Top 43 Best PS2 Games
PlayStation 2 is a home video game console launched by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. in Japan on March 4, 2000.
The total number of PlayStation2 series sold worldwide is 155 million units.
There are a total of 2,927 PlayStation 2 game titles released in Japan. In this issue, I will introduce 43 recommended games from among them.
· My Best PlayStation 2 Games
∘ 1. Final Fantasy X
∘ 2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
∘ 3. Kingdom Hearts
∘ 4. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
∘ 5. Dragon Quest VIII
∘ 6. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
∘ 7. Final Fantasy XII
∘ 8. Dragon Quest V
∘ 9. Kingdom Hearts II
∘ 10. Ōkami
∘ 11. Persona 4
∘ 12. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
∘ 13. Tales of the Abyss
∘ 14. Gran Turismo 4
∘ 15. Grand Theft Auto III
∘ 16. Final Fantasy X-2
∘ 17. Need for Speed: Most Wanted
∘ 18. Resident Evil 4
∘ 19. Ico
∘ 20. Shadow of the Colossus
∘ 21. Tales of Rebirth
∘ 22. God of War
∘ 23. Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song
∘ 24. Monster Hunter 2
∘ 25. Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
∘ 26. Ridge Racer V
∘ 27. Ratchet & Clank
∘ 28. Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
∘ 29. Drakengard
∘ 30. Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening
∘ 31. Yakuza 2
∘ 32. Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
∘ 33. Suikoden V
∘ 34. Ape Escape 3
∘ 35. Katamari Damacy
∘ 36. Boku no Natsuyasumi 2
∘ 37. Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
∘ 38. Capcom vs. SNK 2
∘ 39. Tekken 5
∘ 40. Armored Core 2: Another Age
∘ 41. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
∘ 42. Persona 3
∘ 43. Silent Hill 2
My Best PlayStation 2 Games
I’d like to introduce 43 recommended game titles from the PlayStation 2 softwares that I own.
- The release dates are based on Japan.
- The purchase price is the successful bid price at the Japanese net auction.
- The exchange rate is 1 dollar = 147.86 yen.
Below is a list of the top 43 PS2 games:
1. Final Fantasy X
It is the 10th title in the Final Fantasy series and the first title for the PlayStation 2.
This is the first game in the series to feature character voices, and the main characters are fully voiced.
There are a total of seven characters, each of whom can use “overdrive,” a special attack.
- Publisher: Square
- Release: July 19, 2001
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
An HD remastered version was released on PS4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One on April 11, 2019.
2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
This is the fifth installment in the Grand Theft Auto series and the third in the 3D series (III and Vice City).
This game is set in the state of San Andreas, where three cities exist, and its scale is about five times that of the previous “Vice City.
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Release: October 26, 2004 NA
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
You can currently play this game in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy, which is available on PS4 and Nintendo Switch etc.
3. Kingdom Hearts
This action RPG is a collaboration between Disney and Square.
- Publisher: Square
- Release: March 28, 2002
- Genre: Action role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥350/$2.37
The nine Disney films appearing as worlds are “Alice in Wonderland,” “Hercules,” “Tarzan,” “Aladdin,” “Pinocchio,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Peter Pan,” and “Winnie the Pooh.
4. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
This is the third stealth action game in the “Metal Gear Solid” series.
In the previous MGS series, the game was basically set in man-made structures. On the other hand, the main stage of this game is a natural environment such as forests and mountainous areas.
- Publisher: Konami
- Release: November 17, 2004 NA
- Genre: Action-adventure, Stealth
- Purchase Price: ¥350/$2.37
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1", which includes “MGS”, “MGS2” and “MGS3”, will be released on October 24, 2023.
In addition, a remake of this title, “Metal Gear Solid Δ (Delta): Snake Eater,” will be released on PS5/Xbox/Win (Steam).
5. Dragon Quest VIII
It is the eighth title in the Dragon Quest series and the first in the series to feature full 3D graphics.
There are four characters that can be used, but up to six can join the remake on Nintendo 3DS.
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: November 27, 2004
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥350/$2.37
The game is currently available for download from the iPhone and Android stores.
6. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
This game is set in the fictional town of “Vice City,” inspired by Miami, USA.
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Release: October 29, 2002
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
Grand Theft Auto: Trilogy which includes remastered versions of “III,” “Vice City,” and “SA,” is currently available for PS5, Xbox SX/SS, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Win.
7. Final Fantasy XII
There are a total of six characters that can be controlled, with “Vaan” as the hero and “Ashe B’Nargin Dalmasca” as the heroine.
The actions of the companions can be controlled by “gambits,” which are a combination of “conditional statements” and “commands” that can be set to your liking.
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: March 16, 2006
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥300/$2.03
The HD remastered version of “Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age” is currently available on PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One.
8. Dragon Quest V
This is a remake of “Dragon Quest V”, which was released on the Super Famicom in 1992.
Orchestral sound was used for the background music, and the graphics became 3D.
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: March 25, 2004
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥1000/$6.76
In 2008, a second remake was made for the Nintendo DS.
9. Kingdom Hearts II
It is the second numbered title in the Kingdom Hearts series and a sequel to the first “Kingdom Hearts”.
However, the scenario is strongly related to “Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (Game Boy Advance)”.
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: December 22, 2005
- Genre: Action role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
On January 25, 2019, “Kingdom Hearts III” was released on PS4/XBoxOne.
10. Ōkami
The game is set in ancient Japan and features Japanese-style 3D graphics.
Players control Amaterasu, a wolf, and together with Issun, a painter as small as a pea, defeat the monster Yamata-no-orochi.
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release: April 20, 2006
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥350/$2.37
The difficulty level of this game is set low and there is no difficulty setting.
11. Persona 4
This is the fourth title in the “Persona” series and is set two years after the previous title, “Persona 3.
The world and game system are the same as in “Persona 3”.
- Publisher: Atlus
- Release: July 10, 2008
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥400/$2.71
Currently, “Persona 4 The Golden” can be played on PS4, Nintendo DS and Xbox Game Pass with new events, animations and characters.
12. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
This is the official sequel to “Metal Gear Solid,” which was released on PlayStation in September 1998.
The game is divided into two parts: the Tanker chapter, in which Solid Snake is the main character, and the Plant chapter, in which Raiden is the main character.
- Publisher: Konami
- Release: November 13, 2001 NA
- Genre: Action-adventure, Stealth
- Purchase Price: ¥350/$2.37
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which includes this title, will be released on October 24, 2023 on PS5/XSX/Switch/Win.
13. Tales of the Abyss
This game was produced to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Tales of series.
The battle system has been changed from 2D to 3D, and a “free run” system has been adopted to allow players to move freely on the battle field.
- Publisher: Namco
- Release: December 15, 2005
- Genre: Action Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥400/$2.71
A port of this title was released on June 30, 2011 for the Nintendo 3DS.
14. Gran Turismo 4
The game features more than 700 car models from 80 companies, including popular sports cars, classic cars, concept cars, and GT original racing cars.
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainmen
- Release: December 28, 2004
- Genre: Racing
- Purchase Price: ¥450/$3.04
There are more than 50 tracks, including real circuits and city courses (Tokyo, New York, Hong Kong, Paris, Seoul, etc.).
Endurance races are available in 2-hour, 4-hour, 8-hour, 9-hour, and 24-hour settings, but there is no day/night change.
15. Grand Theft Auto III
This is the third title in the “Grand Theft Auto” series and the first in the series to use 3D graphics.
The setting is “Liberty City,” a fictional metropolis in the U.S. in 2001, and players can move freely around the three islands as they progress through the game.
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Release: October 23, 2001
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥350/$2.37
A remastered version of the game was released in 2021 as a set of “Liberty City”, “Vice City”, and “San Andreas”.
16. Final Fantasy X-2
It is a sequel to Final Fantasy X and the first sequel title in the Final Fantasy series.
The story takes place two years after the previous game, and the battle system uses Active Time Battle (ATB).
- Publisher: Square
- Release: March 13, 2003
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥300/$2.03
Currently, the HD remastered version of this title is available on PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows.
17. Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Most Wanted is the basis of the Need for Speed series, a racing game about illegal racing on public roads.
Unlike the Need for Speed Underground series, collisions cause some damage to the appearance of the car, but no effect on driving performance occurs.
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Release: November 15, 2005
- Genre: Racing
- Purchase Price: ¥800/$5.41
The cars that can be operated include American muscle, European, and Japanese cars, and 32 different cars can be purchased at the car dealership.
18. Resident Evil 4
This game was originally released for the Nintendo GameCube, and then ported to various platforms such as PlayStation 2, Windows, and Wii.
The controls have been significantly changed in this title, with a behind-the-scenes camera that follows the player from behind, and new aiming controls.
In addition, ammunition, items, and money can now be obtained randomly from enemies.
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release: October 25, 2005 NA
- Genre: Survival Horror
- Purchase Price: ¥600/$4.06
A remake version of “Resident Evil 4” was released on March 24, 2023 on PS5/XSX/PS4/Win.
19. Ico
The objective of this action-adventure game is to help a boy “Ico” and a girl “Yorda” escape from an old castle.
The game is over if Yorda is taken away by the enemies or if she is separated from Yorda for a long period of time.
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release: September 25, 2001 NA
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
An HD remastered version was released on PS3 in 2011.
20. Shadow of the Colossus
An action-adventure game created by the production team of “ICO.
A young man, Wanda, comes to this land with her beloved horse, Agro, carrying a girl who has lost her life. In order to bring the girl back to life, Wanda must defeat the 16 giant statues that inhabit the land.
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release: October 18, 2005 NA
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥400/$2.71
A remake version was released on PlayStation 4 on February 8, 2018, and a “photo mode” was also added.
21. Tales of Rebirth
One of the “Tales of” series, with character designs by Mutsumi Inomata.
The battle system employs a three-line system for the first time in the series, with front, center, and back lines on the 2D battle field, allowing players to move freely.
- Publisher: Namco
- Release: December 16, 2004
- Genre: Action Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥400/$2.71
The PlayStation Portable version was released on March 19, 2008, adding an arena and the highest difficulty level.
22. God of War
Players take on the role of Kratos, a servant of the god, and explore the world of ancient Greece, where various mysteries and monsters lurk.
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release: March 22, 2005
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥300/$2.03
This game was selected as “Game of the Year” in 2005, and is highly acclaimed and well-known.
23. Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song
This is a remake of “Romancing SaGa” released in 1992 for the Super Famicom (SNES).
The graphics are now displayed in 3D, and all characters are fully voiced.
There are eight main characters in this title, plus more than 30 sub-characters that can be joined.
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: April 21, 2005
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥450/$3.04
The remastered version was released on December 1, 2022 on PS5/PS4/Nintendo Switch/Win (Steam)/iOS/Android.
24. Monster Hunter 2
It is the fourth title in the Monster Hunter series and was released only in Japan.
For the first time in the series, the concepts of day and night and seasons were introduced, and four types of weapons were added.
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release: February 16, 2006
- Genre: Action Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
Special quests can be triggered by linking the game to “Monster Hunter Portable (PSP)” using a USB cable.
25. Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
This is the fifth title in the “Ace Combat” series of flight shooting games.
Players take the role of pilots of the Osean Federation and embark on missions against the enemy, The Union of Yuktobanian Republics.
- Publisher: Namco
- Release: October 21, 2004
- Genre: Flight Simulation
- Purchase Price: ¥600/$4.06
There are a total of 29 missions and 53 types of fighter planes that can be controlled.
26. Ridge Racer V
Released as a launch title for the PlayStation 2, it was the first in the series to support 60 fps.
The game is set in a fictional urban area called Ridge City, with a total of seven different courses. Including reverse courses, there are 14 types of courses.
- Publisher: Namco
- Release: March 4, 2000
- Genre: Racing
- Purchase Price: ¥350/$2.37
The cars are divided into two types, drift type and grip type, and there are six types of cars that can be operated. Additional machines can be added by fulfilling conditions.
27. Ratchet & Clank
Along with “Crash Bandicoot” and “ParappaRappa,” it is one of PlayStation’s most popular series.
The two main characters, “Ratchet” and “Clank,” explore a total of 18 different stages.
Fifteen different weapons can be used in this title, but weapons cannot be upgraded. Weapon upgrades will be available from the second game in the series onward.
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release: November 6, 2002
- Genre: Platform
- Purchase Price: ¥300/$2.03
The latest installment, “Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart,” was released on PS5 on June 11, 2021.
28. Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
There are a total of 56 characters that can be used, including original characters that are only available in this title.
Each team consists of three players, and players can change the character they control at any time.
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release: September 19, 2002
- Genre: Fighting
- Purchase Price: ¥3000/$20.29
“Marvel vs. Capcom3 Fate of Two Worlds” was released on PS3 and Xbox 360 in February 2011.
29. Drakengard
Players control the main character “Caim” and progress through the story with the Red Dragon.
There are two main battle scenes: ground battles fought with swords (action) and aerial battles fought while riding the dragon (shooting).
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: September 11, 2003
- Genre: Action role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥1200/$8.12
In 2013, the 10th anniversary of the series, “Drakengard 3” was released on PS3.
30. Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening
It is the third game in the Devil May Cry series and tells a story that is further in the past than the first game, “Devil May Cry”.
Players control the main character, Dante (Dante), and use swords and long-range weapons to complete missions and advance the story.
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release: February 17, 2005
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥300/$2.03
An HD remastered version of the game, “Devil May Cry HD Collection,” is currently available on PS4, Xbox One and Steam.
31. Yakuza 2
The story takes place one year after the previous “Yakuza 1”. This time, the stage is spread from Tokyo to Osaka.
The sub-stories are much more voluminous than in the previous game, totaling more than 100.
- Publisher: Sega
- Release: December 7, 2006
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥400/$2.71
On December 7, 2017, a remake of this game, “Yakuza Kiwami 2,” was released on PS4, Xbox One, and Steam.
32. Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
This action game uses the engine from “Resident Evil” and is the final installment of the trilogy.
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release: February 26, 2004
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥350/$2.37
There are two main characters in this game, and the game progresses along two time lines: the future part and the past part.
The captured models for the main characters are the Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro and the famous French actor Jean Reno. Each character uses different weapons.
33. Suikoden V
The story depicts a world 141 years after the previous “Suikoden IV”.
Including the main character, there are more than 100 characters who become friends.
- Publisher: Konami
- Release: February 23, 2006
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥700/$4.73
No games in the Suikoden series have been released since the February 9, 2012 release on the PlayStation Portable.
34. Ape Escape 3
It is a sequel to the previous game, “Ape Escape 2”, with two main characters to choose from: Satoru (Kei) and Sayaka (Yumi).
The total number of monkeys has increased from 300 in the previous game to over 400.
Once a stage is completely cleared, players can play “Free Play Mode,” in which they can catch the monkeys of that stage again.
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release: July 14, 2005
- Genre: Platform
- Purchase Price: ¥1200/$8.12
This title is a collaboration with “Metal Gear Solid,” and a mini-game called “Mesal Gear Solid” can be played.
35. Katamari Damacy
In this game, the player controls a small ball and aims to increase the size of the ball.
All graphics in the stage are drawn in full polygon, and people, cars, buildings, and airplanes can be stuck to the ball.
- Publisher: Namco
- Release: March 18, 2004
- Genre: Puzzle, Action
- Purchase Price: ¥300/$2.03
A remastered version of Katamari Damacy Reroll was released on Nintendo Switch in December 2018 and on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on November 19, 2020.
36. Boku no Natsuyasumi 2
In this adventure game, you spend a month from August 1, 1975 in a rural Japanese town.
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release: July 11, 2002
- Genre: Adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥1000/$6.76
The remake was released on the PlayStation Portable on June 24, 2010.
37. Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
A sequel to “Valkyrie Profile” released on PlayStation in 1999, this action RPG is inspired by Norse mythology.
It supports “Full High Definition (1080i)” and can be set to 1080i by entering a hidden command.
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: June 22, 2006
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥450/$3.04
A new title, Valkyrie Elysium, was released in 2022 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows (Steam).
The limited edition comes with a port of the first game in the series, “Valkyrie Profile — Lenneth”.
38. Capcom vs. SNK 2
This is the second in a series of team-battle fighting games in which characters from Capcom and SNK.
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release: September 13, 2001
- Genre: Fighting
- Purchase Price: ¥800/$5.41
Nearly 50 characters from the “Street Fighter” and “The King of Fighters” series appear in the game.
The game contains 11 stages including a training room.
39. Tekken 5
This is the sixth title in the Tekken series and was released three years after the previous title, “Tekken 4”.
A total of 31 characters can be controlled, and more characters were added to the arcade and PS3 versions.
- Publisher: Namco
- Release: February 24, 2005 NA
- Genre: Fighting
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
In addition to the standard battle mode, the game includes “Story Battle Mode” and “Devil Within,” a 3D action game.
In the “Story Battle Mode,” each character has its own story, and the ending movie is different for each character.
40. Armored Core 2: Another Age
This is the fifth title in the “Armored Core Series” and is almost identical to the previous title, “Armored Core 2” in terms of system.
- Publisher: FromSoftware
- Release: April 12, 2001
- Genre: Robot Action
- Purchase Price: ¥1200/$8.12
In this title, there is no arena mode, and the game consists only of missions.
However, there are missions for a variety of situations, with a total of 100 different missions.
41. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
This is the third title in the Gran Turismo series, and the first PlayStation 2 software in the series.
The car model in the package is modeled after the headlights of the RUF 3400S.
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release: April 28, 2001
- Genre: Racing
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
There are two modes in this title: “Arcade Mode” and “Gran Turismo Mode”.
Because the graphics have been greatly improved, the number of cars included in the game is less than half that of the previous title. Gran Turismo 2 has approximately 500 cars, and this title has 200 cars.
42. Persona 3
Players become students, communicating with various characters at school during the day and fighting monsters at night using their “persona”. The story has a dark atmosphere as before.
- Publisher: Atlus
- Release: July 13, 2006
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥800/$5.41
A remake of the game, “Persona 3 Reload,” is scheduled to be released on February 2, 2024 on PS5/XSX/PS4/ONE/Win.
43. Silent Hill 2
The platform has been moved to PlayStation 2, and the graphics have been greatly improved, but the controls and battle system remain the same as in the previous game.
Combat difficulty and puzzle solving difficulty can now be changed at the start of the game.
- Publisher: Konami
- Release: September 25, 2001 NA
- Genre: Survival Horror
- Purchase Price: ¥2800/$18.94
A remake of this title was announced for October 20, 2022, but no sales date has been set at this time.
