ThePlayStation 2is one of the highest-selling consoles of all time. Its popularity is a major reason why Sony has become such a successful company in the video game space. A big reason why many people wanted a PlayStation 2 was due to its unique library of games.
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In that library, some of the most popular titles were multiplayer games that consistently brought a ton of joy to the people who played them. Unfortunately, since it has been two decades since the PlayStation 2’s launch, some experiences may not have aged well. However, there are a good number of titles that arestill fun with friendstoday.
The Simpsonsis one of the most popular animated shows of all time and, in the PlayStation 2 era, had some ofthe best games on the system. One of these games was aCrazy Taxiclone calledThe Simpsons: Road Rage. This title featured Homer and many Springfield citizens looking to create a taxi service to combat the nuclear-driven bus service started by Mr. Burns.
The goal of the game is very similar to the experience they decided to parody. Players must drive around the neighborhood and pick up the various citizens in town to drive them to the destination they desire. In versus mode, the player who earns a certain amount of money first wins. Friends playing against each other can also steal passengers from one another.
6Ratchet: Deadlocked
In the history of PlayStation, one of its most notable franchises that continues to produce games to this day isRatchet and Clank. Theaction platformeris used to focusing on a great single-player campaign revolving around Ratchet saving the world, butRatchet: Deadlockedfeatures a robust multiplayer side.
There is a couch co-op withRatchet: Deadlockedthat involves the player taking control of a combat bot and can use any of the weapons Ratchet has, but the two players can’t use the same gun at the same time. In addition, there are five competitive multiplayer modes including “Capture the Flag,” “Deathmatch,” and “King of the Hill.”
5TimeSplitters: Future Perfect
First-person shooters still remain incredibly popular today, butone memorable franchisethat hasn’t had a game since 2005 isTimeSplittersby Free Radical Design. While a new entry is in the works, it is worth revisiting the most recent iteration of the series calledTimeSplitters: Future Perfect.
The main campaign surrounds Sergeant Cortez traveling back in time to save the world, but multiplayer options include a friend joining the campaign in co-op and various multiplayer options that players can pick up and play at any time. One of the primary methods to play with friends is through Arcade Custom, where players can set parameters for the match from the ground up.
4SSX Tricky
EA BIG is a wildly beloved brand that had the most prominence in the 2000s with various popular releases for fans of sports-oriented video games. A fan favorite that still holds up today is the classicsnowboarding game,SSX Tricky.
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There are a few ways to hang out and playSSX Trickywith friends. The most competitive way is to go to Single Events, which will allow players to face each other in a Race, Showoff, or Time Challenge for a specific track. Freeride also allows multiplayer, but this is for those who want to relax and explore.
3Star Wars Battlefront 2
For fans of Star Wars, nothing beats being in the middle of an epic battle inthe sci-fi universe. A series that has done a good job over the years of making people feel like they are a part of it isStar Wars: Battlefront. A great early example of a wonderful multiplayer experience is the 2005 version ofStar Wars: Battlefront 2.
The game doesn’t have online functionality on PlayStation 2 anymore, but those who enjoy split-screen co-op will still get a kick out of playing the main campaign with a friend. There is also a Galactic Conquest mode that involves the player taking over planets and fighting enemy forces.
2Guitar Hero 2
It is no question thatGuitar Herois among the best rhythm franchises to come out. The series was iconic for its unique guitar-shaped peripheral and having an amazing soundtrack associated with nearly every entry.Guitar Hero 2is considered an installment that madeGuitar Heroa household name.
With two peripherals available, friends can either work together tosucceed at one songor challenge each other in two competitive modes. Face-Off has players take on a song with the option for each player to select their own difficulty. Pro Face-Off locks players to a specific difficulty and both are playing the lead guitar track.
1Marvel vs Capcom 2
Fighting games are always a great time when wanting to challenge friends in a video game. A game that still holds up today and is widely considered among the best the genre has ever seen isMarvel vs Capcom 2, which was originally released in arcades before being ported to consoles like the PlayStation 2.
A few years after the firstMarvel vs. Capcomgame,the sequelintroduces the concept of having each player take control of three characters and pitting them against each other with a system that allows characters to be tagged in for specific scenarios. There is a total of 28 Marvel characters and 28 Capcom characters.
