The PlayStation 2 was Sony's most successful console, marking an entire generation for years to come. It sold over 157 million units and had an extremely vast library of games to the delight of its target audience, including major titles such as GTA: San Andreas (2004) and Resident Evil 4 (2005).
In today's article, we'll explore this vast collection and select the best PS2 games of all time so you know exactly what to play if you have one of these consoles. Are you ready for this nostalgic trip? Come with us and see if your favorite game is in our selection!
Devil May Cry
Released on August 23, 2001, Devil May Cry began as a sequel to Resident Evil, but eventually evolved into a groundbreaking hack 'n' slash. The game quickly earned its place among the best PS2 games thanks to its combination of intense action and immersive exploration, defining the genre with its unique gameplay.
The story follows Dante, a half-human, half-demon, on his quest for revenge against dark forces. With his father's sword, he faces frenetic combat and challenging puzzles in the demon realm. The title received a score of 94 on Metacritic, becoming an unforgettable console classic.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
In 2004, GTA: San Andreas arrived on the PlayStation 2 and quickly earned its place as one of the best PS2 games. Developed by Rockstar Games, the game follows Carl āCJā Johnson in his struggle to restore peace to a city ravaged by gangs, corruption and violence, while trying to protect his family.
With a third-person perspective and RPG elements, such as skill improvement, the title offers an immersive experience full of possibilities. The amount of content is impressive, guaranteeing many hours of fun, which earned it an acclaimed score of 95 on Metacritic.
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec raised the bar for racing games when it was released on the PlayStation 2, establishing itself as one of the best games on the PS2. The third title in the acclaimed franchise brought realistic gameplay and refined physics, offering players an immersive motorsport simulation.
With a wide selection of cars and tracks, the game guaranteed diverse and exciting experiences. Its biggest highlight, however, was the impressive detail in the graphics, which delighted both the public and critics, marking a high point in the history of the series.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is widely regarded as one of the best PS2 games due to its fluid gameplay and well-constructed narrative. The story of the prince and his fight against the traitorous Vizier, who unleashes the sands of time, creates deep immersion with well-developed characters. The rewind system and challenging puzzles add complexity.
The creative level design and sands of time setting provide a unique experience. The refined gameplay and strategic combat, along with challenging puzzles, solidify The Sands of Time as one of the most iconic titles of the PS2 generation. With stunning graphics and an immersive soundtrack, the game remains a favorite among fans of the genre.
Bully
In Bully, protagonist James āJimmyā Hopkins describes Bullworth Academy as the āworst school in America,ā full of former students involved in serious crimes. In this environment, the player completes missions to gain respect among the student groups and take control of the school. Developed by Rockstar Games, the same producer of GTA, Bully shares some similarities in gameplay.
Released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2, the game stood out for its creativity and variety of content, which won over many fans and earned a score of 87 on Metacritic. Although less controversial than the GTA franchise, Bully maintains the essence of Rockstar, offering an experience rich in missions and social conflicts that captivated players at the time, ensuring its status as one of the best games for the PS2.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, released on the PS2, marked a significant step forward for the series, not only in terms of gameplay but also in terms of graphics, which impressed gamers at the time. With an iconic soundtrack, including OutKast's "BOB" and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Fight Like a Brave", the game brought a new dimension to the skateboarding genre.
The introduction of the Revert maneuver was a major highlight, allowing for smooth transitions between ramps and the ground, which facilitated more elaborate and dynamic combos, making it one of the best games on the PS2. This title established itself as one of the best games on the PS2 due to its refined gameplay and graphical advances that brought a new energy to the genre.
The addition of the Revert maneuver not only improved combos, but also provided a more fluid and immersive experience. With a memorable soundtrack and renewed challenges, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 has become a must-have classic for console fans.
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2, released in September 2001 for the PlayStation 2, has become a survival horror classic. The story of James Sunderland, who travels to Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his deceased wife, plunges players into a world of abandonment and psychological terror.
The PS2's leap in quality over the PlayStation was evident, with improved graphics and an even more intense dark atmosphere. The iconic soundtrack, challenging puzzles, and plot twists earned it an 89 on Metacritic, highlighting it as one of the best PS2 games. Silent Hill 2 also received a remake in 2023 for PS5 and PC, proving its continued relevance and legacy as one of the most influential titles in the genre.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2 and received praise for its ambitious narrative, impressive graphics, and technical innovations. The gameplay retained the stealth and action elements, but introduced new mechanics such as hiding bodies and shooting off enemy limbs.
The PS2's leap in quality was clear, with more detailed graphics and a more immersive experience. The introduction of new mechanics improved strategy and combat, elevating the game to a higher tier on the list of best PS2 games. With a score of 94 on Metacritic, Metal Gear Solid 2 solidified its position as a console classic. Its innovation and engaging storytelling have ensured that the game remains relevant to this day.
God of War
This game was released in 2005 and quickly became one of the most iconic PlayStation series. It was created by Santa Monica Studio and follows the journey of Kratos, a fighter from Sparta who ends up living as a slave to Ares, the God of War, in search of power and revenge after the loss of his loved ones.
The game combines action and adventure with hack'n slash elements, offering impressive graphics for the period of its release and the use of the protagonist's skills. Violent combat and a narrative rich in the stories of the Greek gods guaranteed the series a huge fan base. With a score of 94 on Metacritic, God of War established itself as one of the best games for the PS2 and continues to influence the franchise to this day.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Directed by Hideo Kojima, the Metal Gear Solid franchise gained notoriety with the release of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater in 2004. The game stood out for its rich narrative and stealth-focused gameplay, while maintaining the essence of previous titles in the series. With a score of 94 on Metacritic, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is widely recognized as one of the most influential and memorable PlayStation 2 games in the franchise.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater brought significant improvements in terms of graphics and gameplay, with an improved camera game and even an online mode, standing out as one of the best games for PS 2. The story takes place in the 1960s, with the protagonist, Snake, on a mission to find out more about āMetal Gearā, a nuclear resource that can cause great damage. Everything about it contributes to it being one of the best games for PS2.
Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 took a big step away from the formula that had established Capcom's survival horror series when it was released in 2005. The focus on extreme horror and resource scarcity was replaced by a more action-focused approach, with a third-person camera that would become a hallmark of the original PS2 games.
With the transition to an over-the-shoulder camera and an emphasis on more dynamic combat, Resident Evil 4 stood out as one of the best games for the PS2. Capcom's decision to adapt the franchise with action elements was extremely successful, leading the title to become a classic and win several awards in the year of its release.
Shadow of the Colossus
Taking the silver medal among the best games for PS2 is Shadow of the Colossus, released in 2005 by Team Ico. It is widely recognized as a narrative experience centered on Wander, a young man in search of salvation for his beloved, facing enormous colossal creatures in a mysterious and mystery-filled journey.
The game's premise, which focuses solely on combat against giants, was praised for offering a different experience from traditional combat against smaller enemies. Despite some criticism regarding the controls and camera, the positive aspects ā such as the grand setting and narrative depth ā guaranteed a score of 91 on Metacritic, making Shadow of the Colossus a timeless classic.
Final Fantasy XII
Released in 2006, the winner of the gold medal among the best games for PS2 is Final Fantasy VII. It quickly caught the attention of fans of the Square Enix series for its innovations. One of the main differences was the proposal of an open world, albeit with some limitations, allowing players to explore freely instead of following linear paths, as in previous titles.
The story takes place in Ivalice, a world already known to fans from other titles. The saga follows Vaan, who dreams of becoming a pirate and, along the way, finds himself in the middle of a battle for Princess Ashe. With an extremely captivating story, Final Fantasy XII stood out as one of the best games for PS2, winning over critics and receiving a score of 92 on Metacritic.
Conclusion
These are the best PS2 games of all time according to popularity among console fans. Have you played any of them? What was your experience like? Share it with us in the comments section! And of course, be sure to check out our article on the best PS3 games and the video below! We guarantee you will like it!
