The 45 Best PS2 Games of All Time (2000–2002)
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No console rewired living-room culture like the PlayStation 2. It moved 160 million units, stayed on store shelves for 13 years and amassed over 4,300 games worldwide—still the industry’s biggest catalog. How did Sony pull it off? A perfect storm:
- Backward compatibility: every PS1 game worked, so early adopters had an instant library.
- Built-in DVD player: back in 2000, it doubled as the most affordable movie machine.
- Third-party love: developers flocked to PS2, fueling both killer exclusives and excellent ports.
- Monster game lineup: from indie imports to blockbuster franchises, there was something for everyone.
You may not know that the PS2 has the highest number of 90+ Metascore games of any console since Metacritic began tracking them.
Out of thousands of PS2 releases I’ve handpicked 45 PS2 games: the games that earned universal acclaim, showed real innovation, shaped their genre, and still play brilliantly today. I am only including the very best. If you are interested in underappreciated, ‘hidden gem’ titles, I’ve got another list right here.
I didn’t set out to hit 45—I set a standard, and these games cleared it. This list celebrates the best ways to experience landmark titles on PS2 specifically, which is why sports and racing games sit alongside prestige RPGs, and why some beloved games didn’t make the cut. A dozen of these aren’t just PS2 essentials, they’re in the conversation for greatest games ever made, period. See if you can find which ones I name.
We’ll move chronologically to watch the PS2 evolve in real time and explore why these titles still matter.
Finally, heads up: I earn a small commission if you buy anything through my links. No extra cost to you, and it helps support the site!
2001 – One of the greatest years in gaming history
Devil May Cry (Capcom)
Devil May Cry is a must-have for the PS2 because it changed the way action games are played. You’re Dante, a cocky half-demon who dual-wields pistols and a massive sword, tearing through a castle full of demons. The combat feels incredible once you get the hang of it, chaining together combos that make you feel like a combat god.
It’s challenging without being cheap, and every enemy type keeps you on your toes. The gothic atmosphere is perfect, and when you activate Devil Trigger and go full demon mode? Some of the most fun you could have in 2001. This game really invented “stylish action” and inspired countless copycats. It’s timeless, and certainly one of the best PS2 games.
Final Fantasy X (Square)
Final Fantasy X tells the story of Tidus, a top blitzball player who is suddenly transported a thousand years into the world of Spira. There he teams up with Yuna, a summoner, on a journey to defeat the massive monster Sin. The game features fully voiced cut-scenes that add to the drama, and the Sphere Grid system lets you shape each character’s abilities. The CTB battle system, with its clear turn order, quick party changes, and controllable Aeons makes battles both quick and strategic.
Between battles, playing blitzball reminds Tidus of his past. The game’s detailed environments and memorable music create an adventure that stands out both visually and emotionally, touching on faith and fate. Its story and early use of voice acting helped make FFX one of the very best titles for the console.
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (Polyphony Digital)
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec proved that “real driving simulator” wasn’t just a slogan, it was a revolution. Polyphony Digital pushed the PS2 to its limits with gorgeous cars, sun-soaked tracks and a smooth 60 fps that felt a generation ahead. Its career mode hooked players by starting them in humble hatchbacks, then rewarding skill with licenses, prize cars, and upgrades that really changed performance.
With 180 super-detailed vehicles, rally stages alongside world circuits, and physics that balanced accessibility with authenticity, GT3 became the PS2’s defining showcase. It sold nearly 15 million copies and brought sim racing into the mainstream.
Grand Theft Auto III (DMA Design)
Grand Theft Auto III changed the way people think about video games. It earned a 97 on Metacritic and it’s easy to see why. By letting players loose in Liberty City’s world, GTA III made things like stealing cars, taking jobs, or just wandering around feel completely new. And there’s hookers.
Every element was masterful: the streaming city, cinematic voice acting and radio satire transformed technical innovation into art. Its mission structure and emergent chaos didn’t just entertain—they established the blueprint that every open-world game since has followed, from Saints Row to Spider-Man to Red Dead Redemption.
More than two decades later, critics still call GTA III “inescapably influential.” With over 14 million copies sold and an entire genre spawned in its wake, this is not just one of 2001’s great games. It is not just one of the best PS2 games, but an essential cornerstone of modern gaming and a legendary achievement.
Ico (Sony)
Ico stands as one of gaming’s greatest artistic achievements, proving games could transcend entertainment to become art. This masterpiece follows a horned boy guiding fragile Yorda through a fascinating castle, but its genius lies in how holding her hand revolutionized storytelling, transforming a simple escort mission into a genuine emotional bond.
Every design choice was visionary: no cluttered HUD, just ambient audio and cinematic camera work that made players feel like they were inside a moving painting. The castle’s puzzles made the environment itself feel alive and meaningful.
Ico didn’t just age well, it redefined what games could be. Its minimalist perfection and wordless storytelling created the blueprint for emotional game design, directly inspiring masterworks like Shadow of the Colossus and The Last of Us. Two decades later it’s a timeless pioneer, and among the greatest games ever made.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (Konami)
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is one of gaming’s great achievements, proving that video games could tackle complex themes with exceptional sophistication. It begins with Snake’s tanker infiltration before shifting to Raiden’s Big Shell mission, where the story unfolds into meta-commentary about information control and digital identity that seems more relevant each year.
The game introduced groundbreaking features like guards following footprints, realistic physics, and first-person aiming that changed how stealth games played. With its visuals and style, MGS2 set new standards for technology and creativity.
Its impact can be seen in later stealth games like Splinter Cell and in the broader wave of cinematic storytelling that shaped titles like The Last of Us. Two decades later, MGS2 is still one of the most analyzed works in gaming—one of the finest games ever made.
Silent Hill 2 (Team Silent)
Silent Hill 2 is a landmark in video game history. Rather than relying on jump scares, it changed the horror genre by focusing on psychological fear. At the story’s center is James Sunderland, who, after receiving a letter from his late wife, travels to a foggy town. There, his guilt and trauma take shape as terrifying monsters—including the memorable Pyramid Head.
The game’s design choices stand out. The thick fog, changing camera angles, and haunting music all help create a tense, uneasy mood. The awkward combat makes players feel more vulnerable. Exploring the town feels personal, and the different endings leave players unsure of what is real. How can this not be included as one of the best PS2 games?
Silent Hill 2 used symbolism, not just scary monsters, to push psychological horror further. It encouraged other developers to explore deeper themes in their games. Silent Hill 2 is more than a horror game, it’s interactive art that changed how people view video games as a way to share emotion and creativity. I don’t need to say it but I will: it’s one of the greatest games ever made.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 (Neversoft)
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 stands out as one of the most influential games ever. It refined arcade sports, and it helped introduce skate culture to a wider audience. Neversoft took their easy-to-learn, hard-to-master style further with the introduction of the “revert” move, which lets you link vert tricks into long combos.
It got everything right; in fact it earned a 97 on Metacritic! Levels like Los Angeles, with its earthquake surprises, were packed with secrets and goals. The memorable punk and hip-hop soundtrack, along with 60fps gameplay, made it easy to get hooked. Plenty of players spent whole weekends playing.
THPS3 had a big cultural impact. By capturing skate culture and pairing it with accessible gameplay, it introduced a lot of people to skateboarding and brought the sport into mainstream awareness. Many point to THPS3 as an inspiration for later skating games, citing its lasting influence on both gaming and broader skate culture. I sound like a broken record, but it’s simply one of the greatest games ever made.
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies (Namco)
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies set the standard for the series, and it still gets PS2 fans excited. Playing as Mobius 1, you fly through Erusea’s skies in intense dogfights and bombing runs that look and feel like scenes from a movie. You can unlock jets ranging from F-5s to F-22s, letting you pull off wild combos in dramatic, cloud-filled battles.
Between missions the story shifts to a young orphan’s perspective, bringing real emotion to the campaign. The controls feel smooth, missiles lock on quickly, and the soundtrack keeps the action intense. If you haven’t played AC04 yet, now’s a great time to see why it still excites players. It proved that arcade-style flight combat with cinematic presentation and emotional storytelling could resonate with mainstream audiences.
2002
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (Rockstar North)
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City made PS2 weekends unforgettable. Set in neon-soaked Miami in the 1980s (my favorite decade), you play Tommy Vercetti, an ex-con clawing his way up from small-time errands to kingpin glory in pastel suits and booming synths. Building on GTAIII’s foundation, Vice City proved the formula could support distinct personalities and eras, elevating environmental storytelling through its meticulous recreation.
Steal motorcycles, cars, and boats, buy safehouses and businesses, or wreak havoc with set pieces: blasting through Love Fist’s concert, mowing down a mansion with a chainsaw, or evading cops in a car chase. Every street pulses with life, every radio station rocks. With over 17 million copies sold, Vice City delivered the ultimate 80s power fantasy, creating lasting memories for millions of PS2 owners. It is certainly one of the best PS2 games ever made.
Kingdom Hearts (Square)
Kingdom Hearts earns its spot by blending the impossible: Disney wonder and Final Fantasy melodrama. You play as Sora, a teenager with a Keyblade who journeys through Disney worlds like Agrabah, Neverland, and Olympus to save friends Kairi and Riku while fighting the shadowy Heartless.
Real-time party combat felt new in 2002, and teaming up with Donald and Goofy was the ultimate childhood fantasy. Cameos from Cloud to Squall, a beautiful score, and Utada Hikaru’s “Simple and Clean” opener made it unforgettable. Against all odds, Kingdom Hearts proved a brand mash-up could become a timeless adventure.
That’s 11 down out of the 45 best PS2 games I promised, which means plenty more are coming. If you’ve enjoyed the ride so far, expect nothing less than the very best the PS2 had to offer in the next installments. Agree, disagree, or have your own picks? Drop them in the comments, I’d love to hear them. Part 2 is now available!
UPDATE: As I was writing the last page of this series, I realized one of my titles did not meet my strict criteria for inclusion. I decided to reduce the number rather than padding in another game.