The Definitive Ranking of the 10 Best PlayStation 2 Games Ever

Let’s get one thing straight: picking the 10 best PlayStation 2 games is nothing short of an impossible task. There were over four thousand titles on Sony’s iconic console, most of them somewhere between classics and absolute rubbish, depending on who you ask. But after a frankly brutal process of soul-searching, regret and second-guessing, here’s the top 10 PS2 games anyone with a pulse (and a memory card) really ought to know.

The List (Yes, I’m Actually Ranking Them. No, I’m Not Sorry.)

1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
   You probably guessed it – nothing else on the PS2 came close to matching San Andreas for sheer freedom and chaos. Three sprawling cities, more side-activities than you could realistically finish in a year, and a cast of characters who managed to define, mock and elevate 90s American hip-hop culture all at once. The soundtrack still slaps, and the fact you could dress CJ in utterly ridiculous outfits or send him to the gym is somehow still amusing in 2024. If you wanted to lose hundreds of hours and all sense of responsibility, this was how you did it.
2. God of War II (2007)
   For anyone who likes their Greek myths with a side of button-mashing and decapitations, God of War II was the business. Enormous boss battles, outrageously violent combos, manic platforming and just the right amount of self-serious storytelling. Kratos might be insufferable these days, but this is where his legend truly stuck. The scale was off the charts for 2007; plenty of games still can’t touch it.
3. Final Fantasy X (2001)
   FF X is where Square took its half-mad, melodramatic RPG formula and finally gave it a proper voice (literally, as in actual voice acting – not always a plus, ask any Blitzball fan). The Sphere Grid gave character development genuine depth, the turn-based combat was sharper than most of its peers, and the story is as tragic as it is grand. Yes, Tidus has a terrible laugh. Still, it’s absolutely unmissable.
4. Kingdom Hearts (2002)
   Disney and Final Fantasy together in one action RPG? At the time, it sounded patently absurd, but Kingdom Hearts delivered in spades. Bouncing between worlds to bash up Heartless with Donald and Goofy, collecting ludicrous Keyblades and summoning every Disney mascot under the sun? This was crossover fever and the original still holds up, convoluted sequels be damned.
5. Resident Evil 4 (2005)
   When Resi 3 left the series gasping for air, Capcom reset the mould and gave us the over-the-shoulder template just about every action game would nick for the next decade. Leon S. Kennedy, a lost presidential daughter, some genuinely terrifying villages in Spain, and a chainsaw-wielding maniac – what's not to love? Even after all these years and remakes, the original Resi 4’s pacing remains spot-on. And those inventory Tetris sessions? Top notch.
6. Silent Hill 2 (2001)
   If you want your horror fix to be more stomach-knotting dread than cheap jumpscares, Silent Hill 2 is still the yardstick. James Sunderland’s miserable trip through fogbound purgatory is everything a psychological horror should be: deep, uncomfortable, occasionally baffling, but always unforgettable. The atmosphere alone is worth the price of admission (provided you’re okay with never sleeping again).
7. Shadow of the Colossus (2005)
   Some people call this art; others just like stabbing enormous monsters until they collapse in slow-motion agony. You do you. No other game made boss fights feel this epic or endings this heavy. Scaling giants across desolate landscapes, swinging your blade at bald spots (sorry, 'weak points'), it’s a game that sticks in your brain and refuses to leave. Just try not to feel too guilty about those poor colossi — not that the game will let you.
8. Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (2004)
   Platforming, shooting, explosions, and actual laugh-out-loud moments – the third Ratchet & Clank game did the lot. Creative guns (the Sheepinator is still genius), slick, responsive controls, and unexpectedly decent multiplayer. If you’re after a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously but is still far from brainless, you can’t go wrong here.
9. SSX 3 (2003)
   Argue SSX Tricky if you like, but SSX 3 is the king of snow. Free-roaming across a vast mountain, chaining tricks at breakneck speed, all of it soundtracked by turn-of-the-century UK club anthems. It’s about as exhilarating as digital sport gets. Plus, there’s not a whiff of microtransactions anywhere.
10. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003)
    Look, Ubisoft’s recent remake drama aside, Sands of Time is still utterly magic. The time rewinding mechanic was stitched in beautifully, the platforming has barely aged, and it even managed a bittersweet love story without diving into cringe territory. If you’re into puzzle-platforming, accept no substitute.

What About the Rest?

Short answer: there are a thousand ‘honourable mentions’ that could’ve made this list and will have people in the comments frothing (rightly so). Yes, Vice City is electric. Yes, Metal Gear Solid 3 is unskippable. No, Guitar Hero didn’t make the cut; blame my neighbours.

Quick Fire FAQ – Because We All Try to Google These Anyway

• What’s the absolute best PlayStation 2 game?
  As ranked here: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Frankly feels like cheating picking anything else.
• Best PS2 RPG?
  Final Fantasy X. Massive story, memorable party, loads to do.
• Best PS2 horror game?
  For the slow, psychological stuff: Silent Hill 2. For actual guns blazing terror: Resident Evil 4.
• Which game has the best story?
  Take your pick from Silent Hill 2, Final Fantasy X, or Shadow of the Colossus. That’s where the writing really sings.
• Top multiplayer experience from this bunch?
  Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal. Decent split-screen and better online than most cared to notice.
• Best PS2 sports title?
  SSX 3. And yes, I do still have all the songs memorised.

'It's a crime that Ubisoft recently cancelled its long-gestating remake of 2003's Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. This game is easily one of the best action-adventure puzzle-platformers ever made, and a polished remake would have been a fantastic way to honour the original.'