Want to buy fun PS2 games but don’t know where to start? This quick guide covers our top picks for the best PS2 games you can buy today, including top recommendations and essential tips for building your collection. Start by considering your favourite genres. Whether you’re into FPS games, JRPGs, or stealth games, the PS2’s extensive library has something for everyone. Titles like the Metal Gear Solid series and Final Fantasy provide rich storytelling and immersive gameplay. Evaluate the replay value of video game titles. Titles like the Grand Theft Auto series offer endless fun with their open-world environments and numerous side activities, while others like Resident Evil 4 provide gripping experiences worth revisiting, especially when compared to previous games.
Why Buy PS2 Games?
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a console that holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers. With a vast library of games, including iconic titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Final Fantasy X, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the PS2 offers a nostalgic gaming experience that is hard to find in modern consoles. Buying PS2 games is a great way to relive childhood memories or experience classic games that have stood the test of time. Additionally, the PS2’s retro gaming appeal has made it a popular choice among collectors and enthusiasts, with many rare and hard-to-find titles available for purchase.
PS2 Best Games?
These are some of the top PS2 games available, each offering a unique experience:
Buying PS2 games is a great way to relive childhood memories or experience classic games that have stood the test of time. The Resident Evil series, particularly Resident Evil 4, revitalised the series by introducing fresh mechanics while maintaining its classic horror elements. This marked a significant shift from traditional horror to a blend of action and suspense that influenced many other games.
Top PS2 Games - Genre Categories
Action and Adventure
The PS2 is home to some of the best action and adventure games of all time, including the critically acclaimed God of War series, the stealth-action masterpiece Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and the horror classic Silent Hill 2. These games offer a mix of fast-paced action, puzzle-solving, and exploration that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Other notable action and adventure games on the PS2 include Devil May Cry, Okami, and Beyond Good & Evil.
Role-Playing Games (RPGs)
The PS2 has an impressive lineup of RPGs, including the beloved Final Fantasy X, the action-packed Kingdom Hearts, and the tactical RPG Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. These games offer deep storytelling, engaging characters, and addictive gameplay that will keep you hooked for hours. Other notable RPGs on the PS2 include Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time, and Xenosaga.
Racing Games
The PS2 is home to some of the best racing games of all time, including the critically acclaimed Gran Turismo 4, the arcade-style Burnout 3: Takedown, and the off-road racing game SSX Tricky. These games offer realistic graphics, fast-paced action, and addictive gameplay that will keep you racing for hours. Other notable racing games on the PS2 include Need for Speed: Underground, Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition, and WRC: Rally Evolved.
Ratchet & Clank series
Ratchet & Clank 1 is the foundation of the entire series. It’s amazing but quite basic, as it’s where all the ideas started. Ratchet & Clank 2: Going Commando will always be my favourite. It combines many factors like game arenas and weapon upgrades. It was the first Ratchet & Clank game I ever saw back in 2003, which made me fall in love with the series. Plus, it has incredible replay value. Ratchet: Deadlocked is my second favourite, offering tons of exploration and many upgrade possibilities—an amazing game. Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal comes in third for me. It’s another great game, but it felt a bit generic and linear and lacked the vibe compared to Going Commando and Deadlocked, yet it’s still amazing and a must have.
Best for Epic Adventures: Shadow of the Colossus. Few titles have achieved the monumental scale and immersive atmosphere of Shadow of the Colossus.
Best Open-World Experience: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Vice City also deserves mention for its impact on open-world gaming and its memorable 80s-inspired soundtrack.
Simpsons Hit and Run
Go on a wild ride with the Simpson family and their friend Apu Nahasapeemapetilon as they encounter bizarre happenings in Springfield: security cameras, mysterious vans, crop circles, and a new flavour of Buzz Cola that drives people insane. Taking matters into their own hands, they uncover shocking secrets and realise these incidents are part of an alien conspiracy led by Kang and Kodos. The gameplay focuses on exploration and missions, with players racing enemies and interacting with supporting characters on timed quests. The game also incorporates role-playing elements, like explorable worlds and side tasks. This open-world game is perfect for kids and adults alike. Even if you haven’t watched the Simpsons growing up, you’ll love this game. Growing up, I was obsessed with this game. I’d think about it all day at school and couldn’t wait to get home, turn on the PS2, and dive in—homework be damned! With a great story, soundtrack, and environment, it was all I needed. You even get to drive cars based on real-life counterparts, like Bart’s Ferrini, modelled after the Ferrari F40. My favourite level is level 5, where you play as Apu, cruising through Downtown Springfield at night in a Pontiac while Apu’s theme song plays in the background. A PS2 game you must own.
Retro Sales Rating: 10/10
Bully
Bully, released on the PlayStation 2 in October 2006, garnered critical and fan acclaim. Rockstar was experimenting with various game genres at the time, producing unique titles like Manhunt and The Warriors. Bully, also known as Canis Canem Edit in PAL regions, presented an open-world experience set in a school. The game's graphics feel dated by today's standards, but its detail and voice acting remain impressive. Despite the rough gameplay controls, the engaging story and diverse school setting make Bully a standout title. The PS2 version, available on PS4 with trophy support, offers a nostalgic and unique gaming experience.
Retro Sales Rating: 8/10
Spartan
The combat is complex but really satisfying and well executed, which we love. The scale of the battles is impressive with over one hundred on the screen at once, which just makes the combat so much fun. The characters and the story are a bit dated, but it just adds more fun. It certainly has it's slow moments, but overall is a fantastic game.
Retro Sales Rating: 8/10
Resident Evil 4: Best for Survival Horror Fans
Resident Evil 4 revolutionised the survival horror genre with its over-the-shoulder shooting mechanics and a seamless mix of horror and action. Released by Capcom in 2005, it stars Leon Kennedy as he traverses a terrifying environment inhabited by the Los Ganados. The game’s intricate environments, dynamic lighting, and smooth animations create a gripping experience that captivates players.
Although the controls of Resident Evil 4 may feel somewhat clunky today, the game is still essential for horror enthusiasts. Its groundbreaking gameplay and memorable protagonist have made it a classic that continues to influence the genre.
Retro Sales Rating: 9/10
Shadow of the Colossus: Best for Epic Adventures
Shadow of the Colossus, created by Team Ico and released in 2005, is an epic adventure featuring Wander, who seeks to resurrect a girl named Mono by defeating sixteen colossi. The game is celebrated for its realistic physics, advanced visuals, and monumental enemies, offering a deeply immersive experience. Its desolate world, clever puzzles, and dynamic music make for an unforgettable journey.
Although the narrative is sparse, the game’s unique storytelling and emotional depth set it apart. The slower pace might not suit everyone, but for those in search of an epic adventure, Shadow of the Colossus is unmissable.
Retro Sales Rating: 9.5/10
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas: Best Open-World Experience
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas delivers an unparalleled open-world experience, featuring a vast map with three major cities, a desert, mountains, and countryside. Memorable characters like CJ, Ryder, and Sweet, combined with a highly interactive world full of dynamic events, provide an engaging experience. Players can undertake various missions, from burglary and a racing game to stealth operations, ensuring there’s always something new to explore.
Despite the dated graphics, the depth and variety of gameplay keep players returning. The option to customise the protagonist’s appearance and attributes adds an extra layer of engagement, making it a standout in the Grand Theft Auto series.
Retro Sales Rating: 9/10
Silent Hill 2: Best Psychological Horror Game
Silent Hill 2, developed by Team Silent and released in 2001, is often hailed as the PS2’s best psychological horror game and is considered by many to be the first game in the series that delves into deep psychological themes and taboo subjects, crafting an eerie, unsettling atmosphere. Players guide James Sunderland through the haunting town of Silent Hill, facing challenges and confronting fears. The iconic Pyramid Head character, representing fear and guilt, enhances the game’s disturbing appeal.
While some gameplay mechanics might feel outdated, the haunting soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka and the profound narrative make Silent Hill 2 a must-play for horror enthusiasts.
Retro Sales Rating: 8/10
Our PS2 consoles are fully refurbished and ready to play. We also stock genuine controllers and some aftermarket options. PS2 controllers, especially the iconic DualShock 2, were highly regarded for their ergonomic design and responsive feedback. With analog sticks and pressure-sensitive buttons, they offered precise control, enhancing the gaming experience immensely.
We also stock a vast range of PS2 accessories such as memory cards, multitap, HDMI adapters, etc
