by Sebastian May 14,2025
The PlayStation 2, celebrating its 25th anniversary, stands as a revolutionary console that shaped the gaming landscape with its iconic games. From groundbreaking PS2 exclusives like Okami and Shadow of the Colossus to blockbuster hits such as Final Fantasy 10 and GTA: Vice City, the platform offered a rich tapestry of gaming experiences. We've carefully selected 25 of the best PS2 games that not only pushed the technological and cultural boundaries of their time but continue to captivate players today.
So, without further ado, here is IGN's pick of the 25 best PS2 games of all time.
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More on the best PlayStation Games of all time:
Image credit: RedOctaneDeveloper: Harmonix | Publisher: RedOctane | Release date: November 7, 2006 | Review: IGN's Guitar Hero 2 review
Guitar Hero 2 epitomized the series at its peak, focusing on the core concept of playing "bitchin' rock/metal tracks" on a plastic guitar. Unlike later iterations that leaned towards karaoke, this game offered a curated selection of songs from legends like Suicidal Tendencies, Megadeth, and Iron Maiden, delivering an authentic rock experience that truly rocked.
Image credit: SonyDeveloper: Sucker Punch Productions | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: September 14, 2004 | Review: IGN's Sly 2: Band of Thieves review
Sly Cooper 2: Band of Thieves masterfully blends family-friendly action, stealth, and humor, setting it apart in the franchise. With a compelling story and diverse worlds to explore, players can switch between Sly's crew, including the powerful Murray and tech-savvy Bentley, for a thrilling and unique experience that was unmatched among Sony's first-party titles at the time.
Image credit: SonyDeveloper: SIE Japan Studio | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: September 25, 2001 | Review: IGN's ICO review
ICO redefines the escort mission genre with its exceptional puzzle design and deep emotional connection between its characters. Through minimalist storytelling and cooperative navigation of a labyrinthine castle, ICO showcases the unique narrative potential of video games, making it a timeless classic.
Image credit: EADeveloper: EA Canada | Publisher: Electronic Arts/NuFX | Release date: April 28, 2003 | Review: IGN's NBA Street, Vol. 2 review
NBA Street, Vol. 2 delivers arcade-style basketball at its finest, appealing to both casual and hardcore fans with its flashy visuals and deep gameplay. With multiple game modes and the ability to unlock street and NBA legends, it offers endless fun and competitive play that's hard to beat.
Image credit: Square EnixDeveloper: Square Enix | Publisher: Square Enix | Release date: December 22, 2005 | Review: IGN's Kingdom Hearts 2 review
Kingdom Hearts 2 enhances its predecessor with refined combat mechanics, including magic, Keyblade transformations, and Sora's form states. Its deep exploration of the series' mythology and engaging world design make it a standout sequel that continues to enchant fans of Disney, Final Fantasy, and beyond.
Image credit: ActivisionDeveloper: Neversoft Entertainment | Publisher: Activision | Release date: October 27, 2003 | Review: IGN's Tony Hawk's Underground review
Tony Hawk's Underground elevates the series with its engaging story, expansive soundtrack, and robust create-a-skater/park/trick features. Despite mixed reactions to its humor, it remains the pinnacle of the Pro Skater series, offering a comprehensive and enjoyable experience.
Image credit: NISDeveloper: NIS | Publisher: Atlus (NA) | Release date: January 30, 2003 | Review: IGN's Disgaea: Hour of Darkness review
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness remains a beloved PS2 classic with its tactical depth and gothic charm. Despite its grind, the game's intricate combat and humorous characters make it a timeless strategy RPG that players can revisit with joy.
Image credit: SonyDeveloper: Insomniac Games | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: November 2, 2004 | Review: IGN's Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal review
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal expands the series with new gadgets, mini-games, and an ambitious online mode. Its whimsical weapons, like the Suck Cannon, and engaging gameplay make it a standout entry in the beloved franchise.
Image credit: UbisoftDeveloper: Ubisoft Montpellier | Publisher: Ubisoft | Release date: November 11, 2003 | Review: IGN's Beyond Good & Evil review
Beyond Good & Evil stands out with its unique blend of action, exploration, and a vibrant cast of characters. Its richly detailed world and engaging narrative have left fans eagerly awaiting a sequel, cementing its status as a PS2 classic.
Image credit: EADeveloper: Criterion Games | Publisher: Electronic Arts | Release date: July 30, 2005 | Review: IGN's Burnout Revenge review
Burnout Revenge captures the essence of speed and chaos with its exhilarating racing and crash modes. As the last Burnout game to feature crash mode, it remains a thrilling experience that has yet to be replicated successfully.
Image credit: Majesco EntertainmentDeveloper: Double Fine Productions | Publisher: Majesco Entertainment | Release date: April 19, 2005 | Review: IGN's Psychonauts review
Psychonauts blends a coming-of-age story with psychic secret agents, delivering a challenging and humorous action/platformer. Its imaginative levels and memorable designs have made it a lasting favorite, now expanded with the release of Psychonauts 2.
Image credit: CapcomDeveloper: Capcom Production Studio 1 | Publisher: Capcom | Release date: February 17, 2005 | Review: IGN's Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening review
Devil May Cry 3 is a landmark action game with its challenging combat, compelling story, and entertaining cutscenes. Its high skill ceiling and creative combat system have made it one of the most influential games in the genre.
Image credit: NamcoDeveloper: Namco | Publisher: Namco | Release date: March 18, 2004 | Review: IGN's Katamari Damacy review
Katamari Damacy offers absurd yet joyful chaos with its simple yet addictive gameplay of rolling up objects. Its optimistic tone and ridiculous scenarios have captured hearts for over two decades, making it a beloved classic.
Image credit: SonyDeveloper: Naughty Dog | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: October 14, 2003 | Review: IGN's Jak 2: Renegade review
Jak 2: Renegade reinvents the series with a darker, more intriguing narrative and new gameplay mechanics like gunplay and hoverboarding. Its detailed environments and dynamic characters make it the best entry in the iconic trilogy.
Image credit: Rockstar GamesDeveloper: Rockstar Vancouver | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Release date: October 15, 2006 | Review: IGN's Bully review
Bully offers a smart and funny take on school life, blending satire with a streamlined progression system and satisfying combat. Its coming-of-age story and social dynamics make it a standout title in Rockstar's catalog.
Image credit: SonyDeveloper: Santa Monica Studio | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: March 22, 2005 | Review: IGN's God of War review
God of War is a technical marvel with its visually stunning boss fights and mix of combat, puzzles, and platforming. Its compelling story and innovative gameplay laid the foundation for one of the greatest action game series.
See our guide to playing the God of War games in order for more.
Image credit: CapcomDeveloper: Clover Studio | Publisher: Capcom | Release date: April 20, 2006 | Review: IGN's Okami review
Okami's unique concept of a god-wolf using a celestial brush to paint the world is beautifully executed. Its painterly style, charming story, and engaging gameplay make it a must-play on both PS2 and modern PlayStation consoles.
Image credit: Square EnixDeveloper: Square | Publisher: Square Electronic Arts (NA) | Release date: July 19, 2001 | Review: IGN's Final Fantasy 10 review
Final Fantasy 10 revolutionized the series with its Sphere-grid system and more accessible gameplay. Its compelling story and memorable characters, along with the iconic question "is Blitzball good?", continue to resonate with players.
Image credit: KonamiDeveloper: Konami | Publisher: Konami | Release date: September 25, 2001 | Review: IGN's Silent Hill 2 review
Silent Hill 2 is a haunting masterpiece that delves into the protagonist's psyche, creating a disorienting and unforgettable horror experience. Its impact is so profound that a remake was released in 2024, yet the original remains unmatched.
Image credit: KonamiDeveloper: KCEJ | Publisher: Konami | Release date: November 13, 2001 | Review: IGN's Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty review
Metal Gear Solid 2 is a brilliant and divisive game that challenges players' perceptions with its narrative and gameplay. Its themes of misinformation and innovative mechanics have aged well, cementing its status as a stealth game classic.
See our guide to the Metal Gear games in order for more of the series.
Image credit: Rockstar GamesDeveloper: Rockstar North | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Release date: Oct 29, 2002 | Review: IGN's GTA: Vice City review
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City perfected the open-world formula with its compelling narrative, memorable characters, and iconic soundtrack. Its satirical take on the 80s and robust gameplay make it one of the greatest PS2 games and a gaming classic.
See our guide to the GTA games in order for more.
Image credit: CapcomDeveloper: Capcom Production Studio 4 | Publisher: Capcom | Release date: January 11, 2005 | Review: IGN's Resident Evil 4 review
Resident Evil 4 transformed the series with its over-the-shoulder perspective and action-focused gameplay, yet retained its horror roots. Its iconic monsters and memorable phrases like "what're ya buyin?" have made it a landmark survival horror game.
See our guide to the Resident Evil games in order for more.
Image credit: SonyDeveloper: SIE Japan Studio | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Release date: October 18, 2005 | Review: IGN's Shadow of the Colossus review
Shadow of the Colossus is a poignant puzzle game disguised as a boss-fight adventure. Its melancholic narrative, clever puzzles, and dynamic music create an unforgettable experience that stands tall even with its 2018 remake.
Image credit: KonamiDeveloper: KCEJ | Publisher: Konami | Release date: November 17, 2004 | Review: IGN's Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater review
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is widely regarded as the best in the franchise, expanding on its predecessor's systems with survival elements and clever boss fights. Its complex story of honor and duty, along with the anticipation for its upcoming remake, keeps it at the forefront of gaming.
Image credit: Rockstar GamesDeveloper: Rockstar North | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Release date: October 21, 2004 | Review: IGN's GTA: San Andreas review
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas represents a monumental leap in open-world gaming with its vast, vibrant world and innovative RPG elements. Its engaging narrative and robust gameplay make it the pinnacle of the PS2 gaming experience.
Unfortunately, PS2 discs are not compatible with the PS5, but you can still enjoy some PS2 classics through PlayStation Plus' Premium membership. This membership, priced at $17.99/month, offers access to over 300 games from PS3, PS2, original PlayStation, and PSP. For an updated list of available titles, visit our IGN Playlist page below.
This is an up-to-date listing of the entire PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog. You can browse, sort, and tag the titles and use them to build your own playlists. Sort by "Recently Added" to see the newest additions to the catalog. See All
Star Ocean: The Last HopeTri-Ace
Dragon's Crown ProVanillaware
Twisted Metal 2Singletrac
Star Ocean: First Departure RSquare Enix
Star Ocean: Till the End of TimeTri-Ace
Gravity Crash PortableJust Add Water Developments
Twisted MetalEat Sleep Play
Herc's AdventuresLucasArts
Killzone: LiberationGuerrilla Games
WormsTeam17 SoftwareThose are our picks for the best PlayStation 2 games ever - what made your list that wasn’t on ours? Let us know in the comments, or rank these games on your own Tier List below. And be sure to check out the best games on PS5 for what to play right now.
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