The Best PlayStation Games Turning 20 In 2025

Summary

PlayStation 2 was dethroned by Switch in 2024 after a lasting reign. North America received PSP in 2005.
2025 marks three PlayStation anniversaries and the potential for sequels to PS2 games.
God of War remains brutal, Guitar Hero is still party hit, Yakuza and TimeSplitters continue to be must-plays twenty years later.

The PlayStation 2 (PS2) saw unparalleled success following its predecessor, the PlayStation 1 (PS1), which was Sony’s first console. For years, it stood atop the gaming world until being overtaken in sales by the Switch in 2024. Towards the end of the PS2’s popularity surge, North America received the PSP, which was launched in the West a year after its debut in Japan (2005).

Among the two gaming consoles, PlayStation enthusiasts have numerous milestones to rejoice over in 2025. Is it true that there are more PlayStation 2 games than PSP games reaching their 20th anniversary next year? Let’s explore some of the top-tier PlayStation games marking two decades since their release in 2025 and speculate if any significant events lie ahead.

8. Cold Fear

A Watery Rival To A Masterpiece

Cold Fear faced the unlucky circumstance of being released only a few months after the debut of Resident Evil 4 on the GameCube, which made it challenging for any subsequent horror game to gain traction, regardless of its quality. Cold Fear, in fact, leans more towards the side of a goofy horror game with dialogue that’s a bit corny and gameplay that can be somewhat tricky. Yet, it offers a distinctive setting for a horror game – on a ship – which is rare among the few horror games published by Ubisoft.

Although you can’t mimic it on contemporary Xbox systems, it performs smoothly on the Steam Deck for those who wish to explore this long-forgotten horror game as part of its 20th anniversary celebration. Regrettably, current PlayStation owners don’t have that luxury unless they possess a vintage copy and an old console to connect.

7. Front Mission 5: Scars Of The War

Three Lost Anniversaries

In 2005, Front Mission 5: Scars of the War served as the main installment for the series, but there were additional titles too. Front Mission: Online, a PS2 game, ventured into multiplayer mode with the future mech battles, while Front Mission 2089 was a traditional tactical RPG designed for the DS. However, all these games were only made available in Japan.

Square Enix has been diligently working on rejuvenating the franchise by bringing back classic games, such as the 2023 North American release of Front Mission 2, which had been absent for 26 years. Might 2025 be the year when Western fans finally get their hands on these titles that have now reached their 20-year milestone? Given that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the franchise, it seems fitting to reveal or launch something related to its future at this time.

6. God Of War

Another Gory Tale Of The Ancient Greeks

2025 will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the God of War series, a saga that kicked off on the PlayStation 2. It was one of the later games released for the system and was known for its extreme violence. Kratos, the protagonist, was a vengeful man, deceived by the gods, who manipulated him into murdering his family and using their ashes as a mark upon his body.

That’s quite unsettling, but it aligns with the Greek Mythology theme, as many origin stories from that era are also disturbing. The God of War series has proven popular, with its initial release on the PS2 becoming one of the best-selling games for that console. Subsequent sequels and remasters have carried on this success into the current generation of consoles.

5. Guitar Hero

Become A Living Room Rock Legend

In 2005, the dance music genre wasn’t fresh or unique, given that “Dance Dance Revolution” was widely played on both consoles and arcade machines. However, “Guitar Hero” stood out as a game-transforming experience because it enabled players to emulate being a rock star in the comfort of their homes. This initial game sold rapidly, resulting in numerous households owning plastic guitars, followed by other instruments with subsequent releases.

Looking back, I guess the series expanded at an unprecedented pace, which might have been its undoing. It’s been six years since we saw a new Guitar Hero game with Guitar Hero Live in 2015, and sadly, the original never got a remastered edition. Yet, on its 20th anniversary, I can’t help but remember how it transformed college dorm parties back in 2005 on the PS2.

4. Metal Gear Acid 2

Fusing Deck-Building RPGs And Stealth Gameplay

Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Released: December 8, 2005 (Japan)
Platform: PSP, Mobile Devices (Japan Only)

The standout PlayStation Portable game, Metal Gear Acid 2, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2005. Although it wasn’t released in North America until the following year, the West received the original game soon after the PSP launch. Metal Gear Acid 2 represented the finale and sole sequel for this spin-off series, featuring an alternate Solid Snake working alongside a female agent known as Venus.

The updated version was significantly better due to its fresh cel-shaded design, enhanced storyline, new bosses, seamless integration of cards into gameplay, and other improvements. Additionally, it included functional cardboard VR goggles, although they didn’t perform as well as the PlayStation VR would in later developments.

3. Shadow Of The Colossus

Climbing Titans To Stardom

Towering Above Many PS2 Games from 2005 and Beyond: Shadow of the Colossus stands out with an awe-inspiring sense of grandeur. Essentially, it can be categorized as a boss battle game, but what sets it apart is its hauntingly beautiful setting that evokes a sense of solitude and mystery. The story questions why this boy is slaying these giants, where have all the people gone, and who whispers guidance to the boy’s ear.

Could vanquishing them lead to the girl’s awakening? Over time, enthusiastic fans have delved deeper into hidden hints for answers. The game underwent a remaster in 2011, followed by a full remake in 2018 – the current preferred version due to enhanced controls and graphics, yet the original on PS2 remains breathtakingly beautiful.

2. TimeSplitters: Future Perfect

Ending On A High

2024 saw a delightful surprise for enthusiasts of the TimeSplitters series, as all three games became accessible online on PS5. Those with a Premium PlayStation Plus membership could embark on a nostalgic journey, playing through the entire trilogy in sequence and revisiting the thrilling escapades of time-traveling shooters. The titles are also playable on Xbox due to backward compatibility.

In the TimeSplitters series, the final game was TimeSplitters: Future Perfect. Despite plans for a fourth installment, these were ultimately scrapped. This series, which ignited with great promise in 2000, unfortunately faded away swiftly. However, players can take solace in the fact that all three games are still worth playing, and this last chapter went out with a powerful explosion, rather than a fading whisper.

1. Yakuza

The Dragon Of Dojima Awakens

2025 marks a significant milestone for the Yakuza franchise, as it celebrates its 20th anniversary since its debut in Japan in 2005 and North America in 2006. Although the early PlayStation 2 games shared some similarities, the series has undergone a remarkable transformation throughout its journey. Initially, there were role-playing game (RPG) elements and the open-world aspect was more seamlessly incorporated into city life.

For two decades, Sega has been instrumental in creating eight primary games, a prequel, and numerous offshoots within this series. This franchise is currently one of the most robust Sega franchises in modern times, showing no signs of slowing down. A new spinoff titled “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” is scheduled for release around 2025. Moreover, the original game received a remake in 2016 on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 called “Yakuza Kiwami“. Although the remake was initially only available in Japan until 2017, it wasn’t until then that the PS4 version was made accessible overseas.

2025-01-09 12:34