The current best-selling video game console of all time, it's impossible to overstate just how much of a phenomenon and impact that Sony's PlayStation 2 had in the world of gaming. Between its groundbreaking hardware improvements, built-in DVD player, and wide array of great games, it quickly became the must-own video game console of the 21st century and a massive leap forward for the industry. It's a console that proved to be so successful that it almost directly removed a competitor from the market in SEGA.
While many different attributes have led to the massive success and staying power of the PS2 as a titan of the industry, at the end of the day, the games are what make a console, with the PS2 having one of the greatest catalogs in gaming history. From continued entries in beloved franchises to the starting points of icons of gaming, the best of the PS2 manage to be some of the very best video games of the 2000s, if not of all time.
10 'God of War II' (2007)
Before the franchise became an icon of cinematic video games and emotional storytelling, the original God of War games on PS2 were some of the very best 3D hack-and-slash games ever made, with God of War II amplifying the strengths of the original game to new heights. With combo-based combat and a larger sense of scale than the previous game, God of War II sees Kratos continuing his path of revenge against the rest of Olympus following his betrayal by Zeus.
While the original game was an effective proof of concept for the franchise, God of War II further hones in on the strengths of its predecessor to create an even greater, more engaging experience for the player. Between the massive boss fights, immaculate setpieces, and highly satisfying combat, God of War II is one of the most cathartic action experiences that the PS2 has to offer, fully embracing the bloodshed and chaos that made the original game such an icon.
9 'Katamari Damacy' (2004)
One of the greatest examples of pure creative bliss and absurdism within the medium of video games, Katamari Damacy completely reshaped how many people perceived video games as an art form, with a distinct charm and weirdness that makes it iconic to this very day. The mixture of wild colors and a jam-packed soundtrack with addictive arcade gameplay made it one of the most distinctive video game experiences ever made, embracing its most abstract elements to create a one-of-a-kind gem of the era.
Even as the Katamari franchise continued to thrive and hone the distinct elements and creativity that make it so fun, there is something so charming and joyous about the first entry that still makes it a fan favorite over 20 years later. The joy of rolling up objects and growing from inches tall to large enough to pick up skyscrapers is an experience that cannot be replicated in any other game or medium, a joy that Katamari perfects in its execution.
8 'Persona 3 FES' (2007)
The PS2 saw the release of many exceptionally well-made RPGs, although one specific JRPG franchise that came into its own on PS2 was the Shin Megami Tensei spinoff series Persona, with Persona 3 FES still being considered one of the best in the franchise. This enhanced version of Persona 3 was released only a year after the original game, featuring all the greatness of the original game with the addition of quality-of-life changes and a playable epilogue that adds more depth to the story.
The distinct mixture of polished visuals, dynamic character writing, and approachable yet layered JRPG gameplay that makes the Persona series so enthralling largely hit its stride in this entry, where everything aligned to create one of the best original narratives in JRPG history. Even today, after multiple sequels and growth for the series, many people still consider Persona 3 to be one of the greatest turn-based RPGs ever made.
7 'Ōkami' (2006)
One of the very few fantasy action-adventure games that could live up to the stature and strengths of The Legend of Zelda, Ōkami is a beautiful story of Japanese mythology and folklore that, while initially a commercial failure, grew to be one of the most celebrated cult classic video games of all time. The game features a timeless watercolor style that allows its visuals to still feel enthralling 20 years later, complete with an exceptional story and compelling use of its central brush mechanic for both puzzles and combat.
The adventure game masterpiece has only grown in prominence and appreciation in the years following its release and with subsequent ports and HD remakes to other consoles. However, its original release as one of the last major PS2 exclusives before the PS3 is a continued part of its identity to this day, with its universal critical acclaim acting like a powerful swan song for the PS2 as a whole.
6 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' (2004)
While the series existed before the PS2, Grand Theft Auto truly came into its own and became the absolute juggernaut of the video game industry with its entries on PS2, with the final game in the PS2 trilogy, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, still being considered by fans a highlight of the GTA franchise. Having grown and refined the GTA formula on PS2, San Andreas is still endlessly replayable and has such impactful quality-of-life improvements that still make it a blast to play, unlike its more poorly aged predecessors.
Everything that makes GTA such a compelling gaming experience is available in San Andreas, yet what makes this game truly special, even compared to modern entries, is its compelling narrative and characters. With a cast full of personality and a topical story based on real-life LA gang violence, the game has a real passion and strength to its narrative beyond the carnage and controversy the series is known for. This has helped catapult the game to being the highest-selling PS2 game and one of the best-selling games of all time.
5 'Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater' (2004)
Often considered one of the greatest video game prequels and a high point in one of the most celebrated video game franchises of all time, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is an absolute icon of action video gaming. It tells a brilliant standalone story of deception and espionage taking place decades before even the NES titles, seeing Naked Snake fighting in the Soviet jungles to rescue a Russian rocket scientist, put a stop to a super weapon, and assassinate his defected former mentor, The Boss.
Finding inspiration from war movies of the past and with an exceptional polish and attention to detail in every aspect of its graphics and gameplay, Metal Gear Solid 3 does what Metal Gear does best in terms of exceptional moment-to-moment gameplay and one of the best narratives in gaming history. Many people even consider the game to be the magnum opus of director Hideo Kojima and one of the greatest video games of all time.
4 'Silent Hill 2' (2001)
A massively influential horror game that completely reshaped the genre for 21st-century gaming, Silent Hill 2's mixture of genuine scares with psychological dread continues to have people celebrate it as one of the greatest horror video games ever made. The game expertly exudes a sense of bleakness and dread that is simply unmatched by any other horror game of the era, completely revolutionizing the horror game genre with its elusive style and brilliant execution.
The game is drenched from top to bottom with powerful symbolism and psychological elements that amplify both the scary entities hunting down the player as well as the somber, painful story being told at the center of it all. As the layers are peeled back and reveal the despicable truth behind these creatures and the town of Silent Hill's connection to the lead character, the emotional depth reaches levels that were simply unheard of in video games in 2001.
3 'Kingdom Hearts II' (2005)
The original Kingdom Hearts was this beautiful combination of the joyous whimsy of Disney characters and worlds with the style, flair, and intricate gameplay of Square Enix's Final Fantasy series. While the debut game was massively celebrated in its own right, Kingdom Hearts II improved upon the concept considerably to create what is still considered to be the absolute highlight of this iconic franchise. With more memorable worlds, a darker and more compelling story, and more engaging gameplay, Kingdom Hearts II is the absolute apex of the franchise.
The game does an exceptional job of balancing the more wholesome, joyous attributes of the various Disney worlds and characters with the growing tension and darkness in the main villains, Organization XIII. Every aspect of the game feels like an upgrade from the original without losing the distinct sense of charm and joy that made the original such an undeniable classic.
2 'Shadow of the Colossus' (2005)
A beautiful work of art that pushes the medium of video games to its absolute limits in terms of visuals, immersive gameplay, and an emotional weight to the journey as a whole, Shadow of the Colossus is an undeniable highlight of PlayStation history. The game seems deceptively simple in its premise, seeing the player traveling across the world to defeat 16 massive Colossus creatures with the hopes of resurrecting a girl in the process, traveling on horseback and on foot to find and destroy these creatures.
Shadow of the Colossus finds this absolute perfect balance between engaging, heightened gameplay in taking down and fighting these massive, bombastic boss fights, as well as the sorrow and emotional pain of ending the lives of these magical creatures. It creates an experience that could only be possible in the realms of video games and interactive experiences, allowing the player to feel both the ecstasy of taking down a giant and the sobering pain of realizing what they've done.
1 'Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty' (2001)
It may seem a little jarring to have Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty at the top of this list, considering that Metal Gear Solid 3 was a previous entry and is often in argument as the better game. However, Sons of Liberty has two distinct elements that give it a slight edge over its numerical sequel, as well as its stature as the greatest video game in the PS2 library. The game was an undeniable technical upgrade compared to the original game, still having some of the best visuals on the entire console, and its story and gameplay have aged exceptionally well in the 25 years since its release.
The gameplay itself is the same stealth perfection as the other entries in the Metal Gear Solid series, leaving one of the major differences in quality in the form of its story, which may just be the most well-aged narrative in video game history. The way that the game taps into themes of artificial intelligence, social engineering, and the constant struggles for freedom of thought in a technologically advanced society was already powerful in 2001, but feels as important as ever in this ever-shifting world we find ourselves in today. In this way, standing as a groundbreaking work of art that has aged exceptionally well, it parallels the PS2 as a whole in a beautiful way.