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The PlayStation 2 games can support HDTVs and EDTVs as well as the 16:9 widescreen mode. Generally, progressive scan mode is activated by holding the Template:PlayStation key press and Template:PlayStation key press, buttons down after the PlayStation 2 logo appears. When this is done, the game will typically load a screen with instructions on how to enable progressive scan. Many games only offer progressive scan through this method, offering no related options in the game's options menu. Both methods work on a backward compatible PlayStation 3 as well.
When progressive mode is enabled on PAL (288p/576i) games, the resolution is 480p, not 576p. Note that not all games from PAL territories support progressive scan mode 480p even if their NTSC U/C counterparts do.
Component video cables are intended for the ED and HD modes, with the color space being set to YPbPr in the system settings. While a (SCART) cable wired for RGB does work, the console switches sync to RGsB (sync-on-green) on 480p and higher; this sync setup differs from the standard VGA RGBHV and will only display on certain compatible monitors.Template:Ref
If a game doesn't feature a 480p mode itself, this and other progressive video modes can often be forced by using the commercial software Xploder HDTV player or the free Homebrew software GS Mode Selector (GSM). The use of these can give mixed results due to certain performance-enhancing methods used by developers. Template:Ref
At the PS2 internal System Configuration menu, the Screen Size option allows for a 4:3 or 16:9 (widescreen) display, however, most games do not poll this option for enabling widescreen, relying on internal options instead. As with progressive mode, widescreen mode can also be forced. Using the products of the PlayStation 2 emulation and homebrew scene, many games that don't directly offer a widescreen mode can be patched to use a true 16:9 aspect ratio. This is achieved by one of two methods: using cheat codes with a cheat engine like the commercial software Code Breaker or the free Homebrew software PS2rd; or by modifying the game executable permanently with a hex editor.
Some PS2 games have supported 16:9 (aka widescreen) and progressive scan (480p) since 2002. (According to Wikipedia Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy supported widescreen in 2001. It is accessible from the settings menu.)
Wikipedia had a partial listing of PS2 games with HD support, which you can now view on Deletionpedia.
Check the game's video options to be sure. Although some games have a hidden Progressive Scan option which can only be accessed by holding X and Triangle while the game is starting up
The most important things you can do to improve the clarity, color, and brightness of your PS2 games is to get component cables (if your HDTV will accept them) and optimize the HDTV using a THX certified DVD/BluRay.
Widescreen[]
When you change the aspect ratio of the game to widescreen, your TV does not automatically adjust. You've have to manually switch the TV to 16:9 (aka Full Screen). Don't forget to change back when you play a game in 4:3 mode.
Some games, like Ratchet and Clank 2: Going Commando, have a widescreen mode takes the easy way out and just chops off a lot of the top and bottom of the video to make it fit the 16:9 aspect ratio. Be sure to check any game you suspect this of. I preferred how the game looked in 4:3 mode. I still set the TV to Full Screen. There's some distortion, but not enough to bother me.
Progressive Scan[]
Progressive scan is only possible over RGB (or VGA) cables. Progressive scan, or 480p, avoids interlacing and comb effects, and offers a much cleaner image for the SDTV & HDTV to display. Text and motion should be most improved by progressive scan.
The main drawbacks to improved video quality via better cables and HDTV are jagged edges and graphical artifacts becoming much more apparent. PS2 games were designed for the brighter, more saturated look of cathode ray tube televisions (or PVMs), not the clearer, sharper but less rich LCD screens. Some tweaking of the TVs settings can help here. First, most if not all HDTVs store separate video settings for each input. So changing the brightness on the component input won't ruin the cable TV settings.
Fake "HD" Resolution[]
Fake "1080i" resolution is possible for games that support it, such as Grand Turismo 4 and Tourist Trophy. VGA cables are required.