10 PS2 Games Worth Playing in 2025

In a time when handheld devices are becoming more compact and powerful, people are constantly searching for a gadget that allows them to play their favorite childhood games. For some, that means Donkey Kong Country and the SNES; for others, it can be Daytona USA and the Sega Saturn. But since I wanted something that could play Playstation 2 games on the road, I had to wait a little longer. I played with the PS2, which was my first home console, for a long time. I kept returning to the PS2 even after I got a Wii, so much so that we kept it hooked up to the plasma TV my dad found at an absurdly low price.

In light of this, I have listed ten PS2 titles that are worthwhile to play. With a library of thousands of games, there will be some that I haven't even considered yet; this doesn't imply that a game is awful; it just means that I haven't seen or played it. In summary, these are games that I have played and believe others should as well. The latter two games are the ones that I definitely enjoyed the most, albeit the list isn't in any particular order. I'm sorry to all of you RPG enthusiasts.

10. Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies – 2001 (~4 Hours)

The fourth game in Namco's Combat Flight simulation series is Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies. Their debut PlayStation 2 game, Shattered Skies, clearly demonstrates the advancements made since the PS1 entries.

During a conflict that occurs on another Earth, you are essentially a fighter pilot piloting this plane through a series of missions. Although there is a solid plot, I was more interested in the gameplay. Even though I'm not too into flying games, it wasn't too difficult to get into this game and fly the planes throughout. I stayed playing longer because of how rewarding it is to destroy opponents in both single-player and multiplayer modes. Shattered Skies features a level of difficulty that will suit you well, regardless of what you're looking for.

I keep returning to Ace Combat 04 because of something about it, even with the more recent entries in the series. It's definitely worth a try.

9. Katamari Damacy – 2004 (~6 Hours)

Katamari Damacy, the first installment in the Katamari series, is a puzzle-action game that was released in 2004 and was once more published by Namco.

In Katamari Damacy, you're commanding the Prince instead of flying a jet. He was just a young boy trying to gather supplies for his father, The King so that he might assist in reviving the moon and stars. The gameplay is also relatively easy. The Prince and the Katamari he is rolling around are under your control. In order to have enough material in the allotted time, your objective is to pick up any object more minor than the Katamari (and swiftly the objects attached to it). Despite its straightforward concept, this game is a lot of fun.

These days, there are games comparable to the Katamari series, such as Donut County and even the Katamari Damacy: Reroll remake. However, returning to the original platform that launched the series has a certain charm.

8. Tekken 5 – 2005 (~2 Hours)

You know, Namco either had a lot of solid releases or released too many PS2 games. Now, let's move on to Tekken 5, another Namco-published franchise that came out in 2005. Once again, a series in a totally different genre—in this case, a fighting series.

Although I mostly played Tekken 5 in multiplayer mode, tinkering and battling friends and family, the game also had an intense, if brief, storyline. Although it's a good addition, the plot picks up right after Tekken 4 ends, so unless you enjoy fighting game plots, you might decide to skip the story and play through. It should be simple because Tekken 5's quick gameplay will keep you primarily focused on it.

What keeps me interested in fighting games is their quick, solid gameplay, which leads me to return to the original Tekken titles in general. Don't be afraid to try five.

7. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – 2002 (~18 Hours)

The next game is from the Grand Theft Auto franchise, which almost everyone has heard of. Specifically, Vice City, the second game to be released on the PlayStation 2 back in 2002, ended up becoming my favorite Grand Theft Auto game on the PS2.

GTA: Vice City centers on Tommy Vercetti, a criminal who becomes the crime leader of Vice City after he is stranded trying to get his boss the money and drugs that were lost in an ambush. As of right now, Vice City is the first game on this list to enter an open-world environment successfully. The brighter lights of Vice City replaced the gloomy Liberty City appearance in Grand Theft Auto: 3. This was my main grievance with the game. Even while the plot may be followed as planned, playing around in the city was just half the enjoyment, as is true with most other Grand Theft Auto games. Vice City is a fantastic game to play since you may rampage or drive down the streets at any speed you choose.

Even though I was undoubtedly late to the party on this one, I plan to return. The PS2 classic is still my favorite method to play, but if you haven't tried it yet, you should definitely try the Definitive Edition, which came out in 2021, or the Android ports.

6. Fantavision (~2 Hours)

Fantavision, a puzzle game by Japan Studio first released in 2000, is at the other extreme of the spectrum and is the next title on this list.

Fantavision is a puzzle game, as previously said, but instead of matching squares or battling falling blocks, you must match colors and symbols from a variety of pyrotechnics that are fired off. You can raise your score even more by matching these explosions to produce more significant, more spectacular bursts. You may get larger firework chains and even more excellent scores by using power-ups and other features.

It took me some time to truly get into Fantavision because of its learning curve, at least for me. Once you do, though, it's a fun puzzle game that becomes much more tough when you unlock the hard mode. This puzzle game is worth playing, though you could have some trouble with it if you're color-blind.

5. Gran Turismo 4 – 2005 (~77 Hours)

Gran Turismo 4, the fourth installment of Polyphony Digital's "The Real Driving Simulator," which came out in 2005, is one of the PS2 games that is worth playing.

Gran Turismo 4 is designed to be a more realistic racing game on the PS2, in contrast to many of my favorite racing games on the console. Back in the mid-2000s, Gran Turismo's lineup of over 700 vehicles, which included a Nissan Cube and a number of GT and sports cars, had something for everyone. For one reason or another, very few racing games will ever reach that amount, even now.

The remaining 50+ tracks in Gran Turismo 4 offer a fantastic racing experience, provided you can pass the licensing exams. Additionally, if you're very crazy, you can participate in their endurance races, which last anywhere from four to twenty-four hours. However, in those cases, the B-Spec mode is undoubtedly helpful.

4. Pac-Man World 2 – 2002 (~5 Hours)

Last but not least, we have Pac-Man World 2, the second installment in Namco's Pac-Man platformer series, which came out in 2002.

As anticipated, you take control of Pac-Man in a sequence of 3D platforming stages as he tries to save the "Pac-People" who have been abducted by his archenemy, the ghosts. In a nutshell, it's a very "Mario-esque" classic plot that, in my experience, always works great for simply starting the game. While the game's 25 stages may not seem like much, the numerous trinkets and Pac-Pellets to be found throughout the game can contribute to its overall duration.

As a child, I spent a lot of time playing this game and attempting to get as much as I could from each level, mostly so that I could unlock several playable Pac-Man game variations. As a result, this developed into a platformer that I frequently suggested when I was younger. However, if you're a Pac-Man fan, you can always play this PS2 classic or check out the first game's remake in Pac-Man World Re-Pac.

3. Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando – 2003 (~13 Hours)

Getting back to Pac-Man World 2, I spent even more time on it than I did on Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando, another fantastic platformer released by Insomniac Games in 2003.

You are commanding your character in the third person, much like in the previous item on this list. But unlike it, you battle your adversaries with guns and other weapons rather than your kicks. You can play a number of minigames in addition to the main objectives and bolt collection in this game, which is set over several different planets. Since I like racing games, the hoverbike races are my particular favorite of the group. While attempting to follow the game's plot and acquire an experiment for the boss—an event that undoubtedly alters throughout the game—all of this is going on.

In any case, the PS2 game Going Command was straightforward to operate, enjoyable to play, and definitely worth returning to. Thus, if you're trying to find a series to watch, this is it. Ratchet and Clank remains a viable option.

The last two games on this list are my favorites and those I play the most; however, the rest of the list hasn't been in any particular sequence.

2. Tony Hawk's Underground 2 – 2004 (~8 Hours)

The first of these two is Tony Hawk's Underground 2, which was created by Neversoft and launched in 2004. It is an incredible masterpiece.

As anticipated, this is the latest installment in the Tony Hawk series, a skateboarding game in which your objective is to gain as many points as possible by grinding, skating, leaping, and obtaining combos that are larger than life. The overall plot revolves around Tony Hawk's squad playing in the "World Destruction Tour" and visiting various open sites throughout the world. This covers places like Thailand, Berlin, and Boston. There are plenty of skating spots at each site, and each one presents a fresh experience for the gamer. You will appreciate the story and the experience if you like the gameplay.

As a child, I spent far too much time in each location and never indeed finished the game for some reason. On the other hand, after completing everything, the game is still worthwhile. The last game on this list can be a good choice if you like the game's atmosphere but would rather play a more destructive game.

1. Burnout 3: Takedown – 2004 (~14 Hours)

It's here at last. Anyone who knows me knows that Burnout 3: Takedown is my favorite PlayStation 2 game. Criterion Games released it in 2004.

As a franchise, Burnout has always been about racing at high speeds in an arcade, defeating opponents, and then watching with satisfaction as their ruined carcasses fly across the track. Takedown, however, takes it to the next level. The high-flying action and significant wrecks are still there, but the game zooms and the speed feels faster, thanks to the boost. Outside of regular racing, there is now an aftertouch option that allows you to control your vehicle a little bit after crashing in the hopes of bringing someone down with you. The game's advancement is excellent, the music is fantastic, and even though the cars aren't licensed, they're still a lot of fun to drive.

If I could only play one PS2 game, Burnout 3: Takedown would be it. It's the only game you should play.

Wrap-Up

There you have it. I have ten Playstation 2 games that are worth attempting and excellent enough to play repeatedly.

I would appreciate hearing from you if you believe I'm missing something or if you have any suggestions for me! Come shout at me on the Retro Handhelds Discord (link below) or leave a comment below. However, keep in mind that these are my picks for games that I have enjoyed playing since I was a kid. Games of that genre didn't appeal to me because I've never been a big fan of role-playing games. Do what we should all do and explore the PS2 library; I'm sure there are some decent ones out there.

It truly has something to offer everyone.