The best-selling console of all time, the PS2 offers a near-endless library: GTA, God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy X. This Top 100 gathers the best of Sony's machine, re-tested and re-ranked by RomWize, each title with its re-evaluated score, its versions, their rarity and their collector value.
"Psychonauts is a creative explosion from Double Fine. Psychic summer camp, wild mind worlds and razor-sharp writing. A cult platformer brimming with ideas, an essential play."
"Japanese version of Jak II, known as Jak x Daxter 2 in Japan, content identical to the international version. The same Urban Dark Fantasy with Haven City and new combat mechanics. For Japanese franchise fans wanting the experience in their language."
"Accent Core version, considered the culmination of the XX system. Balancing is excellent and mechanics at their most refined. One of the most played competitive entries. The preferred version for a deep and competitive Guilty Gear XX experience on PS2."
"Crimson Butterfly is the peak of the Project Zero trilogy. A cursed village, twin sisters to protect and unrelenting dread. A pure survival horror classic, best played in the dark."
"Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus opens the saga. Branching platforming, cel-shaded identity and comic-book writing. Shorter and more linear than the sequel, yet already charming."
"A Rockstar open world set in a school. The satirical tone, sharp humour and freedom of action replicate GTA DNA in a school setting. An original and memorable experience, unjustly less celebrated than other Rockstar titles of the era."
"Ultimate Match version of KOF '98, widely considered the best franchise entry. The perfect roster balance, depth of combat mechanics and infinite replayability make it the absolute benchmark. A 2D fighting game masterpiece, still played in international competition."
"Xenosaga Episode I Der Wille zur Macht launches Monolith's ambitious trilogy. Turn-based combat, SF and religious mythology and massive cutscenes. Memorable, sometimes talkative."
"North American version of Everybody's Golf 3, Sony's accessible arcade golf game. Cute characters, simplified gameplay and varied courses appeal to all audiences. The PS2 arcade golf benchmark for the American market, perfect for casual rounds."
"European PAL version of Jak II under the Renegade title. Content identical to the North American version with some difficulty adjustments. The same brilliant urban Dark Fantasy for European players. The essential version for PAL Jak franchise fans."
"PAL version of the Dragon Quest VIII masterpiece. A monumental JRPG with a lush open world, touching story and memorable characters. Dragon Quest's first fully realised 3D entry achieves a depth and beauty rarely matched on PS2."
"Sly Raccoon is the European title of Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus. Same cel-shading charm, same raccoon hero and same heist platforming. Worth discovering."
"Spectacular mecha action from Hideo Kojima, sequel to Zone of the Enders. The high-speed aerial combat and impressive visual presentation remain striking. The sci-fi story is engaging and the game perfectly embodies the joy of piloting a mecha."
"PAL version of Dark Cloud 2, Level-5's masterpiece blending action RPG, city building and time travel. Game depth is exceptional: procedural dungeons, weapon customisation and village reconstruction. One of the best action RPGs on PS2."
"PAL version of Rockstar's Bully, a school open world with sharp satirical tone. Freedom of action, humour and social commentary replicate GTA DNA in a boarding school setting. An original and memorable experience, unjustly less celebrated than contemporaneous Rockstar titles."
"Third Guitar Hero with a high quality hard rock and metal setlist. Introduction of online mode and aggressive song selection mark a mature and demanding entry. Slightly less balanced than Guitar Hero II but an intense and memorable rock experience."
"Tekken Tag Tournament accompanies the PS2 launch with style. All-star roster, two-fighter tag and premium arcade polish. Still effective for quick versus sessions."
"A major sequel refining the formula with more intense races and an improved Crash mode. Clear progression from the first entry. An excellent arcade racer beginning to reveal the series' full potential, still very playable today."
