The PlayStation 2 fulfilled the potential of its predecessor and established Sony as the largest console manufacturer in the world. Even several generations later, the PS2 is still the best-selling console of all time, and it could be argued that it also has the largest video game library ever. Each genre had dozens upon dozens of brilliant representatives and every year produced several masterpieces that are still remembered and respected.
8 Most Influential PS2 Games, Ranked
As the best-selling video game console of all time, the PlayStation 2 was home to some of the most influential video games in history.
From 2000 to the early 2010s, the PS2 received thousands of games, and the console was still relevant years after the PS3's launch. Frankly, there are far too many great PS2 titles to cover them all, but let's still try to pick the best release for each year of the console's life.
Because regional launch dates complicate matters, games will qualify for the year they debuted in, regardless of region. We'll also include some honorable mentions.
TimeSplitters (2000)
GoldenEye 007 for a new generation
The PS2's launch lineup might not have been perfect, but it had some solid titles in it, like Armored Core 2 or Tekken Tag Tournament. But most people who bought this console on day one wanted to play a game above all else: TimeSplittersby the creative minds at Free Radical Design.
The developer's previous experience working at Rare paid off as this felt like a worthy successor to titles that GoldenEye 007 or Perfectly dark: A unique shooter with satisfying mechanics, fun time traveling levels and an addictive multiplayer component.
Other great 2000 PS2 games
- Armored Core 2
- Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore
- SSX
Silent Hill 2 (2001)
One of the best horror games ever made
In less than a year, the PS2's catalog had already changed the industry with excellent games such as Grand Theft Auto 3, Metal Gear Solid 2, and Jak and Daxter. But of them all, Konami's Silent Hill 2 was the best title released in all of 2001.
The story of James Sunderland's disturbing and depressing journey to Silent Hill was quickly cemented as one of the best video game stories ever made. The entire title city has a terrifying atmosphere that makes players feel uneasy, and the intense survival horror gameplay can make anyone feel helpless. It is not strange Silent Hill 2 is still considered one of the best exponents of the horror genre to this day.
Other great 2001 PS2 games
- Devil May Cry
- Grand Theft Auto 3
- Gran Turismo 3
- Ico
- Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
- Final Fantasy 10
Kingdom Hearts (2002)
Final Fantasy with Disney Magic
The Final Fantasy franchise was associated with the PlayStation brand for years, but Square was looking for the next big thing that would capture the attention of an even larger demographic. That's when they teamed up with Disney to create the amazing Kingdom Hearts franchise.
The original game was a magical adventure like no other, as Sora, Donald & Goofy traveled to different worlds based on classic animated films that Aladdin, Hercules, and The Little Mermaid. With its beautiful soundtrack, memorable story and accessible action combat, Kingdom Hearts was the start of a legendary new IP that would have a huge impact on the PS2.
Other great 2002 PS2 games
- 007: NightFire
- Ape Escape 2
- Dark Clouds 2
- Final Fantasy 11
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
- Ratchet & Clank
- Getaway
Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando (2003)
The return of PS2's greatest mascots
Like its predecessor, the PS2 was popular with kids as it was home to some new and iconic platform mascots. While Sly Cooper and Jak and Daxter was really good Ratchet and Clank were definitely the most popular mascots, and pretty much became the faces of the entire console.
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Their second adventure, Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando, was a perfect sequel, with more crazy weapons to use, improved controls, better comic writing, hilarious cutscenes, and timeless cartoon graphics. The first game was good, though Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando really paved the way for the future of this franchise.
Other great 2003 PS2 games
- Beyond good & evil
- Def Jam Vendetta
- Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
- Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly
- Jack 2
- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
- Silent Hill 3
- Soulcalibur 2
The perfect prequel
The first one Metal Gear Solid the game was a PS1 classic, and its sequel was one of the best games of 2002, but Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater quickly became one of the best video games ever made, as Hideo Kojima and his team took this as an opportunity to create a prequel that told the story of Big Boss, and it paid off.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater features an incredible story, with deep characters and many twists and turns that will shock players. The stealth gameplay was refined and perfected, with some really creative mechanics and innovative boss fights. Add to that some classic Hideo Kojima madness, and this was a revolutionary game that every PS2 owner had to own.
Other great 2004 PS2 games
- Burnout 3: Takedown
- Def Jam: Fight for NY
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Jack 3
- Katamari Damacy
- Kill zone
Shadow Of The Colossus (2005)
A giant among giants
2005 was one of the best years for the PS2: Resident Evil 4, Devil May Cry 3, Kingdom Hearts 2, and many other incredible titles were released that year. But it was up to Sony and their legendary Team ICO to deliver what would become one of the most memorable experiences on the entire console: Shadow of the Colossus.
The concept is simple: defeat 16 colossal behemoths in 16 unique and epic boss battles, each of which gives the player goosebumps thanks to their sheer size. With its incredible soundtrack, incredible graphics and gloomy atmosphere, Shadow of the Colossus is a masterpiece that proves that video games can definitely be art.
Other great 2005 PS2 games
- Burned out revenge
- Darkwatch
- The God of War
- Killer 7
Okami (2006)
A real work of art
Okay
- Released
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September 19, 2006
The PlayStation 3 was released in late November 2006, but this wasn't really a problem for PS2 owners, as that console still had great games released throughout the year. And surprisingly, Okay would end up looking much better than what the PS3 had to offer at the time, thanks to its timeless watercolor style graphics.
Okay perfectly encapsulates the feeling of playing on your own through a classic Japanese folklore legend, as players control the goddess Amaterasu on her journey to defeat the evil Orochi. This meant they had to explore a large, open world filled to the brim with fun side quests and charming characters. Not to mention it featured the creative Celestial Brush mechanic that made everything even more fun.
Other great 2006 PS2 games
- Black
- Bully
- Final Fantasy 12
- God Hand
- Hitman: Blood Money
God Of War 2 (2007)
Kratos keeps PS2 relevant
Fans were baffled when a first-party sequel to one of Sony's most popular IPs was released for the PS2 in 2007, even though the PS3 had already been on the market for months. This was the case with God of War 2and it showed that Sony still believed in its console.
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This sequel improved on everything that was so great about the first The God of War: Bigger bosses, bigger levels, more deadly weapons for Kratos to use and a deeper plot, but still kept the energetic battle system that made this franchise so beloved from the beginning. In 2007, PlayStation fans had a better time with their PS2s than with their PS3s.
Other great 2007 PS2 games
- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
- Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Persona 4 (2008)
The system's best JRPG
The PS2 slowed down in 2008, but it still released an unexpected exclusive, in the form of Personas 4 by Atlus. This was an excellent JRPG with a solid art style that was a big hit with fans of the genre, and it cemented the PS2 as a console worth owning in 2008.
Personas 4 really stood out from other games in the genre, with a colorful art style, catchy music, and a mysterious plot that took advantage of its supernatural elements. The cast of characters is likable and memorable, and the turn-based combat perfected the series' formula. This is a long game that most players don't mind spending many hours on.
Other great 2008 PS2 games
- Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
- Guitar Hero World Tour
Secret Agent Clank (2009)
An entertaining spin-off
In the later stages of its life cycle, the PS2 was kept relevant as Sony ported many PlayStation Portable games to this home console as they shared similar hardware, and it was a great way to let gamers choose how to play their favorite handheld experiences. And Secret Agent Clank was one of the selected titles.
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The Ratchet & Clank The IP once again showed how important it was to the PS2, with a really entertaining spin-off featuring Ratchet's loyal robot companion, Clank, in a hilarious parody of the James Bond series. It might not be the best game in the series, but it has some great moments, and it was great to see a solid first-party game still being released on the PS2.
Other great 2009 PS2 games
