We’ve seen some great games for new consoles but a very few moments were as defining for gaming industry and fans, as the launch of PS2 and its legendary game catalog. It’s often named the best console ever created, and only by the look at PS2 releases, it’s easy to understand why.
PS2 wouldn’t be the same without its best games
The console is only as great as are the titles that it supports. PS2 has laid grounds for absolute best releases. It was home to genius releases, both franchises, and exclusives. It’s hard to forget the hype about God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, Okami – all these games inspired a true cult following.
The choices are based on user ratings, games’ popularity, and accessibility. We prioritized the games that have a high-quality PS2 ISOS download available.
10. Final Fantasy X
For one thing, it was the first Final Fantasy ever available on PS2, which is already a reason to be grateful. From the moment it was released, it raised a high bar of what a game design should look like – even now, with all technical advances, the game’s atmosphere still gives us tingles.
Final Fantasy delivers the mystery, music, gameplay, and action graphics on an entirely new level. Sure, the game has its issues and added a bunch of absolutely hated characters, but now it’s even fun to look back at heated community debates.
Our favorite aspects: Conditional Turn-Based Battle emphasized the strategic elements of the game, making it a great intellectual exercise as well as fun action experience. The combat, while being mentally challenging, didn’t lose its intensity and was always really aesthetically pleasing. Of course, this review wouldn’t be full without mentioning heartbreaking romance and plot twists (we won’t go into details, because of, well, spoilers). Let’s say, you are in for one kind of a journey here.
9. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Let’s be fair, Prince of Persia had its fair share of rises and falls. Somewhere around 2004, the game was looked down upon and thought to be an absolute failure. The game’s unsuccessful updates only added to this unfortunate reputation, and at some point, the game seemed dead. However, Prince of Persia wasn’t done yet – there was a big comeback in the making.
The Sands of Time turned out to be not only the best Prince of Persia editions but one of the classic titles in the entire console’s catalog. The franchise started with the emphasis on the exploration, but then it became a sophisticated action experience. With the addition of 20-second rewind, the game became more manageable and allowed more room for trial-and-error. Simplified controls required less grind from a player and were really keeping us on the edges of our seats.
8. Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
With franchise games, there is always a risk that the next release will be a disappointment. Luckily, with this one, all doubts started fading away after successful releases, each better than the previous one. Up Your Arsenal is, in our opinion, the ultimate example of Ratchet & Clank’s greatness. New weapons, more significant upgrades, and more elaborate worldbuilding – each aspect of the experience was significantly improved.
Our favorite aspects of the game were the appearance of Dr. Nefarious – a scary but also compelling antagonist. Captain Qwark really shined in this sequel, having received some excellent lines and exciting storylines. Whether you are in the game for the thrills or storyline, you are in for a good treat.
Most importantly, the game made online shooting into the next big thing. The weapons, abilities, and complexity were unmatched by other online versions. Most importantly, the game gathered and maintained an active community, which was a rarity at the dawn of online gaming.
7. Ico
PS2 players had seen some breath-taking horror games, but ISO always held an extraordinary place. The game is haunting and memorable and innovative for its time. It’s precisely the kind of game that you’d rather not play at night, but you will anyway. You are always torn between the desire of exploring smoky tunnels and protecting yourself. The threats suddenly felt real.
ISO was an emotional experience, and its graphics stuck with players for a while. Most importantly, the game always kept you motivated, providing rich rewards for all those scary experiences. You can experiment with missions and pass them on your terms. Even now, years after release, users keep developing new strategies. You can’t help but wonder about how many tactics remain undiscovered.
6. God of War 2
You might wonder why you rarely hear anything about the original God of War. The thing is, the debut was half-baked and never made much of an impression on gamers. In the sequel, however, the action became richer, the gameplay was more straightforward, and the graphics became much bloodier.
The second edition added new power-ups and technique, allowing characters to swim and even fly. The game’s lore was enriched with new Greek monsters. The plot takes the protagonist on dangerous battles and offers big rewards for successes. New maps, missions, and challenges give the game its high replay value.
5. Gran Turismo
This list wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t include all game genres. Automobile games were a big part of PS2 history, and Gran Turismo was undoubtedly one of its best moments. Unlike many other racing games, Gran Turismo pays attention to even the smallest graphics details and bases their gameplay on actual physical laws. This attention to detail makes the experience realistic while still keeping it interesting.
Seven hundred cars, rich tuning options, and elaborate settings – these choices and possibilities were unseen before. The game is based on real-world locations, taking players on tours to exotic countries and breathtaking landscapes. The design is based on real-life pictures, so it will feel like traveling.
4. Okami
This is perhaps the most original plot in the entire PS2 catalog. Okami might have some serious competition, but its history-based settings in feudal Japan and deep cultural roots add richness to the plot. The game is soaked with feudal Japanese vibes, introducing players to the country’s culture in the most engaging way possible.
The game is inspired by Zelda and features powerful otherworldly entities. The game starts with the appearance of Okami, a beautiful female protagonist, who gives the introduction to the story. It turns out, there is a wolf god Amaterasu who’s coming to Earth and trying to save it from an impending catastrophe. Your goal is to help Amaterasu to fulfill his missions while developing your unique abilities and exploring the world.
3. Resident Evil 4
Third-person shooters divide into two categories: before the Resident Evil 4, and after this legendary release. There are so many things that can be praised about the game, but we should focus on the way it combined science and horror. The game felt both smart and fun to explore. You feel like you are growing your intellect while also developing the progress in the game.
The mechanic of the game was so good that even tedious tasks like shooting villagers became an adventure of its own. When it came to actual battles, there was no comparison. The game’s plot never lacked a new spin on the story. Even after years of playing the game, the moments of storming the farmhouse or encountering another zombie are perhaps lingering in your heart. Yes, it was that good.
Resident Evil was always satisfying, but in its fourth edition, it has become great. The combination of an awesome gameplay and an engaging story were raised to an entirely different level.
2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
If other games on the list have the whole retro-feel to them, GTA: San Andreas feels as if it has never left the gaming tops. It’s still a classic, and this game will hardly ever be forgotten. The reasons are clear: players have access to the entire state with the wild nature, various landscapes, and fascinating urban architecture.
We can also mention the character development of a protagonist. Carl CJ Johnson is a man with a complex story and personality, as well as consistent physical needs. It’s a full criminal simulator that goes into various depth of criminal life, from Area 51 (at least some opportunity to raid it) to CIA drug operations.
1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
It’s a sequel of Cold War sequel with the new protagonist and location. This time, you are thrown straight to the wilderness of the dark jungle. The tasks revolve around exploring the territory, surviving, and learning your way around field surgery.
The story guides players through highs and lows, offering a real emotional ride. It’s not yet another survival or fighting game, but rather a mix of action, war, and RPG, done in a heart-wrenching fashion. This gorgeous adventure yet, it’s about time to get going. We promise you won’t regret it.
The bottom line
Our choices were the matter of personal preferences, although we tried to remain as objective as possible. Still, remove personal bias entirely is impossible when talking about PS2. That period was full of legendary releases, and no list would be enough to cover all these hidden gems. We know one thing for sure: it’s never too late to come back to PS2, and hopefully, it’ll never be.