The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a console with a seriously massive library filled with some all-time great games. It doesn't matter what genre it is, chances are that the PS2 has something for just about anyone who considers themselves a “gamer” – and even plenty for casual fans as well.
The best PS2 games by genre come in the forms of RPGs, strategy games, shooters, fighting titles, and of course, a ton of all-time great action-adventure experiences. With a library this massive, the PS2 isn't missing a whole lot of titles in any category, but it was particularly stacked with action games and genre-defining JRPGs.
(Again, it's hard to down this amazing roster of video games, so we have included a table of contents that leads to the exact sections of this article that you might want to take a look at. Each of the links takes you directly to that location in this article. Also, all of the genres are in alphabetical order, so feel free to peruse this list of recommendations as you wish.)
Action-Adventure:
Devil May Cry
- Metacritic Score: 94
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: In the game that kicked off the stylish action series, a supernatural investigator uses his father's sword to fight demons and avenge his family.
What Makes This Game Great: Devil May Cry is the type of stylish action game that is just as fun to watch as it is to play… and it's incredibly fun to play. It features the type of combat system that gets better and more rewarding the further you venture into the campaign, which is impressive considering it already starts out at an addictive level.
God of War
- Metacritic Score: 94
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Ex-Spartan Kratos fights his way through some of the most notorious creatures in Greek mythology in this revenge-driven tale that kicked off one of the most popular series of all time.
What Makes This Game Great: God of War was an action game with unprecedented violent choreography when it was first released. Games simply didn't look or feel quite like this one, and aside from the various sequels, most games still don't.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Metacritic Score: 95
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Synopsis: Years after escaping his troubled city, CJ returns home to save his friends and family and take back the gang-controlled streets.
What Makes This Game Great: The GTA series has become known as a giant sandbox type of game with absurd cheat codes, but what often gets overlooked are the well-crafted single-player campaigns. And while San Andreas wasn't the first entry on the PS2, it is arguably the series' best and most expansive on the console.
ICO
- Metacritic Score: 90
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Synopsis: A young boy set to be sacrificed to supposedly save the community attempts a dangerous escape.
What Makes This Game Great: ICO has become something of a cult classic after being widely recognized as one of the most influential video games ever created. Simply put, it's a relatively short puzzle-solving action-adventure title that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
- Metacritic Score: 90
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Synopsis: As Jak attempts to save his friend Daxter—who has recently been turned into a fictional creature called an “ottsel”—both encounter a sage who sets them on a quest to save the world.
What Makes This Game Great: While Nintendo is more well-known for its 3D platformers, the Jak and Daxter series is one of the PlayStation franchises that gives Mario and friends some worthy competition. Developer Naughty Dog later became known for more cinematic games such as the Uncharted series and the Last of Us titles, but they proved themselves to be more than capable of creating fun platforming experiences.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
- Metacritic Score: 96
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: In a followup to the PS1's hit stealth-action title Metal Gear Solid, Solid Snake is tasked with keeping dangerous technology out of the wrong hands.
What Makes This Game Great: The original Metal Gear Solid was easily one of the best games for the original PlayStation, and the same can be said for its sequel on the PS2. Solid Snake is back with more tense stealth action, and it feels right at home on the PS1's successor. And make sure to check out the third entry in the series on the PS2 as well.
Okami
- Metacritic Score: 93
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Synopsis: In order to create a place where all creatures can once again live in peace, Amaterasu fights a powerful plague that is turning the world into a wasteland.
What Makes This Game Great: There are few games that hold up quite as well on the PS2 as Okami. It is perhaps one of the most under-appreciated games for the console (in terms of sales, at least), and it easily stands as one of the console's best-looking titles.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
- Metacritic Score: 92
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Synopsis: After unleashing a powerful evil force, a young prince with the ability to bend time sets off on a journey to restore peace.
What Makes This Game Great: They simply don't make games like Prince of Persia anymore, and that's a shame. These action-adventure titles feature satisfying combat and plenty of challenging puzzles. The PS2 library is extremely deep when it comes to these types of action-adventure games and Sands of Time is easily one of the best.
Ratchet & Clank
- Metacritic Score: 88
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Ratchet and Clank team up to travel the galaxy and restore peace to various planets using high-tech gadgets and creative, futuristic weapons.
What Makes This Game Great: The Ratchet & Clank series has always been known for clever writing, unique worlds to explore, and creative guns. While follow-up titles like Up Your Arsenal and Going Commando are also highly-rated titles for the PS2, the original is definitely a great place to start.
Shadow of the Colossus
- Metacritic Score: 91
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Synopsis: A young man ventures into a vast land to destroy massive mythical beasts.
What Makes This Game Great: Shadow of the Colossus is one of those narratives that arguably can only be experienced as a video game. It definitely has become a cult hit after decades and remains an all-time favorite of many who have played it.
Other Great Games To Check Out
Again, the action-adventure genre on the PS2 is extremely deep. Many of the console's greatest games fall into this category but we had to stop the list somewhere. That said, we did want to highlight a few honorable mentions for those looking for a few more great games to check out.
- Beyond Good & Evil
- Bully
- Rayman 2: Revolution
- Sly Cooper and the Thievus Raccoonus
- Viewtiful Joe
Fighting:
DOA2: Hardcore
- Metacritic Score: 91
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Bent on bringing terror to the world, Victor Donovan revives the “Dead or Alive World Combat Championship” tournament and unleashes a powerful, evil creature.
What Makes This Game Great: DOA2: Hardcore is easily one of the best-looking and most fluid fighting games on the PS2. Add in some addictive combat and you have yourself one of the best titles the genre has to offer.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3
- Metacritic Score: 77
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Synopsis: Heroes and villains from the Dragon Ball universe brawl it out in this 3D fighter.
What Makes This Game Great: It's not often a licensed game enters the ranks among some of the best in any genre, but the Budokai series certainly deserves its place among the premier fighters on the PS2. If you're at all a fan of the DBZ series, this game is a no-brainer.
SoulCalibur II
- Metacritic Score: 92
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Historic fighters and new faces join the roster of this 3D weapons-based fighting game.
What Makes This Game Great: SoulCalibur offers deep combat along with fun console-exclusive guest characters (Tekken‘s Heihachi Mishima for the PS2 version). SoulCalibur is a long-running franchise, but the second entry still stands as one of the best in the series.
Tekken 5
- Metacritic Score: 88
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: This historic fighting game franchise returns with old and new characters, interactive environments, and an emphasis on customization.
What Makes This Game Great: Few fighting games get quite as deep as Tekken. There's a reason it has stood the test of time, and a big part of that reason is the game's easy-to-understand but difficult-to-master combat system.
Virtua Fighter 4
- Metacritic Score: 94
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: One of the best fighting game franchises of all time returns with new characters and an emphasis on defensive moves and fighting stances.
What Makes This Game Great: When it comes to pure, well-balanced fighting gameplay, few games do it quite as well as Virtua Fighter. It's a polished, no-frills approach to the genre is what fighting game purists enjoy about the series, and the fourth entry stays true to that formula.
Other Great Games To Check Out
The fighting game genre is another that is incredibly deep when it comes to the PS2's library. While the aforementioned five are arguably the best, there are a handful of honorable mentions we'd like to highlight for those looking for a few more options.
- Def Jam: Fight for NY
- Guilty Gear X2
- Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Horror:
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly
- Metacritic Score: 81
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Synopsis: When twin sisters are lured deep into the forest by a crimson butterfly, they stumble upon a creepy, deserted village.
What Makes This Game Great: There aren't a ton of horror games on the PS2, but the handful that are there are mostly great. The Fatal Frame series hasn't remained as popular as Resident Evil or even Silent Hill, but this Japanese horror title more than delivers when it comes to genuinely creepy scares.
Resident Evil 4
- Metacritic Score: 96
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Synopsis: Tasked with finding the president's abducted daughter, Leon finds himself in a mysterious location fighting horrifying creatures.
What Makes This Game Great: Resident Evil 4 is still regarded as one of (if not) the best entry in the series. It's a bit more action focused than earlier entries in the franchise, but that all works in its favor. Simply put, RE4 isn't just one of the best games in the series or the genre, it's one of the best games on the PS2, period.
Silent Hill 2
- Metacritic Score: 89
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: After receiving a letter from his deceased wife, James returns to the horrific and dangerous town of Silent Hill.
What Makes This Game Great: The Silent Hill series took a bit of a hiatus after the PS2 era, but that isn't due to a lack of fan enthusiasm. Silent Hill 2 is everything a good horror game should be: it's engaging, it features a compelling story, and it's widely considered to be genuinely scary.
Music:
Amplitude
- Metacritic Score: 86
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Amplitude is a rhythm game where players tap along to drum, guitar, bass, and vocal tracks in order to create an amazing light show.
What Makes This Game Great: Amplitude is a unique rhythm game that has been somewhat forgotten since the days of the PS2; that's not due to its quality, however. This title features some great music––especially for those old enough to remember the early 2000s––and some addicting gameplay.
DDRMAX Dance Dance Revolution
- Metacritic Score: 85
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: With over 65 songs, DDRMAX Dance Dance Revolution brings the hit rhythmic dancing game from arcades to living rooms with an additional dance pad accessory.
What Makes This Game Great: Dance Dance Revolution was an arcade hit, and the added living room accessory brings that experience home. Set high scores, work up a sweat, and finally get good at DDR.
Guitar Hero II
- Metacritic Score: 92
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Using a guitar-like accessory, tap along to the beat of classic rock songs in this addictive rhythm game.
What Makes This Game Great: At its height, Guitar Hero was one of the most popular games in the world. It's simple yet intuitive controls made rocking out feel accessible, and it's various difficulty settings and point-based system gives this game an arcade-like replayability.
Karaoke Revolution
- Metacritic Score: 83
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Karaoke gets even more interactive with this title that grades singers based on their performance.
What Makes This Game Great: Karaoke is a fun activity for parties or bars, and Karaoke Revolution gamifies this concept for home use. This franchise features several sequels and even an American Idol version.
Rock Band
- Metacritic Score: 92
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Play drums, guitar, bass, or sing lead vocals in this interactive rhythm/karaoke game with hit rock songs that span decades of popular music.
What Makes This Game Great: Rock Band is the Guitar Hero competitor that introduced the rest of the band. With the addition of drums and vocals, Rock Band took the Guitar Hero formula and created the ultimate party game.
Puzzle/Strategy:
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
- Metacritic Score: 84
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Prince Laharl must take control of his Netherworld kingdom after the death of his father in this tactical, turn-based RPG.
What Makes This Game Great: For those who want some RPG storytelling with their tactical gameplay, there are few series that do it quite as well as Disgaea. Developer Atlus is known for their amazing RPG experiences, and this take on the tactical sub-genre remains one of the most successful of all time.
Katamari Damacy
- Metacritic Score: 86
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: One prince is tasked with cleaning up his father's mess after the king accidentally knocks the stars out of the sky in this action-puzzle game that has to be played in order to be fully understood.
What Makes This Game Great: Katamari is a truly unique gaming experience. It wasn't necessarily the most popular game on the PS2, but many of those who played this quirky puzzle adventure title quickly fell in love with it.
La Pucelle: Tactics
- Metacritic Score: 79
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Take control of a demon-hunting squad to battle monsters in this strategical RPG set in an alternate version of medieval Europe.
What Makes This Game Great: La Pucelle: Tactics didn't spawn quite the franchise that Disgaea did, but that isn't a knock on the game's quality. For those looking for a hidden gem in the strategy RPG sub-genre, this is a great pick.
RPGs:
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
- Metacritic Score: 87
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: A hero carrying little more than a sword seeks to save a city from dangerous foes.
What Makes This Game Great: The fan-favorite PC RPG makes its way to the PS2. With an action focus and deep RPG mechanics, there is a lot here for PlayStation gamers to sink their teeth into.
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
- Metacritic Score: 89
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Uncover the plot of an evil magician in the eighth installment of one of the most historic RPG franchises of all time.
What Makes This Game Great: This lengthy RPG still looks good decades later and plays well too. It's a fairly traditional RPG experience, but it's one that is done extremely well.
Final Fantasy X
- Metacritic Score: 92
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: After a monster destroys his home city, star athlete Tidus teams up with a magic user to bring about peace.
What Makes This Game Great: There have been dozens of Final Fantasy games over the years, but X still stands as one of the all-time best. It was a massive leap forward for the series when it debuted, and it remains a fan-favorite to this day. Final Fantasy XII and X-2 are other great additions to the franchise that were also released on the PS2. Just as a note, however, XII features a bit more of an action-RPG experience as opposed to the traditional turn-based combat featured in X.
Kingdom Hearts II
- Metacritic Score: 87
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Sora and friends team up again as they travel across various Disney worlds and seek to defeat the villainous Heartless as well as a new type of foe.
What Makes This Game Great: Sure, if you haven't played the first Kingdom Hearts, start with that one, but the second entry is still regarded as one of the series' best. The action and worlds are even more impressive in the sequel, and the Disney worlds and characters are all still just as magical.
Persona 4
- Metacritic Score: 90
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: A student moves to the seemingly peaceful countryside right before various crimes and a horrific murder turn his new town upside down.
What Makes This Game Great: Persona 4 Golden for the PS Vita (and later PC) may have stole the limelight by becoming the “definitive” Persona 4 experience, but the original on PS2 still remains a worthwhile gaming experience. If you like deep RPGs with heavy sim aspects, the Persona series is just about as engrossing as they come. Persona 3 FES is another great title to check out if you're interested in the series on PS2. But don't worry about continuity as each game features a completely unique story that doesn't follow the main characters or narratives of previous entries.
Other Great Games To Check Out
Again, the RPG genre is extremely deep on the PS2, so we decided to include a handful of our favorite honorable mentions.
- Suikoden III
- Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
- X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse
- Xenosaga Episode 1
Shooters:
Medal of Honor: Frontline
- Metacritic Score: 88
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: The historic Medal of Honor series returns with this first-person shooter set in WWII.
What Makes This Game Great: Before Call of Duty was a household name, Medal of Honor was the premier military shooter. As console shooters rose in popularity, Medal of Honor games quickly became some of the best titles in the genre.
Red Faction
- Metacritic Score: 88
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Red Faction is a well-crafted sci-fi shooter with intuitive controls and environmental destruction.
What Makes This Game Great: Offering something a bit different in the console shooter space, Red Faction gives players a sci-fi approach to storytelling and world-building. Add in some environmental destruction, and you have the beginning of a beloved, albeit relatively short-lived franchise.
SOCOM II U.S. Navy SEALs
- Metacritic Score: 87
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: SOCOM is a tactical third-person shooter series where players control elite Navy SEAL teams in order to successfully complete objectives and missions.
What Makes This Game Great: For those looking for a bit more strategy with their action games, the SOCOM series adds in a real tactical element. It isn't the sandbox approach as with the GTA series. No, SOCOM focuses more on the strategic approach to completing mission objectives.
Splinter Cell
- Metacritic Score: 89
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Prevent WWIII as the highly-trained Sam Fisher in this stealth-action game that led to an extremely popular series of video games.
What Makes This Game Great: There's a reason gamers have been clamoring to get Sam Fisher back into mainstream console games, and the reason is that these games were really good. There are plenty of great entries in the Tom Clancy universe on the PS2, but this is the one that started them all.
TimeSplitters 2
- Metacritic Score: 90
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Stop the enslavement of humanity by an evil race called TimeSplitters who are traveling back in time to various events in human history.
What Makes This Game Great: The TimeSplitters games are arguably the best in the genre for the console. The campaign is unique and the gameplay is arguably second-to-none when compared to other titles of the era.
Other Great Games To Check Out
As previously stated, console shooters really rose in popularity in the PS2 era. There are plenty of games in the genre that come highly recommended, so here are a few more.
- Half-Life
- Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
- Star Wars: Battlefront II
Sims:
Theme Park Roller Coaster
- Metacritic Score: 82
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Manage a group of theme parks by adding staff, rides, and attractions all while attempting to stay profitable.
What Makes This Game Great: Who doesn't want to own their own theme park? Well, at least, who doesn't want to own and operate their own theme park in a fictional video game world? Theme Park Roller Coaster allows you to do just that, giving the typically saved-for-PC experience to the console gaming audience.
Burnout 3 Takedown
- Metacritic Score: 93
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Race through the cities and try not to burn out in this arcade racing title.
What Makes This Game Great: The Burnout series turned heads with its massive explosions and slow-motion crashes, but the series also succeeded in creating an exceptionally fun arcade racing title. It might not be the first racing game you think of on the PS2, but it is an underrated series that is definitely worth checking out.
Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec
- Metacritic Score: 95
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Drive on courses around the world in this acclaimed, more realistic take on the racing genre.
What Makes This Game Great: In a space with over-the-top, arcade-like racing experiences, the Gran Turismo series aims for a more realistic approach to the genre. It might be a more niche approach, but it's arguably the definitive experience in that sub-genre.
NBA Street V3
- Metacritic Score: 89
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Play as NBA superstars in this over-the-top arcade take on the basketball formula.
What Makes This Game Great: Harkening back to the days of NBA Jam, the Street series is a far departure from the sim approach that the Live and 2K series were going for at the time. If what you're really looking for is a fun, arcade-like basketball experience, the NBA Street series (specifically Vol. 2 and V3) are the games to check out.
SSX 3
- Metacritic Score: 93
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Race or complete amazing tricks in the third entry of one of the best snowboarding video game series of all time.
What Makes This Game Great: Back when arcade-like extreme sports games were all the rage, the SSX series was one of the biggest names outside of “Tony Hawk.” And when it comes to snowboarding, SSX is widely considered the definitive series.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
- Metacritic Score: 97
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Score points by completing epic tricks in the third entry to the best-selling skateboarding video game series.
What Makes This Game Great: The Tony Hawk's Pro Skater titles on the earlier generation of consoles were some of the best games for those respective systems, and the various sequels on the PS2 (and other consoles) served as some of the best for that era. Along with Pro Skater 4 and Underground, the Tony Hawk series continued to dominate on the PS2 with solid entry after solid entry.
Other Great Games To Check Out
The sports and racing genre is easily one of the most populated on the console. That doesn't mean that they're a dime a dozen, however. There are still plenty of recommended picks that are worthy of consideration. Here are a few of our favorites.
- Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition
- Need for Speed: Underground 2
- NFL Street 3
The Sims
- Metacritic Score: 83
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: The hit PC game makes its way to PS2 with this highly customizable life simulation game.
What Makes This Game Great: While not quite as intuitive as the PC version, The Sims is still an incredibly enjoyable, laid-back experience on the PS2. And there are plenty of other spin-offs and expansions for those looking for something a little bit more specific.
Sports & Racing:
Burnout 3 Takedown
- Metacritic Score: 93
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Race through the cities and try not to burn out in this arcade racing title.
What Makes This Game Great: The Burnout series turned heads with its massive explosions and slow-motion crashes, but the series also succeeded in creating an exceptionally fun arcade racing title. It might not be the first racing game you think of on the PS2, but it is an underrated series that is definitely worth checking out.
Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec
- Metacritic Score: 95
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Drive on courses around the world in this acclaimed, more realistic take on the racing genre.
What Makes This Game Great: In a space with over-the-top, arcade-like racing experiences, the Gran Turismo series aims for a more realistic approach to the genre. It might be a more niche approach, but it's arguably the definitive experience in that sub-genre.
NBA Street V3
- Metacritic Score: 89
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Play as NBA superstars in this over-the-top arcade take on the basketball formula.
What Makes This Game Great: Harkening back to the days of NBA Jam, the Street series is a far departure from the sim approach that the Live and 2K series were going for at the time. If what you're really looking for is a fun, arcade-like basketball experience, the NBA Street series (specifically Vol. 2 and V3) are the games to check out.
SSX 3
- Metacritic Score: 93
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Race or complete amazing tricks in the third entry of one of the best snowboarding video game series of all time.
What Makes This Game Great: Back when arcade-like extreme sports games were all the rage, the SSX series was one of the biggest names outside of “Tony Hawk.” And when it comes to snowboarding, SSX is widely considered the definitive series.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
- Metacritic Score: 97
- eBay: See Pricing
Synopsis: Score points by completing epic tricks in the third entry to the best-selling skateboarding video game series.
What Makes This Game Great: The Tony Hawk's Pro Skater titles on the earlier generation of consoles were some of the best games for those respective systems, and the various sequels on the PS2 (and other consoles) served as some of the best for that era. Along with Pro Skater 4 and Underground, the Tony Hawk series continued to dominate on the PS2 with solid entry after solid entry.
Other Great Games To Check Out
The sports and racing genre is easily one of the most populated on the console. That doesn't mean that they're a dime a dozen, however. There are still plenty of recommended picks that are worthy of consideration. Here are a few of our favorites.
- Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition
- Need for Speed: Underground 2
- NFL Street 3