It may sound crazy due to me being the hugest Yakuza fan on this platform, but I had never beaten the PS2 versions of Yakuza 1 and 2. Sure, I did start Yakuza 1 on a retrocompatible PS3 years ago, but I didn't even get past the first chapter.
However, after seeing my friend 
Sure, the graphics aren't as good and the gameplay feels clunkier, but I'd say those caveats turn into qualities when you're looking for more Yakuza to experience.
The story remains largely the same, with some deviations, such as there being Shinseicho in Yakuza 2, whereas that location was removed in Yakuza Kiwami 2.
Shinseicho
The worse graphics are a quality for me because it feels somehow more charming, at least after having played the remakes, and the gameplay being clunkier opens up entirely new combo possibilities and different strategies when looking at combat as a whole.
There are some really fun attacks and mix-ups you can do that I'm pretty sure aren't possible in the remakes or are at least slightly harder or different to pull off.
The stories being largely the same is a good thing as it means these games hold narratively to this day, they really do feel like games ahead of their time with such good storytelling.
Of course, all of that was fleshed out in the remakes and everything is a bit more coherent and there is more content, but the overall experience remains good.
I didn't do many substories, only doing the ones that popped up for me and not actively hunting for them but still, they're all very familiar to those who played the remakes first and are just as fun up to this day.
There is one large caveat for Yakuza 1 though, and a slightly smaller one for Yakuza 2.
The Localization
These games came out at a time where Japanese games were heavily changed for western markets and that's the case here.
Both of them count with some odd stuff when compared to the remakes. Such as Kazama being called Fuma (they probably did this to not mix up Kazama and Kazuma but it ends up being more weird than anything), honorifics which are largely used in the Japanese language end up being dropped, and characters often refer to Kiryu as Kazuma, which in Japan would be the other way around.
But the true big 'stumbling block' here is the dub for Yakuza 1.
It was probably the reason why Yakuza 2 came subbed and not dubbed.
It's awful.
But in a good way!
(This contains spoilers, I suggest not watching the full video if you want to play Yakuza 1 or Kiwami 1)
It's really funny, and the excessive use of swear words is a sign from those times, where games tried to be edgy, but just ended up sounding ridiculous.
It's a shame that
Overall, these are really good renditions of these games; I mean, they are the originals, and if they hadn't held up we might not've gotten everything this franchise offered.
I've now played all mainline Yakuza games, including the newest one (Infinite Wealth), and boy, I'm happy.
The only games left for me now are Yakuza Kenzan and Dead Souls (on the PS3) and Kurohyou 1 and 2 (on the PSP)
I'm already getting around to playing Kurohyou on my phone (feels more genuine with it being portable and everything) but will wait till I can get my hands on a PS3 for those 2 games.
Kenzan has never been localized, however that's not much of a problem. My Japanese may still suck after 13 years of studying, but I can probably get through the game.
Anyways, I'd say the PS2 is a great entryway to new Yakuza fans who aren't afraid of retro games (Spooky old videogames OooOOOooo).
However, those used to more modern gaming may be a bit thrown off by the game's presentation and its overall jankiness, specially with the way navigation works, with the game's map being split up into chunks and not a "coherent" open world as it is on the newer titles/remakes.
But even if you decide to start with the remakes, or have already played them, grab a PS2 or an emulator and definitely check these out, they're really good!
Sources: Siliconera, Gematsu and WIRED.
