PS2 Games That Have Aged The Best

Summary

Many PS2 classics like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas have aged well thanks to their engaging gameplay and vast content.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time still stands out due to its unique time-rewinding mechanics and timeless story.
Shadow of the Colossus remains a work of art with minimalistic, boss-focused gameplay that has aged perfectly.

It’s hard to believe that the PlayStation 2 is now more than two and a half decades old, yet it remains one of the most highly regarded video game consoles in history, largely due to its impressive library of top-quality games. While some of these games have not held up well over time, many others have aged quite gracefully, and an appreciable number have actually aged exceptionally well.

Many beloved and highly-rated games from the sixth generation console remain timeless classics, continuing to provide an exceptional gaming experience despite being over twenty years old. These PS2 games have developed a fine patina, much like aged wine, making it worthwhile for gamers who haven’t yet played them to seek them out and immerse themselves in these enduring works of interactive art.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

An Expansive Open-World Game With A Lot Of Content

Due to the launch of Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 3, open-world sandbox games experienced a significant surge in popularity during the early 2000s. While the initial release and its sequel, GTA: Vice City, remain timeless classics within the genre, they haven’t held up exceptionally well over time, particularly regarding their story, scope, and content. In stark contrast, the final game in the series released on the PS2, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, has not suffered the same fate.

Back in the day, I couldn’t help but feel that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas opened up a new era for the high-definition GTA games to follow. It offered a captivating and immersive storyline set within the lively city of Los Santos, brimming with activities for players to explore, whether they opted to stick with the main narrative or simply wandered around aimlessly, soaking up the world at their leisure. San Andreas even featured a secret local co-op mode, which was quite impressive nine years before GTA Online was even on the radar! This game certainly had a knack for being ahead of its time, and that’s why it continues to entertain fans of open-world games even today.

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

Its Time-Rewinding Mechanic Is Still Unmatched

In the early 2000s, Ubisoft gave a fresh lease of life to its Prince of Persia intellectual property with the introduction of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, an outstanding action-adventure game that stood out due to its time-rewind feature. This unique mechanic allowed players to reverse time for a short while, and this clever implementation was evident both in combat sequences and platforming sections.

Not only does Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time deliver an engaging and timeless narrative with humorous dialogues that remain relevant, but its unique climbing mechanics are also noteworthy. These mechanics have significantly influenced the climbing features in the Assassin’s Creed series. However, it seems Ubisoft has been facing challenges in remaking The Sands of Time since 2020, possibly due to the difficulty in improving upon a project that was already nearly flawless from its inception.

Shadow Of The Colossus

A Work Of Art That Was Ahead Of Its Time

The game titled Shadow of the Colossus is often hailed as one of the greatest video games ever created, and it stands out as a strong representation of gaming as a form of art. This masterpiece by Team ICO has consistently received high praise for its stunning graphics, enchanting soundtrack, and thrilling boss battles. However, it has also faced criticism for featuring an open world that appears somewhat empty and barren.

In more contemporary times, a minimalist home console action-adventure game that primarily emphasized boss encounters while offering minimal content in between was often viewed as peculiar and dull. However, this very aspect of the game Shadow of the Colossus has proven to stand the test of time exceptionally well, given the increasing number of minimalistic and artful modern games currently available from both large-scale (AAA) and independent (indie) studios. It’s worth mentioning that the remastered versions for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 have made only minor adjustments to this timeless classic.

Persona 4

The Best Turn-Based JRPG On The Console

Even before the global phenomenon known as “Persona 5” swept through in 2017, Atlus had demonstrated their ability to breathe new life into the turn-based JRPG genre, which was experiencing a drop in popularity during the mid-to-late 2000s, with the launch of “Persona 4” in 2008. Given its release date, it’s no wonder this PlayStation 2 game felt so modern; it came out almost two years after the PlayStation 3 had debuted.

In simpler terms, back then, Persona 4 was distinguished for its captivating style, swift and tactical turn-based combat, compelling narrative filled with memorable characters, and a sense of accessibility that set it apart from earlier games in the series. Without doubt, the Persona brand owes much of its success to its groundbreaking fourth installment. Despite Atlus confirming the development of a remake (named Persona 4 Revival), the original PlayStation 2 version remains playable and problem-free even today.

Kingdom Hearts 2

A Colorful Disney Adventure With Fast-Paced Combat

In simpler, more conversational terms:

The release of Kingdom Hearts in 2002 took the gaming world by storm, as many didn’t anticipate that this action RPG combination between Disney and Square Enix would turn out to be so impressive. However, despite the original game being highly regarded as a masterpiece, it does show signs of being a product of its time, with sluggish combat, awkward platforming, limited levels, and a fixed camera angle that could be frustrating at times. Nonetheless, three years later, Square Enix came out with Kingdom Hearts 2, which offers a more enduring gaming experience.

The combat system in Kingdom Hearts 2 stands out among action RPGs, offering an enjoyable and straightforward experience initially, but gradually unfolding into a deep and complex one. This is particularly evident when confronting the game’s formidable and challenging late-game bosses. Even games like Birth by Sleep or Kingdom Hearts 3 within the same series failed to match this level of combat depth.

Another commendable feature of Kingdom Hearts 2 that has remained impressive over time is its presentation. The game boasts a vibrant, cartoony art style with 3D models of both original anime-like characters and classic Disney icons. These designs continue to look stunning even today.

Okami

A Painting Brought To Life, With A Unique Gameplay Hook

It’s clear that PS2 games with vibrant aesthetics have held up better over time compared to those aiming for maximum hyperrealism, and Okami exemplifies this trend perfectly. Interestingly, Clover Studio initially planned a more realistic art style for this game, but ultimately opted for the stunning, colorful style inspired by traditional Japanese ink paintings, which contributed significantly to Okami’s status as a cult classic.

Absolutely, the game Okami remains visually and auditorily impressive, yet its timeless appeal extends beyond just aesthetic presentation. The core gameplay, heavily influenced by the Legend of Zelda series, continues to captivate and entertain. Additionally, the iconic Celestial Brush mechanic, which lets players summon items and powers through drawing shapes with Amaterasu’s ink, still feels refreshingly unique, a quality that no other AAA game has been able to match.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (Subsistence)

Still One Of The Best Video Games Ever Made

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid series was thriving, but it truly hit its zenith in 2005 with the debut of its third installment, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. This game serves as a prequel, making it an ideal starting point for newcomers to the franchise. However, seasoned fans who have followed the series and delved into its intricate history will find plenty to appreciate.

The game “Metal Gear Solid 3” boasts a core gameplay that’s arguably the most intricate and brilliant in the stealth genre, thanks to its groundbreaking mechanics that elevate the gaming experience, a series of jaw-dropping scenes only Hideo Kojima could conceive, and some of the most imaginative boss battles ever designed. However, one aspect of “Metal Gear Solid 3” that hasn’t held up as well over time are its fixed camera angles. To address this issue, its revised version, Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, replaced them with a more flexible third-person camera system, a design choice that Kojima would reuse in “Metal Gear Solid 4.” Konami’s upcoming 2025 remake, titled “Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater“, intends to make as few changes as possible from the original version, demonstrating just how enduring “Snake Eater” remains even today.

Resident Evil 4

A Revolutionary Third-Person Shooter That Didn’t Even Need A Remake

Years ago, talk of a potential Resident Evil 4 remake sparked curiosity among fans, given that the original third-person shooter from 2005 has matured gracefully and remains playable on many modern gaming platforms. However, the anticipation was justified as the Resident Evil 4 Remake turned out to be exceptional in every aspect. Yet, it fell short of matching the enduring appeal of the original game, which continues to captivate numerous players even today.

The game “Resident Evil 4” significantly revolutionized the third-person shooter genre in a way that influenced numerous other popular games like “Gears of War,” “Uncharted,” and “Dead Space.” Although some might criticize Leon Kennedy’s immovability during shooting as an outdated mechanic, it’s important to note that this game was designed with that restriction in mind. Despite its age, the shooting remains exhilarating, the enemies remain intimidatingly ruthless, the eerie atmosphere remains unparalleled, and the detailed character models and bleak environments still look impressive. The game is also packed with extra content that motivates multiple playthroughs. “Resident Evil 4” is a timeless masterpiece worth experiencing, even without its modern-day remake.

2025-09-08 15:00