The PlayStation 2 lived up to the promise of the original PlayStation and cemented Sony’s position as the leading console maker globally. Remarkably, the PS2 remains the best-selling console ever, and many consider it to have the most impressive collection of games ever created. It boasted a huge number of excellent titles across every game type, with several critically acclaimed and beloved masterpieces released each year.
The PlayStation 2, released from 2000 to the early 2010s, had a huge library of games and remained popular even after the PlayStation 3 came out. There are simply too many great PS2 games to list them all, but we’ll do our best to highlight the best game from each year the console was available.
To keep things simple with different release dates around the world, we’ll consider games for a specific year based on when they first came out, no matter the region. Plus, we’ll be adding a few extra noteworthy titles as honorable mentions.
TimeSplitters (2000)
GoldenEye 007 For A New Generation
While the PlayStation 2 didn’t launch with a flawless selection of games, it included some good ones, such as Armored Core 2 and Tekken Tag Tournament. However, the game most people were excited to play when they bought the console on day one was TimeSplitters, created by the team at Free Radical Design.
The developer’s background at Rare was clearly an asset, as this game successfully captured the spirit of classic titles like GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark. It’s a distinctive shooter with enjoyable gameplay, creative levels involving time travel, and a highly engaging multiplayer mode.
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
Within a year of its release, the PlayStation 2 was already transforming the gaming world with hits like Grand Theft Auto 3, Metal Gear Solid 2, and Jak & Daxter. However, many consider Konami’s Silent Hill 2 to be the standout game of 2001.
James Sunderland’s deeply unsettling trip to Silent Hill is widely regarded as one of the greatest stories ever told in a video game. The town itself is incredibly frightening, creating a constant sense of dread, and the challenging, frightening gameplay leaves players feeling vulnerable. It’s easy to see why Silent Hill 2 remains a standout example of the horror genre even now.
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
For years, the Final Fantasy series was closely linked with PlayStation. However, Square Enix wanted to reach a wider audience, so they partnered with Disney to develop the hugely popular Kingdom Hearts franchise.
The first Kingdom Hearts game was a truly unique magical journey. Players followed Sora, Donald, and Goofy as they explored worlds inspired by beloved Disney animated films like Aladdin, Hercules, and The Little Mermaid. Its wonderful music, engaging story, and easy-to-learn combat made it a groundbreaking game that became incredibly popular on the PlayStation 2 and launched a long-running and influential series.
Other Great 2002 PS2 Games
- 007: NightFire
- Ape Escape 2
- Dark Cloud 2
- Final Fantasy 11
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
- Ratchet & Clank
- The Getaway
Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando (2003)
The Return Of The PS2’s Biggest Mascots
Similar to the PlayStation 1, the PS2 captured the hearts of many kids with its memorable platforming characters. While games like Sly Cooper and Jak and Daxter were fantastic, Ratchet and Clank really stood out and became the most recognizable games associated with the console.
The second Ratchet & Clank game, Going Commando, was a fantastic improvement over the original. It featured even more over-the-top weapons, smoother controls, funnier writing, and memorable cutscenes, all with a classic cartoon style. While the first game was enjoyable, Going Commando really set the standard for what the series would become.
Other Great 2003 PS2 Games
- Beyond Good & Evil
- Def Jam Vendetta
- Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
- Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly
- Jak 2
- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
- Silent Hill 3
- Soulcalibur 2
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
The Perfect Prequel
The original Metal Gear Solid was a hit on the PlayStation, and its follow-up was highly praised in 2002. However, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater truly became a legendary game. Hideo Kojima and his team used it as a chance to tell the origin story of Big Boss, and the risk paid off handsomely.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater boasts a captivating story filled with complex characters and unexpected plot twists. Its stealth gameplay is incredibly polished, offering clever mechanics and memorable boss battles. Combined with Hideo Kojima’s unique vision, the game was a groundbreaking title that quickly became a must-have for any PlayStation 2 owner.
Other Great 2004 PS2 Games
- Burnout 3: Takedown
- Def Jam: Fight for NY
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Jak 3
- Katamari Damacy
- Killzone
Shadow Of The Colossus (2005)
A Giant Among Giants
2005 was a fantastic year for the PlayStation 2, with amazing games like Resident Evil 4, Devil May Cry 3, and Kingdom Hearts 2 hitting shelves. But it was Sony’s Team ICO that truly stood out, creating Shadow of the Colossus, a game that remains one of the most unforgettable experiences on the console.
Shadow of the Colossus is a stunning game where you battle sixteen massive, unforgettable bosses. Each fight is unique and awe-inspiring, leaving a lasting impression on players. Combined with its beautiful graphics, haunting music, and melancholic mood, it’s a true masterpiece that showcases the artistic potential of video games.
Other Great 2005 PS2 Games
- Burnout Revenge
- Darkwatch
- God of War
- Killer7
Okami (2006)
A True Work Of Art
The PlayStation 3 came out in late November 2006, but PlayStation 2 owners weren’t worried because the PS2 continued to get great new games all year. Interestingly, the game Okami actually looked better than many PS3 games at the time, thanks to its beautiful, classic watercolor art style.
Okami beautifully brings a classic Japanese folktale to life, letting players experience the story as Amaterasu, a goddess on a quest to overcome the evil Orochi. The game features a huge, open world packed with enjoyable side missions and memorable characters. Plus, its unique Celestial Brush gameplay adds an extra layer of creativity and fun.
Other Great 2006 PS2 Games
- Black
- Bully
- Final Fantasy 12
- God Hand
- Hitman: Blood Money
God Of War 2 (2007)
Kratos Keeping The PS2 Relevant
It surprised many players when Sony released a new game in the popular God of War series for the PlayStation 2 in 2007, despite the newer PlayStation 3 being available. This showed Sony’s continued commitment to supporting the PS2 console.
The second God of War game took everything fans loved about the original and made it even better. It featured larger bosses and levels, a more complex story, and more powerful weapons for Kratos, all while maintaining the fast-paced combat that defined the series. For PlayStation fans in 2007, this game made the PS2 a more exciting console to play than the newer PS3.
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 Best JRPG On The System
By 2008, the PlayStation 2 was nearing the end of its life cycle, but it still received a surprise exclusive title: Persona 4 from Atlus. This critically acclaimed Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) featured a distinctive art style and quickly became a favorite among genre fans, proving the PS2 was still a worthwhile console to own that year.
Man, I really got sucked into Persona 4. It wasn’t like other RPGs I’d played. The art style was super vibrant, the music was stuck in my head for days, and the story was genuinely intriguing, especially with all the supernatural stuff going on. Plus, the characters were awesome – I actually cared about what happened to them! The battle system was a classic turn-based style, but it felt really polished and fun. It’s a long game, for sure, but honestly, I didn’t mind sinking a ton of hours into it. It was totally worth it.
Other Great 2008 PS2 Games
- Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
- Guitar Hero World Tour
Secret Agent Clank (2009)
An Entertaining Spin-Off
As the PlayStation 2 aged, Sony kept it popular by releasing versions of PlayStation Portable (PSP) games on it. Because the two consoles had similar technology, players could enjoy their favorite portable games on their home console instead. Secret Agent Clank was one of the games made available this way.
The Ratchet & Clank series continued to be a highlight for the PlayStation 2 with a fun spin-off game. This time, the focus was on Clank, Ratchet’s robot friend, in a hilarious take on the James Bond movies. While it might not be the strongest game in the series, it offers plenty of enjoyable moments and proved that PlayStation was still delivering quality first-party titles for the PS2.
Other Great 2009 PS2 Games
- Guitar Hero: Metallica
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2026-01-02 04:09