Summary
For many, thePlayStation 2marked the greatest era of gaming. Franchises likeResident Evil,Silent Hill,Metal Gear,and many more saw their climax here and are a big reason why the PlayStation 2 reigns as the console with the highest sale numbers in history.
While it goes without saying that buying a PlayStation 2 is still worth it for those wanting to play some of gaming’s best hits, the console still has titles that, due to their remarkable gameplay, art style, or incredible graphics,still hold up well today. These games can also serve as an excellent gateway into the world of classic gaming.
Updated Jun 26, 2025, by Mara Cowley:Even with the release of the PS5 and the plethora of great titles available on the console, the PS2 is still remembered fondly by many gamers due to the volume of fantastic games that were available on the platform.Games such as Persona, God of War, and Grand Theft Auto were all played and enjoyed by gamers and critics alike on the PS2. This article already contained a great number of PS2 games, but there were a few omitted that have also managed to withstand the tests of time, proving themselves to be some of thebest PS2 games. As such, this article has been updated to include more of thebest PS2 games that still hold up well today.
TheJak and Daxterfranchise is a popular one most fans remember fondly when thinking back to the golden days of the PS2 era.Jak 3is arguablythe best of the series, and despite its age, it still holds up remarkably well. It continues the plot from the second game, with the dynamic duo starting their adventures in Spargus City, a large settlement inside the Wasteland where they were banished to by the order of Count Veger.
Improved graphics and refined gameplay helpJak 3feel more modern in comparison to its predecessors, and most fans will agree it’s still extremely playable and enjoyable today.
Icoopens as a boy-meets-girl story with Ico and Yorda meeting ina stone castle, but it is not a typical Hallmark romance movie. The two must find a way to escape the castle, with the odds stacking against them when they must fight their way through shadow monsters. To make matters worse, they also encounter the Queen, a character who wishes to possess Yorda’s body.
The gameplay mostly consists of 3D platforming, which is surprisingly very well implemented, setting itself apart from the other platformers of the time with its sheer excellence. These mechanics still hold up today, even when compared to more modern titles.
Looking back, it’s easy to admit the PS2 was very limited technology-wise, and most of the games from the era won’t have aged well in the graphics department. That said, there are a few that are an exception to this rule, with one of those titles being Konami’s third installment in theSilent Hillseries.
Silent Hill 3picks up the plotline laid out in the first game, with the protagonist being Harry’s daughter instead of Harry himself. With a new name, Harry hopes the Order won’t find her, but they do, and they plan for her to be the mother of god. Dipping between the normal world and the twisted, rusted world of Silent Hill, the game comes with impressively detailed graphics that could arguably pass for that of a PS3 game. Even by today’s standards,Silent Hill 3’s visuals are undeniably impressive.
Considered by many to be among the most influential FPS games of all time,Blackimpressed almost everyone with its unmatched gameplay, audio work, and destruction system. This was the first game where players could destroy almost everything, and it was all really realistic for the time.
Beyond its gameplay were the graphics.Blackhad realistic textures for the time, and the good use of motion blur really set it apart from its competitors. As a whole,Blacklooked like a game that pushed the boundaries of the hardware of the PlayStation 2. To this day, this game stands out as an epic FPS adventure that almost every gamer is bound to have a good time playing.
Those looking for a good RPG that they can sink over 100 hours into should look no further thanPersona 4.The game has all the features of a good RPG, such as characters with tons of depth, top-tier world-building, an intriguing story, and almost endless exploration and customization.
Players set off as Yu Narukami as he and his team try to uncover a series of murders by exploring the ‘TV World,’ a perilous alternate dimension that Yu and his friends have access to. The turn-based combat is snappy and fun, the level design is flawless, and the plot is a very satisfying slow burn, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. As a whole,Persona 4is a wonderful game thatlooks and plays beautifully even today.
When askingGTAfans what their favorite installment is, many will saySan Andreas, which should come as no surprise, as this game has stood the test of time. Its plot follows the story of CJ, a man who returns to his hometown after his mother is murdered in a drive-by shooting. He is then threatened by corrupt police officers and is forced to do what they tell him. If he does not, these crooked cops intend to frame him.
This sparks the events ofSan Andreas, with a story that feels like it could come from the plot of a thrilling action movie, and with performances from Young Maylay and Samuel L. Jackson, this only makes it feel evenmore like a blockbuster. Featuring engaging missions, a vast open-world, and impressive graphics,San Andreashas aged like a fine wine.
9Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Features An Incredible Story And Creative Gameplay Opportunities
The only minor gripe fans had withMetal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eaterwas that it did not have an unlocked camera.Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistencetook care of that and gave players a complete title that stands as one of gaming’s best even to this day.
Almost everything about this game was near perfect. The plot was incredible, giving fans a twisted yet incredible story in typical Kojima fashion, the gameplay was versatile and promoted multiple ways of going about every scenario, and the level design and world-building were epic, with danger lurking behind each corner. Every fan of classic gaming should do themselves a favor and play it once to experience what is arguably one of gaming’s greatest adventures.
While Bluepoint Games did an incredible job with their remake ofShadow of the Colossus,the original still stands as a gorgeous classic that displays what excellent production looks like. The game often makes the list of the top ten greatest games of all time, and there are several reasons why.
Shadow of the Colossushas everything: a unique, evergreen plot, marvelous and engaging gameplay, unparalleled world-building, and a sense of wonder and mystery that nothing else provided at the time. As a whole,Shadow of the Colossusis a title that has aged well and stands as a testament to what made the PlayStation 2 such an amazing console.
Tekken 5is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the franchise. The game kick-started the modern era ofTekkengames. It features fluid, snappy combat that still feels good today, the textures and graphics are incredible and still do not feel dated, and the game has a big roster ofnew and returning characters. The good story was just the cherry on top.
Perhaps the best compliment here will be thatTekken 5is a game that modern audiences can put on and lose tons of hours on. Despite it being a PlayStation 2 title, it has all the makings of a great fighting game.
Fatal Framehas five entries in its series that have spanned multiple generations of consoles, with the second entry,Crimson Butterfly,being the most popular of the series. It took everything that made the first entry great and elevated it to new heights, raising the bar of the entire franchise.
Fatal Frame 2, as such, has withstood the test of time. The trials Mio and Mayu endure are still as haunting as ever, and the ghosts are still just as capable of delivering scares now as they were back during the time of their debut.
