10 Best Selling Games on PS2

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The PlayStation 2 launched Sony into the sixth generation of video game consoles and became the best-selling console ever. It enjoyed a remarkably long lifespan, with over 4,000 games released worldwide – more than 1,800 in North America alone. The PS2 featured many popular game series that are still around today, and several of these titles were huge successes compared to competing games. We’ve compiled a list of the system’s best-selling games, and while many are well-known, a few might be surprising.

10) Final Fantasy XII

While the Final Fantasy series started on Nintendo consoles, it really took off on PlayStation with games like Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and IX. It continued to be incredibly popular on the PlayStation 2, with many titles selling exceptionally well. Final Fantasy XII, released in 2006, was a fan favorite, winning awards and being re-released on consoles like the PS4. It was particularly successful in Japan, selling over 550,000 more copies there than in other regions, and has sold a total of over 5.94 million copies worldwide.

9) Kingdom Hearts

The original Kingdom Hearts game came out in 2002 for the PlayStation 2 and quickly became very popular. Since then, it’s been re-released with some updates and is now available on many platforms, including Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. The game uniquely blends characters and worlds from Disney’s animated movies with elements from the Final Fantasy series. It was a commercial success, selling 6.4 million copies, and even earned a Guinness World Record as the best-selling Mickey Mouse video game – performing better than later games in the series.

8) Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid for PlayStation wasn’t just a continuation of the series—it essentially invented the modern stealth game. A sequel was inevitable, and it arrived in 2001 as Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Fans eagerly bought the game upon its release, and it’s now considered one of the best video games of all time. It significantly built on the success of the original, a remarkable accomplishment. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty sold over 7 million copies for the PlayStation 2.

7) Final Fantasy X

In 2001, Square Electronic Arts launched Final Fantasy X, a groundbreaking title as the first in the series to use fully 3D environments. The game quickly became popular with existing fans, and positive reviews likely attracted many new players. Initially, Final Fantasy X sold particularly well in Japan, exceeding 3.2 million copies. Globally, the game surpassed 8.5 million copies sold. It was later re-released with an HD remaster in the 2010s, bringing its total sales across all platforms to over 14.6 million copies.

6) Tekken 5

The PlayStation 2 had a fantastic selection of fighting games, and the Tekken series was a standout. For many fans, Tekken 5 was the best of the bunch, and it went on to become the best-selling fighting game on the PS2. It boasted improved graphics, impressive voice acting tailored to different regions, and a unique Arcade History Mode that let players experience Tekken 1, 2, 3, and even Starblade. When it launched in 2004, Tekken 5 essentially gave players five games for the price of one, which helped it achieve remarkable sales – over 9.43 million copies sold worldwide.

5) Gran Turismo 4

The Gran Turismo series has been a hugely popular PlayStation exclusive ever since the first game came out in 1997. Each new version has refined the gameplay, added more cars and tracks, and expanded customization options, and Gran Turismo 4 continued that trend. Released in 2004, the game was packed with content, featuring over 720 cars – from a Daimler Motor Carriage from the 1800s to futuristic concept cars. Gran Turismo 4 was a hit with both critics and players, selling 11.76 million copies for the PlayStation 2.

4) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Man, I still remember when Vice City dropped! It was only a year after GTA III, and it totally blew everything else away on the PS2. It used the same game engine, which was cool, but the best part was this brand new, massive city to explore – basically two huge islands all connected. It was a massive success, everyone loved it and bought it. I think it sold over 14.2 million copies just on the PS2, but Take-Two said the total sales across all platforms – PS2, Xbox, and PC – were around 17.5 million. It’s a little hard to tell exactly how many were on each system from their reports, but either way, it was huge!

3) Grand Theft Auto III

The original Grand Theft Auto games did well, paving the way for the series’ move into 3D with GTA III. This game was a huge success for the GTA franchise and became a blueprint for many action-adventure games that followed, making it very influential. GTA III has since been updated and re-released for newer gaming systems. Upon its 2001 launch, it became the best-selling game on the PlayStation 2 and continued to be popular throughout the console’s lifespan. According to Rockstar Games’ parent company, Take-Two Interactive, GTA III sold over 7.3 million copies in the U.S. and more than 14.5 million copies worldwide.

2) Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

As a huge Gran Turismo fan, I remember waiting for Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec back in 2001! It was originally supposed to come out with the PlayStation 2, but it got delayed. I’ve read that the developers wanted to really push the PS2’s capabilities, and that’s why it ended up with fewer cars – around 180 – than the previous game. But honestly, it was worth the wait! The PS2 was a huge step up in terms of graphics, sound, and how the game felt, and A-Spec really showed that off. It was a massive hit with everyone, and it sold over 14.89 million copies – making it the second best-selling PS2 game of all time!

1) Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

The most popular game for the PlayStation 2 was Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the latest installment in the GTA series. Released in 2004, San Andreas featured a massive map inspired by real California cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. It quickly became a huge success, surpassing other action-adventure games at the time, and has since been updated and re-released. San Andreas sold an impressive 21.5 million copies on the PS2 alone, and when you include sales from its remasters and re-releases, the total reaches 27.5 million.

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2026-05-10 15:42