Back in 1995, after a planned partnership with Nintendo didn't pan out, Sony released its PlayStation, and it didn't take long for the console to dominate the video game industry. As successful as the PSX was, the PlayStation 2 reached a whole new level of hype that had not been seen before in video games.
The launch of the PS2 in 2000 was the biggest event to ever happen in video games, all because the PSX's game library was so impressive. Sony sold more than 160 million PS2s worldwide, with games still being launched on the console 13 years after its release. Some of them are still considered the best games ever made.
We put together a list of the 25 best Nintendo PS2 games and where you can buy a used copy. Keep in mind, these copies are second-hand, so you are taking a bit of a risk. Prices will also vary, depending on how rare the game is and if it's unopened. If you don't want a physical copy of the game, many of these titles are available digitally on the PlayStation Store and can even be played with a PS Plus subscription.
Team ICO Ico Released in 2001, a year stacked with amazing games, Ico is considered by many to be the best PS2 game. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, this game came out of nowhere. It became memorable for its haunting yet beautiful graphics, simple though challenging gameplay and a storyline that had hardly any words but said so much. Ico, a boy with horns who was set to be put to death, finds himself in a mysterious castle. He comes across a girl who speaks a language he doesn't know, but he insists on helping her. The two adventure through the castle as he guides the girl across obstacles and protects her from shadow creatures. Ico amazed players back when it came out, and people still talk about it decades later. $32 at Amazon
Rockstar Games/Screenshot by Scott Stein Grand Theft Auto 3 The Grand Theft Auto series started on PC and eventually made its way to the PSX, without much fanfare. It was an interesting 2D top-down game that had a penchant for violence. Then came Grand Theft Auto 3 with its 3D graphics and open-world gameplay. And gaming was never the same. GTA 3 is one of the few games that can say it permanently changed video games because it was nothing short of revolutionary. It was an experience that's hard to describe with anything other than saying, "You had to be there." $13 at Amazon
Metal Gear Solid 2 The Metal Gear series started in the 1980s and was one of the earliest games to incorporate stealth. The first two games were novel, but not really memorable. That all changed in 1998 with the release of Metal Gear Solid. The reboot of the franchise was, in a word, phenomenal. Developer Hideo Kojima brought in elements from his favorite movies, innovated stealth mechanics and created a presentation that was spectacular. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is the direct sequel to the game, and to say this was an anticipated release would not do it justice. The excitement for this game was so huge that publisher Konami had the genius idea of including a demo of MGS 2 with another one of its games, Zone of the Enders, helping that game sell more copies from people who just wanted the MGS demo. $19 at Amazon
Ubisoft Beyond Good and Evil Beyond Good and Evil is one of those games that had a quiet release with little attention, but word spread quickly. Developed and published by Ubisoft, the game's hero is photojournalist Jade, who uncovers a nefarious human trafficking plot involving a powerful institution. Beyond Good and Evil has everything. It's an intriguing story with fun gameplay, interesting characters and a great presentation. It's an all-around exceptional game that, sadly, hasn't seen a sequel yet, even though fans have been clamoring for one over the past two decades. $17 at Amazon $30 at Walmart
EA SSX 3 Snowboarding, for some reason, became a big deal with the PS2. The SSX Tricky series started at the PS2 launch, and SSX 3 was the snowboarding game to outdo them all. Developer EA Sports took everything that made SSX Tricky amazing and made it even better with players dropping onto a seamless, open-world mountain. The trick system received an improvement, making it easier to chain together insane combos that felt as stylish as they were satisfying. It also has an incredible soundtrack that works with the snowboarding style. SSX 3 looked great and had dynamic weather, changing times of day and a sense of scale that made the mountain feel alive. This game was truly the best combination of style and substance for a snowboarding game. $10 at Amazon
Konami Silent Hill 2 Silent Hill 2 is a survival horror game, but that description doesn't do it justice. It's a masterclass of psychological drama. Most survival horror games focus on jump scares or having you fight off hordes of zombies. Silent Hill 2 asks players to try to understand what happens when a person's inner demons and fears take physical form. There has yet to be a game that's matched its psychological horror and emotional depth. The presentation is also stellar. In particular, the music by Akira Yamaoka, conveyed feelings of horror and fear, but also love. Silent Hill 2 was recently remade, but it's important to play the original to experience those raw feelings. $188 at Amazon
Square Enix Final Fantasy X Final Fantasy X had a lot to live up to. It was the first Final Fantasy game for the PS2, and the series had a reputation for pushing the visuals of the console hardware while also delivering an emotional punch through its storytelling. This game did just that, and made a name for itself in the legendary franchise. In Final Fantasy X, star Blitzball player Tidus finds himself transported to the world of Spira, which is in danger of being destroyed. What follows is an emotional rollercoaster with impressive visuals, memorable characters and a stellar soundtrack. Many Final Fantasy fans still argue that this was one of the best games in the franchise. $17 at Amazon $21 at Walmart
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