🎮Best PS2 Games of All Time

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas▲ Rising

Rockstar's 2004 open-world epic let players live three cities, three gangs, and one massive story of crime and ambition. Its sheer scope and freedom still feel unmatched on the console.

Year: 2004Genre: Action-AdventureMetacritic: 9.5/10Sales (M): 17.3 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRin 6 rankingsGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas

God of War▲ Rising

Kratos's brutal climb from betrayed warrior to Olympus's destroyer launched a new standard for cinematic action. The 2005 launch title fused brutal combat, Greek myth, and set-piece spectacle that defined Sony's first-party era.

Year: 2005Genre: Action-AdventureMetacritic: 9.4/10Sales (M): 4.6 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRGod of War

Final Fantasy X▲ Rising

Square's 2001 JRPG introduced voice acting and a linear yet emotional Spira journey that sold millions. Tidus and Yuna's story became the benchmark for cinematic Final Fantasy.

Year: 2001Genre: JRPGMetacritic: 9.2/10Sales (M): 8.5 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRin 5 rankingsFinal Fantasy X

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty▲ Rising

Kojima's 2001 sequel twisted expectations with meta storytelling and stealth innovation that still sparks debate. The tanker and plant chapters delivered signature moments that redefined the series.

Year: 2001Genre: Stealth-ActionMetacritic: 9.6/10Sales (M): 7 MMultiplayer: ✓

added by IJRin 2 rankingsMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Sly 2: Band of Thieves▲ Rising

Sucker Punch's 2004 raccoon heist game mixed stealth, gadgets and co-op set pieces. Its charming tone and mission variety made it a standout platformer.

Year: 2004Genre: Platformer-StealthMetacritic: 8.8/10Sales (M): 1.6 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRSly 2: Band of Thieves

Devil May Cry▲ Rising

Capcom's 2001 stylish action debut made Dante a star with combo-driven demon slaying. Its over-the-top combat and gothic flair birthed an entire subgenre.

Year: 2001Genre: ActionMetacritic: 9.4/10Sales (M): 2.1 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRDevil May Cry

Okami▲ Rising

Clover's 2006 divine wolf adventure painted a watercolor world with celestial brush strokes. Its artistic style and inventive mechanics earned cult status despite modest sales.

Year: 2006Genre: Action-AdventureMetacritic: 9.3/10Sales (M): 0.8 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRin 2 rankings

Shadow of the Colossus▲ Rising

Team Ico stripped adventure to its emotional core: a lone rider slaying 16 giants in a silent world. Its 2005 release proved minimalism and melancholy could rival blockbuster scale.

Year: 2005Genre: Action-AdventureMetacritic: 9.1/10Sales (M): 1.8 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRin 5 rankingsShadow of the Colossus

Jak II▲ Rising

Naughty Dog's 2003 sequel transformed Jak into a gritty anti-hero with open-world missions and vehicle combat. The darker tone and GTA influences made it a bold evolution.

Year: 2003Genre: Action-AdventureMetacritic: 8.7/10Sales (M): 2.5 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRJak II

God of War II

Santa Monica's 2007 sequel doubled the scale with time travel and massive bosses. Its 2007 release delivered the series' most ambitious set pieces.

Year: 2007Genre: Action-AdventureMetacritic: 9.3/10Sales (M): 2.8 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRGod of War II

Dragon Quest VIII▲ Rising

Level-5's 2004 epic brought charming visuals and classic turn-based combat to PS2. Its 2004 release became one of the best-selling Dragon Quest entries in the West.

Year: 2004Genre: JRPGMetacritic: 8.9/10Sales (M): 4.9 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRin 2 rankingsDragon Quest VIII

ICO▲ Rising

Team Ico's 2001 minimalist masterpiece paired a horned boy and a princess in a haunting castle escape. Its wordless bond and elegant puzzles proved atmosphere could carry an entire game.

Year: 2001Genre: Puzzle-AdventureMetacritic: 8.7/10Sales (M): 0.7 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRICO

Kingdom Hearts II▲ Rising

Square's 2005 Disney-Final Fantasy mashup expanded worlds and combat depth. Its 2005 release cemented the series as a massive crossover phenomenon.

Year: 2005Genre: Action-RPGMetacritic: 8.7/10Sales (M): 4 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRKingdom Hearts II

Ratchet & Clank▲ Rising

Insomniac's 2002 platformer paired a lombax and robot with inventive weapons and humor. The 2002 debut set the template for Sony's colorful action-platformers.

Year: 2002Genre: PlatformerMetacritic: 8.8/10Sales (M): 3 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRRatchet & Clank

Silent Hill 2

Konami's 2001 psychological horror masterpiece used fog, sound and guilt to terrify. Its 2001 release remains the gold standard for narrative-driven survival horror.

Year: 2001Genre: Survival HorrorMetacritic: 8.9/10Sales (M): 1 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRin 6 rankingsSilent Hill 2

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Ubisoft's 2003 time-rewind platformer rescued the series with fluid acrobatics and clever puzzles. Its 2003 release proved narrative and gameplay could sync perfectly.

Year: 2003Genre: Action-AdventureMetacritic: 9/10Sales (M): 2.8 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRPrince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Gran Turismo 4▲ Rising

Polyphony's 2004 sim racer delivered the most realistic driving on PS2 with hundreds of cars. Its 2004 release capped the series' technical peak for the console.

Year: 2004Genre: Racing SimMetacritic: 8.9/10Sales (M): 11.8 MMultiplayer: ✓

added by IJRin 2 rankingsGran Turismo 4

Resident Evil 4

Capcom's 2005 PS2 port brought the over-the-shoulder revolution to the console. Its 2005 release redefined action horror with intense set pieces and iconic moments.

Year: 2005Genre: Survival HorrorMetacritic: 9.6/10Sales (M): 3.8 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRin 5 rankingsResident Evil 4

Burnout 3: Takedown

Criterion's 2004 racer perfected crash mechanics and arcade speed. Its addictive takedown system and soundtrack made it the definitive PS2 racing experience.

Year: 2004Genre: RacingMetacritic: 9.3/10Sales (M): 3.5 MMultiplayer: ✓

added by IJRin 2 rankingsBurnout 3: Takedown

Bully▼ Falling

Rockstar's 2006 schoolyard adventure mixed satire and open-world mischief. Its 2006 release offered a lighter, story-rich alternative to GTA.

Year: 2006Genre: Action-AdventureMetacritic: 8.3/10Sales (M): 2 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRBully

Rogue Galaxy

Level-5's 2007 space-faring JRPG mixed pirate adventure with deep combat. Its 2007 release offered a colorful send-off for PS2 RPGs.

Year: 2007Genre: JRPGMetacritic: 7.9/10Sales (M): 0.5 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRRogue Galaxy

Final Fantasy XII▼ Falling

Square's 2006 ambitious MMORPG-inspired JRPG brought political intrigue and gambit systems. Its 2006 release polarized fans but rewarded those who invested.

Year: 2006Genre: JRPGMetacritic: 8.6/10Sales (M): 2.7 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRin 3 rankingsFinal Fantasy XII

Prince of Persia: Warrior Within▼ Falling

Ubisoft's 2004 darker sequel added combat depth and time manipulation. Its 2004 release expanded the Sands of Time formula successfully.

Year: 2004Genre: Action-AdventureMetacritic: 8.3/10Sales (M): 1.8 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRPrince of Persia: Warrior Within

ICO (remastered context)

Team Ico's 2001 minimalist masterpiece paired a horned boy and a princess in a haunting castle escape. Its wordless bond and elegant puzzles proved atmosphere could carry an entire game.

Year: 2001Genre: Puzzle-AdventureMetacritic: 8.7/10Sales (M): 0.7 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJR

Persona 4▼ Falling

Atlus's 2008 murder-mystery JRPG mixed high-school life with dungeon crawling. Its 2008 release became a cult favorite for characters and social links.

Year: 2008Genre: JRPGMetacritic: 8.9/10Sales (M): 0.9 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRPersona 4

Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner

Kojima's 2003 mecha sequel delivered fast-paced robot combat and memorable boss fights. Its 2003 release showed what PS2 hardware could achieve in action.

Year: 2003Genre: ActionMetacritic: 8.9/10Sales (M): 0.6 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRZone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec▼ Falling

Polyphony's 2001 launch title brought realistic racing and massive car list to PS2. Its 2001 release helped define the console's early success.

Year: 2001Genre: Racing SimMetacritic: 9.3/10Sales (M): 14.9 MMultiplayer: ✓

added by IJRin 3 rankingsGran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria▼ Falling

Tri-Ace's 2006 tactical JRPG delivered stunning visuals and deep battle systems. Its 2006 release remains a high point for the genre on PS2.

Year: 2006Genre: JRPGMetacritic: 8.4/10Sales (M): 0.5 MMultiplayer: —

added by IJRValkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria