5 Video Games From 2004 That Defined The PlayStation 2 Era

With over 160 million units sold worldwide since it launched back in 2000, the PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling games console of all time. This success isn't down to hardware alone, of course — the PS2 boasts a huge library of games that includes dozens of all-time greats. From established franchises to new properties making their debut, the PS2 had something for everyone to enjoy back in the '00s, but there's one year in particular that stands out.

2004 was a pivotal year in the PS2's lifespan. The console was at the height of its powers and its successor was still some way off (the PlayStation 3 wouldn't arrive until November 2006). This memorable year saw games that took their respective franchises to new heights and instant classics that tapped into the full potential of the PS2 hardware. Here are five video games from 2004 that defined the PlayStation 2 era, cementing the console's legacy.

One of the most unconventional games released in 2004 is also one of the best PS2 games of all time. "Katamari Damacy" certainly has a unique premise, with players controlling the Prince of All Cosmos who is tasked by his father to create planets, stars, and constellations. To do this, the Prince rolls a sticky ball — a Katamari — through everyday environments, picking up smaller objects to steadily make his Katamari grow. At the start of every level, the Prince is given target sizes for his Katamari to reach to transform into a celestial body.

"Katamari Damacy" is a game that revels in just how thoroughly bizarre its core concept is and has to be played to be believed. Easy to pick up and play, the handling quickly proves more intuitive than one might expect and the overall experience is quietly addictive. The game spawned its own series that continues to thrive today, though it doesn't stray from the formula established by the 2004 original title. "Katamari Damacy" is a must-have for any PS2 owner.

One major Sony franchise that started on the PS2 is the explosive action series "Ratchet & Clank." The third entry, "Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal," continues the sci-fi adventures of its titular duo against their returning nemesis Doctor Nefarious. The game retains the third-person shooter action from the prior installments, subtly refining the combat mechanics and upgrade system. The sequel also includes sequences where players control Ratchet's robotic buddy Clank and there are side-scrolling levels with the self-aggrandizing Captain Qwark.

The penultimate entry in the series released for the PS2, "Up Your Arsenal" (which is perhaps the most '00s game ever in terms of its edgy name) wisely leans into the franchise's strengths while improving the overall experience. The chaotic gameplay returns along with even more engaging environments to explore and weapons to unleash. The game is also the first in the series to feature online multiplayer for those looking to dive into the action with friends. Perfectly encapsulating the pure joy that the series is known for, "Up Your Arsenal" is an irreverent good time.

The beloved "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty" was released in the early days of the PlayStation 2, and the next entry, "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater," dropped during the height of the Sony console in 2004. "Snake Eater" is actually a prequel — in fact, it's the earliest game in the entire "Metal Gear" timeline. It follows Naked Snake (the genetic precursor to the usual protagonist Solid Snake) on a covert mission behind enemy lines in the Soviet Union during the '60s.

"Snake Eater" was the most ambitious "Metal Gear" game ever at the time, with the gameplay really embracing the expansive environment the story is set in. It gives players a tremendous amount of freedom on how to proceed, with many of their individual choices reflected in how the experience unfolds. The prequel pushed the PS2 hardware as far as it could go, with incredibly detailed environments and enemy behavior. Arguably the pinnacle of the franchise, "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater" feels like a pure passion project from director, producer, and designer Hideo Kojima.

The first "Grand Theft Auto" game released on the PlayStation 2 was 2001's "Grand Theft Auto III," the first fully 3D game in the series. This reinvention was followed up by the similarly successful "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" in 2002, which doubled down on the open-world crime action. The series reached even greater heights with 2004's "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas," set in a California pastiche during the '90s. The game follows protagonist Carl "CJ" Johnson as he looks to rebuild his old street gang and find out who murdered his mother.

"Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" became the best-selling PS2 game of all time, underscoring how important "GTA" was for the console. The scope of the game had increased significantly compared to "Vice City" and "GTA III," while the sheer amount of features available also grew considerably. Years later, there are still new cheat codes being discovered for "GTA: San Andreas," which shows the sheer depth of the game. An open-world masterpiece and one of the high points for the "Grand Theft Auto" series, "San Andreas" is an immersive adventure that helped define the PS2.

The "Gran Turismo" franchise delivered one of only three near-perfect games on the PS1 and the franchise went full throttle on the PS2. The last game in the series released for the PlayStation 2 is "Gran Turismo 4," which came out in 2004 and still stands as one of the best racing titles of its generation. The game boasts over 700 vehicles to choose from and over 50 tracks around the world to race on. Offering a wealth of gameplay modes and features, "Gran Turismo 4" provides fans with the most comprehensive experience in the franchise to date — even now, over two decades later, it hasn't been topped.

In addition to the usual racing career mode, driving challenges, and multiplayer modes, "Gran Turismo 4" adds a mode that places players as a pit crew chief. In this capacity, players essentially function as a coach, advising drivers on when to make pit stops but also how to drive in the race. Beyond its features, "Gran Turismo 4" holds up incredibly well visually, with almost photo-realistic imagery at times. A highlight in the series and a reminder why it is considered racing game royalty, "Gran Turismo 4" is a high-octane masterpiece that stands as one of the most definitive PS2 games.