The Best PS2 Game For Each Year Of The Console's Life

Summary

• PS2 had a stellar lineup of iconic exclusives, with standout titles released every year from launch to PS3.
• TimeSplitters, Final Fantasy 10, and Gta: Vice City were among the top games of their respective years.
• Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, MGS3: Snake Eater, and RE4 were other notable standout titles on the PS2.

The PlayStation 2 is one of the most beloved consoles in gaming history. From 2000 to 2006, it was Sony's main gaming system and arguably the premier console on the market at that time.

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The PS2 was one of the most iconic consoles around and featured an amazing lineup of exclusives. Here are some of the best!

Part of the reason for this was the catalog of games the PS2 had—some of the most highly-regarded titles ever were released onto the system. And it wasn't like an iconic game came around only every few years. Every single year, from the console's launch to the release of the PS3, that were wonderful games released for the PS2. The following ones stood out the most, though.

7 Timesplitters

2000

Other Notable PS2 Games From 2000: Tekken Tag Tournament, Madden NFL 2001, and FIFA 2001

Like most consoles, the first year of the PS2's existence wasn't its best in terms of games. Yet, there were still some gems, especially the yearly sports titles, which were really good at this time. The first-person shooter, TimeSplitters, was the year's best, though.

It's a classic shooter similar to GoldenEye 007. However, instead of retelling a story from the movie, Timesplitters has a unique and interesting narrative revolving around a collection of different characters from different time periods.

6 Final Fantasy 10

2001

Other Notable PS2 Games From 2001: Grand Theft Auto 3, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty, and Silent Hill 2

2001 was an exceptional year for video games, particularly if you had a PS2. After all, you were treated to the likes of Grand Theft Auto 3 and Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Those two are strong entries in two brilliant series. As for Final Fantasy 10, it's among the top few instalments in an equally brilliant but much longer series.

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Its greatness comes mainly from its compelling narrative about a group of adventurers trying to save the world. The characters and cutscenes are excellent.

5 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

2002

Other Notable PS2 Games From 2002: Kingdom Hearts, Ratchet & Clank, and Hitman 2: Silent Assassin

The PlayStation 2 was home to plenty of Grand Theft Auto games. One of its best was the iconic Vice City. Naturally, it was also the best game of 2002. It's set in the 1980s, and you're placed in a colorful city clearly inspired by Miami.

It serves as a great open world for you to cause mayhem in. Yet, the game isn't just about running around, killing people, and blowing things up. There are also missions where you do a lot of those same things. It's a classic title with an excellent presentation and plenty of style.

4 Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

2003

Other Notable PS2 Games From 2003: Jak 2, Beyond Good Or Evil, and WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain

2003 wasn't the year for the most famous games ever, but it included plenty of cult classics, such as Beyond Good and Evil, Jak 2, and, of course, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. While there are a bunch of brilliant titles in the Prince of Persia series, Sands of Time is often regarded as one of the best.

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It's a perfect example of the series's signature parkour, puzzle-solving, and sword-fighting mechanics. You can also rewind time. You do all this as a fancy prince who accidentally causes a disaster that he must go on an adventure to fix.

3 Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

2004

Other Notable PS2 Games From 2004: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Burnout 3: Takedown, and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow

In 2004, the world was treated to two of the greatest PS2 games of all time: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. It's hard to decide which is the better game. MGS3 just edges out the Rockstar classic because it has an incredibly compelling main narrative that revolves around several captivating characters.

The title's greatness isn't just all about the story, though. The game also boasts some excellent stealth-based gameplay, featuring things like a great camouflage mechanic and nice close-quarters combat. There's even a bit of a survival element to the title, as you must hunt and eat food to keep the protagonist, Naked Snake, in top condition.

2 Resident Evil 4

2005

Other Notable PS2 Games From 2005: God Of War, Shadow of the Colossus, and Psychonauts

Leon Kennedy's trip to Spain to save the President's daughter was the best adventure that the PS2 provided in 2005. There were some other exceptional games, such as the original God of War and Shadow of the Colossus. Yet, RE4, in particular, is outstanding.

It deviated away from the series' horror roots to be a bit more action-packed. However, it was so good that it didn't get the same criticism for doing so that Resident Evil 5 and 6 did. The title is just so well-paced and fun. It even made escort missions enjoyable.

1 Bully

2006

Other Notable PS2 Games From 2006: Final Fantasy 12, Tomb Raider: Legend, and Okami

Rockstar might be known for GTA and Red Dead, but Bully remains one of the studios' best games. This is why it beats out some great titles to be considered 2006's best game. In it, you control a teenager at a boarding school. Okay, that premise might not sound fun, but this is a school filled with interesting characters.

You have to rise up the ranks of the place's social hierarchy by befriending and sometimes fighting various stereotypical teenage cliques. The missions are really well-designed, the side activities are enjoyable, and the open world is exciting to roam around.

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Despite being behind the original Xbox & GameCube in terms of graphical power, the PS2 produced some stunning games that hold up today.