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.
"The absolute peak of the Gradius franchise developed by Treasure. Precision bullet patterns, level variety and the depth of the Options system make this shoot'em up an unchallenged benchmark. A genre masterpiece, graphically impressive and technically perfect on PS2."
"Okami is pure art. Amaterasu's brush makes a sumi-e world bloom with every stroke, and the journey lingers long after the credits. One of the most beautiful games ever made, full stop."
"Enriched version of FFXII adding the early FF Job system, entirely reconfiguring character progression. The Zodiac Jobs offer unmatched strategic customisation possibilities. The benchmark version of the game, superior to the original in every dimension of gameplay depth."
"Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 ditches the timer for free missions. More narrative, more generous and still thrilling gameplay. Probably the absolute series peak."
"Masterful God of War sequel pushing PS2 to its absolute limits. Kratos faces the gods of Olympus in even more titanic epic sequences. Staging reaches unmatched heights on console. A grandiose finale for the franchise on PS2."
"Jikan no Suna is the Japanese cut of The Sands of Time. Elegant acrobatics, tasteful puzzles and a time-rewinding dagger. A genuine high point of 2000s action adventure."
"SSX 3 offers a single giant mountain to ride non-stop. Coherent world, brilliant sound design and breathtaking speed. One of the most memorable extreme sports games on PS2."
"Shadow of the Colossus is a video game poem. Sixteen towering colossi, a majestic silent landscape and a faithful horse. A Team Ico masterpiece to experience without fail."
"PES 4 polishes ball touch and spatial reading even further. Football turns into a demanding, almost magical dance on the pad. For many fans, an absolute series peak."
"An absolute masterpiece, the first fully 3D Final Fantasy on a Sony console. The CTB combat system, the moving story of Tidus and Yuna, and the art direction of Spira compose a transcendent experience. One of the greatest achievements in role-playing game history."
"Japanese version of God of War II, content identical to the international version. Polished localisation letting Japanese players fully experience the epic conclusion to Kratos's PS2 saga. Same technical and narrative excellence as the international version."
"Rayman 3 Hoodlum Havoc leans into slapstick action and colourful powers. Snappier than Rayman 2, gag-packed and set in a sparkling Glade. A breezy platformer that goes down easy."
"The Sands of Time reinvents Prince of Persia with brio. The prince runs walls, the dagger undoes lethal falls and the staging tells a timeless tale. An undisputed classic."
"SSX Tricky pushes the arcade spirit to the very top. Wild characters, crazier tricks and a cult soundtrack with Run-D.M.C. Pure adrenaline on every run, timeless fun."
"Enriched Japanese version of FFX with the bonus Dark Aeons, Penance, Expert and Black Sphere Grids and additional scenes. The most complete JRPG experience on PS2 with content for hundreds of hours. The definitive version for fans wanting to exhaust the title."
"Naughty Dog masterpiece founding the Jak trilogy. Enchanting world design, flawless platform mechanics and the banter between Jak and Daxter create a joyful and memorable experience. A timeless PS2 platformer classic, still a pleasure to play today."
"Absolute masterpiece by Hideo Kojima. Snake Eater plunges into Soviet jungle in the 1960s with fully redesigned infiltration: nature survival, camouflage and CQC. The moving storyline about loyalty, betrayal and the Cold War is overwhelming. Unsurpassable."
"A Criterion masterpiece and the absolute peak of the series. Takedown mode revolutionises arcade racing by making collisions an objective. Generous content, flawless gameplay and intoxicating speed sensation. One of the best PS2 games across all genres."
