The PlayStation 2 is one of the most successful consoles of all time. While its capabilities as a console are certainly worthy of praise, it is the software that elevated the Sony console to its legendary status. The ten games below are all fantastic, but were not necessarily the most popular back in their day.
Instead they all did things way ahead of their time. To look back at what these games did and compare them to other games of the time really helps us appreciate everything the PS2 and the developers did for the medium. On the plus side, most of these games are still worth playing today.
10 Final Fantasy 11 Was A Console MMO In 2002
Final Fantasy 11 was not only the first true console MMORPG, but it was also the first major MMORPG success to come out of Japan. Final Fantasy was already a legendary franchise at this point, but they had never tried to make an MMORPG before. The game is still online today, though harder to access since it lacks many modern gaming conveniences. Most would recommend jumping into Final Fantasy 14 instead.
9 Gran Turismo 4 Had HD Support
Back in the early 2000s most people were still gaming on CRT televisions. For the lucky few who already had HD TVs during the PS2's lifespan, they could play a select few games in 1080i using composite cables. Gran Turismo 4 was one of these. In addition to the incredible racing gameplay, the series was also known for cutting edge graphics, so the fourth entry benefited greatly from HD support.
8 The Bouncer Had Ragdoll Physics
Square's 3D brawler The Bouncer was not quite the success it should have been, but it was a technical showcase for the PS2 and utilized the controller's pressure-sensitive face buttons. In addition to its beautiful visuals, the game also boasted ragdoll physics long before it became the norm.
When you knock enemies to the ground, they flop around and are affected by the environment around them. Other games like Jurassic Park: Tresspasser and Thrasher Presents Skate and Destroy had them beforehand, but it was not until later in the PS2 generation when it became the standard.
7 Silent Hill 2 Talked About Taboo Themes In Gaming
Silent Hill 2 is often listed among the greatest video games of all time. In addition to it being a technical marvel, the game was more praised for its story and atmosphere. Where gamers were used to survival horror titles about zombies, monsters, and science fiction catastrophes, Silent Hill 2 deals with deeply personal issues like relationships, lust, guilt, and trauma. Horror becomes more terrifying when it deals with more relatable themes.
6 Kill Switch Had A Cover System Years Before Gears Of War
Kill Switch was not particularly beloved upon release - its Metacritic score sits in the low 70s - but the cover system received high praise. Little did people know, this game would serve as a huge inspiration for many shooters just a few years later. Once the Xbox 360 and PS3 came out, many third-persons shooters would start utilizing a similar cover system. Gears of War popularized it, but took direct influence from Kill Switch.
5 Grand Theft Auto San Andreas Had Free-Aiming In An Open-World Game
Grand Theft Auto 3 and Vice City are certainly deserving of respect and admiration, but some elements of the gameplay have not aged well. The auto-aiming mechanics and shooting leave much to be desired. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas made dramatic improvements to the shooting and overall gameplay, making it an overall smoother gameplay experience. The size of the map and the sheer amount of content is also deserving of respect. It even has a cover system, something extremely rare for the time.
4 Shadow Of The Colossus Is High Art
This entry should also include Ico, since the two are made by the same development team. These two games were often cited as proof games are art, something that was more hotly debated back during the PS2's life. Ico uses game mechanics to solidify a bond between the two main characters, while Shadow of the Colossus uses the classic trope of reviving a sleeping princess to tell a significantly deeper, more original gaming story. The latter was perhaps too powerful for the PS2's abilities, but the HD re-release and remake for the PS4 help it run smoother.
3 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Was The First PS2 Game With Online Capabilities
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 for the PS1 so heavily polished the skateboarding formula, it was difficult to imagine what sequels could do. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 managed to expand on the gameplay with the use of the revert to chain together even bigger combos.
Even more impressive than this, however, is its claim as the first PS2 game to ever have online capabilities. The servers have since shut down, but you can still play against friends in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 on modern consoles.
2 Resident Evil: Outbreak Had Online Coop
Resident Evil: Outbreak's online capabilities were quite curious. Players could connect and play through the missions together, but there was no way to communicate through voice chat.
The servers are no longer operational, which is unfortunate because the AI companions are not particularly great to work with. Considering the ubiquity of online play these days, Resident Evil: Outbreak seems ripe for a re-release. It would be more welcome than the competitive games Capcom has been releasing alongside mainline entries.
1 Metal Gear Solid 2 Predicted The Future
To say Metal Gear Solid 2 predicted the future might be a stretch, but its story was absolutely ahead of anything other narrative driven games were doing at the time. The plot deals with the burgeoning technologies of the 21st century and the possibilities for controlling information on a large scale. The gameplay was similarly ahead of the curve, offering players an unprecedented amount of environmental interaction. The AI was also incredible and led to hours of entertainment playing with the guards to see how they react.