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Top 20 Greatest PS2 Games of All Time

Top 20 Greatest PS2 Games of All Time
VOICE OVER: Rudolph Strong WRITTEN BY: Ty Richardson
The PS2 had some of the greatest games ever created! For this list, we're looking at the absolute best games that came out during the PlayStation 2's lifespan. Our countdown includes “Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal” (2004), “Kingdom Hearts II” (2006), “God of War II” (2007), “Katamari Damacy” (2004), and more!

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today, we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 Greatest PlayStation 2 Games of All Time! For this list, we’re looking at the absolute best games that came out during the PlayStation 2’s lifespan. Which PS2 game is your #1? Did it make the list? Let us know down in the comments!

#20: “PaRappa the Rapper 2” (2001)


The first “PaRappa” will always hold a special place in our hearts for its surreal style and charming songs. Unfortunately, the accuracy of the beats and the game’s short length have made this PS1 classic age poorly. Its sequel, on the other hand, fixed those shortcomings. Inputs are more inline with the rhythm of every song, the main campaign features more songs, and there is an equally amusing multiplayer offering for you and your friends. “PaRappa the Rapper 2” may not have been a must-own for every PS2 player, but it was miles better than its predecessor.

#19: “War of the Monsters” (2003)


Few games have managed to fulfill the epic fantasy we’ve had with our friends where each of us battles it out as our own kaiju, and alas, few games of that caliber felt satisfying to play in general. “War of the Monsters” helped wrangle in a focused and fun experience for PS2 players. From the modest roster of monsters to the destructible environments, this was a heck of a party game for Sony’s second console, and offered up dozens of hours of playtime with its unique concept, wealth of modes, and arcade-y nature. Why Sony hasn’t brought back this game for a sequel is beyond us, but hopefully “War of the Monsters” will someday return instead of just being another PS2 game ported to PS4.

#18: “GrimGrimoire” (2007)


“GrimGrimoire” was one of many PS2 gems that suffered an agonizing fate - becoming a commercial failure. It truly was an injustice considering how imaginative this title was. Summon Familiars to help you fight hostile mobs, deshroud the fogs of war, and figure out where everyone in your school disappeared to. In addition to boasting a beautiful artstyle, “GrimGrimoire” managed to conjure a challenging adventure that any fan of strategy games would enjoy. So, if you haven’t had the chance to check out the remaster, “GrimGrimoire Once More”, now is the time to do so!

#17: “Guitar Hero II” (2006)


Before launching an expanded version on Xbox 360, “Guitar Hero II” was letting players jam out on PS2 one last time before taking the leap into the seventh generation of consoles. Whereas the first “Guitar Hero” managed to sell us on the idea of rocking out with a weighty piece of plastic around our neck, this sequel fine-tuned the controls and mechanics while also improving on the visuals overall. On top of that, the focus on more heavy metal was empowering to hear as we journeyed to become the virtual rock stars we were born to be. If only our skills were able to translate to a real guitar…

#16: “Silent Hill 2” (2001)


“Silent Hill 2” is, simply put, one of the greatest horror games ever made, if not one of the best games ever made in general. The funny thing is our infatuation with it doesn’t come from any particular mechanic, but rather its mystery. There are so many layers to James Sunderland’s story in terms of what his version of Silent Hill is, how the monsters represent his fears and perceptions, and the thoughts he’s been repressing since his wife’s passing. Every time you play it, there’s a new facet of the horror to uncover. Plus, it’s a fun game to try and speedrun.

#15: “Katamari Damacy” (2004)


Rarely do we get a game that presents a unique concept and executes upon it exceptionally well. “Katamari Damacy” came with a simple premise - roll objects up into a ball - and it was one of the most satisfying ideas we’ve come across. Across a multitude of levels, you’ll roll up objects within a time limit before hurling them into space and turning your mass of materials into a star. That wacky concept coupled with a fantastic soundtrack are what made “Katamari Damacy” one of the best franchises to come out of Bandai Namco Entertainment.

#14: “Dark Cloud 2”, aka “Dark Chronicle” (2003)


Admittedly, the story of “Dark Cloud 2” isn’t as strong as its predecessor. We will never forget our time with Toan, but “Dark Cloud 2” excels over the original game in other ways. First off, the voice acting is immensely better than what we had before. Second, combat is much more fluid and the mechanics are more refined. And the best improvement of all? You don’t have to deal with that damn thirst mechanic anymore!! Sure, “Dark Cloud 2” has its own shortcomings, but it still managed to flesh out and focus in on what was working for its predecessor.

#13: “Gran Turismo 4” (2005)


Man, “Gran Turismo” has certainly seen better days, and when it comes to racing sims, few have reached the same level as “Gran Turismo 4”. Despite being a couple decades old, this game is still a marvel to behold in terms of visuals. From lighting and shadows to the models of the cars and detailed textures, this game truly showed the visual fidelity that the PlayStation 2 was capable of. On top of that, the addition of Driving Missions offered up more high-octane racing for us to speed along tracks for hours.

#12: “Kingdom Hearts II” (2006)


Oh, “Kingdom Hearts”, our first ride through Twilight Town and the other Disney worlds will forever remind us of one of the best JRPGs we’ve ever played. However, “Kingdom Hearts II” eeks out the win by a very, very small margin. Not only did it boast higher quality visuals and animation, but it came with a vast array of improvements and new mechanics. Reaction Commands proved to be an excellent addition to the combat, allowing for more room to dodge or pull off spectacular attacks. As for the Gummi Ship, these segments were significantly more fun than the basic version we had in the previous game. So, is it really a surprise as to why it's regarded as one of Square Enix’s best games?

#11: “Twisted Metal: Black” (2001)


We won’t lie - “Twisted Metal: Black” can get unreasonably difficult at times, even when playing on Easy. However, it reinvented and reintroduced the IP’s identity in ways the original games could not accomplish on PS1. Highly detailed vehicles and environments, more hazards across each stage, brilliant writing and character development, and an intensely haunting soundtrack kept us coming back to blast more cars, trucks, and structures. Though if you prefer a more arcade-like experience, we can understand why many consider the PS2 port of “Head-On” to be the superior of the two.

#10: “Sly 2: Band of Thieves” (2004)


It isn’t often we see a sequel reach for a level of ambition quite as high as Sucker Punch Productions aimed when developing “Sly 2”. To see this franchise go from a simple 3D platformer into an early example of open world gameplay was a sight to behold. Adding to this drastic shift in level design were the inclusions of Murray and Bentley as playable characters, missions that exuded the feeling of pulling off a grand heist, and more noticeably, better performances from voice actors Kevin Miller, Matt Olsen, and Chris Murphy. Just sneaking around for an hour in Paris will show anyone why this is regarded as the best of the “Sly Cooper” games and one of Sucker Punch’s best games period.

#9: “Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest” (2004)


The fact that there is no way to play “Champions of Norrath” on modern hardware is a crime. This legendary game was one of the most fun action RPGs we had ever played thanks to its wonderfully crafted world, deep combat mechanics, and high replayability factor. On top of that, it was one of a handful of titles that helped reign in online gaming for consoles by allowing up to four players to play together. Again, how has this not been ported to modern hardware? And what do we need to do to make it happen?

#8: “Final Fantasy X” (2001)


If there was any Square Enix title that perfectly cemented their place in the PlayStation ecosystem, it was “Final Fantasy X”. While it abandons a couple of systems that made previous titles work, it introduces new ones that work just as well. The new battle system helped newcomers enter the series without any pressure to make quick and possibly reckless decisions. The new Sphere Grid gave players more choice in how they wanted to tune characters and their stats. And that story? Yes, make all the jokes you want about the laughing scene, but this is a story worthy of a chef’s kiss.

#7: “Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal” (2004)


To those of you who absolutely adore the “Future” saga on PS3, the PS4 remake, or “Rift Apart” on PS5, everything you love about those titles leads back to “Up Your Arsenal”. This was the game where Insomniac Games managed to perfect the ideas and formulas laid out by the first two games in the series and created a third-person shooter that was fantastic from start to finish. Weapons could be expanded upon further than before. The weapon wheel was reworked into something more quick and responsive to complement weapon-swapping. And Dr. Nefarious quickly established himself as one of the best villains ever created. It’s truly hard to find one thing to detest about “Up Your Arsenal”.

#6: “Persona 4” (2008)


We can understand and sympathize with the hardcore “Persona 3” fans, but we had to go with “Persona 4” for this one. How many times have you heard JRPG fanatics gush over the visual style or the assortment of well-written characters wrapped up in an incredibly suspenseful murder mystery? It’s almost hard to gush about without giving away too much of the game! Look, if you haven’t played “Persona 4” yet, the expanded and enhanced “Persona 4 Golden” is available on modern hardware as of January 2023. Go buy it and play it. You have no excuses.

#5: “God of War II” (2007)


The Ghost of Sparta’s first game was a stellar outing even though it had a few blemishes. “God of War II”, on the other hand, came out looking and playing more beautifully. Controls were more responsive, combat was just as fast and frenetic as before, and just like with “Gran Turismo 4”, the PS2’s visual fidelity was on full display. Sure, there wasn’t a remarkable difference in mechanics, but hey - at least there wasn’t any nonsense like that damn Tower of Blades at the end of the first game!

#4: “Okami” (2006)


“Okami” was one of many games that was unfortunately overshadowed by the imminent release of the PlayStation 3, causing the game to flounder in sales. What many missed out on was one of the most creative and gorgeous JRPGs we have ever played. From the cel-shaded art style to the imaginative uses of the Celestial Brush in puzzles and combat, “Okami” was a hell of a visual spectacle, and its story was truly captivating as you witness the tale of Amaterasu. We’re just sad that the poor sales are what caused developer Clover Studio, who also brought us gems like “Viewtiful Joe” and “God Hand”, to close its doors. Thankfully, many of those staff members would go on to form Platinum Games, Ignition Games, and even Tango Gameworks.

#3: “Shadow of the Colossus” (2005)


What is there to say about “Shadow of the Colossus” that hasn’t already been said? We, along with several other outlets and content creators, have beaten the drum about how this game is a master class in level design, enemy design, and storytelling. Sure, the PS2 version isn’t the best way to play it these days, but even back then, it was unlike any other game we had seen at the time. What Team Ico and Sony Japan Studio accomplished was absolutely remarkable, and it’s a must-play for anyone who calls themselves a fan of PlayStation.

#2: “Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater” (2004)


Whether you’re a fan of the “Metal Gear” franchise or stealth games in general, “Snake Eater” is the prime example of how to execute a stealth game. It wasn’t just enough to hide around corners or inside boxes anymore. “Snake Eater” demanded players to be more crafty and tactile in their approach. There was more of a focus on utilizing your environment to sneak past guards and infiltrate areas. Rather than have a minimap showing you where every enemy was, you had to gauge sonar and motion detectors and keep track of guards with your own eyes. On top of that, you had to keep track of how well your outfits helped you blend into the environment. There were so many layers to the gameplay that made “Snake Eater” the best game in the franchise, and a treasure of the PS2 catalog.

#1: “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” (2004)


Many would point to “GTA III” or “Vice City” as the starting point in “GTA’s” success. We would argue “San Andreas” was the one. As media pundits pushed for a narrative and claimed video games caused violence, “San Andreas” was innovating the open world immersive sim genre we know today. Top-tier voice acting paired with stellar writing. An expansive world to complement the nonlinear gameplay. Improved controls in both movement and driving. “San Andreas” barged through our door and brought us a game that would influence the industry for years. So, why shouldn’t it be considered the best PS2 game of all time?
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