscent of the classic British gangster films, and actors dressed in Ted Baker and Karen Millen fashions, The Getaway brings the dark underbelly of London to the power of PlayStation 2.
WRC ll Extreme is the only official game of the FIA World Rally Championship and includes 21 official WRC Drivers, all 14 WRC events and all 7 WRC teams. As well as all the official elements, for the first time gamers can experience the thrill of driving seven Extreme Rally cars. Developed specifically for WRC ll Extreme by the designers of the current WRC vehicles, these cars represent their vision of the rally cars they would like to build were there no restrictions. Rumour has it that one of these unique vehicles is closely based on the model for the manufacturer's next year's WRC car. WRC II Extreme also provides eager rally fans with 115 stages providing improved handling characteristics for each and every road surface, an enhanced collision system, better in-car audio, new weather systems and servicing options.
This is Football 2003 returns this Christmas season with the most immersive TIF experience yet! All areas of the game have undergone significant enhancement, spanning improved artificial intelligence, ball dynamics, graphics and cut scenes. In addition Transfer mode (allowing gamers to buy and sell players and build up their team), Challenge mode and further leagues from around the world have been added to provide even more depth of gameplay. All the transfers completed before the start of the current season are included.
Formula One 2002 exploits the state-of-the-art graphics technology of PlayStation 2 to create the richest, most realistic Formula One racing experience to date. Now Formula One fans can enjoy all elements of their sport in unprecedented detail and depth, based on the latest research and collaboration with the leading Formula One teams. All the drivers, teams, cars and tracks (including the new European Grand Prix design) from the 2002 season are recreated in stunning detail for the ultimate racing experience in Simulation mode. A new Arcade mode means that the product is more accessible than ever before, and Hotseat mode allows up to four players to compete against each other. Extensive motion capture techniques recreate real life podium celebrations, pit-crew activity and driver retirements.
Featuring over one hundred Disney characters as well as four brand new characters designed by Square's Tetsuya Nomura, Kingdom Hearts follows 14-year-old Sora on an epic tale of adventure, heroism and, ultimately, the sacrifice of what is held dearest for the greater good. Squaresoft and Disney invite players to embark on a fantastic and action-packed journey, explore new and familiar Disney worlds, meet old and new friends, and make amazing discoveries at every turn.
Ratchet & Clank, from Insomniac Games, the makers of the multi-million selling Spyro the Dragon series, is an action adventure epic set in a sci-fi, high tech, futuristic world packed full of gadgets. With the chance for gamers to cause trouble on an intergalactic scale, and to run riot with the most amazing and exciting weapons arsenal in the galaxy. The title characters, Ratchet & Clank, bring additional depth with their unique personalities and irresistible attitude and humour.
Disney's Treasure Planet, based on Disney's forthcoming animated movie, brings Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson's epic adventure of bloodthirsty pirates and buried treasure, not just right up-to-date, but into the future - a future in which the spaceship Legacy is over-run by mutinous pirates, led by the cyborg, John Silver. A combination of platform exploration adventure and space flying game, Treasure Planet takes all the most exciting parts of the film and adds its own compelling storyline.
Third Party Publishers continue to support the world's best selling entertainment system this Christmas, with 'must have' games developed exclusively to exploit the PlayStation 2's powerful graphics technology.
GTA Vice City from Take 2 Interactive is one of the most eagerly awaited titles of the year. Set in a sprawling 1980's Vice City, gangster Tommy Vercetti is sent to Vice City by his old boss, Sonny Forelli. Shortly after arriving in the city he's set up and is left with no money and no merchandise. Sonny wants his money back, but the biker gangs, Cuban gangsters, and corrupt politicians stand in his way. Most of Vice City seems to want Tommy dead. His only answer is to fight back and take over the city himself. With a simultaneous release of seven sound track albums, featuring a huge range of 80's music from the game's FM stations, GTA Vice City on PlayStation 2 is guaranteed to be a best seller.
Lara Croft makes a welcome return to PlayStation this Christmas with Tomb Raider - Angel of Darkness from Eidos, in which our heroine, accused of the murder of her one time mentor, shows off the darker side of her nature as a fugitive on the run.
Football and wrestling fans are amply rewarded this Christmas Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 2 and THQ's WWE Smackdown 4.
In Onimusha 2 from Capcom, the titanic fight between demon warlord Nobunaga and noble chieftain Jubei rages through a 16th century Japan overrun by demonic beasts and undead warriors.
Burnout 2 from Acclaim, utilises the power of the PlayStation 2 Emotion Engine to present one of the most sophisticated collision physics models ever. With an intriguing and exciting Crash mode, Chaos theory comes to PlayStation as you earn cash in the form of insurance payments, calculated according to how much damage each vehicle sustains.
In Red Faction 2 from THQ, the explosive hi-fi sequel provides an awesome array of vehicles from which to engage the enemy. From attack helicopters through submarines and robotic walkers, Red Faction 2's Geo-Mod, building damage technology provides high octane thrills.
Coming first to PlayStation 2 this Christmas is Electronic Art's blockbuster game Lord of the Rings, timed to coincide with the release of the second film in the immensely popular Tolkien Trilogy. TOCA Race Driver from Codemasters also joins the impressive line-up of top titles that are exclusive to PlayStation 2 this Christmas season. With a Hollywood developed story line complementing the thrilling on-track action, TOCA Race Driver adds an entirely new, and very welcome dimension to the racing genre.
"This Christmas, gamers will continue to witness the unfolding power of PlayStation 2 through our terrific line up of games", said David Reeves, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, SCEE. "The development benefit and power of PlayStation 2's sophisticated graphics technology is evident in many aspects of the exclusive titles being released this Christmas. The cinematic quality of The Getaway, the stunning water splashes and gravel effects in WRC ll Extreme, and the superb characterisation of the footballers in TIF 2003 are all examples of the way in which PlayStation 2 continues to expand the boundaries of computer entertainment".
Titles exclusive to PlayStation 2
The Getaway - SCEE
WRC ll Extreme - SCEE
This is Football 2003 - SCEE
Formula 1 2002 - SCEE
Ratchet & Clank - SCEE
Treasure Planet - SCEE
Kingdom Hearts - SCEE
Ninja Assault - SCEE
GTA Vice City - Take 2 Interactive
Tomb Raider - Angel of Darkness - Eidos
Pro Evolution Soccer 2 - Konami
WWE Smackdown 4 - THQ
Onimusha 2 - Capcom
Burnout 2 - Acclaim
Red Faction 2 - THQ
Automodellista - Capcom
Titles exclusive to PlayStation 2 through Christmas 2002
Lord of the Rings - Electronic Arts
TOCA Race Driver - Codemasters