The PlayStation 2 is thebest-selling game consoleof all time, just inching out against the phenomenal success of the Nintendo DS.
Part of the console’s success is, no doubt, due to it being the most cost-effective way to own a DVD player at the time. It also has one of the most impressive game libraries of any console ever made.
Many industry staples today had their humble beginnings on Sony’s black box.The machine also had a stunning lineup of sequels, and we’re looking at some of the best today.
12SSX Tricky
Snowboarding In Style
SSX Tricky
SSXwas unlike anything I’d seen inthe snowboarding genrewhen I first played. It was a huge step up fromgames likeCool Boarders, and the sequel improved on the formula in all aspects.
SSX Trickyis aloud and proudsnowboarding game from EA Big. On top of the gorgeous visuals and superb roster, the big emphasis is on tricks.Stunts are easy to perform, and you’re incentivized to pull off ‘Uber Tricks,’ which look ridiculous in all the right ways.
The game even has abasic rivalry system, making races feel much more personal. I have a soft spot forSSX3, butTrickyis a significant improvement over the original.
11Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec
The Defacto PS2 Racer
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
Gran Turismo1 and 2set the bar extremely highfor console racing games on the PS1. Then,Gran Turismo 3came along on the PS2 and did it all again.
Gran Turismo 3 A-Specnicelybridges the gap between sim and arcade racingso fans of either can enjoy the title. The graphics are stunning for the PS2, and the game is a must-have for petrol heads withover 150 licensed cars.
The title is also more accessible than the PS1 games, with a HUD counter suggesting what gear you should use before a corner. Competition was fierce in the racing genre on the PS2, andGran Turismoremained one of the best.
10Timesplitters: Future Perfect
RIP Free Radical
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect
TheTimesplittersgames got me into first-person shooters, andFuture Perfectexemplifies anaward-winning formalabuilt upon and refined.
Future Perfectis the third andfinalTimesplittersgame, offering a decent campaign. Previous titles had weak single-player offerings, so this was a noticeable upgrade.
Free Radical didn’t skimp on multiplayer either, with amighty roster of characters, weapons, and maps. There are even mini-games like curling, and they reward players with awesome unlockables.
Timesplitters Future Perfectis easilyone of the best shooters on the console, and it’s a tragedy that we will probably never see another.
9Tekken Tag Tournament
It Even Has Bowling!
Tekken Tag Tournament
I’m an old-schoolTekkenfan, andTekken Tag Tournamentwas the perfect game tocelebrate the PS1 trilogy.
We all got to play as our favorite characters in glorious PS2 fidelity inTTT. The game boasts39 playable characters, and the tag system felt fresh, rewarding experimentation. The graphics still hold up, and thesoundtrack has a few bizarre numbersbut is superb overall.
The character endings for the arcade mode are criminally bad, but it’s a minor blip in aterrific fighting package.
Conversely,Tekken 4ended up on ourmost disappointing PS2 sequelslist. It’s not a bad game, but itdidn’t bring the heatthat this gem does.
Mourn For Klonoa 3
Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil
Klonoa: Door to Phantomileis anunderrated gem on the PS1and a game every fan of platformers should add to their library. The sequel,Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil, is the same, but for the PS2 instead.
Klonoa 2is a2.5D platformerand expands on its predecessor in all the right ways. Klonoa’s kit has seen significant upgrades, giving the wannabee Namco mascot new ways to traverse the world.
The 2.5D perspective isn’t just for show either, with many clever uses of the background and foreground.The story and soundtrack are outstanding, and the ability to revisit some levels after they’ve fallen into chaos is a nice touch.
Klonoa 2wastechnically abandonwarefor the longest time, but now everyone can enjoy it as part of theKlonoa Phantasy Reverie Series.
7Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3
The Racing Series You Never Played
Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3
I didn’t want this list to read like it came from Metacritic, so I had to includea couple of unusual titles.
One of those isTokyo Xtreme Racer 3, astreet racing masterpiecethat offers such deceptively deep car customization and tuning that even modern titles don’t match it. Fiddling around with car settings is mandatory, and the title boastshundreds of intense 1v1 raceson the Wangan.
10 Badly Reviewed PS2 Games That Are Actually Pretty Good
This was undoubtedly the console-gaming golden era, but some great games didn’t get to reap the spoils.
The map is vastly expanded compared to the original, withhundreds of miles of trackto conquer.
TXR3has an almost overwhelming amount of content, and it’s amust-play for JDM fans. The only downside is it’s virtually impossible to play legitimately.
Fortunately, the series was revived, and a newTokyo Xtreme Raceris currently in Early Access on Steam. If you’re interested, make sure youget a head start on the competition.
6Shadow Hearts
Doom, Gloom, And Daddy Issues
Shadow Hearts
Shadow Heartsis a forgottenMidway classic, and it’s a sequel to a game with a completely different name,Koudelka, on the PS1.
For the uninitiated,Shadow Heartsis aturn-based RPGfull of demons, shapeshifters, and sadistic sorcerers. The game isdark and gritty, a dramatic shift compared to many RPGs at the time.
Every character goes through hell inShadow Hearts, and there are evenmultiple endings, so their stories may not end well either.
Combat is spiced up with the ‘Judgment Ring’ system, which rewards timing. Many abilities affect this unique system, and it’s a great way tomake turn-based battles more interactive.
I rarely seeShadow Heartsmentioned online, which is a shame because it’s a superb RPG, as isShadow Hearts 2on the same console.
5Metal Gear Solid 2
Find Something To Believe In
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
TheMetal Gear Solidgames on the PS2 are my favorites in the entire series, markingan unparalleled jumpfrom the legendary title on the PS1.
I firmly believeMGS 3is better thanMGS 2, but the jump in presentation between the original andSons of Libertyearns it a place on the list.
Metal Gear Solid 2is astealth-action masterpiecewith a charismatic cast, unforgettable bosses, and a story fit for the silver screen. The game is alsooverflowing with easter eggs, thanks to Kojima at the helm.
Despite receiving high praise,MGS 2is a polarizing game as you play as Raiden instead of Snake for most of the runtime. It was a twist nobody saw coming and something that would be impossible to hide nowadays.
4Silent Hill 2
A Masterclass In Atmospheric Horror
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2is abeloved horror game, so it’s no surprise it got a faithful remaster in 2024.
Compared to the blocky original on the PS1,Silent Hill 2is aterrifying, atmospheric upgrade. The music and world-building are unmatched. The game is also notably more ‘open’ than the other big horror series at the time,Resident Evil.
Silent Hillisslower-paced in comparison, but not to a detriment. The game takes time to ramp up thepsychological horror, and you’ll question if the surrounding horrors are real or just in your head.
3Resident Evil 4
Over Here, Stranger!
Resident Evil 4
I debated putting two horror games on the list, but it felt like sacrilege not to include a gamemany consider the best of all time.
Resident Evil 4marksa crossroads for the series. The previous games are hardcore horror games. Conversely,Resident Evil 4is more action-oriented and notably less scary.
That said,it’s an absolute banger, and Leon Kennedy’s adventure is unforgettable.
The story and cast are legendary, and the survival horror gameplay is broken up with thrilling set pieces. Leon can’t resist a few cheesy one-liners, and the game wouldn’t be the same without them.
TheResident Evil 4 remakeis exceptional, but if you’ve never played the original, you owe it to yourself to change that!
