From the swan song of turn-based RPGs to the new dawn of action games, these are the titles that made the PS2 the greatest console of all time
If you are a player from a younger generation, it can be difficult to understand just how big the PlayStation 2. Arriving six years after its predecessor shook the industry to its foundations — single-handedly stealing the spotlight from established names like Nintendo and Sega —, the expectation surrounding the second console of the Sony it was palpable long before it hit American stores in October 2000.
With a killer selection of launch titles that included Armored Core 2, Madden, Ridge Racer V, SSX, Tekken Tag Tournament and TimeSplittersthe PS2 not only capitalized on the company’s well-established library of intellectual properties Sony (although it was backwards compatible, unlike the competition) — it became the standard platform for practically everything related to games.
It was also wisely designed to use DVDs—making it the cheapest disc player on the market—which meant everyone, including non-gamers, was buying the machine in droves. It remains the best-selling console of all time, with more than 160 million units sold, a number that not even cultural phenomena like the Wii or Nintendo DS managed to overcome.
And although mechanically it didn’t do anything particularly different from its peers (both the GameCube as the newcomer Xbox were technically more powerful), the legacy of PlayStation 2 was defined by an unbeatable cast of games. While the first PlayStation took off by closing exclusive agreements with former partners of Nintendo as Squaresoft (Final Fantasy) and Konami (Metal Gear Solid), the PS2 was where the prestige of the first and second part of Sony it was forged.
Studios like Naughty Dog (The Last of Us), Sucker Punch (Ghost of Yōtei) and Insomniac (Marvel’s Spider-Man 2) have all introduced their own highly successful franchises aiming to become the face of the brand with Jake and Daxter, Sly Cooper and Ratchet & Clankrespectively. Established third-party franchises such as Tekken, Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid have become synonymous with PlayStationeven when they were not technically exclusive.
That kind of reputation makes it difficult to pin down a list of definitive PS2 titles. It was the “everything” platform — a place where you could find just about any type of game under the sun. But amid thousands of releases, there were some clear highlights. These are games that, designed by or for the giant of Sonyremain linked to the PlayStation 2 in the nostalgic memories of most players. These are titles whose individual legacies contribute to a greater whole: a video game dynasty that’s still going strong today.
25. Zone of the Enders (2001)
24. Onimusha: Warlords (2001)
23. Twisted Metal:Black (2001)
22. Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves (2005)
21. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003)
20. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 (2001)
19. Burnout 3: Takedown (2004)
18. SSX Tricky (2001)
17. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001)
16. Guitar Hero II (2006)
15. Gran Turismo 4 (2004)
14. Kingdom Hearts (2001)
13. Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening (2005)
12. Ico (2001)
11. Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (2004)
10. Katamari Damacy (2004)
9. Tekken 5 (2005)
8. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
7. Resident Evil 4 (2005)
6. Silent Hill 2 (2001)
5. Ōkami (2006)
4. Shadow of the Colossus (2006)
3. Final Fantasy X (2001)
2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
1. God of War II (2007)
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Source: Rollingstone
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
