The 66 Best PS2 Games Of All Time Ranked

At a glance it is pretty easy to recognize "Viewtiful Joe" and "Okami" as being from the same folks. Capcom's Clover Studio, led by Hideki Kamiya and Shinji Mikami was responsible for the two instant classics. Not so much in the same camp is God Hand, a grittier action game done by the same studio. Although it received some rough reviews at launch, "God Hand" has since become a cult classic (per CBR) that's stayed in the minds of action fans.

An odd adventure that combines Japanese culture, wild west, and pro wrestling, "God Hand" is an unlikely alliance. Gene, a drifter, hides a secret power called the "God Hand," which brings him into direct conflict with demons — and insane action set pieces ensue. The game embraces its silly premise and wears its sense of humor and cheesiness on its sleeve.

What "God Hand" also boasts is a seriously fun combat system. The unwieldy camera system is a bummer, but the freed-up right stick can be utilized for more fighting moves (per IGN). Gene can bob, weave, and roll to get out of hairy situations, and there are plenty of hand-to-hand combat abilities, including sweeping kicks and all kinds of ridiculous juggling options. There's quite a learning curve, but "God Hand" rewards those who commit to learning its ins and outs.

• Release Date: October 10, 2006

• Genre: Action

• Game Modes: Single-Player

• Metacritic Score: 73

This bizarre little title is a PS2 cult classic, as well as an absolute must-play for anyone who considers themselves a video game history buff. Yes, it's a guitar-based rhythm game, but "Gitaroo Man" might as well have been developed on a separate planet from "Guitar Hero." Plus, you don't need a peripheral to enjoy the many charms of what Game Informer called "the best rhythm game ever released" (per Metacritic). 

In this vaguely narrative driven game, you play as nerdy child U-1. His life changes one day when his talking dog Puma transforms and grants him access to a weapon of myth — the Last Gitaroo. Using this magical guitar, you must collect opponents' Giatroos in order to become the True Gitaroo man. Taking place in a variety of wacky settings and stages, the gameplay has you attacking and defending in phases. The timing based rhythms can be challenging, but the songs are catchy enough that it isn't a bother to replay a level once or twice. It's worth seeing (and hearing) — all of the jazzy style that "Gitaroo Man" has to offer.

• Release Date: Feb 19, 2002

• Genre: Music/Rhythm

• Game modes: Single-player

  Advertisement
• Metacritic Score: 82

"Curse of Darkness" was released just two years after "Castlevania: Lament of Innocence." However, despite using the same engine and third-person gameplay, it made serious departures from its predecessor. The storyline also has next to nothing to do with what happened in "Lament of Innocence." This time around, gamers play as Hector, a Devil Forgemaster and former servant of Dracula. Hector finds himself pulled back into his old life when Isaac, another of Dracula's Devil Forgemasters, arranges the murder of his fiance. 

"Curse of Darkness" uses similar third-person action mechanics as "Lament of Innocence," but it brings two notable changes to the gameplay. First, Hector doesn't spend much of his time within a castle. Instead he travels to a wide variety of mostly outdoor locations while hunting Isaac across the land. Then there's Hector's Devil Forgemaster abilities, which let him summon creatures called Innocent Devils. These essentially function as pets that have various abilities in and out of combat. "Curse of Darkness" is missing the atmosphere that made its predecessor so memorable, but it supplies enough solid gameplay to stand out among the later "Castlevania" games. 

• Release Date: November 1, 2005

  Advertisement

• Genre: Action adventure

• Game Modes: Single-player

• Metacritic Score: 70

Pandemic Studios really had an all-star run during the PlayStation 2 era (per Giant Bomb), releasing the "Destroy All Humans!" series, the "Star Wars: Battlefront" games, and of course, "Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction." "Mercenaries" puts the player on the front lines of an escalating open-world conflict. As one of three selectable mercenaries, you take missions from various global factions staked out in North Korea during a fictional military uprising.

Seemingly taking cues from the console's string of "Grand Theft Auto" games, "Mercenaries" incorporates a lot of the open-world mechanics that you'd expect from a game of its day. There are loyalty meters tied to each faction, various side missions to complete around the map, and plenty of vehicles to hijack and pilot.

The game's big innovations, however, come in the form of two core systems. The first is the "Merchant of Menace" air-drop shop, through which the player can order all sorts of support items, from explosives and hand-held weapons to vehicles and a range of devastating air strikes. The other big addition is the "Deck of 52" mechanic, which hides 52 high-ranking targets around the world to be located and either killed or captured. Taken all together, these mechanics grant the player a ton of freedom to play the game exactly how they want, paving the way for future open-world romps like "Just Cause."

• Release Date: January 11, 2005

• Genre: Third-Person Sandbox

• Game Modes: Single-Player

• Metacritic Score: 84

Part JRPG and part dating sim, "Persona 3" brought updated mechanics to Atlus' franchise and changed it forever. The game follows a group of high school students in Iwatodai who discover the Dark Hour: a secret time period each night during which regular human beings are trapped in coffins and monsters called Shadows roam the city. The Shadows may be bring about the apocalypse, so it's up to one dorm to save the world. 

Gameplay in "Persona 3" is split into time segments. By day, players go to school and connect with their friends, which also increases their fighting abilities through a system called Social Links. By night, they help their dorm mates fight the Shadows and ascend a mysterious tower called Tartarus, unlocking the secrets of the Dark Hour and their own past. 

"Persona 3 FES" was released after the original game and included gameplay improvements, new abilities and Personas, and an entirely new playable epilogue to the story (per GameIndustry.biz). It's the best way to play one of Atlus' best games.

• Release Date: April 22, 2008

• Genre: JRPG

• Game Modes: Single-player

• Metacritic Score: 89

After developing the genre-defining "Guitar Hero" and its sequel for Activision, Harmonix moved on to the critically acclaimed "Rock Band" series. As a result, the studio's original plastic guitar rhythm game franchise was handed off to Neversoft, who happily took the reins for "Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock." While the game didn't revolutionize the genre in the way that "Rock Band" ultimately did, as noted by GamesRadar at the time, it did provide a fine-tuned and challenging experience for dedicated fans of the series.

Featuring more than 70 songs, many skewing on the heavier and more intense side of rock and heavy metal, "Guitar Hero 3" is more of a deep experience than a particularly broad one. The very aesthetic of the game declares its dedication to classic electric guitar shredding, and unlike its predecessors, "Guitar Hero 3" broke ground by featuring more master track versions of the songs, rather than covers.

Of course, the game is probably most famous these days for its inclusion of Dragonforce's notorious shred-a-thon "Through the Fire and the Flames." And for that alone, "Guitar Hero III" is one of the most iconic games to appear on the PS2.

• Release Date: October 28, 2007

• Genre: Rhythm

• Game Modes: Single-Player, Local Multiplayer

  Advertisement

• Metacritic Score: 82

Sega's "Virtua Fighter" franchise has been a force of innovation and technical complexity in the genre for decades. Whether it's trailblazing in the realm of polygonal graphics or paving the way for internet-enabled arcade machines, the series has always had a way to stay relevant. In 2002, Sega released "Virtua Fighter 4" for the PlayStation 2, bringing the console one of its most unique and technical fighting games.

"VF4" has many of the hallmarks of the rest of the series — characters like Akira Yuki, Sarah and Jacky Bryant, an overly convoluted storyline, and a fighting system loaded with evades, reversals, and complex combos. In comparison to its predecessors, "Virtua Fighter 4" is even more mechanically nuanced, with changes to the evade and reversal systems raising the skill ceiling even higher than before. But fortunately, the game also features a detailed training mode to teach players at all levels of the game. 

While not as immediately accessible as PS2 competitors like "Tekken 5" or "Soul Caliber 2," "Virtua Fighter 4" brought its own unique flavor to the console, and both critics and fighting game diehards celebrated.

• Release Date: March 17, 2002

• Genre: Fighting

• Game Modes: Single-Player, Local Multiplayer

• Metacritic Score: 94

The first "Castlevania" game to make its way to the PS2 is also arguably the best 3D game in the franchise (sorry, "Lord of Shadows" fans). "Lament of Innocence" is set in the 11th Century and explains how the conflict between Dracula and the Belmont clan began. When Leon Belmont's fiance Sara is kidnapped by a wicked vampire called Walter Bernhard, he charges into Bernhard's castle to get her back. Along the way he encounters demons, Death, and eventually Dracula himself. 

The story has enough twists and turns to stay interesting, but the castle itself is the real star of the show. Players get a third-person view on Leon as he battles monsters, wanders winding hallways, and discovers the plethora of secrets buried within the incredibly atmospheric structure. "Lament of Innocence" makes its setting feel lived-in and deeply creepy in a way that few other "Castlevania" games have been able to match. There really aren't any other 3D games in the series that solely focus on castle exploration, and "Lament of Innocence" is very much worth revisiting. 

• Release Date: October 21, 2003

• Genre: Action adventure

• Game Modes: Single-player

• Metacritic Score: 79

The "Disgaea" franchise has become known for its colorful characters and outrageously deep tactical combat, and it all began with "Hour of Darkness." Released in 2003, the game made several changes to the typical tactical role-playing game strategy. Players don't take control of heroes but rather the demons and evildoers who reside in a place called the Netherworld. The story primarily follows an egocentric prince named Laharl who's on a mission to claim his throne with the help of anyone he can recruit. 

"Disgaea" has an interesting-enough plot and characters with varying levels of charm, but it's really the gameplay that keeps players hooked. There are over 100 characters that can be recruited to the team, and the options for developing them are incredibly complex. Players can manage their levels, classes, gears, and ability to combo with other teammates. Every aspect of the game world, even the merchants, can be beefed up and used to supplement your vicious fighting force as they take on one tactical match after another. All the options make every fight a unique encounter and add near endless replayability to the game. 

• Release Date: August 27, 2003

• Genre: Tactical JRPG

• Game Modes: Single-player

  Advertisement

• Metacritic Score: 88

Before "Uncharted" and "The Last of Us," Naughty Dog rose to prominence with PlayStation classics such as "Crash Bandicoot" and, of course, "Jak & Daxter." Their first platforming adventure, "The Precursor Legacy," remains a classic and fan favorite to this day. In this first outing, the titular character  set out on a journey to stop the evil Gol and Maia after Daxter is transformed into an adorable "Ottsel." 

Misty Island is where the story takes place and it's a vibrant setting, to say the least. It may be one land mass, but Misty Island is home to unique landmarks like lush jungles, ancient ruins, and even snowy hilltops. On the gameplay front, "Jak and Daxter" is a classic action platformer with plenty of moves that should be familiar to genre fans. There's a double jump, Crash Bandicoot-esque spin move, and a roll-jump that looks like it was pulled right out of "Donkey Kong Country." But make no mistake, "The Precursor Legacy" has its own fun twists. The PS2 game tosses tons of content at the player. Driving floating speeder-bikes through the air, net fishing, and other mini games keep the players on their toes. The glue that holds all of these elements together is the solid action and fun humor that feels like classic Naughty Dog.

• Release Date: December 3, 2001

• Genre: Platformer

• Game Modes: Single-Player

• Metacritic Score: 90

"Red Faction" takes place in a mining colony on Mars. The workers on Mars are living out a dystopian nightmare as their labor is exploited, and they're unable to leave as a virus known only as "The Plague" infects worker after worker. Players take on the role of Parker, a new arrival who's hoping for the best. What he finds instead are heightened tensions between workers and guards that quickly erupt into a full blown revolution.

"Red Faction" is far from the first shooter set in a colony on Mars, but as noted by IGN, it has something games before it lacked: fully destructible environments. The game features fancy new Geo-Mod technology that allow players to break down doors, blow up bridges, and generally cause chaos and mayhem everywhere.

Released just six months before "Halo: Combat Evolved," "Red Faction" gave players a wide array of weapons, maneuverable vehicles, and massive battles well before they all became FPS standards. It's without a doubt one of the PS2's best first-person shooters.

• Release Date: May 21, 2001

• Genre: First-person shooter

• Game Modes: Single-player

• Metacritic Score: 88

Few JRPG franchises have received as much overall acclaim as the games in the "Persona" universe, which itself is a spinoff of the "Shin Megami Tensei" games. And while there have been many distinct and successful entries in the franchise, "Persona 4" makes a strong case as the best of the bunch.

Set in the fictional Japanese town of Inaba, the game's story follows a group of teenagers investigating a series of gruesome and mysterious murders. As is true for most games in the series, gameplay is split between two core modes — dungeon-crawling battle gauntlets where you capture, combine, and level up various creatures/spirits called Personas, and slice-of-life simulation segments in which you develop "Social Links" with other characters.

While the gameplay and the story are both absolutely solid, "Persona 4" truly shines in its smaller character moments. Whether you're rehearsing monologues with the drama club, practicing basketball in the gym after school, or journeying to the Meat Dimension on a date with Chie, you'll surely be taken with the charming atmosphere and rich world-building. And because it was released a year and a half after the PlayStation 3 become available to gamers, "Persona 4" is also one of the last true masterpieces ever created for the PS2.

• Release Date: July 10, 2008

• Genre: RPG

• Game Modes: Single-Player

• Metacritic Score: 90

"Fatal Frame 2" arguably deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as other PS2 horror classics like "Silent Hill 2" and "Resident Evil 4." This standout entry from the frightening Japanese photography/survival horror series does a lot more than just let you snap pictures of ghosts; it also makes your spine tingle while you're at it.

In "Crimson Butterfly," Sisters Mio and Maya Amakura make a journey to revisit a childhood memory where they follow a crimson butterfly to a mysterious village. Here, the souls of the damned roam and the only way to defeat them is with your special camera, the Camera Obscura. Featuring a one-of-a-kind combat system, the Camera Obscura acts as your main tool through the puzzles and trails of "Fatal Frame 2." Innovative gameplay, a 2000s Japanese horror vibe, and a mature storyline with multiple endings make "Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly" a rewarding and unsettling experience.

• Release Date: Dec 10, 2003

• Genre: Horror, Action Adventure

• Game Modes: Single-Player

• Metacritic Score: 81

Criterion Games injected the racing game genre with a shot of adrenaline with its "Burnout" series, which really shined on the PlayStation 2. Though the beloved "Burnout 3: Takedown" is the game responsible for many of the franchise's most iconic aspects — such as Crash mode, the ability to boost at any point, and of course, the titular takedowns — its successor iterates on everything in meaningful ways.

Simply put, "Burnout Revenge" is a bigger, shinier, and more complete version of what worked in "Takedown," with robust additions to Crash mode and a number of added in-race features, such as the explosive "Crashbreaker" ability and "traffic checking," which allows players to knock road vehicles directly into competitors. The result is arguably the most action-packed game in the whole "Burnout" franchise, especially since its successor, the acclaimed "Burnout Paradise," ended up exchanging some of the mayhem for open-world exploration.

From the sheer number of vehicles and events available throughout the single-player mode to the technical polish of the game (a benefit of releasing late in the PS2's life cycle), "Burnout Revenge" is one of the most impressive driving games of its generation.

• Release Date: September 13, 2005

• Genre: Racing

• Game Modes: Single-Player, Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer

• Metacritic Score: 89

Originally conceived as a "Resident Evil" sequel (per CBR), "Devil May Cry" retained the fixed-camera angles and ugly monsters of that series, but innovated in its approach to action. The protagonist, Dante the demon hunter, fights hordes of demons and never runs out of bullets. The player is intended to take out these creatures constantly, but Dante's moveset keeps the game engaging.

Offense is the name of the game, and Dante never lets up. Moves can be chained together to create unique combos. For instance, launching enemies into the air and then shooting or slashing them to juggle them mid-air is an unforgettable experience (via IGN). These moves can be mixed with Dante's Round Trip, which is a sword tossing move that spins to nearby opponents. Rounding out the abilities is the indispensable Stinger, which gives Dante a dashing stab.

"Devil May Cry" doesn't just excel at gameplay — its setting and presentation is also a highlight. Mallet Island is a dark and mysterious environment that contains a gothic castle. This castle is the main structure throughout the game, and its innumerable layers grow as the game progresses. Trick hallways, broken bridges, and trap rooms all keep the player on their toes. "DMC" was revolutionary and stands as one of the best hack and slash games of all time.

• Release Date: October 16, 2001

• Genre: Hack-and-slash

• Game Modes: Single-Player

• Metacritic Score: 94

Tony Hawk dominated the first PlayStation with the first two "Pro Skater" games, which eventually got impressive remakes in the PS5 era. The franchise continued to remain consistent in the PS2 age, with the landmark series seeing an interesting shift in "Tony Hawk's Underground." The addition of a dedicated story mode was a match made in heaven.

The "Pro Skater" games capitalized on their arcade gameplay. Players can perform a bunch of tricks in succession and chain them together to increase their high score. For the most part, these challenges took place within timed missions that could be endlessly replayed. "Underground" carries the same formula, but places it in a more fully-realized world. NPCs hand out challenges, collectibles are hidden throughout, and your character's journey ties it all together.

"Tony Hawk's Underground" asks the player to create their own character and start from the bottom. In a sense, the player is getting a feel for the road to pro skater-dom, taking them from unknown street wannabe to ultimate pro (per Running Shine). Other great additions include the "Create a Trick" mode, which gives players the ability to edit specific animations and movements and give their character a clearer identity, as well as the "Create a Park" mode, which allows players to place ramps and rails wherever they desire. "Underground" is proof that experimenting with new ideas can pay off, even in a franchise that's already huge. 

• Release Date: October 27, 2003

• Genre: Sports

• Game Modes: Single-Player

• Metacritic Score: 90

"Final Fantasy" games don't often get sequels, but "Final Fantasy 10" was so loved that developers decided to give fans more of what they wanted in "X-2." "X-2" followed High Summoner Yuna, along with Rikku and Paine, as they travel across the world in search of a sphere that seems to hold some information about what happened to Tidus, the protagonist of the first game. For gamers that enjoyed the characters of "Final Fantasy 10," the follow-up was a treat, as it zoomed in on the relationship of its three leading ladies.

IGN's review of "X-2" praised its change in scope. Where "Final Fantasy 10" was about saving the world, "X-2" was about individual relationships and the power of friendship. It also had a lighter tone, which kept things fresh and fun, even as the world of the game threatened to dive into a war with deadly consequences. Add in a fashion-based upgrade system and "X-2" sets itself apart from other games in the series, both in its focus and its characterization.

• Release Date: Nov. 18, 2003
• Genre: RPG
• Game Modes: Single-Player
• Metacritic Score: 85

Crossovers are almost always impressive. Games such as "Marvel vs. Capcom" and "Super Smash Bros." astound with their ability to bring an assembly of disparate characters together. But what happens when you combine two of the most notable fighting game franchises? "Capcom vs. SNK 2 Mark of the Millennium 2001" is the answer. Boasting 48 characters and 6 fighting styles, this fighter has near-endless replay value.

Surprisingly, the blended cast fits together like a glove; building a team with these fighters feels almost natural. Constructing a team leads to some interesting planning, thanks to the game's updated Ratio system, which is more stringent than in the first. Players can pick one to three characters at a time; the more characters on the team, the less health each has. So picking one powerhouse character, two hefty fighters, or three glass cannons are all viable options. In gameplay, once a character's health is depleted, the match resets and the player uses the next fighter in the lineup. The mechanic gives both players a short break while keeping the momentum intact.

But what adds the most excitement is the Groove system. Players can decide how they want to play, as each groove emulates gameplay from previous games (as noted by Honest Gamers). One notable example is the P-Groove, which allows players to parry attacks like in "Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike."

• Release Date: November 6, 2001

• Genre: Fighting game

• Game Modes: Single-Player, Multiplayer

• Metacritic Score: 81

"Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance" gave PS2 players an isometric hack-and-slash for the ages, allowing them to enjoy a thrilling adventure loosely based on one of the most famous campaign settings for "Dungeons & Dragons." However, gamers didn't have to be a Dungeon Master to enjoy this "Baldur's Gate" entry. The title struck a chord with many gamers, and remains a classic RPG over 20 years after its release. 

In "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance," players can choose from a pre-generated list of characters and begin mowing their way through dungeons, interacting with NPCs and building relationships along the way. While the gameplay may resemble something like "Diablo," "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance" boasts an intricate story and healthy character development to back up its addictive gameplay.

In a retrospective look at the game, GameRant writer and editor Dalton Cooper noted that "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance" doesn't necessarily hold up as well as it could, and that many gamers seeking to play it might be looking at the game through nostalgia-tinted glasses. That being said, it's an excellent couch co-op game that gamers can jump into with their friends, and at the end of the day, that's what "D&D" is all about.

• Release Date: Dec. 2, 2001
• Genre: Action RPG
• Game Modes: Single-Player/Multiplayer
• Metacritic Score: 87

What started as a traditional 3D platformer quickly turned into something completely different. Like "Sly 2: Band of Thieves," "Jak 2" flipped the script and evolved the platforming formula. Rather than focus on the same running and jumping, "Jak 2" doubled down on guns, vehicles, and mature storytelling. As a result, the sequel garnered a T for Teen rating!

The heightened focus on all kinds of blasting weapons worked for the better, thanks to the gunplay being so smooth. Controlling Jak while aiming is virtually seamless with an easy-to-follow reticle and intuitive camera controls. Vehicles feel much more essential this time around, rather than just a fun distracting. Haven City is a large, sprawling environment that is perfect for riding around and getting into scraps.

The city itself is an industrial dystopia. As noted by GamesRadar, it's a far cry from Misty Island. "Jak 2" is occasionally a jarring sequel because Jak is a more serious character this time around. Yes, it keeps the identity of the original, but "Jak 2" progresses into a game that feels more consequential and lasting in many ways, so much so that it spawned "Jak 3," a sequel more in-line with the second iteration. 

Basically, "Jak 2" tried something new and nailed it. Anyone who played the first and skipped out on the second really missed out.

• Release Date: October 14, 2003

• Genre: Action-platformer

• Game Modes: Single-Player

• Metacritic Score: 87

After its triumphant debut and well-received sequel, the "Ratchet & Clank" series continued its winning streak on the PS2 with its third installment, 2004's "Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal." Developer Insomniac Games continued to push the franchise forward, building upon the foundation established by the preceding titles and throwing everything onto the screen that would fit. And perhaps most notably, "Up Your Arsenal" featured the debut of the most devious foe Ratchet and Clank would ever know in Doctor Nefarious.

After Ratchet's home planet Veldin comes under attack, he and his robotic buddy Clank return to save the day with an impressive array of advanced weaponry. Learning that the new villain Doctor Nefarious is responsible, Ratchet and Clank scour the cosmos to track down the twisted mastermind. With even the normally unflappable Captain Qwark shaken to his core by Nefarious, Ratchet and Clank have to break out the big guns to defeat their new nemesis.

"Up Your Arsenal" features even more weapons and upgrades along with bigger and more detailed levels than its predecessors. The game also marks a major first for the series: the addition of online multiplayer, which allows up to four players to go head-to-head. Another solid entry in the series, "Up Your Arsenal" is still regarded as one of the best titles in the "Ratchet & Clank" franchise.

• Release Date: Nov. 2, 2004

• Genre: Platformer

• Game Modes: Single-player, four-player competitive multiplayer local/online

• Metacritic Score: 91 (PS2)

For "Silent Hill 3," Konami returned to the narrative established by the first game (per Sight-In Games). The developers pushed the PS2 hardware, creating more atmospheric environments while reducing the previous entries' emphasis on exploration. And whereas "Silent Hill 3" doesn't have quite the psychological depth of its predecessor, it makes up for it with visceral thrills.

When protagonist Heather Mason loses her father, she finds herself flitting between her reality and the Otherworld, a twisted version of reality filled with monsters and mayhem. After enduring tragedy, Heather travels to Silent Hill for revenge only to find an insidious cult based out of the town, with big plans for her. Following Heather is investigator Douglas Cartland, who has information about Heather's background and her dark destiny.

After dropping plans to make the next "Silent Hill" game an on-rails shooter, the developers returned to the survival horror gameplay that defined the franchise. "Silent Hill 3" is a shorter game than its predecessors, but the developers focused on scares and crafting a more haunting environment. A worthy addition to the franchise, "Silent Hill 3" is less interested in messing with your mind than it is in presenting a solidly scary gameplay experience.

• Release Date: May 23, 2003

• Genre: Survival Horror

• Game Modes: Single-player only

• Metacritic Score: 85 (PS2), 70 (HD Collection)

"Viewtiful Joe" was ahead of its time, and many gamers would love to see the franchise rebooted, but the original is still quite a feat. The game's premise is simple, but executed to tremendous effect: Joe is a movie buff whose girlfriend is kidnapped and taken to Movie Land. In order to save his girlfriend, Joe has to become a superhero himself and travel to this other dimension, fighting plenty of baddies along the way. 

The gameplay vacillates between beat 'em up sidescrolling action and puzzles that Joe must navigate in order to make it through Movie Land. As players progress through each level, Joe earns new powers and increases his VFX meter, which allows him to use those powers. Even though the gameplay and plot are simple enough, the game itself combined comic book visuals with top of the line graphics, creating an interesting hybrid 2D/3D effect.

Eurogamer's review of "Viewtiful Joe" noted that the game wasn't for all gaming audiences, and that it could be quite difficult at times. That being said, it remains a cult classic for many gamers, and fans remember its strange humor and innovative gameplay even years later.

• Release Date: Aug. 24, 2004
• Genre: Side-scrolling beat 'em up
• Game Modes: Single-Player
• Metacritic Score: 90

As noted by Vice the first "Guitar Hero" was a legit phenomenon, igniting a plastic instrument craze that would last the better part of a decade. In retrospect, the first game Harmonix put out was excellent, but also relatively bare bones. "Guitar Hero 2" added a ton of functionality that was core to both the "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" franchises going forward. Plus it boasted a track list that rocks!

"Guitar Hero 2" added triple note chords, essential practice modes, and two-player shredding. Without a co-operative element, this series might have been dead in the water beyond the first game. Instead, "Guitar Hero 2" made smart improvements, and had a great mix of classic rock and modern bands. The only worthwhile thing the PS2 version of "Guitar Hero 2" doesn't get you is the My Chemical Romance song pack (or any of the Xbox 360-exclusive "Guitar Hero 2" DLC).

• Release Date: Nov. 7, 2006

• Genre: Music/Rhythm

• Game Modes: Single-player, Local Multiplayer

• Metacritic Score: 92

With "Grand Theft Auto III" helping the launch of the PS2 in 2001, going on to become the bestselling game of the year, a follow-up was something of an inevitability. Just as "GTA III” was set in a facsimile of New York City, its 2002 spinoff "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" took place a pastiche of '80s Miami, drawing influence from "Scarface" and "Miami Vice." Developer Rockstar North put a heightened emphasis on story for "Vice City ” while providing a more detailed open-world environment for players to explore.

"Vice City" follows Tommy Vercetti, voiced by the late Ray Liotta, a low-level mobster who is released from prison and tries to make a fresh start in the coastal city. As Tommy becomes drawn into the local gang war while working for the organized crime elements in Vice City, he steadily begins to rise to power. And with Tommy becoming a force to be reckoned with, he endures betrayal from all sides as Vice City's newest crime lord.

With its meticulous inclusion of '80s elements, including music and visible influences on the story and characters, critics praised "Vice City" as a worthy follow-up to "GTA III." Echoing its predecessor, "Vice City" became the bestselling game of 2002 and solidified the "GTA" franchise's video game legacy. "Vice City" would be included with subsequent "GTA" compilations and be remastered for more modern consoles.

• Release Date: Oct. 29, 2002

• Genre: Action-Adventure

• Game Modes: Single-player only

• Metacritic Score: 95 (PS2)

"Metal Gear Solid" was an industry-defining title, an all-time great. It broke new ground for cinematic presentation in gaming and officially launched director Hideo Kojima to auteur status. He furthered this reputation with "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty," one of the most fascinating and subversive sequels in gaming histoy. The title has been analyzed to death for the ways in which it trolled audience expectations and seemingly predicted the future. It also happened to revolutionize ice cube animation.

Advertised as the game that would finally bring Solid Snake to the PS2, "Sons of Liberty" indeed begins on a tanker, with Snake as the playable character. But the game soon pulls the rug out from under you, making players control the boyish soldier Raiden for the rest of the game. Like any "Metal Gear," "Sons of Liberty" has some whacky and memorable bosses, but the best parts of the game come as it starts to break the fourth wall in its final act. "MGS2" was a direct response to the original, but it also contains its own themes. As a treatise on memetics and the disinformation age, it was well ahead of its time.

• Release Date: Nov 12, 2001

• Genre: Action Adventure

• Game Modes: Single-player

• Metacritic Score: 96

  Advertisement

Releasing at the very end of 2008, "Rock Band 2" arrived in the final stretch of the PlayStation 2's life. And yet, while the next-generation versions of the game are definitely superior, "Rock Band 2" is still seen as a fantastic experience on the console. Harmonix's rhythm party game, which features a massive catalogue of fantastic songs from all corners of rock and pop, also boats some excellently tight gameplay. Whether you want to play guitar, pound on some plastic drums, or sing along to the classics on the mic, you're bound to have a good time — especially if you've got enough people together to fill out a full band.

Ultimately, "Rock Band 2" is a simple game. It's fun because playing music and video games with your friends or family is fun. And even as most folks were moving onto to an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, "Rock Band 2" persevered to deliver an unparalleled experience on the PS2.

• Release Date: December 18, 2008

• Genre: Rhythm

• Game Modes: Single-Player, Local Multiplayer

• Metacritic Score: N/A

The "God of War" franchise is one of Sony's biggest PlayStation exclusives, blending platforming exploration with hack-and-slash gameplay against a memorable fantasy setting. After the series' tremendous debut in 2005, developer Santa Monica Studio delivered the eagerly anticipated sequel "God of War 2" in 2007. And rather than simply bringing back Kratos to unleash more bloody carnage, "God of War 2" went bigger and better than its predecessor's mythological spectacle.

After ascending to the Olympian pantheon as its newest God of War, Kratos is betrayed by Zeus and many of his fellow gods, stripped of his divine powers and killed. While descending to the underworld, Kratos meets with the Titans and agrees to help them get their revenge on Olympus by turning back time to avoid his demise and go on the offensive. Kratos sets out to gain an arsenal of magical weapons, targeting Zeus and anyone else who stands in his way.

The developers created more ambitious set pieces and an greater scope for "God of War 2," even in direct comparison to its predecessor. The combat mechanics were upgraded to allow for more intuitive and accessible gameplay while delving more deeply into classical Greek mythology. An all-around improvement and a major step forward for the franchise, "God of War 2" is one of the last true classics released for the PlayStation 2.

• Release Date: March 13, 2007

• Genre: Action-Adventure, Hack-and-Slash

• Game Modes: Single-player only

• Metacritic Score: 93

The first game from Fumito Ueda's Team Ico was a modest success at the time, but has only gone on to gain fans over the years (Wired). The picturesque puzzle platformer took cues from "The Legend of Zelda" and Studio Ghibli films to create an adventure players will remember longer after they finish. Playing as an unnamed horned boy, you must carry and protect princess Yorda across a dangerous land where evil is taking over. The ambiguity of the game's story and world building only add to the power of the bond between the player and Yorda. This sense of connection and cooperation became the backbone of future Team Ico releases such as "The Last Guardian."

The 2001 game was originally intended to be a PS1 release as well, as seen in concept videos for the title (per Gematsu), but development stretched on until the game landed on PS2. Luckily, "Ico" took advantage of the console's hardware. While it's not exactly graphically intense, "Ico" was still one of the most artistically ambitious games of its time.

• Release Date: Sept 24, 2001

• Genre: Adventure, Platformer, Puzzle

• Game Modes: Single-player

• Metacritic Score: 90

Two games in, and Capcom's "Devil May Cry" franchise was already in a tight spot, thanks to the lackluster critical reception to 2003's "Devil May Cry 2." To remedy this, Capcom decided to stick closer to the vibes of the well-received original game for "Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening." The developers also decided to delve into franchise protagonist Dante's conflicted relationship with his brother Vergil.

Set roughly a decade before the original "Devil May Cry," "Dante's Awakening" sees the eponymous hero setting out to stop his brother from connecting the human and demon worlds. Along the way, Dante develops new moves to battle the forces of darkness and the origins of his demon-hunting business are revealed. And in setting out to restore the series' reputation, Capcom developed one of the most beloved "Devil May Cry" entries yet. 

For "Dante's Awakening," a new in-game camera mechanic was added to help players get a better angle on the action. The title also featured a renewed emphasis on stylish combo attacks, which in turn restored Dante's cocky attitude that players missed in "Devil May Cry 2." Later editions of "Devil May Cry 3" added Vergil as a playable character and introduced a few new modes to the campaign.

• Release Date: Feb. 15, 2005

• Genre: Action-Adventure

• Game Modes: Single-player only

• Metacritic Score: 84 (Original), 87 (Special Edition)

"Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" was the culmination of Rockstar's first attempts at 3D "GTA." "Grand Theft Auto 3" revolutionized sandbox games, and then "Vice City" brought some 80s style and improved on the series' gameplay mechanics. "San Andreas" goes above and beyond, however, by featuring impressive recreations of San Francisco and Las Vegas and a deeper storyline. "San Andreas" goes bigger, bringing so many new things to the already legendary series.

The exploration of gang warfare and politics in "San Andreas" is superb. Tagging along with CJ and his pals is remarkable, mainly due to the Turf system and missions, which will have you fighting to hang onto your territory by any means necessary. CJ will have a hand in deliveries, train chases, and informant missions. CJ himself is also fully customizable. Players can change his wardrobe, weight, hairstyle, and more. As commended by PC Gamer, CJ can even go to the gym and raise his stats. It's almost as if Rockstar snuck an RPG into their open world action game. NPC dialogue even changes depending on how CJ looks!

• Release Date: October 26, 2004

• Genre: Action, open world

• Game Modes: Single-Player

• Metacritic Score: 95

The "Final Fantasy" franchise had such a celebrated, prolific presence on the PS1, and the long-running RPG series made a dazzling debut on the PS2 with 2001's "Final Fantasy X." Taking advantage of the hardware advancements made possible by the PS2, "Final Fantasy X" in turn took the franchise to new heights. And more than catapult "Final Fantasy" into a new generation, "Final Fantasy X" became one of the biggest successes for the entire franchise.

"Final Fantasy X" is set in the fictional world of Spira, inspired by the geography and culture of Southeast Asia rather than medieval and steampunk environments that largely defined prior installments. The story follows a star Blitzball player named Tidus who finds himself transported to Spira and searches for a way to return home while facing the twisted entity known as Sin. Along the way, Tidus befriends a group of characters and learns that his new enemy is more closely related to him than he thought.

"Final Fantasy X" was the first in the series to utilize fully 3D backgrounds and feature extensive voice acting, making for a much more immersive and cinematic experience. Players and critics responded favorably to these improvements, and the game became an enormous success. As a testament to the game's popularity, "Final Fantasy X" also became the first title to receive a direct sequel, with 2003's "Final Fantasy X-2" continuing the story.

• Release Date: July 19, 2001

• Genre: RPG

• Game Modes: Single-player only

• Metacritic Score: 92 (PS2), 84 (PS4 HD Remaster)

Minimalism can either be a blessing or a curse. Luckily, "Shadow of the Colossus" struck gold in its minimalist approach to open world games. There are no NPC's, no side quests, and no filler. "Shadow of the Colossus" has bosses, some collectibles — and that's it. It's a straightforward boss rush game that plays with concepts that are anything but straightforward.

Wander, the main character, has a sword that will guide him to the nearest boss when raised. These bosses, the titular Colossi, are completely unconventional, however. Rather than serve as punching bags for newly unlocked moves and equipment, "Shadow of the Colossus" presents these beings as platforming puzzles. Each enemy has weak points that need to be accessed. The only way to do so is by climbing the creatures and finding ways to mount them and strike.

Story is told in a bare bones fashion way as well. Dialogue-filled cutscenes and expository lore are replaced by wordless events that speak for themselves. This indirect approach to the game's tale surprisingly makes the affair all the more impactful. What is seemingly a predictable "save the girl by killing the monsters" trope transforms into a journey full of emotional twists and turns. The narrative culminates in a final act that is sure leave players lost in thought.

• Release Date: October 18, 2005

• Genre: Action-adventure

• Game Modes: Single-Player

• Metacritic Score: 91