15 Best PS2 Games of All Time (Updated 2024 List)

With over 4000 games released on the PlayStation 2, it became one of the all-time best consoles for playing high-end games. A lot of developers released different games and they all made sense to play on the PS2 console.

Fast-forward to now, the PS2 game category is still one of the largest despite newer consoles and games dominating the market. You’ll find a lot of PS2 titles out there; sometimes it makes it hard to know which ones fall under the all-time best.

In this article, we’ve curated the best PS2 games ever. It’s an updated list that features different games from the diverse library of the PlayStation 2. If you’re hoping to dive into some of the PS2’s best titles, the list below is all you need.

Note: You can play these games on your PC if you do not have a PS Console. Please check our website for more details.

List of the Top-Rated PS2 Games of All Time

Whether you’re a fan of action, adventure, horror or football. From the list of games below, you’ll find the right one to play.

1. Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 is an action-packed horror game where you play as Leon S. Kennedy. He’s on a mission to rescue the president’s daughter from a mysterious village filled with dangerous enemies. The game is famous for its over-the-shoulder camera view and intense action.

2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Everyone knows about GTA San Andreas, it’s a classic PlayStation 2 game that set the bar. In this game, you’ll take the role of CJ a man who returns home to help his family and friends. The game is an open-world action adventure where you can do almost anything you want, like driving cars, flying planes, and completing missions.

3. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Next up is Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, it’s another classic title on the PlayStation 2. It’s a stealth-action game where you play as Snake, a secret agent on a mission in a jungle. The game focuses on sneaking around and using camouflage to avoid enemies. You also need to find food and treat your injuries. The story is full of twists and turns, making it very exciting.

4. Shadow Of the Colossus

For hardcore gamers, Shadow of The Colossus comes out as a top choice of game to play. It sold a high amount of copies on the PlayStation 2 and most people still play till now. In this game, you’ll play as a young man named Wander, who must defeat 16 giant creatures called Colossi to save a girl. The game is all about exploring a vast, beautiful world and figuring out how to climb and defeat each Colossus.

5. Devil May Cry

Devil May Cry is an action game where you play as Dante, a demon hunter with cool moves and weapons. The game is known for its stylish combat and challenging enemies. You use swords and guns to fight through levels filled with monsters. Also, Devil May Cry did become a popular game on PS2 due to its engaging storyline.

6. God Of War (2005)

After the famous release on the PlayStation Portable, God of War (2005) continued the story of Kratos on the PS2 console. The game is famous for its brutal combat, epic boss battles, and Greek mythology setting. You use a variety of weapons and magical abilities to defeat enemies. The story is intense, and the graphics are impressive.

7. Tony Hawk’s Underground

Almost all skateboard lovers can attest to the brilliance of this game on the PlayStation 2 console. You’ll be able to create your own skater and go on a journey to become a pro. The game features a story mode with missions and challenges. You can perform tricks, customize your skateboard, and explore different cities. The game also has a great soundtrack and multiplayer modes.

8. OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast

One of the best car racing games that stood out on the PS2 is OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast. It offers gameplay where you’ll be able to drive fast cars on beautiful, scenic routes. The main reason it went viral on PS2 is due to its arcade-style racing and impressive graphics. Also, it featured several game modes, exclusive vehicles and much more.

9. SOCOM 2: US Navy Seals

If you love tactical shooter games, SOCOM 2: US Navy Seals is one of the best games to consider. In this game, you’ll be leading a team of Navy SEALs on missions around the world. With several missions that require strategy and teamwork, it quickly became popular among PS2 users who love co-op games.

10. Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2 is a horror game where you explore the creepy town of Silent Hill. You play as James, a man looking for his lost wife. The game is known for its eerie atmosphere, disturbing creatures, and psychological horror. You solve puzzles and uncover the dark story as you play.

11. Final Fantasy 10

While exploring the RPG category on the PlayStation 2, there’s no way one won’t talk about the Final Fantasy series. One of its best editions is Final Fantasy 10, which continues the journey of Tidus and his friends as they try to save their world. It’s quite popular due to its turn-based combat, nice graphics, locations and variety of monsters to kill.

12. Burnout 3: Takedown

In addition to car racing games being a top choice on the PlayStation 2, one of its hot titles is Burnout 3: Takedown. You’re looking at a racing game known for its high-speed action and spectacular crashes. You race against other cars and try to take them down by causing them to crash. The game has various modes, including single-player and multiplayer.

13. Pro Evolution Soccer 2

The list wouldn’t be complete without including any football game. Despite the PS2 having plenty of football games, Pro Evolution Soccer 2 stood out to be one of the all-time best. You’ll love it because it offers realistic gameplay and lots of features. Players can play several match modes, build and manage teams and players, win competitions and much more.

14. Virtua Fighter 4

Fighting games are also very popular and one of the best options to appear on the PlayStation 2 is Virtua Fighter 4. It’s a classic fighting game where you can choose from a variety of characters, each with their fighting style. This edition had an expanded roster, new tournaments, locations and skill upgrades which made it quite popular.

15. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

To sum up your experience as someone who played PS2 games. Adding Price of Persia: The Sands of Time won’t be a bad choice. Especially if you love adventure games with hack-and-slash gameplay. Just like every other title above, this one sold plenty of units on PS2. The game has a good plot, awesome features and an engaging storyline.

Also Check our PPSSPP Games Collection: Best PPSSPP Car Racing Games

Conclusion

As said earlier, the PS2 console has over 4000 games in its library. However, only a few of these games could be recognized as all-time best. The ones mentioned above are very popular, played by many and even still get emulated on other devices. So, when looking for all-time best PS2 games, you should try the one’s mentioned above.