100 Best PS2 Games

An Epic Journey through PlayStation's Golden Age

The PlayStation 2 (PS2), released in 2000, is widely regarded as one of the greatest video game consoles of all time. With over 155 million units sold worldwide, it revolutionized home entertainment and introduced countless gamers to the world of immersive console play. If you're looking to delve into the vast catalog of PS2 classics, this comprehensive list of the 100 best games will guide you on an unforgettable adventure.

Action/Adventure

1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas: The sprawling sandbox masterpiece that redefined open-world gaming.
2. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater: A stealth masterpiece set in the jungles of the Cold War.
3. God of War: A brutal and epic adventure inspired by Greek mythology.
4. Devil May Cry: A stylish hack-and-slash that set the benchmark for action games.
5. Final Fantasy X: A beloved RPG with a compelling story and memorable characters.
6. Kingdom Hearts: A magical adventure that combines Disney characters with Final Fantasy elements.
7. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy: A vibrant and innovative platformer.
8. Ratchet & Clank: A whimsical and action-packed adventure with intergalactic flair.

Role-Playing Games (RPGs)

1. Final Fantasy XII: A sprawling world with complex combat and deep character development.
2. Kingdom Hearts II: An epic sequel that expands on the first game's story and gameplay.
3. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King: A classic RPG with charming characters and a heartwarming story.
4. Persona 4: A dungeon-crawling RPG that explores themes of friendship and self-discovery.
5. Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance: A hack-and-slash RPG based on the Dungeons & Dragons universe.
6. Star Ocean: Till the End of Time: A futuristic RPG with an engaging story and customizable combat.
7. Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria: An action-RPG with a compelling story and strategic battles.
8. Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana: An alchemy-based RPG with a unique crafting system.

Fighting Games

1. Tekken 5: A legendary fighting game featuring a diverse cast of characters and innovative gameplay.
2. Soulcalibur II: A weapon-based fighting game with stunning graphics and fluid combat.
3. Street Fighter IV: A reboot of the classic fighting game franchise with refined gameplay and beautiful visuals.
4. Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-: A stylish and technical fighting game with unique mechanics.
5. Mortal Kombat: Deception: A brutal and over-the-top fighting game with fatalities that redefined the genre.
6. Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore: A fast-paced and action-packed fighting game with a focus on female characters.
7. Bushido Blade 2: A realistic sword fighting game that emphasizes precision and timing.
8. Def Jam: Fight for NY: A hip-hop-inspired fighting game featuring a roster of rappers and celebrities.

Platformers

1. God of War II: A spectacular sequel that pushes the boundaries of the action-platformer genre.
2. Shadow of the Colossus: A breathtaking and emotionally resonant platformer with towering bosses.
3. Okami: A beautiful and unique platformer inspired by Japanese folklore.
4. Beyond Good & Evil: An imaginative platformer with a strong female lead and a captivating story.
5. Ratchet & Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal: A futuristic platformer with a wide array of gadgets and weapons.
6. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: A time-bending platformer with innovative gameplay.
7. Jak II: A dark and gritty platformer that pushes the limits of the PS2's hardware.
8. Ape Escape 2: A wacky and creative platformer that utilizes innovative gadgets.

Simulation Games

1. The Sims 2: A life simulation game that allows players to create and control virtual families.
2. Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life: A farming simulator that offers a peaceful and heartwarming experience.
3. Animal Crossing: A social simulation game that lets players build their own town and interact with animal villagers.
4. Burnout 3: Takedown: A thrilling racing game with over-the-top crashes and destruction.
5. Gran Turismo 4: A realistic driving simulator with an extensive car collection.
6. Tony Hawk's Underground 2: A skateboarding game with a vast open-world and customizable characters.
7. Project Gotham Racing 2: A street racing game with stunning graphics and precise driving physics.
8. Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War: A flight simulator that offers intense aerial combat and a compelling story.

Sports Games

1. Pro Evolution Soccer 6: A realistic soccer game with fluid gameplay and an extensive licensing system.
2. NBA 2K11: A basketball game with polished graphics and innovative gameplay mechanics.
3. Madden NFL 2005: A football game with a deep franchise mode and authentic gameplay.
4. FIFA 2004: A soccer game with an immersive career mode and legendary players.
5. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3: A classic skateboarding game with iconic levels and a soundtrack that defined a generation.
6. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005: A golf game with realistic physics and stunning courses.
7. ESPN NFL 2K5: A football game with innovative gameplay and unparalleled graphics.
8. NHL 2K11: A hockey game with fast-paced action and a focus on arcade-style gameplay.

Shooters

1. Call of Duty 2: A groundbreaking first-person shooter set during World War II.
2. Half-Life 2: A sci-fi masterpiece with an engaging story and groundbreaking gameplay.
3. Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield: A tactical shooter with realistic gameplay and a focus on teamwork.
4. Counter-Strike: Source: A legendary multiplayer shooter with competitive gameplay and a vast community.
5. TimeSplitters 2: A fast-paced and humorous shooter with a wide range of characters and maps.
6. Black: A gritty and intense first-person shooter with innovative gameplay mechanics.
7. Killzone: A futuristic shooter with stunning graphics and epic battles.
8. Resident Evil 4: A survival horror classic with a blend of action and puzzle-solving.

Strategy Games

1. Civilization IV: A turn-based strategy game that allows players to build and expand their own civilizations.
2. Age of Empires III: A historical strategy game set across multiple civilizations and time periods.
3. Rome: Total War: A real-time strategy game set in the era of the Roman Empire.
4. Star Wars: Battlefront II: A sci-fi action-strategy game that immerses players in the iconic Star Wars universe.
5. Metal Slug Anthology: A collection of classic 2D run-and-gun games with over-the-top action and distinctive pixel art.
6. Pikmin 2: A unique strategy game that revolves around controlling and cultivating tiny creatures.
7. Company of Heroes: A real-time strategy game set during World War II with a focus on unit tactics.
8. Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos: A fantasy real-time strategy game with a compelling story and customizable units.

Table 1: Top 10 PS2 Games by Genre

Table 2: PS2 Games with the Highest Metacritic Scores

Table 3: Best-Selling PS2 Games

Table 4: PS2 Games with the Most User Reviews on Metacritic