The PlayStation 2 is often considered one of the greatest video game consoles of all time, due in large part to its incredible library. The console is more than 20 years old at this point, and many of its greatest early titles are now becoming two decades old in 2021.

Related: First 10 Games Released On The PS2 (In Chronological Order)

The games below set the gaming world on fire. Looking at the list, it is almost difficult to believe this many amazing games came out in a single year on a single console. Some are multiplatform, but most were exclusive to the PS2 at the time of their original release back in 2001.

10 Final Fantasy 10

Final Fantasy 10 Tidus

The tenth numbered entry in this storied JRPG franchise was a turning point in terms of both visuals and gameplay. The new hardware allowed for dramatically more realistic character models and environments. On the gameplay front, the Sphere Grid allowed more control over the way the party progresses. The voice acting, a first for the series, also went a long way towards bringing the world of Spira to life. Thankfully, like most games in the franchise, it is easy to access on modern consoles.

9 Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2 on PS2

Silent Hill 2 was more than just a typical survival horror game. Where most horror games go for jump scares or grotesque creature designs, the terror in Silent Hill 2 is more psychological, dealing with the protagonist's dark secrets. It deals with its themes in a deeply psychological manner not typically explored in games back in 2001. Unfortunately, the most recent re-release, The Silent Hill HD Collection, is a sub-par port not worth playing. Stick with the original PS2 release if you can.

8 Grand Theft Auto 3

Grand Theft Auto 3 Screenshot Of Claude Walking Away From Car

Open-world games existed before Grand Theft Auto 3, but Rockstar's third entry in the series blew the doors open on the genre and forever changed the industry.

Related: 10 Things About Every Open-World Game That Make No Sense

Twenty years later and the first 3D entry in the franchise has a lot of rough edges, including the movement and wonky aiming, but it is still surprisingly joyous to spend some time in Liberty City, and you can, fortunately, play it rather easily on the PS4 and Xbox One.

7 Max Payne

Max Payne shoot dodge

The PS2 is admittedly not the best place to play Remedy's 2001 third-person shooter, but it is still a great game even on the inferior hardware. Max Payne was unlike anything players experienced at the time. The story was drastically darker than the medium was used to, following the titular cop out for vengeance against those who killed his family. The grim aesthetic added a unique layer of tension no other game of the time could even hold a candle to. The shooting is not as tight as in the sequels, but the story holds up perfectly.

6 Klonoa 2

Klonoa 2 gameplay screenshot

Klonoa was a cult classic on the PS1. Fortunately, it sold enough to warrant a sequel on the PS2. Klonoa 2 improved upon the original in every way and sports gorgeous graphics for the time. While other platformers were more popular, Klonoa certainly has a unique charm. While Klonoa 2 was the last console game in the series, the character received more titles on the Game Boy Advance.

5 Twisted Metal: Black

Twisted Metal black
Twisted Metal black

The Twisted Metal series already had a long history by the time the PS2 came around, with the first two entries often seen as the highlights on the original PlayStation. Twisted Metal: Black took things to a new level by being rated M and fully taking advantage of the lack of content restrictions. The gameplay takes some getting used to for modern gamers, but it is still interesting to go back to after all this time.

4 Red Faction

Red faction PS2 first person shooter

Many may know Red Faction for the open-world title, Guerrilla, but older gamers will fondly remember its first-person shooter origins. The 2001 shooter follows a miner revolt on Mars. The destructible environments were jaw-dropping for their time and are still impressive today. The multiplayer was also a nice addition. By 2001 console gamers were mostly accustomed to small, linear levels in FPS games. Red Faction's campaign does not return to a menu after completing a chapter, making it feel bigger than other console first-person shooters.

3 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 City

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 is one of the highest-rated games of all time, thanks to its flawless gameplay. The 2001 sequel managed to expand upon the skateboarding mechanics with the addition of the revert, allowing players to string together massive combos.

Related: 10 Games To Play if You Like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2

The graphics were also a huge step up from its predecessor. None of the levels might have the iconic design of the Warehouse or the School, but they are still a joy to skate in. Fans are hoping a remake will come sometime in the future with the same care the first two games received.

2 Ico

Ico Main Characters Holding Hands

2001 saw a slew of games that elevated the medium to new artistic heights, something exemplified by Ico. Players assume the role of a boy with horns imprisoned in a mysterious dungeon. After escaping, he is tasked with guiding a young girl while escaping and fighting off mysterious shadow creatures. With little dialogue, most of the bond forged between you and Yorda is done through gameplay. It was originally a PS1 game before development switched to the new console.

1 Metal Gear Solid 2

Metal Gear Solid 2 gameplay screenshot

In terms of gameplay and story, Metal Gear Solid 2 is nearly perfect. It takes the mechanics from 1998's Metal Gear Solid and expands upon every aspect, and the narrative tells a unique tale speculating the future implications of burgeoning technologies like the internet. Some prefer future entries in the franchise like Snake Eater and The Phantom Pain, but Metal Gear Solid 2 shook the gaming world in a way few releases have ever done.

Next: 10 Of The Best Survival Horror Games On The PS2