Best PlayStation 2 Multiplayer Shooters

Key Takeaways

The PS2 revolutionized multiplayer gaming with iconic shooter franchises like Call of Duty and Star Wars Battlefront.
Games like James Bond 007: Nightfire and SOCOM 2 offered unique multiplayer experiences with various game modes.
Star Wars: Battlefront 2 provided the ultimate Star Wars experience with diverse game modes and iconic character control.

As a seasoned gamer who’s witnessed the evolution of console gaming since its humble beginnings, I can confidently say that the PlayStation 2 (PS2) era was indeed a golden age for multiplayer games. The PS2, much like a fine wine, seems to have aged remarkably well, and revisiting some of its classic titles today is an absolute treat.

The PlayStation 2 stands as the highest-selling video game console in history, having moved an impressive 158 million units since its debut in the early 2000s. This remarkable device was a favorite among gamers for social gaming experiences, as it was one of the pioneering consoles to offer online multiplayer capabilities and the option to connect up to four controllers for simultaneous split-screen gameplay with friends.

In the wake of introducing multiplayer features, game developers swiftly started churning out fantastic multiplayer games, particularly in the shooter genre. Towards the end of the 90s and beginning of the 2000s, some of the most legendary shooter series were born, such as Call Of Duty, Star Wars Battlefront, Medal of Honor, Battlefield, among others. Many of these became household names on the PlayStation 2. This compilation will highlight some of the top multiplayer shooters for the PS2.

8 Brothers In Arms: Earned In Blood

Historic Shooter Where Players Can Control The NPCs

Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood” is a tactical shooter game set in World War II, focusing on the story of soldiers from the 10th Airborne Division as they fight through their battles in Normandy. Unlike other games of its kind, this one adopts a unique strategy by providing players with the ability to strategize and plan their actions rather than just running and gunning.

In “Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood,” there was an enjoyable multiplayer aspect that allowed for either cooperative or competitive play with friends. The cooperative mode featured us working together as a team against non-player characters (NPCs), while the Competitive mode pitted us against other players or had us go head-to-head on the battlefield.

7 Killzone

Dystopian FPS With A Stacked Online

Killzone is a gripping, future-oriented first-person shooter game set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic universe. The central narrative of the game revolves around an interstellar conflict between two adversarial powers: the Interplanetary Tactical Coalition and the Helghast Empire. The series is renowned for its brooding and intense ambiance.

In the realm of PS2 gaming, Killzone boasted an exceptional multiplayer setup that catered to both offline split-screen and online network play. The offline split-screen mode was typical for a PS2 shooter, featuring many of the same game modes as its online counterpart. However, it was the online multiplayer that truly set Killzone apart, offering four primary game modes: Deathmatch, Defend and Destroy, Team Deathmatch, and Assault. Furthermore, the online multiplayer mirrored modern-day Call of Duty titles by incorporating clans and ranks. Additionally, it featured 16-player lobbies, a significant milestone for its time.

6 James Bond 007: Nightfire

One Of The Best Split-Screen Experiences Of All Time

The video game titled “James Bond 007: Nightfire” belongs to the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, set within the James Bond universe. In this game’s primary narrative, you assume the role of a classic yet unique James Bond character, on a mission to thwart an evil billionaire who seeks global domination. “James Bond 007: Nightfire” is famously recognized as one of the best split-screen gaming experiences ever created.

As a die-hard gamer, let me tell you about my favorite moments with James Bond 007: Nightfire. This game offered five thrilling multiplayer modes that kept me hooked: Arena, Team Arena, Capture the Flag, Protection, and Top Agent. The arsenal in this game was impressive, ranging from the iconic Walther PPK to powerful rocket launchers. But what truly set Nightfire apart was the freedom it offered to customize my multiplayer experience, with unique settings like ‘One-Shot Kill’ mode that turned every face-off against friends into an electrifying battle of wits and skill.

5 XIII

A Truly Unique FPS On The PS2

The 13th title is one of the PS2’s most distinctive shooter games, boasting a comic-book aesthetic. Drawing on its namesake graphic novel series, the primary narrative weaves in themes from the spy genre such as espionage, intrigue, and clandestine plots.

With its unique comic book-inspired graphics, the game XIII offered a distinctive multiplayer experience featuring modes such as: Sabotage, Capture the Flag, Team Deathmatch, and Deathmatch. This game was particularly enjoyable for groups of friends because it allowed up to four players to compete simultaneously on a single screen in offline mode.

4 Call Of Duty 3

The Game That Pushed The PS2 To Its Limits

In simpler terms, “Call Of Duty 3” represents the third edition in this widely recognized series. Similar to its precursor, “Brothers in Arms“, “Call Of Duty 3” concentrates on the Normandy campaign during World War II. This game offered some of the most thrilling and enjoyable single-player experiences on the PlayStation 2, as well as an impressive multiplayer mode.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but reminisce about the intricate multiplayer experience of “Call of Duty 3”. Being developed and launched on both PS3 and Xbox 360, it was no small feat that this game really tested the limits of our consoles. The heart of its multiplayer action revolved around three primary modes: Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and a battlefield experience akin to the Ground War mode in newer “Call of Duty” titles, which we fondly referred to as ‘War’.

3 SOCOM 2 U.S. Navy SEALs

The Tactical Experience That Redefined Shooters On The PS2

SOCOM 2 is a third-person shooter game that was only available on the PlayStation 2. In this game, you follow a team of U.S. Navy SEALs as they carry out secretive and strategic missions worldwide. The storyline includes thrilling operations such as hostage rescues, sabotage, stealth assignments, and full-scale battles.

SOCOM 2 is notable for its exceptional multiplayer mode, offering a distinctive gaming experience. It featured 16-player lobbies and an array of engaging game types such as Suppression, Demolition, Extraction, and Escort. Additionally, it boasted a clan system, rankings, and exclusive clan lobbies, which can be seen as some of the initial manifestations of eSports within the shooter category.

2 TimeSplitters

A Humorous Time-Traveling Adventure On The PS2

TimeSplitters is a well-known arcade-style shooter, renowned for its humor and diverse cast of eccentric characters. The game’s narrative sends players traversing through numerous locales spanning different eras, thanks to the time-travel elements integrated into the storyline.

TimeSplitters stood out for its exceptional multiplayer features on the PlayStation 2, boasting an enormous cast of characters, innovative game modes, and a map-making tool. With a whopping 150 eccentric characters to select, many gamers eventually preferred the monkey characters due to their smaller hitbox. The map-maker enabled players to design custom maps that could be enjoyed locally with friends through split-screen play. Moreover, TimeSplitters was among the pioneers in offering private online lobbies, empowering players to adjust variables like match length, score limit, and weapon choices.

1 Star Wars: Battlefront 2

The Ultimate Star Wars Experience

On the PlayStation 2, the game Star Wars: Battlefront 2 was exceptionally well-received. Being a follow-up to the highly successful Star Wars: Battlefront, it gained such popularity that even after the official servers were deactivated in 2016, fans have managed to keep the game running using homemade servers.

In Star Wars Battlefront II, you’ll find a rich multiplayer experience with five exciting game modes: Conquest, Assault, Capture the Flag, Hunt, and Space Assault. Furthermore, you have the option to control vehicles and unique creatures found within the maps, as well as lead iconic characters such as Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in battles involving up to 16 players at once.

2024-11-17 09:05