# What are the best games for PS2? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 22, 2002, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062 "2002-09-22T01:20:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mercutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mercutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercutio)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/1 "2002-09-22T01:20:39Z")
I recently procured a PS2 and have started (slowly) growing my library o’ time zappers. What do you guys out there think are the best games for this console? It’d help me in picking and choosing next time I happen upon an electronics store AND I have money. So, what are they and why? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/2 "2002-09-22T01:35:41Z")
That really all depends on your taste in games. For instance, do you like racing games? Sports? Videogame RPGS? Arcade classics? ---
**Author:** ![Mercutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mercutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercutio)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/3 "2002-09-22T01:51:40Z")
I’m open to anything. Racing, Sports, 1st person shooters, RPGS. Everything and anything. Sorry for not being a bit more specific. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/4 "2002-09-22T01:56:11Z")
Well, by all accounts, Final Fantasy X is really good. I’d also recommend Silent Hill 2 (the Xbox version was great - albeit too short - and I doubt that the PS2 version would be any less good). Speaking of which, also pick up Silent Hill 1, which was for the PSX still is kickass (and it should be pretty cheap by now). ---
**Author:** ![Swinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Swinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swinger)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/5 "2002-09-22T03:26:31Z")
My favorite PS2 games are Grand Theft Auto 3, Tony Hawk 3, and SSX. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/6 "2002-09-22T06:34:38Z")
None of you have heard of Metal Gear?! Get Metal Gear Solid 2. But, in order to appreciate it to the fullest–you should also look for a copy of Metal Gear Solid, which was released on PSX. (Your PS2 will run PSX titles just fine.) ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/7 "2002-09-22T06:54:24Z")
GTA 4: Vice City will be out in one month. With that, GTA3, GT3, and … GTA3, you should be all set. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mercutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mercutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercutio)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/8 "2002-09-22T07:08:01Z")
It’s GTA: Vice City. It’s not officially 4 because it takes a leap back to the 20’s. Same guy, though. So, it’s in the same spirit of GTA, just not the next one in the numerical series… I think. ---
**Author:** ![Mercutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mercutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercutio)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/9 "2002-09-22T07:09:37Z")
aw, crap. I meant back to the 80’s. I meant 20 years. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/10 "2002-09-22T07:20:33Z")
I for one can’t wait for Vice City. i got GTA3 about a month ago. i’m only 1/3 of the way done because i’m having too much fun causing chaos. My first game was Namco Museum Arcade with the new versions of Pac man, Dig Dug, and Galaga. But I am the Dig Dug master, so it was required by law for me to get that game to waste my time on. ---
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/11 "2002-09-22T07:57:29Z")
Grand Theft Auto 3 is unbelieveable. If you’re interested in sports games, then Madden 2003 is the best football game. It has internet capability this year, so if you get whatever it is you need to connect the PS2 to the internet, then you’ll always have a game against someone. ---
**Author:** ![tirial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@tirial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tirial)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/12 "2002-09-22T08:13:05Z")
Another vote for Final Fantasy X. Also, if you’re into RPGs, “Shadow of Memories” is pretty original. ---
**Author:** ![d\_redguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@d\_redguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d_redguy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/13 "2002-09-22T08:19:38Z")
Gran Tourismo 3:A-Spec has been released as a PS2 “Greatest Hit.” It should be down around $20. Its worth it if you go for the racing games. Everything else mentioned here is fantastic. I got alot of those games upon release last year, and have been replaying them. (esp MGS2 and GTA3, Tony Hawk 3, then probably FFX will be next to come off of my shelf and into the console) Another “Greatest Hit” (read as: Cheap!:D) to consider is Twisted Metal:Black. Very tight for one of the earlier releases. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/14 "2002-09-22T10:19:03Z")
Grand Theft Auto 3 is excellent. It’ll soon be followed with GTA: Vice City and a British attempt, The Getaway (which sets you up as a cab driver caught up in gang wars in an accurately-mapped Central London). It’s the only game I’ve played on the PS2 that has ‘repeat value’, i.e. you can go back and try things differently or just try random chaos. Metal Gear Solid 2 is beautifully-designed and fun but only a one-off; once complete there’s no reason to do it again. The cut-scenes are horribly tedious after a while; I don’t think the developers knew whether they were making a game or a movie. Medal of Honour: Frontline is superbly designed World War II action with some excellent sets and a brilliant opening. It’s a bit linear (i.e. like MGS2 once you’ve completed it there’s not really any other way to repeat it). ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/15 "2002-09-22T10:33:33Z")
Summoner was pretty good omushimia warriors is cool gta 3 definatly Zone of the enders was nice if you like gundam/mechwarrior stuff Get dragon warrior 7 and tell if ya beat it under a month doing everything heh ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/16 "2002-09-22T12:49:50Z")
I don’t even own a ps2 but I know the really big hailed games are GTA3 Devil May Cry Twisted Metal:Black Medal of Honor: Frontline ---
**Author:** ![Gaijin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/838e76/32.png) [@Gaijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaijin)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/17 "2002-09-22T13:01:12Z")
Of course I have to second GTA3. The only game released fairly recently that surpasses its non-linearness (is that a word?) is TES3: Morrowind. And, sweet God, you must get Silent Hill 2. Not because the gameplay is incredible, but because the story is so enthralling. When playing this game, you must do everything you can to prevent the atmosphere from spoiling. Kick everyone out of your house, unplug the phone, etc. I’m the most stony-hearted person I know, but I wanted to cry by the end (I didn’t though! I didn’t crack!). I was moved, man. I was freakin’ moved! ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/18 "2002-09-22T20:36:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mercutio \* > \*\*It’s GTA: Vice City. It’s not officially 4 because it takes a leap back to the 20’s. Same guy, though. So, it’s in the same spirit of GTA, just not the next one in the numerical series… > I think. \*\* A bit of a hijack, I know that was a typo, but I would love to see GTA4 set during Prohibition, the golden age of organized crime. Chicago circa 1930 would be a perfect setting. Old cars, tommy guns, speakeasies, bathtub gin, rum runners, crooked politicians, and gangland wars. Anyway, in addition to GTA3 and GT3, I’d also recommend SOCOM, which I’m playing through now. It’s a small squad-level tactical combat game along the lines of Rainbow 6, Metal Gear Solid, or Syphon Filter. SOCOM comes with a headset that you can use to issue commands to your squad (IMHO, useful, but mostly a gimmick). It even has online play if you have a broadband connection (doesn’t support dialup) and you can use the headset to talk to other players online. ---
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/19 "2002-09-22T21:14:00Z")
To jump on the bandwagon: **GTA3** kicksmucho booty, and **GTA: Vice City** most likely will kick whatever booty remains unkicked. **Rez** is my personal favorite PS2 game. It’s an artsy fartsy music based shooter- really good, but not everyone’s cuppa tea. **Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance** is nothing at all like the real BG games, and has an annoying ammount of T&A, but it is the best dang Gauntlet rip-off I’ve ever played. Much better than the official Gauntlet PS2 games. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2002, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062/20 "2002-09-22T21:14:36Z")
Another GTA3 lover here. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-best-games-for-ps2/129062.md?page=2)