Top PS2 Games Ever: A Retrospective

As the PlayStation 2 approaches its 25th anniversary, it's an opportune time to celebrate the games that made it iconic. From groundbreaking exclusives like Okami and Shadow of the Colossus to blockbuster hits like Final Fantasy 10 and GTA: Vice City, the PS2 boasts a legendary library. Here, we've curated a list of 25 PS2 games that not only pushed the technological and cultural boundaries of their time but also remain beloved classics today.

So, without further ado, here is IGN's selection of the 25 best PS2 games of all time.

The Best PS2 Games Ever

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Best PS4 GamesBest PS3 GamesBest PS1 Games25. Guitar Hero 2

Image credit: RedOctaneDeveloper: Harmonix | Publisher: RedOctane | Release date: November 7, 2006 | Review: IGN's Guitar Hero 2 review

Guitar Hero 2 represents the pinnacle of the series, capturing the essence of rock and metal with a selection of tracks that are pure fun to play on a plastic guitar. Unlike later entries that leaned more towards karaoke, this game stayed true to its roots with songs from Suicidal Tendencies, Megadeth, Danzig, The Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, and Iggy and the Stooges, among others, offering an authentic rock experience.

24. Sly Cooper 2: Band of Thieves

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 perfectly encapsulates the charm of the Sly Cooper series with its blend of family-friendly action, stealth, and witty dialogue. The game's engaging story is enhanced by a variety of intriguing worlds to explore and the ability to play as Sly's entire crew, offering a unique experience that stands out among Sony's first-party titles.

23. ICO

Image credit: SonyDeveloper: SIE Japan Studio | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: September 25, 2001 | Review: IGN's ICO review

ICO is a masterpiece that redefines the escort mission genre. Its success lies in its engaging puzzles and the deep bond developed between the two main characters, conveyed through minimalist storytelling and cooperative gameplay. ICO remains a testament to the power of narrative in video games.

22. NBA Street, Vol. 2

Image credit: EADeveloper: EA Canada | Publisher: Electronic Arts/NuFX | Release date: April 28, 2003 | Review: IGN's NBA Street, Vol. 2 review

NBA Street, Vol. 2 redefines arcade basketball with its visually stunning and easy-to-execute game breakers. It appeals to both casual and hardcore fans with its superb ball handling and all-star lineup. The game's four modes and unlockable legends offer an enticing mix of style and competition, perfect for head-to-head play.

21. Kingdom Hearts 2

Image credit: Square EnixDeveloper: Square Enix | Publisher: Square Enix | Release date: December 22, 2005 | Review: IGN's Kingdom Hearts 2 review

Kingdom Hearts 2 is a stellar sequel that improves on its predecessor with enhanced combat mechanics, featuring magic, the iconic Keyblade, and various form states for protagonist Sora. The game delves deeper into its mythology, enriching the narrative and characters introduced in the first game, making it a must-play for fans of Disney, Final Fantasy, and adventure games.

20. Tony Hawk's Underground

Image credit: ActivisionDeveloper: Neversoft Entertainment | Publisher: Activision | Release date: October 27, 2003 | Review: IGN's Tony Hawk's Underground review

Tony Hawk's Underground enhances the series with a fun, campy story, a massive soundtrack, and deep create-a-skater/park/trick features. Despite mixed reactions to its story mode, it remains the best Tony Hawk game, offering a comprehensive and enjoyable skateboarding experience.

19. Disgaea: Hour of Darkness

Image credit: NISDeveloper: NIS | Publisher: Atlus (NA) | Release date: January 30, 2003 | Review: IGN's Disgaea: Hour of Darkness review

Disgaea: Hour of Darkness is a timeless tactical RPG with its isometric battlefields and diverse character skills. Despite its grind, the game's gothic themes, humorous characters, and intricate combat system make it a classic that's easy to revisit.

18. Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal

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 is a standout in the series, offering an expansive galaxy filled with wacky weapons and mini-games. Its ambitious online mode and unique gadgets, like the Suck Cannon, provide endless fun and showcase the creativity of the PS2 era.

17. Beyond Good & Evil

Image credit: UbisoftDeveloper: Ubisoft Montpellier | Publisher: Ubisoft | Release date: November 11, 2003 | Review: IGN's Beyond Good & Evil review

Beyond Good & Evil is a unique blend of action and exploration set in a vibrant world full of quirky characters and secrets. Its charm and depth have kept fans eagerly awaiting a sequel, cementing its status as a PS2 classic.

16. Burnout Revenge

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 and chaos, whether racing through streets or causing mayhem in crash mode. It's the last game in the series to feature the beloved crash mode, making it a thrilling experience that has yet to be replicated.

15. Psychonauts

Image credit: Majesco EntertainmentDeveloper: Double Fine Productions | Publisher: Majesco Entertainment | Release date: April 19, 2005 | Review: IGN's Psychonauts review

Psychonauts masterfully blends a summer camp setting with psychic espionage, delivering a hilarious and challenging action/platformer. Its imaginative levels and memorable moments continue to impress, and the release of Psychonauts 2 in 2021 has solidified its status as a beloved franchise.

14. Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

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 in action gaming, offering challenging yet rewarding combat, a compelling story of familial bonds, and entertaining cutscenes. Its high skill ceiling and creative combat system make it a timeless classic.

13. Katamari Damacy

Image credit: NamcoDeveloper: Namco | Publisher: Namco | Release date: March 18, 2004 | Review: IGN's Katamari Damacy review

Katamari Damacy is a joyful celebration of absurdity, where the simple act of rolling up objects into a ball becomes a delightful and optimistic experience. Its unique mechanics and whimsical scenarios have captured hearts for over two decades.

12. Jak 2: Renegade

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 a darker, more intriguing narrative while retaining the charm and platforming excellence of its predecessor. Its new combat and traversal mechanics, along with the introduction of Dark Jak, make it a thrilling adventure and the best entry in the trilogy.

11. Bully

Image credit: Rockstar GamesDeveloper: Rockstar Vancouver | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Release date: October 15, 2006 | Review: IGN's Bully review

Bully offers a smart and funny take on high school life, blending satire with a coming-of-age story. Its streamlined progression and satisfying combat mechanics set a new standard for Rockstar's games, making it a memorable PS2 title.

10. God of War

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 that combines stunning visuals, intense combat, and challenging puzzles with a gripping story about Kratos, a very angry man. It laid the foundation for one of the greatest action game series of all time.

See our guide to playing the God of War games in order for more.

9. Okami

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 life into the world is both beautiful and innovative. Its painterly style, charming story, and engaging gameplay make it a must-play on both PS2 and modern PlayStation consoles.

8. Final Fantasy 10

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, accessible combat, and realistic character models. Its compelling story and iconic moments, like the question of whether Blitzball is good, continue to resonate with fans.

7. Silent Hill 2

Image credit: KonamiDeveloper: Konami | Publisher: Konami | Release date: September 25, 2001 | Review: IGN's Silent Hill 2 review

Silent Hill 2 is a psychological horror masterpiece that explores the protagonist's mental state through an unsettling and memorable experience. Its innovative use of unreliable narration and multiple endings has made it a beloved classic, with a remake released in 2024.

6. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

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 groundbreaking game that challenges players' perceptions through its narrative and mechanics. Initially divisive, it has aged well and is now recognized as one of the best stealth games ever made.

See our guide to the Metal Gear games in order for more of the series.

5. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Image credit: Rockstar GamesDeveloper: Rockstar North | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Release date: Oct 29, 2002 | Review: IGN's GTA: Vice City review

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City perfected the open-world formula with its compelling narrative, memorable characters, and iconic 80s soundtrack. It remains one of the best PS2 games and a landmark in gaming history, eagerly anticipated in GTA 6.

See our guide to the GTA games in order for more.

4. Resident Evil 4

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-focused gameplay, yet retained its horror roots. Its memorable enemies and iconic phrases have kept it popular, especially with the recent remake.

See our guide to the Resident Evil games in order for more.

3. Shadow of the Colossus

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 hauntingly beautiful game that blends puzzle-solving with epic boss battles. Its melancholic tone, clever puzzles, and dynamic music create an unforgettable experience, further enhanced by its 2018 remake.

2. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

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 is often considered the best in the series, with its survival elements, innovative mechanics, and compelling story of honor and duty. Its upcoming remake is highly anticipated by fans.

1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Image credit: Rockstar GamesDeveloper: Rockstar North | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Release date: October 21, 2004 | Review: IGN's GTA: San Andreas review

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a monumental achievement in open-world gaming, offering a vast, vibrant world filled with action and RPG elements. Its innovative features and expansive gameplay make it the pinnacle of the PS2 experience.

What PS2 Games Are Available on PS5 in 2025?

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, provides access to over 300 games from PS3, PS2, original PlayStation, and PSP, alongside a catalog of PS4 and PS5 titles. For an updated list of available games, visit our IGN Playlist page below.

PlayStation Plus Classic Games Catalog

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 AllStar Ocean: The Last HopeTri-AceDragon's Crown ProVanillawareTwisted Metal 2SingletracStar Ocean: First Departure RSquare EnixStar Ocean: Till the End of TimeTri-AceGravity Crash PortableJust Add Water DevelopmentsTwisted MetalEat Sleep PlayHerc's AdventuresLucasArtsKillzone: LiberationGuerrilla GamesWormsTeam17 Software

These 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.

The Best PS2 Games Of All Time