The PlayStation 2 was a revolutionary console, and as it approaches its 5th wedding anniversary, were recalling at the games that made it legendary. From PS2 exclusives like Okami and Darkness of the Giant to best sellers like Last Fantasy 10 and GTA: Vice City, when it comes to choosing the best PlayStation 2 video games, theres no shortage of video games to choose from. Yet, weve managed to select 25 of the very best PS2 video games that we really feel pushed the technological and cultural limits of the era and still stand up today.
5. Grand Theft Car: Vice City
Designer: Superstar North|Publisher: Superstar Gamings|Launch day: Oct 29, 2002|Testimonial: IGNs GTA: Vice City evaluation
Grand Burglary Car 3 may have changed the open-world action video game with its 3D third-person point of view, but it was the 2002 sequel that took the principle and improved it. GTA: Vice City upped its video game in almost every possible means. It included a story that was both a compelling narrative and specialist witticism of all its 80s-era motivations, an actors of remarkable personalities articulated by hollywood pros – including the similarity Ray Liotta, Dennis Receptacle, and Burt fucking Reynolds – improved almost every element of its mechanics and gameplay and Vice City still has one of the most effective computer game soundtracks ever.read about it ps2 roms for android from Our Articles Already, after being ported to PC, handheld and mobile platforms, Vice City stays not just one of the very best PS2 games every, however among pc gamings all-time greats, and we angle wait to return to Rockstars Miami in GTA 6.
4. Resident Wickedness 4
Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4|Publisher: Capcom|Release day: January 11, 2005|Testimonial: IGNs Homeowner Wickedness 4 review
Resident Wickedness 4 was an amazing shake-up for the collection, ditching the even more standard bump-in-the-night haunted residence antics for an over-the-shoulder capturing gallery in a sprawling Spanish village. A better concentrate on action really did not plain the scary, either. Resident Evil 4 is still a deeply anxious experience thanks to its monsters – the Los Illuminados, the Regenerators and the chainsaw guy are all extraordinary – and it introduced a strong sense of The Odd that turned what’re ya buyin? into a renowned phrase. Currently with the arrival of the Homeowner Wickedness 4 remake, this landmark survival horror is just as prominent as ever.
See our guide to the Homeowner Wickedness games in order for a lot more.
3. Darkness of the Giant
Developer: SIE Japan Workshop|Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment|Launch day: October 18, 2005|Review: IGNs Darkness of the Colossus evaluation
Even more of a puzzle game hidden within a giant-boss-fight shell, Shadow of the Colossus leaves you in awe well after the credits roll. Transforming the should-be brave event of slaying gigantic monsters for love sorrowful in the subtlest method, it is an impactful and unforgettable experience, unlike anything we had played before back then. Darkness of the Giant’ grim globe, brilliant problems, downplayed storytelling, dynamic songs, and, naturally, badass gigantic titans still stand tall over several, also today, especially with the release of its 2018 remake.
2. Steel Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Designer: KCEJ|Author: Konami|Release day: November 17, 2004|Review: IGNs Steel Equipment Strong 3: Snake Eater testimonial
Steel Equipment Solid 3 took a step back from the high-tech-and-concept structure of MGS2, and in doing so offered us what is still widely considered the very best entry in the franchise to date. Mechanically, Snake Eater broadened on all of the innovative systems introduced by its precursor, added brand-new survival aspects like appetite and camouflage, and offered us with several of the cleverest boss battles of all time. The later Subsistence re-release included further mechanical updates like a free-moving third-person cam, yet MGS3’s greatest component by far is its tale: an intricate story of honor and task, of love and nationalism, one that not only works as a self-contained experience, however establishes and recontextualizes every other game in the collection as well. Thats why so many followers are excited for the upcoming remake.
1. Grand Theft Car: San Andreas
Programmer: Rockstar North|Publisher: Superstar Games|Release date: October 21, 2004|Testimonial: IGNs GTA: San Andreas testimonial
While Superstar consistently found vibrant new ways to elevate the open-world bar, 2004’s GTA: San Andreas represented a leap ahead like we would certainly never been seen prior to. The game’s vast, lively state of San Andreas – with 3 cities, based loosely on Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas – is the ideal play ground for gamers to have CJ and his mates endure gang shootouts, high-speed police chases after, and agitated, stretching break-ins walking or in lots of various vehicles. San Andreas likewise presented RPG and survival components into the series for the first time, like tracking what CJ ate or how much he exercised, and readjusting his abilities accordingly. While all of the GTA collection are standards in their own right, San Andreas is just one of the most robust and remarkable open-world video games ever made, and the peak of the video gaming experience on the PlayStation 2.
What PS2 Games Are Readily Available on PS5 in 2025?
Unfortunately, PS2 discs are not compatible with the PS5, however you can still stream some PS2 video games thanks to PlayStation Plus Costs membership. This subscription tier will set you back $17.99/ month, yet its worth it of what you get. Through the subscription, together with the catalog with PS4 and PS5 video games, youll have access to over 300 video games from PS3, PS2, original PlayStation, and PSP. To see an updated list of whats available in the Standard Catalog, visit our IGN Playlist page listed below.