As the PlayStation 2 approaches its 25th anniversary, it's the perfect time to reflect on the games that defined its legacy. From exclusive titles like Okami and Shadow of the Colossus to blockbuster hits such as Final Fantasy 10 and GTA: Vice City, the PS2 boasts an impressive library. We've carefully selected 25 of the best PS2 games that not only pushed the boundaries of technology and culture during their time but continue to captivate players today.
So, without further ado, here is IGN's pick of the 25 best PS2 games of all time.
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More on the best PlayStation Games of all time:
Image credit: RedOctaneDeveloper: Harmonix | Publisher: RedOctane | Release date: November 7, 2006 | Review: IGN's Guitar Hero 2 review
Guitar Hero 2 epitomized the series at its peak, focusing on the thrill of playing "bitchin' rock/metal tracks" on a plastic guitar. Unlike later iterations, this game wasn't about karaoke; it was all about the rock. With a stellar selection of songs from bands like Suicidal Tendencies, Megadeth, and Iron Maiden, Guitar Hero 2 rocked harder than ever before.
Image credit: SonyDeveloper: Sucker Punch Productions | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: September 14, 2004 | Review: IGN's Sly 2: Band of Thieves review
Sly Cooper 2: Band of Thieves is a standout in the franchise, blending family-friendly action, stealth, and humor seamlessly. The game's varied and intriguing worlds, coupled with the ability to play as Sly's entire crew, offer a rich, engaging experience. Sly 2 remains a beloved title for its originality and thrilling gameplay.
Image credit: SonyDeveloper: SIE Japan Studio | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: September 25, 2001 | Review: IGN's ICO review
ICO defied the norms of escort missions, turning them into a captivating experience through its excellent puzzles and deep character bond. Its minimalist storytelling and labyrinthine castle create an immersive journey that showcases the unique narrative power of video games.
Image credit: EADeveloper: EA Canada | Publisher: Electronic Arts/NuFX | Release date: April 28, 2003 | Review: IGN's NBA Street, Vol. 2 review
NBA Street, Volume 2 redefined arcade basketball with its visually stunning and easy-to-master game breakers. It appeals to both casual and hardcore fans with its superb ball handling and iconic lineup. The game's four modes and unlockable legends create an engaging loop of stylish plays and competitive fun.
Image credit: Square EnixDeveloper: Square Enix | Publisher: Square Enix | Release date: December 22, 2005 | Review: IGN's Kingdom Hearts 2 review
Kingdom Hearts 2 refined the series' formula with enhanced combat, including magic, Keyblade variations, and Sora's form states. While it's best experienced after playing the first game, its deep mythology and engaging world design make it a standout title that continues to attract fans of Disney, Final Fantasy, and beyond.
Image credit: ActivisionDeveloper: Neversoft Entertainment | Publisher: Activision | Release date: October 27, 2003 | Review: IGN's Tony Hawk's Underground review
Tony Hawk's Underground enhanced the beloved series with a fun, campy story and an expansive soundtrack of over 70 tracks. Its create-a-skater/park/trick features are both user-friendly and deep, making it a comprehensive skateboarding experience that stands out even among its peers.
Image credit: NISDeveloper: NIS | Publisher: Atlus (NA) | Release date: January 30, 2003 | Review: IGN's Disgaea: Hour of Darkness review
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness remains an iconic PS2 game with its tactical, isometric battlefields and diverse characters. Despite the grind, its gothic themes and intricate combat system make it an endlessly entertaining classic, perfect for revisiting at any time.
Image credit: SonyDeveloper: Insomniac Games | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: November 2, 2004 | Review: IGN's Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal review
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal expanded the series with new gadgets, mini-games, and a groundbreaking online mode. Its innovative weapons, like the Suck Cannon, add a fun twist to the gameplay, making it a memorable entry in the franchise.
Image credit: UbisoftDeveloper: Ubisoft Montpellier | Publisher: Ubisoft | Release date: November 11, 2003 | Review: IGN's Beyond Good & Evil review
Beyond Good & Evil stands out with its unique world and diverse cast. Its blend of action, exploration, and humor, set in a world filled with quirky locations like dive bars and hovercraft repair shops, has kept fans eagerly awaiting a sequel for years.
Image credit: EADeveloper: Criterion Games | Publisher: Electronic Arts | Release date: July 30, 2005 | Review: IGN's Burnout Revenge review
Burnout Revenge is all about speed, whether racing through streets or causing chaos in crash mode. Its Takedown-infused races and the last inclusion of crash mode make it the apex of the series, leaving fans longing for similar experiences in other games.
Image credit: Majesco EntertainmentDeveloper: Double Fine Productions | Publisher: Majesco Entertainment | Release date: April 19, 2005 | Review: IGN's Psychonauts review
Psychonauts blends a coming-of-age story with psychic secret agents, delivering a challenging and hilarious action/platformer. Its memorable levels and innovative design continue to impress, making it a timeless classic that has now spawned a sequel.
Image credit: CapcomDeveloper: Capcom Production Studio 1 | Publisher: Capcom | Release date: February 17, 2005 | Review: IGN's Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening review
Devil May Cry 3 is a landmark action game, offering challenging combat, a dark familial story, and entertaining cutscenes. Its high skill ceiling and creative combat system have influenced countless games, making it one of the best action titles ever.
Image credit: NamcoDeveloper: Namco | Publisher: Namco | Release date: March 18, 2004 | Review: IGN's Katamari Damacy review
Katamari Damacy is a delightful chaos of rolling up objects to grow your ball. Its absurd scenarios and optimistic tone, combined with simple yet addictive gameplay, have captured hearts and remain beloved over two decades later.
Image credit: SonyDeveloper: Naughty Dog | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: October 14, 2003 | Review: IGN's Jak 2: Renegade review
Jak 2: Renegade reinvents the series with new combat, traversal, and a darker narrative set in Haven City. Its mix of charm, platforming, and action, along with the introduction of Dark Jak, makes it the most thrilling entry in the trilogy.
Image credit: Rockstar GamesDeveloper: Rockstar Vancouver | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Release date: October 15, 2006 | Review: IGN's Bully review
Bully tackles the theme of bullying with a coming-of-age story, smart humor, and a streamlined progression system. Its satirical take on school life and satisfying combat raised the bar for Rockstar's future games.
Image credit: SonyDeveloper: Santa Monica Studio | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: March 22, 2005 | Review: IGN's God of War review
God of War is a technical marvel with stunning boss fights, blending combat, puzzles, and platforming into a compelling narrative about Kratos. It laid the groundwork for one of the greatest action game series in history.
See our guide to playing the God of War games in order for more.
Image credit: CapcomDeveloper: Clover Studio | Publisher: Capcom | Release date: April 20, 2006 | Review: IGN's Okami review
Okami's unique concept of a god-wolf using a celestial brush to paint the world is both beautiful and engaging. Its painterly style, charming story, and creative puzzles make it a must-play on the PS2 and modern PlayStation consoles.
Image credit: Square EnixDeveloper: Square | Publisher: Square Electronic Arts (NA) | Release date: July 19, 2001 | Review: IGN's Final Fantasy 10 review
Final Fantasy 10 revolutionized the series with its Sphere-grid system and removal of the Active Time Battle, making it more accessible. Its well-told story and memorable characters, along with the iconic question "Is Blitzball good?", have kept it beloved by fans.
Image credit: KonamiDeveloper: Konami | Publisher: Konami | Release date: September 25, 2001 | Review: IGN's Silent Hill 2 review
Silent Hill 2 is a haunting experience that lingers long after playing. Its exploration of the protagonist's psyche through the nightmarish town and multiple endings make it a horror classic, recently remade in 2024.
Image credit: KonamiDeveloper: KCEJ | Publisher: Konami | Release date: November 13, 2001 | Review: IGN's Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty review
Metal Gear Solid 2 is a brilliant yet divisive game that constantly shifts player expectations. Its themes of misinformation and innovative mechanics have aged well, making it one of the best stealth games, despite the initial backlash against Raiden.
See our guide to the Metal Gear games in order for more of the series.
Image credit: Rockstar GamesDeveloper: Rockstar North | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Release date: Oct 29, 2002 | Review: IGN's GTA: Vice City review
GTA: Vice City perfected the open-world concept introduced by GTA 3, with a compelling narrative and satire of 80s culture. Its memorable characters, improved mechanics, and iconic soundtrack make it one of the greatest games of all time, eagerly awaited to be revisited in GTA 6.
See our guide to the GTA games in order for more.
Image credit: CapcomDeveloper: Capcom Production Studio 4 | Publisher: Capcom | Release date: January 11, 2005 | Review: IGN's Resident Evil 4 review
Resident Evil 4 transformed the series with its over-the-shoulder perspective and action focus, without losing its horror roots. Its memorable monsters and iconic phrases have kept it popular, especially with the recent remake.
See our guide to the Resident Evil games in order for more.
Image credit: SonyDeveloper: SIE Japan Studio | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: October 18, 2005 | Review: IGN's Shadow of the Colossus review
Shadow of the Colossus is a unique puzzle game disguised as a boss fight adventure. Its melancholic tone, clever puzzles, and dynamic music create an unforgettable experience, further enhanced by its 2018 remake.
Image credit: KonamiDeveloper: KCEJ | Publisher: Konami | Release date: November 17, 2004 | Review: IGN's Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater review
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater refined the series with survival elements and clever boss fights. Its compelling story of honor and duty, set in a detailed jungle environment, is widely regarded as the best in the franchise, with fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming remake.
Image credit: Rockstar GamesDeveloper: Rockstar North | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Release date: October 21, 2004 | Review: IGN's GTA: San Andreas review
GTA: San Andreas is the pinnacle of the PS2 gaming experience, offering a vast, vibrant world with RPG elements and survival mechanics. Its detailed state of San Andreas, compelling narrative, and robust gameplay make it one of the most memorable open-world games ever created.
Unfortunately, PS2 discs are not compatible with the PS5, but you can still enjoy some PS2 classics through PlayStation Plus' Premium membership. This membership, priced at $17.99/month, grants access to over 300 games from PS3, PS2, original PlayStation, and PSP. For an updated list of available games in the Classic Catalog, visit our IGN Playlist page below.
This is an up-to-date listing of the entire PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog. You can browse, sort, and tag the titles and use them to build your own playlists. Sort by "Recently Added" to see the newest additions to the catalog. See All
Star Ocean: The Last HopeTri-Ace
Dragon's Crown ProVanillaware
Twisted Metal 2Singletrac
Star Ocean: First Departure RSquare Enix
Star Ocean: Till the End of TimeTri-Ace
Gravity Crash PortableJust Add Water Developments
Twisted MetalEat Sleep Play
Herc's AdventuresLucasArts
Killzone: LiberationGuerrilla Games
WormsTeam17 SoftwareThose are our picks for the best PlayStation 2 games ever. What made your list that wasn’t on ours? Let us know in the comments, or rank these games on your own Tier List below. And be sure to check out the best games on PS5 for what to play right now.
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