The PlayStation 2 is the best-selling game console ever, meaning developers created a huge library of games for it – thousands, in fact! Many of these games took advantage of the PS2’s advanced 3D graphics, including a lot of 3D platformers. While Nintendo is famous for defining the genre with games like Super Mario 64, the PS2 has several excellent 3D platformers that are just as good. If you enjoy platformer games, you really should check these PS2 titles out.
Here are the best 3D platformers on the PlayStation 2.
5) Ape Escape 2
The Ape Escape games, created by Japan Studio, are known for their playful and unusual style. Players take on the role of characters who chase and capture monkeys, using a variety of creative tools to help them outsmart their opponents.
Ape Escape 2 is the strongest game in the series, building on the original with new tools, a helpful monkey companion, and a New Game Plus feature that lets you play as the hero from the first game. The simple, intuitive controls still make Ape Escape fun and accessible, though it’s generally not a very challenging game.
4) Jak 2
Jak 2 can be quite challenging, but it’s generally a fun and accessible platformer for all ages. New players might need some help from experienced friends during tricky parts. It’s also a fantastic game to try if you’re interested in exploring different game genres, as Jak 2 blends platforming with other styles of gameplay.
Jak 2’s open world feels similar to Grand Theft Auto, letting you explore freely. The fighting adds more to the game, and the Jet-Board is a fun way to get around – though it’s not quite as polished as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, it still makes exploring the game world enjoyable.
3) Psychonauts
When Psychonauts first came out, it didn’t get the attention it deserved. The game, created by Double Fine Productions, features a really creative and funny world where you explore the minds of different characters through imaginative levels.
You play as Razputin, a young psychic at a summer camp for kids with special abilities. When a dangerous scheme is revealed, you’ll need to use your growing powers to help your friends face their anxieties and ultimately stop the villainous plan.
The game has a clever idea and is full of Double Fine’s signature funny style. While the original didn’t perform well when it came out in 2005, the creators finally released a sequel in 2021. Both games are fantastic platformers, but I suggest playing the first one before experiencing Raz’s new adventure.
2) Sly 2: Band of Thieves
The Sly Cooper series from Sucker Punch Productions is usually very good, with the exception of the 2013 PlayStation 3 game made by Sanzaru Games. Most fans consider the second game in the series to be the strongest, largely because it lets you play as Bentley and Murray with more gameplay possibilities.
The new game builds on the original with added health and smarter enemies, making challenges more engaging. However, it still delivers the same stealth-focused platforming gameplay fans enjoyed before. While Sly has access to more gadgets, the developers at Sucker Punch aimed to refine, not drastically change, the core experience.
The game became one of the best platformers of its time. It likely would have won many awards at the end of the year, but it was released in the same year as another standout title. Sly 2 combined fantastic gameplay, an engaging story, and truly impressive cel-shaded graphics, making it a classic that still holds up today.
1) Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Released in the same year as Sly 2, Up Your Arsenal received numerous awards at the end of the year. It was a highly recommended platformer, and it also stood out for having some of the best shooting gameplay of its time, while still respecting the traditions of the platforming genre.
Similar to its predecessor, Jak 2, Up Your Arsenal aimed to be more than just a typical platforming game, and it largely succeeded. The Ratchet & Clank series is known for its action-packed shooting, but Up Your Arsenal really shines in this area, offering smooth controls and a fantastic variety of weapons.
It’s fantastic that Insomniac Games introduced multiplayer for the first time in the Ratchet & Clank series. While Up Your Arsenal didn’t quite compete with top shooters like Halo, the multiplayer mode was very popular, proving Insomniac could create a fun and engaging online experience.
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2026-01-18 01:40