The PlayStation 2, a revolutionary console, is approaching its 25th anniversary. To celebrate, we're revisiting the games that cemented its legendary status. From PS2 exclusives like *Okami* and *Shadow of the Colossus* to mega-hits such as *Final Fantasy X* and *Grand Theft Auto: Vice City*, choosing the best is a monumental task. But we've curated a list of 25 titles that pushed technological and cultural boundaries, remaining relevant even today.
Here's IGN's selection of the 25 best PS2 games of all time:
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Guitar Hero redefined party games, but Guitar Hero II was the series' peak. Its focus was on awesome rock and metal tracks perfect for plastic guitar play, a formula refined before the music industry flooded the market. Harmonix curated an incredible tracklist, featuring artists like Suicidal Tendencies, Megadeth, Danzig, The Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, and Iggy and the Stooges. It truly rocks.
The Sly Cooper series masterfully blends family-friendly action, stealth, and humor. Sly 2: Band of Thieves excels, boasting a captivating story, diverse and engaging worlds, and playable characters including Murray and Bentley. Thrilling stealth gameplay makes it a unique and memorable experience, unlike anything else in Sony's first-party lineup at the time.
Despite relying on the often-criticized escort mission mechanic, ICO is remarkable. Its success stems from clever puzzles and the deeply developed bond between its two protagonists. The connection is conveyed not through dialogue, but through shared navigation of the labyrinthine castle. It's a masterclass in minimalist storytelling, showcasing the unique narrative capabilities of video games.
NBA Street, Volume 2 is arcade basketball at its finest. Visually stunning yet easy to play, it appeals to both casual and hardcore fans. Four game modes and unlockable NBA and street legends create an endlessly engaging loop of crossovers and slam dunks. Head-to-head competition adds to the fun.
Kingdom Hearts II showcases how sequels can surpass their predecessors. While playing the first game is recommended, Kingdom Hearts II offers superior combat, blending magic, the Keyblade, Sora's forms, and more. The mythology expands on the first game, providing satisfying depth despite a lengthy introduction. It’s a testament to the series' enduring appeal.
Tony Hawk's Underground enhanced the series' strengths. A fun and campy story, a massive soundtrack with over 70 licensed tracks, and intuitive yet deep create-a-skater/park/trick features make it a standout. Even with mixed reactions to the story mode, it’s a top-tier Pro Skater game.
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness remains an iconic PS2 title. Isometric battlefields, diverse characters with unique skills and weapons, and tactical depth provide endless replayability. While grindy at times, its gothic themes, humor, and intricate combat make it a timeless classic.
The Ratchet & Clank series consistently delivers charming characters, epic stories, and creative weaponry. Up Your Arsenal, the largest installment yet, features a plethora of gadgets, mini-games, and an ambitious online mode for its time.
Blending action and exploration, Beyond Good & Evil stands out with its unique world and diverse cast. Dive bars filled with strange creatures, a hovercraft repair shop run by reggae-loving rhinos, and hidden lore create a memorable and unforgettable experience.
Burnout Revenge is all about speed. Whether racing, weaving through traffic, or causing mayhem in Crash mode, the short bursts of action are addictive. The Takedown system adds thrills, but the Crash mode, absent from later entries, makes this a series highlight.
Psychonauts cleverly blends a coming-of-age story with psychic secret agents. It's a challenging and hilarious action-platformer with a compelling narrative and inventive level design, showcasing memorable moments and impressive visuals that remain impressive today.
Devil May Cry 3 is a highly influential and exceptional action game. Challenging yet rewarding combat, a compelling story, and entertaining cutscenes make it a standout. Its combat system offers a high skill ceiling and encourages creativity.
Katamari Damacy is absurd fun. The simple mechanic of rolling up objects to create a giant ball is combined with incredibly imaginative visuals and scenarios. Its silliness and optimism make it endlessly entertaining.
Jak II reinvents the series while retaining the charm of the original. The shift from Sandover Village to Haven City introduces new combat, traversal, and a more intricate story. The addition of Dark Jak enhances the power fantasy.
Bully tackles themes of bullying, social dynamics, and school life with humor and satire. Its streamlined progression and satisfying combat raised the bar for Rockstar's games.
God of War is a technical marvel with visually impressive boss fights, blending combat, puzzles, and platforming within a compelling story. It laid the foundation for one of gaming's greatest action franchises.
Okami's unique concept—playing as a wolf god whose paintings come to life—is brilliantly executed. Its painterly style, charming story, creative puzzles, and action-driven combat make it a must-play.
Final Fantasy X made significant changes to the series, introducing a new leveling system and improved accessibility. Its story, enhanced by realistic character models, remains beloved.
Silent Hill 2 is a disturbing and unforgettable horror game. Its nightmarish town reflects the protagonist's mental state, employing unreliable narration and multiple endings. It's a classic that remains chilling.
Metal Gear Solid 2 is a brilliant and divisive game, constantly subverting expectations. Its use of misinformation in marketing and gameplay was ahead of its time, making it a unique and enduring stealth classic.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City perfected the open-world formula established by GTA III. Its compelling story, memorable characters, improved mechanics, and iconic soundtrack make it an all-time great.
Resident Evil 4 revolutionized the series with its over-the-shoulder perspective and action-focused gameplay. Its unsettling atmosphere and memorable monsters remain unforgettable.
Shadow of the Colossus is a unique puzzle-boss fight experience. Its bleak world, clever puzzles, understated storytelling, and iconic colossi create a memorable and impactful journey.
Metal Gear Solid 3 is widely considered the best in the franchise. Expanding on previous mechanics, adding survival elements, and featuring clever boss fights, it delivers a compelling story of honor, duty, love, and patriotism.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas set a new standard for open-world games. Its vast world, diverse activities, and addition of RPG elements make it a truly memorable and influential title.
PS2 discs aren't compatible with PS5, but some PS2 games are available via PlayStation Plus Premium ($17.99/month). This includes a catalog of over 300 games from PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP. For an updated list, visit our IGN Playlist page.
This is an up-to-date listing of the PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog. Browse, sort, and tag titles to create playlists. Sort by "Recently Added" to see the newest additions. See All
These are our top PS2 games. Share your favorites in the comments or create your own tier list. Check out the best PS5 games for current recommendations.
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