7 Games That Defined the PS2 Era

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The PlayStation 2 is the best-selling game console ever, with over 160 million sold globally and a massive library of thousands of games. While many great titles were available, a few became essential experiences for PS2 owners. These aren’t necessarily the highest-rated games, but the ones that truly defined the system and were considered must-haves. The following list highlights those key games, roughly ordered by their impact on the PS2 experience – though the ranking shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

Here are the seven games that defined the PS2 era.

7) Ratchet and Clank

Honestly, PlayStation always seemed to be searching for that one character to really be the face of the brand, you know? Like Nintendo had Mario and Sega had Sonic. They definitely tried with Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon back on the original PlayStation. Those games were awesome and sold really well, but neither one ever quite reached that iconic, gotta-have-it level that Sony was aiming for.

Sony hoped Ratchet and Clank would become their next big mascot, and the series came closer to achieving that goal than anything else they’ve created. While it didn’t quite reach the iconic status of Mario or Sonic, it was still a huge hit, even getting its own animated movie in 2016. For many gamers who grew up with the PlayStation 2, Ratchet and Clank was a must-have game.

6) Guitar Hero

Guitar Hero was incredibly popular during the PlayStation 2 era. It seemed like everyone owned a plastic guitar controller, and parties between 2005 and 2007 almost always included someone bringing out a PS2 to play Guitar Hero.

Eventually, the oversaturation of the market caused the decline of Guitar Hero. After Activision acquired the franchise, they released too many games too quickly. Just like what happened with Tony Hawk, Activision exhausted the Guitar Hero series, ending the run of a once-hugely popular game that had thrived during the PS2 era.

5) Final Fantasy X

The original PlayStation is remembered for Final Fantasy 7, a groundbreaking role-playing game. While Final Fantasy X didn’t quite reach the same legendary status for many players, it’s still a standout title in the Final Fantasy series, and it was visually stunning when it was released in 2001.

Final Fantasy X was a critical and commercial success, earning a score of 92 on Metacritic and becoming a top-selling game for the PlayStation 2. It quickly became a must-play title for RPG fans eager to experience the story of Tidus and his companions and reach the game’s exciting conclusion.

4) Shadow of the Colossus

Although critics loved Shadow of the Colossus, it didn’t sell incredibly well when it first came out. This wasn’t unusual for director Fumito Ueda, as his previous game, Ico, had a similar story – praised by reviewers but not a massive commercial success.

For those who knew about it, Shadow of the Colossus was a hidden gem on the PlayStation 2. It was a groundbreaking game that helped people start seeing video games as an art form. Shadow of the Colossus is visually stunning and a joy to play, which is why fans were thrilled when Bluepoint Games released a remake in 2018, allowing a new audience to experience what makes the game so special.

3) Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

You could include Metal Gear Solid 2 on this list, but only one of the two games is necessary. The original Metal Gear Solid was a significant game that first brought Hideo Kojima to attention, but it was the following two games that really cemented his reputation as one of the most creative and influential game designers.

Many talented people contributed to these games, but Hideo Kojima is the most recognizable name associated with them. Fortunately, he and his team excel at creating immersive, cinematic experiences with incredibly well-designed stealth gameplay. Metal Gear Solid 3 represents their peak ambition during that period, introducing a comprehensive camouflage system that significantly enhanced the sneaking experience.

2) God of War

The God of War series is now known as one of Sony’s most celebrated franchises, but it began as a wildly action-packed adventure game created by the same designer who made Twisted Metal. While Kratos has evolved significantly since the first installment, the original God of War was still a pivotal title for Sony.

Look, creating a totally new game franchise that people still talk about years later – like God of War – isn’t easy. But the team at Santa Monica Studio absolutely nailed it. They gave us a combat system that was both super fast-paced and unbelievably brutal, forcing you to really think while you were kicking butt. If you owned a PS2 back in the day, you seriously had to play God of War and its sequel. It was a must-have!

1) Grand Theft Auto 3

Many Grand Theft Auto games deserve a spot here, but GTA 3 truly launched the series into a gaming phenomenon. Introducing the open world of Liberty City was key to Rockstar becoming a leading game developer. While San Andreas and Vice City improved on the formula, there’s a unique impact to the original that paved the way.

I previously mentioned that God of War was a must-have for any PlayStation 2 owner. Grand Theft Auto 3 had a similar effect – many people bought a PS2 just to experience it, as it was a truly incredible game. While the PlayStation 2 already had some great titles, Grand Theft Auto 3 was the game that convinced a lot of players to buy the console, and it came out relatively early in the PS2’s lifespan.

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2025-11-14 01:11