The 20 best PS2 games of all time, ranked

The best PS2 games began the hype of the most popular franchises we know today. This includes the likes of God of War, Kingdom Hearts, and Ratchet & Clank; here are the games that represent the best experiences on Sony's best-selling platform.

20. Burnout 3: Takedown

The PS2 era was a golden age for racing games, with legends like Need for Speed and Gran Turismo tearing up the track. But Burnout 3: Takedown didn't just race; it roared to the front with unmatched style and energy. Often hailed as one of the greatest racing games ever made, it delivers a full-throttle blend of speed, chaos, and excitement. Every moment is a rush, from the bone-crunching takedowns that send rivals flying to the tight, responsive handling that makes every turn feel exhilarating. It's more than just fun; it celebrates pure game racing.

19. Guitar Hero 2

Guitar Hero rocked the world when it first debuted on the PlayStation 2, breaking away from traditional controllers and putting a guitar in players' hands. While the original kicked things off with style, the sequel took everything to the next level. Guitar Hero 2 brought a killer lineup of iconic songs that inspired players to add them to their playlists (it even made me want to pick up a real guitar). The sequel felt bigger, bolder, and more alive, with expanded venues, more instruments, and an even greater sense of show-stopping fun.

18. Ico

Team Ico has a gift for crafting games that feel like living art, and Ico is no exception. At its heart is a timeless tale of rescue and companionship as a young boy and a mysterious princess embark on a wonder-filled journey. The bond between Ico and Yorda deepens with every step, making the story all the more powerful. The game's puzzles challenge your mind without breaking the atmosphere, and its quiet beauty and emotional weight leave a lasting impression.

17. God of War

God of War is one of the PS2's most iconic games, and for good reason. It features outstanding character action as you whip your enemies with the Chains of Olympus and take them down in grisly detail. The storyline is epic, the visuals are still cinematic to this day, and you'll love the intense boss battles from this game. Kratos might be one-note in this PS2 interpretation when compared to the reboot-quel PS4 series, but it's still fun to take down the Greek gods one by one.

16. Beyond Good & Evil

One of the most underrated games on the PS2 (and also one of the best) is Beyond Good & Evil. It features a riveting story that has you uncovering a sci-fi conspiracy. You're taking pictures for the IRIS Network, revealing details about a corrupt organization that is taking prisoners. It's set up in a Zelda-like way, where you solve puzzles, take down bosses, and try to get through each "dungeon" alive. It also has an open world to explore with plenty of secrets to find. There are lots of animals to take pictures of to get money and other rewards.

"The game manages to draw one in and keep the player involved with a charming game world and a strong, atypical female protagonist," said our review of the 2011 HD version.

15. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3

The Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series defined what skateboarding should be in games: pure, unadulterated fun. The third installment stands tall as the absolute best in the series. I have endless memories of losing myself for hours in a skateboarding paradise. The objectives to tackle only made it better, giving you unique challenges to conquer before the timer ran out. Like Guitar Hero 2, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3's playlist shaped my musical taste in ways I never expected. There's nothing quite like skating while jamming out to a great beat.

14. Sly Cooper & The Thievius Raccoonus

After playing this game very recently on the PS5, thanks to PlayStation Plus Premium, Sly Cooper & The Thievius Raccoonus holds up exceptionally well. The art style looks stunning on screen as it has comic book-like visuals. It's fun to clobber enemies with Sly's cane and stealthily move across each level with the abilities this raccoon gets from his ancestors. The developer Sucker Punch Productions (inFAMOUS, Ghost of Tsushima) continues to throw in twists to the gameplay to keep Sly's adventure fresh from beginning to end.

13. Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

From one platforming hero to another, Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is by far the best of this Naughty Dog-developed trilogy. It features bright, bold visuals, with plenty of entertaining platforming challenges across the game's world. The biomes are varied and present engaging game designs. Additionally, Daxter is a successful comedic relief for the game as he tries to shake Jak back alive after he is taken down by his enemies. The Precursor Legacy's controls still stand the test of time, where Jak rolls and jumps his way to each platform. It is an impressive visual spectacle for the PS2 and should be praised.

12. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Before the rise of the Assassin's Creed series, there was Prince of Persia, an action-adventure game that pushed puzzle-solving to new heights. While the trilogy holds a special place in my heart, The Sands of Time is easily the crown jewel. It was the first time we had the legendary dagger capable of bending time itself. Every puzzle felt like a challenge, but failure never felt punishing—you could rewind and fix your mistakes. As a kid still learning the ropes, that made all the difference. The story kept me hooked as the prince and princess developed an unexpected connection in a world filled with danger and wonder.

11. Ratchet & Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal

Arguably, the best of the three platforming mascots from the PS2 era is Ratchet with his best pal Clank. I challenge you to find a PS2 game funnier than Ratchet & Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal. It has the hilarious antagonist Dr. Nefarious alongside his straight-person sidekick Lawrence with witty banter and well-timed slapstick. You also get Courtney Gears, a funny albeit dated reference to Britney Spears. Ratchet and Clank are also fantastic as the protagonists of the game, with quips of their own.

Up Your Arsenal features all kinds of weapons at the Lombax's disposal. You have the electrifying Shock Blaster, the powerful Plasma Whip, and the Qwack-O-Ray, which turns your enemies into explosive ducks. The developer Insomniac Games is so creative with its weapons, and the platforming is also varied all the way through, with fun segments like using the gravity boots and riding grind rails with Ratchet's footwear.

10. Silent Hill 2

After all these years, Silent Hill 2 remains one of the most chilling horror experiences in gaming. Stepping into its fog-covered world is genuinely terrifying, but the kind of fear that keeps you moving forward, eager to see what happens next. The horror alone doesn't carry the game; its haunting soundtrack, gripping story, and thoughtful character development all play a part in making it something truly memorable. The recent remake brings everything into sharper focus, making the fear hit harder and the atmosphere even more unsettling.

9. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

You've got plenty of choices when it comes to Grand Theft Auto PS2 games, but the one that truly stands out is San Andreas. Even as a kid who wasn't allowed to play it back in the day, I could tell greatness when I saw it. Compared to its predecessors, San Andreas offered so much more, with a vast world to explore. Combined with CJ's captivating storyline, it was an experience like no other. What really set it apart, though, was its unique features, like the realistic weight system that changed based on your exercise habits. It's something even the newer GTA games don't quite replicate. Here's hoping Grand Theft Auto 6 takes a few notes from this masterpiece.

8. Bully

Staying in the realm of Rockstar Games, here's the next best thing: Bully. I love this game so much that I didn't even realize I was wearing my Bullworth hoodie as I wrote this. That's how much it's stuck with me. I still find myself playing it almost every year. For me, no game has done the time system quite as well as Bully. I can still remember that first class around 9:30 am, then the second at 1:30, followed by the 11 pm curfew. Sure, it's a tight schedule, but isn't that exactly how it feels to be a student at Bullworth Academy?

The world of Bully may be small, but it's packed with fun distractions, from a tattoo shop to an amusement park. Every area has something new to discover, making exploration just as exciting as the quests. And the story of Jimmy Hopkins, a boy on a mission to become king of Bullworth and its bullies, is entertaining enough to keep you hooked from start to finish. Taking down all the cliques and becoming their leader one by one is incredibly satisfying.

7. Resident Evil 4

While Resident Evil 4 hasn't aged the best when compared to other games on this list, you can't deny its importance in the industry. It revolutionized the third-person shooter genre with great controls (at the time), powerful guns, and exhilarating blockbuster moments that kept us glued to the screens. It also brought in an era of quick-time events, which began a cinematic era in gaming, for better or for worse. This Capcom game delivers a successfully creepy atmosphere with its dark European aesthetic. The storyline is also effective as you try to save the President's daughter, who has been kidnapped by this scary cult.

"The game proves that sometimes all you need is a simple gameplay hook, as well as the bravery to stick with it, in order to drive home a compelling experience," said our review of this game's HD version in 2011.

6. Okami

Before the PlayStation 2 era was almost over, Okami arrived just in time to leave its mark. The art style was unlike anything else, with each scene resembling a beautifully crafted painting. The game's world is rooted in Japanese mythology, where you step into the paws of the sun goddess Amaterasu, fighting off demons drawn from ancient legends.

One of the most captivating aspects of Okami is its combat system. Forget traditional weapons or fists; here, you wield the Celestial Brush, using it to paint powerful abilities that can defeat enemies. But the brush isn't just for destruction; you can draw a circle to light up the sky or create lily pads to cross water. The freedom to paint anything you need, anytime you want, makes it one of the most creative and unique combat systems I've ever experienced. I can only imagine how this concept will evolve further in the Okami sequel.

5. Persona 4

The Persona series is well-renowned, and for good reason. After you finish each entry, you'll feel like you're saying goodbye to your friends with a tearful smile, and that's the same with Persona 4. Each character is well-rounded with likable traits and weaknesses that they show throughout the deep storyline. You'll also get to know them through your social links, and as you increase your bond with them, your abilities grow.

The combat revolves around collecting different monsters called Shadows and using their abilities in battle. You can even fuse them to create stronger creatures for your moveset. It's a fantastic game loop and will keep you playing for many, many hours. We gave the Golden version on Vita a 10/10 rating in our review. "The summoning system of the Persona games has been likened to Pokemon’s monster collecting and, while they’re similar in the collection aspect, I feel Atlus’ work is quite a bit deeper in scope, and certainly more adult," it said. "For being engrossing they’re on the same level."

4. Kingdom Hearts 2

Square Enix delivered one of the best PS2 games in 2005 when Kingdom Hearts 2 launched that December in Japan. It has an engaging narrative with fascinating original characters to meet, in addition to Final Fantasy and Disney heroes along the way. The combat is stellar and still has the best action RPG system to date. The reaction command mechanic has you dynamically react to enemy attacks, and the combat options available to the player, such as abilities, magic, drive forms, summons, and more, are immense.

The boss battles are also epic as you confront the powerful Organization XIII, Heartless, and Nobodies that stand in your way. I'll never forget pressing triangle and cross as fast as I block Xemnas' constant barrage of lasers toward Sora and Riku. The scale of each world is incredible, too, especially considering that it was developed for PS2. The World That Never Was features a massive castle that you need to work your way up to stop Xemnas' plans. The attention to detail in each Disney world is also immaculate. Mulan's visual art style with the smoke and fire is replicated to perfection, and Beast's Castle looks as impressive as it does in the movie Beauty & The Beast.

3. Shadow of the Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus is an artistic masterpiece that every gamer should get the chance to play. With incredible visuals and stunning music, you play as Wonder on an incredible journey to save his love. To do that, you have to take down these gigantic creatures, fittingly called colossi. The game features a protagonist who isn't perfect. He is slim, stumbles around, and can fall down easily. It sounds frustrating at first, but part of the charm is that you're playing as this weaker man fighting against these terrifying beasts. He isn't Kratos, he's relatable.

The colossi themselves are levels as you're trying to find a way to scale up them and strike your sword into their weak spot. When the puzzle of how to climb a colossus is solved, you get a rush of satisfaction as the magnificent track "The Opened Way" blasts out loud in glee. Everything in this game comes together in a beautiful package, and it's one of PlayStation's best games ever.

2. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater has been my favorite game of all time for as long as I can remember. And I know I'm not alone, as many still consider it one of the best PlayStation 2 titles ever made. Since it's a prequel, you don't have to worry about getting lost in the tangled web of Metal Gear lore. You can jump in with zero knowledge and experience the powerful story of Naked Snake. The narrative is packed with twist after twist and showcases one of my all-time favorite characters, the legendary Boss, who also happens to be Snake's mentor. It's the perfect origin story, blended with real-world events that helped me understand history in a unique way.

The gameplay goes far beyond the usual point-and-shoot formula. You have countless ways to take down enemies and can even complete the entire game without taking a single life. Survival is key, too. You need to hunt for food, treat realistic injuries with specific medical tools, and constantly adjust your camouflage to blend into the environment. All of these systems work together to create a sense of isolation and immersion that few games have ever matched. You genuinely feel like you are deep in enemy territory, relying on your instincts to survive.

And then there are the boss battles, which deserve their own spotlight. Each one has a distinct weakness, forcing you to rethink your approach every time. My favorite will always be the battle against The End, an old sniper hidden in a vast jungle. It was more than a fight—it felt like a real hunt. I remember holding my breath, scanning for movement, listening for the faintest sound that might give away his position. It was tense, slow, and unforgettable. Moments like that are why this game has never left my mind.

1. Final Fantasy X

Final Fantasy X is arguably Square Enix's magnum opus, delivering a stellar story that continues to resonate with players. As a fish out of water, the main protagonist, Tidus, experiences a new world 1,000 years in the future. The characters he meets along the way have interesting personalities that change the trajectory of the narrative significantly. They all have their own roles to play in the party. You'll get invested in every character, especially Yuna and Tidus, who share a touching romantic story across the game's lengthy campaign. The voice performances are also impressive, especially if you consider this is the first mainline game in the Final Fantasy series to feature voice acting.

I cried multiple times when I played this as a kid, and after playing through the game five or so years ago, I had the same reaction. What helps add to the drama and emotion of the narrative is the impeccable soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu, who delivers his best work with themes like "To Zanarkand" and "Movement in Green."

Spira takes your breath away

What is just as memorable is the sights of Spira, the land where Final Fantasy X takes place. The designs of the temples, the gorgeous scenery of Besaid, and the grand cities of these islands stick in my mind decades after playing Final Fantasy X for the first time.

Additionally, the turn-based combat system is one of the best that the legendary Final Fantasy series has to offer. You can switch our party members for strategic depth, interact with objects during the battle in a puzzle-like fashion against bosses, use special abilities, and utilize the mega-customizable Sphere Grid that lets you progress your characters in your own way.

"Its story, which follows summoner Yuna on her journey across the world of Spira to fight Sin, is one of Square Enix’s best," said our review of the Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD remaster. "Likable characters with memorable outfits, a fantastic musical score, and a powerful ending made this game one of the best role-playing games of the PS2 era."

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