We've tried our best to select the best PS2 games from different genres to make it the most complete list possible.
*We have kept a maximum of one game from each franchise, just so that the list remains as diverse as possible.
Racing fans gather around, it's a Gran Turismo game and it never disappoints. With more than 700 cars in store, fantastic presentation and near perfect career progression, racing simulators simply don't get any better than Gran Turismo 4. GT 4 is the pinnacle of driving simulators and GT fans wouldn't have it any other way. The only down side of playing this game is that Gran Turismo 5, due Nevember 2, 2010, is not out yet.
Definitely the most difficult game to beat on the list, which was under-appreciated by critics due to its ridiculous difficulty. As a hardcore gamer, I personally feel that it doesn't get any better than a difficult game which is as good as Devil May Cry 3. The game was not just challenging, other aspects of the game made it a true classic. DMC 3: Dante's Awakening had a great atmospheric feel to it with an abundance of enemies and incredibly challenging boss fights which were a true test for any hardcore gamer.
Naughty Dog has proven time and time again that it is one of the best first party developer at Sony. If we had to include one platformer in our Top 10 list, Jak II is probably the one that actually expanded the genre and took it to unimaginable heights. A massive GTAesque open city, jack-able cars and an absolutely incredible plot, the game had everything. The game does not look like a PS2 game, the visuals are absolutely stunning too.
Even if driving games aren't your thing, Burnout 3 is still the game for you because it's total fun. It ranks among the best racing games ever made and for the first time made crashes much more exciting and interactive than ever. Probably the most accessible yet challenging game on the list
Ported masterfully from the Gamecube, Resident Evil 4 redefined the survival horror genre. RE 4 is the most atmospheric games on the Playstation 2, and you don't need to be a Resident Evil fan to appreciate the game. Tons of unlockables, bonus quests, arcade-style Mercenaries mode, and a satisfying 20-plus hour quest. You simply cannot be disappointed.
Quite possibly the best RPG game on the Playstation 2, Final Fantasy X had everything synonymous with the FF franchise, but this time it had some amazing voice acting as well which can't be said for previous iterations in the series. The storyline of the game would capture your attention in an instant, it wouldn't be wrong to claim that it offered the most appealing and addictive stories ever in a Final Fantasy game and that means a lot.
If you could sum up this game in one word, it would be "EPIC." The sheer scale of the Boss Battles cannot be described and only be experienced. On paper the game does not sound as satisfying but the way it is executed, the game is comparable to a beautiful piece of art. If a sequel is ever to be announced of this game for the PS3, well, I would probably be amongst hundreds and thousands of people who pre-order the game with their eyes closed. Apparently, The Last Guardian totally slipped from our minds, we're extremely sorry.
If anybody questions the genius of Hideo Kojima, he needs to be gifted a copy of MGS 3: Subsistence. Improving on an already great game, MGS 3: Snake Eater, by adding a few extras, an online mode, a better camera angle and the old school 2D MGS titles from the past this ended up being a dream package for any MGS fan, but at the same time would make for a perfect introduction to the franchise for anyone unfamiliar with the series. Signature stealth mechanics, thought provoking story line, a visually stunning experience, we can go on & on about how great this game is, but you need to experience it first hand to truly admire the class act stealth-action gameplay.
One of the best Action Adventure game on the Playstation 2 with arguably the most bad-ass protagonist in gaming history, God of War didn't end up being just another Hack and Slash button mashing experience. Excellent set pieces, amazing combat and stunning environments combined and put forth to the player controlling the mighty Kratos was a truly monstrous achievement for David Jaffe and his team. If you are a fan of the action adventure genre, there is no excuse for not having played this game.
The GTA franchise is one of the most revered franchises in the video games industry, but that wouldn't have been the case if it wasn't for the what many say was the single best Playstation 2 title ever created, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The game was an instant classic when it was released on the ps2, back in 2004. It took open world sand box gameplay to another level, had one of the best story lines possible in a video game and had the production value unseen in the gaming industry. It's probably impossible to imagine a PlayStation 2 library without GTA: San Andreas, so we'd say this is a must buy for any ps2 owner.
Honorable mentions: Okami, Kingdom Hearts, Dragon Quest VIII, GOW 2, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Twisted Metal: Black, SSX Tricky, SOCOM 2, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, Tekken 5, Guitar Hero, Final Fantasy XII.
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