Top 25 PlayStation 2 Games of All Time
25. Contra: Shattered Soldier (Konami)
It's time to grit your teeth, cock your weapon and show the world what you're made of. Contra: Shattered Soldier is the meatiest Contra game to date, only because it's the most difficult one ever made. That's just fine by us, though. Along with the challenge, you'll also find Shattered Soldier's gritty graphics and rock soundtrack par for the course.
24. Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil (Namco Bandai)
Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil is everything we hoped a sequel would be and so much more. The revamped cel-shaded visual style, along with the wondrous soundtrack and the classic 2-D gameplay, make it a game worth revisiting. It's a shame we won't see Klonoa 3 on the PS3 anytime soon.
23. Resident Evil 4 (Capcom)
Resident Evil 4 rocks on GameCube, but the PS2 received a solid port. Along with improved visuals and gameplay, RE4 on the PS2 also features several sub-missions featuring the strikingly beautiful Ada Wong.
22. Odin Sphere (Atlus)
Atlus' 2-D RPG Odin Sphere makes the list for being unlike anything we'd seen. The side-scrolling fighting style is perfectly balanced, and the hand-drawn visuals look exquisite.
21. Shadow of the Colossus (SCEA)
The ICO Team wanted to prove it wasn't a one trick pony with its debut effort, so it cranked out this unforgettable action/adventure. Featuring breathtaking visuals and a stunning array of gigantic beasts to cut down to size, Shadow of the Colossus is a journey that every PS2 owner needs to take -- no matter how immense the odds become.
20. Street Fighter Anniversary Collection (Capcom)
The pure joy of fighting with your friends is undeniable, and Street Fighter Anniversary Collection has many options in which to do so. We personally love Street Fighter III: Third Strike, just because of its balance and incredible art style. Can you withstand the mighty flaming Dragon Punch? SHORYUKEN!
19. Amplitude (SCEA)
We love Gitaroo Man, Rez and Frequency. However, out of all music/rhythm games on the PS2, Amplitude beats its little way into the core of our hearts. The frenetic mix of music, combined with online play and an undeniably cool interface, makes it worth rocking out with– aside from Harmonix's Guitar Hero games, that i
18. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (Konami)
Solid Snake has never been better than he is in Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence. This package features an enhanced version of the awesome third chapter in the series, Snake Eater, along with a new online mode, two MSX classics and a bundle of other Snake-related goodies. It's important to revisit this game, especially while you wait for the final Metal Gear chapter.
17. Katamari Damacy (Namco Bandai)
Listening to the soundtrack, trying to figure out the King of All Cosmos and rolling up balls of stuff in an effort to recreate the universe –- Katamari Damacy is just so damn weird. And yet, we can't stop playing it, if only because we want to see how big our Katamaris get. We could roll on forever.
16. Twisted Metal Black (SCEA)
After two sub-par sequels on the PSOne, Incog (formerly Singletrac) returned to the Twisted Metal series with unprecedented success. Yeah, Black is decidedly darker and more gruesome than other entries in the series, but it's also a splendid-looking game and a whole lot of fun –- especially against other players.
15. Tekken 5 (Namco Bandai)
With all due respect to the top-notch Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution, Tekken 5 kicks ass. The main game is worth several hours of your time, but you also have bonus games available, including the first three Tekken arcade releases and the cool sub-game Devil Within, where you can kick major ass with Jun. It makes the wait for Tekken 6 that much more painful.
14. Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus (SCEA)
Sly Cooper is one of the PS2's finest platforming series, filled with personality, awesome design ideas, and the perfect blend of stealth and enemy-bashing. When it comes to stealing our hearts, the original Sly Cooper makes a clean getaway.
13. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Rockstar Games)
The third Grand Theft Auto ended up being one of the best. San Andreas turns the entire formula on its ear, introducing new scenarios (skydiving, drive-bys), a customizable new character (you can even fatten him up if you want) and a wide variety of missions. Not even the scalding burn of Hot Coffee could stop this game's greatness.
12. Okami (Capcom)
Wow, did Okami just come out of nowhere? What could've been just another typical platforming adventure became something so much more, a triumph for Capcom that stands the test of time. The artistic style is breathtaking and the gameplay is finely tuned, especially when using a celestial brush to paint a brighter tomorrow. We can't wait for the Wii version.
11. Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening (SCEA)
Dante's come a long way on the PS2, starting with a powerful debut (the original Devil May Cry) and sinking to new depths (the miserable Devil May Cry 2). However, he made a superb return with Devil May Cry 3, an incredible-looking sequel with the style-changing gameplay to back it up. Dante's since moved on to newer consoles, but no one should forget his PS2 Awakening.
10. Final Fantasy XII (Square Enix)
No offense to Final Fantasy X (or, for that matter, the all-girl delight that is X2), but Final Fantasy XII is simply the most defining RPG of the PlayStation 2 generation. Its luxurious visuals, stirring storyline and gameplay deliver on every accord, making it one of the best in the series. Now, whether it's better than Final Fantasy VII, that's a different argument altogether.
9. Gran Turismo 4 (SCEA)
Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec is a nice step forward for Polyphony Digital's supreme racing series, but Gran Turismo 4 is a giant leap. The enhanced visuals and solid gameplay don't get any better than they do with part four. It's a great game to rev up with, even when it comes down to something as simple as the beautiful intro. Hit the gas pedal.
8. God of War II (SCEA)
"Zeus, your son has returned!" Kratos made an astonishing return to PS2 land with the release of God of War II, a sequel that lives up to the name of the original. The fight with the Colossus alone makes it worthy of a purchase, although the adventure is worth playing through. Even the sex mini-game is back -- yay! Now if God of War III would just get here already...
7. Grand Theft Auto III (Rockstar Games)
Grand Theft Auto III didn't just send PS2 gaming into a frenzy, it created an unmatched controversy that hasn't been seen since the old-school days of Mortal Kombat. No matter –- the freedom to simply do ANYTHING in Liberty City makes GTA III noteworthy, whether you're stealing cars and running over its owners or blowing up pedestrians with R/C car explosives. We'll never get tired of this one.
6. ICO (SCEA)
The ICO development team came out of nowhere with this unbelievably stunning platforming adventure. Sure, the girl you accompany doesn't make any sense, but the true involvement of her company, along with the stunning level design, make ICO a game you need to play. Just wait until you see the water effects for the first time.
5. Burnout 3: Takedown (EA)
How does Burnout 3 end up being the most significant racing game on the PS2? That's easy. Its destructive joyriding, combined with spectacular visuals, a handful of tracks, vehicles and slick, fun gameplay make it a winner all around. Nothing beats ramming a buddy into the wall or plowing into traffic to create millions of dollars worth of damage. Get in on the Takedown if you haven't already.
4. Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal (SCEA)
The first two Ratchet and Clank games are superb, and Deadlocked isn't too shabby either. Still, Insomniac Games' pinnacle of the series came with Up Your Arsenal, a jam-packed action tour-de-force that still delivers a firm rattling to your teeth fillings. The solo journey is worth taking and the multiplayer simply makes it even better.
3. Guitar Hero II (RedOctane/Activision)
The original Guitar Hero rocks hard. Guitar Hero II, however, rocks even harder. The two-player versus mode makes the game incredibly fun at parties, and the song selection expands nicely with a fine assortment of rock classics. Who can deny the likes of Van Halen and Guns n' Roses? No one.
2. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (Rockstar Games)
Here it is, the best Grand Theft Auto experience you can get on the PS2. Yeah, it takes place in the 80's, but it's a phenomenal experience. Excellent graphics, quality voice work (even from Miami Vice's Philip Michael Thomas), a huge soundtrack and hours upon hours of gameplay make Vice City a fun place to visit, even if you wouldn't want to live there.
1. God of War (SCEA)
Kratos freakin' rules. The original God of War not only defines what PS2 gaming is all about, it ushered in a blazing new era for action games. The battle with gigantic sea serpents, the final fight with Aries, the ability to kick anyone's ass in pure bloody fashion -- it's all incredible. The visuals, the music, the controls, everything clicks here. God of War is the best the PS2 will ever see. And if you argue that point, well, you tell Kratos to his face. Go on, we dare you.
Screenshot below is of God of War and each screenshot for every game can be seen at the link at the top of this article!
(0) 
