ThePlayStation 2wasSony’ssecond foray into the home console market. Luckily for them - and for everyone else - not only did it end up becoming one of thebest video game systems of all time, but it’s also remembered fondly because of its huge catalog of incredible titles.
The PS2 constantly saw new releases, from 2000, the year it debuted, up to 2013, when it was finally discontinued. That is the timespan considered for this list. A new, revolutionary, and genre-defining game has been published on the PS2 every single year, and these are some of the best examples.
12TimeSplitters (2000)
GoldenEye 007 For A New Generation
The PS2’s launch lineup may not have been perfect, but it had some solid titles in it, likeArmored Core 2orTekken Tag Tournament. But most people who bought this console on its first day wanted to play one game above everything else:TimeSplitters, by the creative minds at Free Radical Design.
The developer’s previous experience working at Rare paid off because this felt like a worthy successor to titles likeGoldenEye 007orPerfect Dark:A unique shooter with satisfying mechanics, fun time-traveling levels, and an addictive multiplayer component.
In less than a year, the PS2’s catalog was already changing the industry with excellent games likeGrand Theft Auto 3,Metal Gear Solid 2,andJak & Daxter. But out of all of them, Konami’sSilent Hill 2was the best title released in all of 2001.
The story of James Sunderland’s disturbing and depressing journey to Silent Hill was quickly cemented as one of the best video game narratives ever made. The entire titular town has a terrifying atmosphere that makes players feel uneasy, and the intense survival horror gameplay can make anyone feel helpless. It is no wonderSilent Hill 2is still consideredone of the best exponents of the horror genreto this day.
TheFinal Fantasyfranchise was associated with the PlayStation brand for years, but Square was looking for the next big thing that would attract the attention of an even bigger demographic. That’s when they joined forces with Disney to create the mind-blowingKingdom Heartsfranchise.
The original game was a magical adventure like no other, as Sora, Donald & Goofy traveled to different worlds based on classic animated movies likeAladdin,Hercules,andThe Little Mermaid. With its beautiful soundtrack, memorable story, and accessible action combat,Kingdom Heartswas the beginning of a legendary new IP that would end up making a huge impact on the PS2.
Just like its predecessor, the PS2 was popular among kids because it was home to some new and iconic platforming mascots. WhileSly CooperandJak and Daxterwere really great,Ratchet and Clankwere definitely the most popular mascots, and pretty much became the faces of the entire console.
Their second adventure,Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando,was a perfect sequel, with more crazy weapons to use, improved controls, better comedic writing, hilarious cutscenes, and timeless cartoon graphics. The first game was good, butRatchet & Clank: Going Commandotruly paved the way for the future of this franchise.
The firstMetal Gear Solidgame was a PS1 classic and its sequel was one of the best games of 2002, butMetal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eaterquickly became one of the best video games ever made, as Hideo Kojima and his team took this as an opportunity to create a prequel that told the story of Big Boss, and it paid off.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eaterfeatures an incredible story, with deep characters and a lot of twists & turns that will shock players. The stealth gameplay was refined and perfected, withsome really creative mechanicsand innovative boss fights. Add to that some of that classic Hideo Kojima madness, and this was a revolutionary game that every PS2 owner had to own.
2005 was one of the best years for PS2:Resident Evil 4,Devil May Cry 3,Kingdom Hearts 2,and many other incredible titles were released during that year. But it was up to Sony and their legendary Team ICO to deliver what would become one of the most memorable experiences on the entire console:Shadow of the Colossus.
The concept is simple: defeat 16 enormous colossi in 16 unique & epic boss fights, and each one of them leaves the player feeling goosebumps thanks to their sheer size. With its incredible soundtrack, unbelievable graphics, and somber atmosphere,Shadow of the Colossusis a masterpiece that provesvideo games can definitely be art.
The PlayStation 3 was released in late November 2006, but this wasn’t really an issue for PS2 owners, since that console still had amazing games released on it throughout the year. And surprisingly,Okamiwould end up looking way better than the PS3 had to offer at that time, thanks to its timeless watercolor-styled graphics.
Okamiperfectly encapsulates the feeling of playing firsthand through a classic Japanese folklore legend, as players control the goddess Amaterasu on her journey to defeat the evil Orochi. This meant they’d have to explore a vast, open world filled to the brim with fun side quests and charming characters. Not to mention that it featured the creative Celestial Brush mechanic that made everything even more fun.
Fans were perplexed when a first-party sequel to one of Sony’s most popular IPs was released for the PS2 in 2007, even if the PS3 had already been on the market for months. This was the case withGod of War 2, and it demonstrated that Sony still believed in their console.
This sequel improved on everything that was so great about the firstGod of War: Bigger bosses, bigger levels, more deadly weapons for Kratos to use, and a deeper storyline, but still kept the energetic combat system that made this franchise so beloved in the first place. In 2007, PlayStation fans were having a better time with their PS2s than with their PS3s.
The PS2 was slowing down by 2008, but it still saw the release of an unexpected exclusive, in the form ofPersona 4by Atlus. This was an excellent JRPG with a solid art style that was a huge hit among fans of the genre, and it solidified the PS2 as a console worth owning in 2008.
Persona 4really stood out among other games in the genre, with a colorful art style, catchy music, and a mysterious plot that took advantage of its supernatural elements. The cast of characters is likable and memorable, and the turn-based combat perfected the formula of the series. This is a long gamethat most players don’t mind spending many hours on.
In the latter stage of its life cycle, the PS2 was kept relevant because Sony ported numerous PlayStation Portable games to this home console since they shared similar hardware, and it was a good way of letting players choose how to play their favorite handheld experiences. AndSecret Agent Clankwas one of the chosen titles.
TheRatchet & ClankIP once again showed how vital it was to the PS2, with a really entertaining spin-off starring Ratchet’s loyal robot companion, Clank, in a funny parody of the James Bond franchise. It may not be the best game in the series, but it has some great moments, and it was great to see a solid first-party game still being released on the PS2.
