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The 40 Best PS2 Games: 2009 Edition
- September 17, 2009 13:39 PM PST
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The PlayStation 2 packs over 1000 games in its titanic library, but which ones are the best of the best? Here's GamePro's picks for the top 40 titles that no PS2 owner should be without!
What's the hottest console of the last decade? Xbox 360? Nope. Nintendo Wii? Close, but no cigar. The Sony PlayStation 3? You're kidding, right?
Nope, even though next-gen is striving to be the new king of the hill, you can't deny that the PlayStation 2 is still one of the best consoles around, especially for such an old codger. Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, Ico, God of War, Devil May Cry: just the insane amount of titles alone could keep any gamer in front of the TV for years. As such, it's officially time for an update to our top list of PS2 titles, with a few additions that are long overdue for inclusion in the "creme de la creme" of last-gen.
#40: Final Fantasy X
Year: 2001
Why It's Great: Even after all these years, Final Fantasy X is just as good as most modern RPG titles. Heck, we'd even argue that the combination of stellar visuals, an engaging story, and simple to learn-yet-hard to master turn-based combat still ranks FFX as one of the best games in history. As one of the PS2's first blockbuster titles (and a shoo-in for their Greatest Hits collection, Final Fantasy raised the bar for everything else that came after it, and the competition was already facing one steep hill.
Also Try: Rogue Galaxy
Click here for more screens of Final Fantasy X.
#39: Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
Year: 2004
Why It's Great: Midway had a great 2004, launching a trio of successful titles including The Suffering, NBA Ballers, and the surprisingly good Psi-Ops. The gameplay focused on psychic powers, particularly telekinesis. Taking full advantage of Havok's rag-doll physics, flinging bodies to and fro was so much fun that there was hardly any reason to use firepower. Psi-Ops is an undervalued classic from the game studio that went on to create John Woo's Stranglehold.
Also Try: Freedom Fighters
Click here for more screens of Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
#38: Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Year: 2005
Why It's Great: Many players bought Dragon Quest VIII for the demo of Final Fantasy XII, but ended up staying an extra eighty hours to play through this beast of a game. The first fully 3D installment in the franchise, Dragon Quest VIII came alive with beautiful cel-shaded characters designed by famed manga artist Akira Toriyama, and a massive world that rivaled the size of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. From side quests to monster arenas to an epic plot that sucked you in and didn't let go, the eighth installment of the Dragon Quest series was one to remember.
Also Try: Dark Cloud 2
Click here for more screens of Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King.
#37: The Thing
Year: 2002
Why It's Great: Don't write off this creepy survival-horror game until you've tried it -- The Thing is one of the best horror games on the PS2. Picking up after the events of the classic John Carpenter film, you lead a squad of commandos into an abandoned Antarctic research base and, ultimately, uncover the shape-shifting alien killer and its murderous brood. The eerie graphics are surprisingly effective, and the combat is incredibly tense because you must burn Thing creatures with the flamethrower to kill them. But the real twist is that your computer-controlled squadmates might not be who they seem to be -- at any time, one or more of them may actually be the grotesque Thing. A must-play for survival horror fans!
Also Try: The Suffering
Click here for more screens of The Thing.
#36: Fight Night Round 3
Year: 2006
Why It's Great: The third title in EA's stellar Fight Night franchise introduced an innovative new way to experience the thrill of boxing by making use of the dual analog sticks to punch, jab, and block. Fight Night Round 3 also introduced stunning new visuals, and real-time battle damage with swollen eyes, cuts, bruises, and streaming blood. Fight Night Round 3 also allowed the player to generate rivalries with other boxers, creating cinematic experiences during press conferences and weigh-ins, allowing you to believe that you were truly part of the action. Simply put, boxing doesn't get any better than this deep, sophisticated fighter.
Also Try: WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain
Click here for more screens of Fight Night Round 3.
#35: SSX 3
Year: 2003
Why It's Great:
SSX introduced us to the world of extreme arcade snowboarding, SSX Tricky upped the ante with insane new tricks and death-defying tracks, but SSX 3 was the first in the series that truly immersed us in the experience, with an unprecedented amount of character customization and one giant mountain that was ripe for the shredding. It was SSX 3's attention to detail, such as courses affected by weather in real time, that made the third title in the stellar snowboarding series one to remember.
Also Try: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Click here for more screens of SSX 3.
#34: Escape from Monkey Island
Year: 2001
Why It's Great: You could hear the jaws of adventure fanatics drop all across the country when LucasArt's Escape from Monkey Island was announced for the PS2. The fourth installment of the Monkey Island franchise was also the first title to take our goofy, but lovable protagonist Guybrush Threepwood into the realm of 3D. With original puzzles, clever writing, and all-around fantastic voice acting, Escape from Monkey Island was an achievement in adventure games, and a nostalgia trip to the days of point-and-click.
Also Try: Indigo Prophecy
Click here for more screens of Escape from Monkey Island.
#33: Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Year: 2001
Why It's Great: Surprisingly, one of the PS1's biggest weaknesses was 2D games, particularly memory-intensive fighting games. Any fan of the genre who played Capcom's popular "Vs." series had to endure horrific load times and the removal of the series' signature feature--the ability to switch between characters in the middle of a match. Thankfully, the feature was restored in time for the best game in the series to get a picture-perfect port. While we wish the game could have included some sweet online play, the rest of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is amazing enough to make up for it.
Also Try: Guilty Gear X2
Click here for more screens of Marvel vs. Capcom 2.
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- Sep 09 2009 at 04:07:31:PM PST
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wow way to forget Psychonauts, and you forgot a d in grinds for GTA: San Andreas
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Couldn't help noticing but the screenshot for Gran Turismo 4 and Burnout 3 are the exact same.
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Uh... how'd FFX-2 and Kingdom Hearts rank up that high when the superior FFX and DQVIII were ranked so low?
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No doubt that Vice city is the best ever GTA. I love the theme, the story, the songs, it was just a blast to play. I would play it over and over again. If i have to choose from GTA IV and VICE CITy even today i would go for VICE CITY
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and demon siege was better than the original Onimusha. I couldnt keep my controller down until I finished it
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I'll say the same thing I said with the last list, get rid of the wannabe Tekken 5, and put a real fighting game on there. It's called Virtua Fighter 4. Or even VF4 Evolution.
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Anyways, for those looking for a list of underrated PS2 games, here's my own personal list so far.
A bit of warning though, some of them are flawed, but still have good qualities, and some of them won't be for everyone, and have an acquired taste.
Here is also a vid of 100 PS2 games, and here is a vid of 100 more PS2 games.
All are being played in an original PS2 console and are from my own personal collection.
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Where the fuck is GOD HAND!!!
Oh yeah I've played all the games in page 5!
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