On August 14, 2025, the PlayStation 2 was released. This iconic and incredibly successful system offered countless classic titles, many of which continue to be fondly remembered by nostalgic fans today. This list will not only include exclusives to the PlayStation 2, but also games that felt great to play on the system — the best of the best of the classics.
13 Best PS2 Horror Games, Ranked
PS2 is known for its wide collection of horror games, but these are some of the best and most well-known classics to arrive on the platform.
Some of them will surely be known by almost all gamers, while certain others will be more familiar to PlayStation 2 connoisseurs in particular. Regardless, though, they’re all fantastic titles and essential additions to any library of the beloved console’s games.
Updated by Chad Thesen onDecember 30th,2023:This article has been updated to bring it up to a higher level of quality. This will enhance the reader’s experience and make the article more engaging thanks to the inclusion of metacritic scores, bullet point facts, and special tags under each entry that readers can make use of.
10Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
Metascore: 86
Sly Cooperand the Thievius Raccoonus introduced stealth into the platformer genre. It also established a story that, even with its generic plot points (the master thief protagonist, Sly, is driven by revenge), will feel fresh because of the witty dialogue between Sly and his partners. It has an easy-to-follow yet enjoyable plot composition.
On top of that, the gameplay is creative and enjoyable from the moment players hit the start to the final boss. The reason this platformer sits at number ten is that even though it has a unique take on the platformer genre, the game mechanics can feel stiff. It also feels like it ends as soon as it begins with its short seven-hour run time.
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
9Guitar Hero
Metascore: 91
Guitar Herowas one of the first games that made players feel like rock stars from the comfort of their very own homes. The music selection had 30 original songs, two hidden songs, and 17 bonus tracks. It included music from an eclectic mix of bands and artists, such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ozzy Osbourne.
The game arrived with that iconic guitar peripheral which has come to define the series. The game’s mechanics were as simple as strumming and clicking some colored buttons, yet complicated to master (some of the harder songs, as always, are a true test of mastery). This added numerous hours of replay value to the experience, yet the limited song librarycompared to its successorsis what prevented it from fully reaching the upper echelons of nostalgic glory.
Guitar Hero (2005)
8Kingdom Hearts
Metascore: 85
No one ever expected that a Square Enix and Disney collaboration could ever exist. Then, out of the blue, the world was givenKingdom Hearts. The game offers a brilliant blend of fan-favorite Disney and Square Enix characters. There’s also interplanetary travel and combat in space, giving the experience a great sense of scope. Primarily, though, it’s about the characters, and as series fans know, the first installment is a game with a story full of heart.
As the debut release, though, the title does have its shortcomings. Kingdom Hearts' combat might be the most limited in the series, as attacks feel slow and magic progression is nowhere near as flashy as it is in other Square Enix titles. However, it was still a truly innovative experience, and something only thought of fondly by fans of the series.
Kingdom Hearts
Metascore: 87
Jak 2 was a triumph, offering something entirely different from the first game in the franchise,Jak and Daxter.This game comes in swinging by taking the same platforming concepts from the first Jak and Daxter game while adding a large dose of grit. Jak 2 is a mix ofGrand Theft Autoand the platformer genre, adding the ability to turn Jak into a super-powered version of himself to proceedings.
10 Best PS2 Fighting Games Of All Time, Ranked
The PlayStation 2 brought some incredible fighting games during its lifetime. This list breaks down the 10 best to grace the PS2 system.
Altogether, going through each level with fluid control of Jak’s movement while shooting enemies and stealing futuristic vehicles was a revolution. The main gripe with Jak 2 is that the hub world can feel empty, unlike Grand Theft Auto games which are loaded with life. The weapon variety is also much smaller and a little more uninspired than newcomers may expect.
6Ratchet & Clank
Metascore: 88
Ratchet & Clankis a platformer with a lot of humor, unique level design, and matchless weapon choices. Players start with a wrench and can get a gun that turns enemies into chickens. That’s not something you see every day. The story’s a real blast, as every character introduces a different form of humor into the mix. Aside from the story, the gameplay is where the game stands out.
Traveling through the different planets keeps the scenery fresh, and combat meshes well with each planet’s unique platforming challenges. In this way, the game offers constant progress while maintaining a manageable difficulty curve. It’s a relentless, laugh-out-loud experience, but its story is nothing very creative.
Ratchet & Clank (2002)
5God of War
Metascore: 94
TheGod of Warseries has become one of PlayStation’s most popular since its introduction in 2005. The intriguing premise and setting, coupled with its visceral and engaging action, made it a surefire winner from the off. The combat is quick and visceral, remaining varied and exciting throughout by allowing players to upgrade protagonist Kratos' different abilities.
There are also quicktime minigames that allow fans to finish off each enemy and boss in unique ways. For a game that focuses on combat, it isn’t a one-note experience: the puzzles players encounter are intuitive and break up the action without compromising its flow too much. The reason this game sits at number five is that the story is a bit two-dimensional, landing a bit flat when compared to the story of the following entries in the series. God of War is a fantastic formula, but one made even better by later refinement.
God of War (2005) (dupe)
4Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Metascore: 95
No other PlayStation 2 game does a better job of encapsulating the struggles of life thanGTA: San Andreasdoes. The setting is captivating, trying to get five stars by causing wanton destruction is as fun as ever, but the experience is deeper than that; San Andreas has a story that catches players off guard with its emotional depth.
10 Best PS2 Racing Games, Ranked
The PlayStation 2 featured many fantastic racing games. This list breaks down the very best racers that came to the console.
At the time of its release, the customization options were fairly expansive, and the package was truly remarkable in size. It has been eclipsed since, naturally, but all the Grand Theft Auto fun fans are familiar with was present and correct here, and it’s still a blast, one many players continue to revisit even to this day.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
3Resident Evil 4
Metascore: 93
Resident Evil 4was originally a GameCube exclusive that was later ported onto the PlayStation 2. The Sony system’s long-awaited release added the Separate Ways mission, which added a playable character, extended the original storyline, and an exclusive battleship mission was thrown in too. The game is still considered one of the finestsurvival horror experiencesever. It revolutionized the series by adding precision aiming and enemies that react to players' shots.
Resident Evil4 provides the player with limited ammo and resources (though certainly not to the extent its predecessors did), which makes for heart-throbbing situations when taking on different enemy types. Altogether, it’s an unforgettable experience that leaves players on the edge of their seats, but it also makes them never want to leave that edge, making it a great experience to reply over and over again.
Resident Evil 4
2Psychonauts
Psychonautsis a hidden gem with a large cult following. It’s a platformer that takes on the genre in a different way. The main character, Razputin, uses psychic abilities to engage with different enemies. Though the mechanics are fluid, the level design is the true highlight. Each level in Psychonauts takes place in the mind of a troubled character.
Nevertheless, the game deals with heavy, vitally important topics of mental health struggles, depicting them through colorful artistic backdrops that are particular to each character’s mind. The protagonist is always in another’s mind fighting their trauma, and with the guidance of Razputin, these NPCs are able to triumph. All in all, Psychonauts feels like anode to mental health,a topic that games can be a great help in tackling, and one that helped deliver an unforgettable gaming experience.
Psychonauts
1Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossusis a constantly moving piece of art. The story unfolds in a mysterious way, mirrored by the beautiful and enigmatic region the protagonist explores. The only enemies players encounter are the colossi, and each represents a titanic and unforgettable battle.
The gameplay sees players desperately scaling giant beasts in an attempt to find their weak points and take them down. The game mixes stamina management and parkour mechanics to make for tight situations. Overall, Shadow of the Colossus is an experience that sets itself apart with its remarkable, tragic, and beautiful storytelling, as well as it’s unforgettable atmosphere and soundtrack.
Shadow of the Colossus (2018)
10 Best Villains From PS2 RPGs, Ranked
The PlayStation 2 has some pretty iconic characters, but the villains are easy to overlook. Here are some of the most iconic RPG villains on the PS2.
