If you grew up in the mid-2000s, you probably remember the absolute strangeness of licensed video games. Everything had a tie-in. Everything. So, when 2k Games and High Voltage Software decided to tackle a Family Guy PlayStation 2 project in 2006, nobody was really surprised. But man, playing it today is a trip. It isn't just a generic platformer. It is this bizarre, multi-genre experiment that feels like a fever dream directed by Seth MacFarlane.
The game landed right when the show was hitting its second peak of popularity after being revived by Fox. Fans wanted to be Peter Griffin. They wanted to ruin Quahog. The developers knew this, so they didn't just give us one game; they gave us three different styles of gameplay mashed into one disc. It’s clunky. It’s loud. It’s offensive. Honestly, it’s exactly what the show was back then.
Why the Family Guy PlayStation 2 Game felt so different
Most licensed games pick a lane. If it’s The Simpsons, you get a GTA clone or a wrestling game. But the Family Guy PlayStation 2 experience refused to settle. You swap between three protagonists: Stewart Gilligan Griffin, Brian, and Peter. Each one has a completely different mechanic.
Stewie’s levels are basically a riff on Ratchet & Clank. You’ve got a ray gun, you’re jumping over platforms, and you’re trying to stop Bertram from taking over the world. It’s arguably the most "complete" part of the game. Then you have Brian. Brian’s levels are stealth-based. Think Metal Gear Solid but with a pretentious, alcoholic dog hiding behind sofas so he doesn't get caught by the police or creepy neighbors.
Then there’s Peter.
Peter’s gameplay is just a straight-up beat 'em up. You walk down the street and punch children, old ladies, and giant chickens. It is mindless. It is chaotic. It perfectly captures Peter’s impulsive idiocy, even if the controls feel a bit like you’re steering a shopping cart through a swamp.
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The writing is actually legit
One thing that saves this from being total shovelware is the involvement of the show’s actual writers. This isn't some third-party studio guessing what Peter would say. Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green, and Mila Kunis all voiced their characters. That matters. When you hear Peter yell about something stupid, it’s the real Peter.
The story centers around a few different threads. Stewie is fighting his rival, Bertram, which feels like a classic Season 3 episode. Brian is trying to prove his innocence after being framed for some dog-related crimes. Peter... well, Peter hits his head and thinks Mr. Belvedere is out to get his family.
It’s nonsensical. It’s great.
The humor hasn't aged perfectly—but then again, neither has the show's early run. You’ll find cutaway gags triggered by collecting specific items. These are mini-games. You might have to keep Peter from falling over or help him win a race. If you fail, nothing really happens, but if you win, you get a power-up. It mimics the pacing of the show in a way that was actually pretty innovative for the PS2 era.
The technical mess beneath the jokes
Look, we have to be honest here. The Family Guy PlayStation 2 game is not a masterpiece of software engineering. High Voltage Software did what they could, but the PS2 was gasping for air by 2006. The frame rate chugs. The camera in Brian’s stealth missions is genuinely your worst enemy.
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There are moments where you'll get spotted by a guard because the camera decided to clip into a wall. It's frustrating. You’ll find yourself shouting at the TV just like Peter does.
The cel-shaded art style was a smart move, though. It masks a lot of the hardware limitations. By using thick black outlines and flat colors, the game looks remarkably like the animation of that era. If you squint, it feels like you're playing a lost episode. Compared to the 3D horrors of other licensed games from that time, this one actually holds up visually.
What most people get wrong about the difficulty
A lot of retro gamers complain that this game is too hard. It’s not "Dark Souls" hard; it’s "unfair design" hard.
- Brian’s stealth sections require pixel-perfect positioning that the engine isn't quite built for.
- Stewie’s platforming has some "leap of faith" moments that feel cheap.
- Peter’s combat is a war of attrition where you just mash buttons until your thumb hurts.
But that struggle is part of the charm for collectors now. It represents a time when developers were still taking huge risks with how a comedy could be translated into a game. They didn't just make a puzzle game. They tried to build a full-scale action-adventure.
Is it worth playing in 2026?
If you’re a fan of the show’s Golden Age (roughly Seasons 1 through 5), then yes. It is a time capsule. It contains jokes and references that wouldn't make it past a modern legal department. It’s raw.
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However, don't go in expecting God of War. This is a budget title that happened to have a massive license attached to it. If you're looking to pick up a copy, the Family Guy PlayStation 2 version is generally considered the "standard" way to play, though the original Xbox version runs a bit smoother if you can find it.
The PSP version is also an option, but the controls are even more cramped. Stick to the console version. Grab a DualShock 2, accept that you’re going to die because of a bad camera angle at least ten times, and enjoy the ride.
Collector's value and rarity
Currently, the game isn't incredibly expensive, but it’s rising. Licensed games often get delisted and never see digital re-releases because of music and voice acting contracts. You won't find this on the PlayStation Store. You won't see it on Steam. If you want to play it, you need the physical disc or an emulator.
Because of those licensing hurdles, it’s highly unlikely we ever see a remaster. This is it. This 2006 release is the definitive statement on the franchise for that console generation.
Actionable steps for fans and collectors
If you're looking to revisit this piece of Quahog history, here is how to handle it properly:
- Check the Disc Condition: PS2 discs are notorious for scratching. Since this game uses a lot of FMVs (Full Motion Videos) for the cutaway gags, even minor scratches can cause the game to freeze during a joke. Always look for "Very Good" or "Like New" listings.
- Adjust Your TV Settings: If you’re playing on a modern 4K TV, the game will look like a blurry mess. Use a component cable (not composite!) or a dedicated PS2-to-HDMI adapter like the ones from Pound or Hyperkin to clean up the signal.
- Toggle the Cutaways: You can actually turn some of the mini-game prompts off in the settings if they get too repetitive. This makes the "Peter" sections move a lot faster.
- Save Often: There are some bugs that can soft-lock Brian's missions if you trigger an alert at the exact moment a cutscene starts. Don't rely on the game's generosity.
Ultimately, this game serves as a reminder of a very specific window in gaming history. It was a time when a cartoon about a dysfunctional family from Rhode Island could get a high-budget, multi-genre experimental game. It's weird, it's broken in places, but it's never boring.
To get the most out of your experience, focus on Stewie's upgrades early on. His heat-seeking shots make the later bosses much less of a headache. Once you get past the initial clunkiness, you'll find a game that has way more heart than it probably had any right to.