The PlayStation 2 was an innovative console, and as it approaches its fifth wedding anniversary, were recalling at the video games that made it famous. From PS2 exclusives like Okami and Shadow of the Giant to best sellers like Final Fantasy 10 and GTA: Vice City, when it concerns picking the most effective PlayStation 2 video games, theres no shortage of games to select from. Yet, weve handled to select 25 of the very best PS2 games that we really feel pushed the technological and cultural limits of the age and still hold up today.
5. Grand Theft Automobile: Vice City
Programmer: Superstar North|Author: Rockstar Gamings|Launch day: Oct 29, 2002|Testimonial: IGNs GTA: Vice City evaluation
Grand Theft Car 3 might have reinvented the open-world activity video game with its 3D third-person viewpoint, however it was the 2002 follow up that took the idea and developed it. GTA: Vice City upped its video game in almost every conceivable means. It included a story that was both an engaging story and specialist witticism of all its 80s-era inspirations, a cast of memorable personalities articulated by hollywood pros – including the similarity Ray Liotta, Dennis Hopper, and Burt fucking Reynolds – improved on almost every facet of its mechanics and gameplay and Vice City still has among the most effective computer game soundtracks ever before.you can find more here ps2iso from Our Articles Even now, after being ported to computer, portable and mobile platforms, Vice City continues to be not just among the best PS2 games every, yet one of pc gamings all-time greats, and we angle wait to return to Rockstars Miami in GTA 6.
4. Citizen Evil 4
Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4|Author: Capcom|Release day: January 11, 2005|Testimonial: IGNs Resident Wickedness 4 review
Citizen Evil 4 was a spectacular shakeup for the series, ditching the more standard bump-in-the-night haunted home shenanigans for an over-the-shoulder capturing gallery in an expansive Spanish town. A better concentrate on activity didn’t boring the horror, either. Resident Wickedness 4 is still a deeply worried experience thanks to its monsters – the Los Illuminados, the Regenerators and the chainsaw guy are all unforgettable – and it introduced a strong sense of The Odd that transformed what’re ya buyin? into an iconic expression. Currently with the arrival of the Homeowner Wickedness 4 remake, this landmark survival horror is equally as prominent as ever before.
See our guide to the Local Evil video games in order for extra.
3. Shadow of the Colossus
Developer: SIE Japan Workshop|Publisher: Sony Computer System Amusement|Release day: October 18, 2005|Testimonial: IGNs Shadow of the Colossus review
Even more of a puzzle game hidden within a giant-boss-fight shell, Darkness of the Giant leaves you in awe well after the debts roll. Transforming the should-be brave event of slaying gigantic monsters in the name of love melancholy in the subtlest method, it is an impactful and extraordinary experience, unlike anything we had actually played before back then. Shadow of the Titan‘ stark world, creative problems, downplayed storytelling, vibrant music, and, naturally, badass large titans still stand tall over many, even today, particularly with the launch of its 2018 remake.
2. Steel Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Developer: KCEJ|Author: Konami|Release date: November 17, 2004|Evaluation: IGNs Metal Equipment Solid 3: Serpent Eater review
Metal Gear Strong 3 took a step back from the high-tech-and-concept framework of MGS2, and in doing so provided us what is still commonly considered the most effective entrance in the franchise to date. Mechanically, Snake Eater expanded on every one of the advanced systems introduced by its predecessor, added new survival components like appetite and camouflage, and offered us with a few of the cleverest employer battles of all time. The later Subsistence re-release included further mechanical updates like a free-moving third-person camera, but MGS3’s toughest element by far is its story: an intricate story of honor and obligation, of love and patriotism, one that not only functions as a self-supporting experience, however sets up and recontextualizes every other video game in the collection as well. Thats why so many fans are excited for the upcoming remake.
1. Grand Burglary Vehicle: San Andreas
Designer: Superstar North|Author: Superstar Games|Release day: October 21, 2004|Review: IGNs GTA: San Andreas testimonial
While Superstar continually found strong new means to raise the open-world bar, 2004’s GTA: San Andreas represented a jump ahead like we ‚d never ever been seen before. The video game’s huge, dynamic state of San Andreas – with three cities, based loosely on Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas – is the ideal play area for players to have CJ and his mates make it through gang shootouts, high-speed police goes after, and frantic, stretching break-ins on foot or in dozens of various cars. San Andreas also introduced RPG and survival components into the collection for the very first time, like tracking what CJ consumed or how much he worked out, and adjusting his capabilities accordingly. While all of the GTA series are classics in their own right, San Andreas is among one of the most robust and unforgettable open-world games ever before made, and the peak of the video gaming experience on the PlayStation 2.
What PS2 Games Are Offered on PS5 in 2025?
Sadly, PS2 discs are not suitable with the PS5, but you can still stream some PS2 video games thanks to PlayStation Plus Premium membership. This membership tier will certainly set you back $17.99/ month, but its worth it of what you obtain. Via the subscription, along with the catalog with PS4 and PS5 video games, youll have access to over 300 games from PS3, PS2, initial PlayStation, and PSP. To see an updated list of whats readily available in the Standard Catalog, visit our IGN Playlist web page below.