5 Best PS2 Shooters That Still Hold Up Today

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The PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling console ever, and it boasts a fantastic library of games. While the Xbox 360 really pushed first-person shooters forward on consoles, the PS2 still offered some excellent shooting games as developers figured out how to make the genre work well with controllers. Some of these older games can feel a bit clunky by today’s standards, thanks to advancements in game development. However, a handful of PS2 shooters still hold up and are worth playing.

Here are five PS2 shooters that still hold up today.

5) Black

Black is a fantastic game to revisit. While some criticized its strong focus on the single-player experience when it first came out, the fact that it doesn’t have multiplayer actually feels like a strength today. The developers at Criterion Games aimed to create the most visually and audibly realistic game possible, and they succeeded brilliantly.

While the game isn’t very long, the guns are incredibly detailed. It focuses entirely on fun, fast-paced gameplay. Most other aspects aren’t particularly memorable, but Black still feels fantastic to play compared to other first-person shooters of its time. Luckily, it’s easy to find and play thanks to being included with Game Pass.

4) James Bond 007: Nightfire

When people discuss James Bond video games, GoldenEye is usually the first title that comes to mind, and with good reason. Rare’s game for the Nintendo 64 was a landmark achievement, one of the earliest console titles to truly nail first-person shooting. But Nightfire could actually be considered the superior game.

The James Bond series had some rough patches, but Nightfire came out during a good period – before it really lost its way. It’s packed with exciting action, cool gadgets, and a fantastic multiplayer mode on the PS2. Playing against friends was always fun, but the co-op mode, where you and your friends battled a powerful robot, was especially memorable. It felt a lot like playing a Predator game, teaming up to take down an incredibly tough enemy.

3) The Operative: No One Lives Forever

Rather than just being a typical first-person shooter, The Operative: No One Lives Forever aimed to fully immerse players in the world of espionage. Monolith Productions packed the game with classic spy elements like stealth, cool gadgets, lockpicking, and intense gun battles – and a lot more besides.

This game is a standout shooter, known for its lively action and for being one of the first to feature a female protagonist. It’s a truly excellent game that deserves more recognition, especially since its sequel is even better. Sadly, it’s incredibly difficult to find now due to complicated legal problems with its distribution. While a fan-made remake exists, it’s frustrating that the original isn’t easily accessible.

2) Killzone

While Killzone didn’t quite live up to the hype of being a Halo competitor, it was still a good game. The fact that it spawned several sequels suggests players enjoyed the original and wanted more.

It might take a little getting used to the somewhat clunky controls if you’re used to newer games, but once you adjust, it’s really enjoyable. The game also offers great replay value with four different characters to play, each with their own unique weapon. What truly stands out is the atmosphere of Killzone – the realistic world and memorable enemy designs clearly influenced the darker tone of later games in the series.

1) TimeSplitters: Future Perfect

The TimeSplitters series is beloved by fans, and Future Perfect is often considered the best installment. It’s simply a really fun, fast-paced shooter. No other game captures that same sense of joy while you’re playing, and it’s clear the developers had a great time making it – they created one of the most enjoyable games for the PlayStation 2.

Future Perfect is a remarkably full game. Its single-player campaign is an epic journey through time, and the cooperative multiplayer is some of the most fun you can have on a couch since GoldenEye. Beyond that, it’s genuinely hilarious – a rare feat for video games, and arguably one of the funniest PlayStation 2 games ever made. Even just listening to all the jokes makes the game worthwhile, and getting a fantastic first-person shooter on top of that is a bonus. Hopefully, we’ll see Time Splitters 4 become a reality someday.

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2026-04-25 01:10