20 PS2 Games That Are STILL Worth Playing Today

20 PS2 Games That Are Still Worth Playing Today

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we are taking a peek at some PS2 classics and seeing how many hold up today. Whether they’ve been brought to modern consoles, or you have to blow dust off your PS2, these are 20 PS2 Games That Are Still Worth Playing Today. Let’s go!

“Ōkami” (2006)

“Ōkami” is basically the “Zelda” Nintendo never got around to making, and that should be enough to have you running to the ‘classics’ section of the PS Store and hitting download. You play as Amaterasu, the sun goddess, in the adorable form of a white wolf armed with a magical paintbrush. Yes, a paintbrush. Take that, Link! You can literally draw your way out of trouble, slay enemies, and manipulate the world like a divine art student on deadline. If you’ve played any pre-“Breath of the Wild” 3D “Zelda,” the vibe will feel familiar, and it only came out 10 years earlier, well done, “Ōkami.”

“Kingdom Hearts” (2002)

The original “Kingdom Hearts” is like the unicorn of RPGs: it shouldn’t work, but somehow it absolutely does. Before the series got famously tangled in convoluted plots and multiverse headaches, this PS2 classic was a clean, magical mash-up of Disney charm and “Final Fantasy” drama. You step into the oversized shoes of Sora, a wide-eyed kid who teams up with Goofy and Donald Duck (yes, that Donald Duck) to rescue his friends and save the world from mysterious darkness. Gameplay-wise, it’s a straightforward hack-and-slash RPG by today’s standards, but the real fun comes from strolling through the worlds of “Hercules,” “Tarzan,” and other '90s favorites. It’s heartwarming, and, ignoring what I said, the gameplay is pretty damn fun. Albeit a bit dated.

“Star Wars: Battlefront II” (2005)

“Star Wars: Battlefront II” is like a love letter to old-school shooters, if old-school shooters had lightsabers and blasters the size of your head. You can hop between first-person and third-person views, depending on whether you want to feel heroic or just cinematic. This game is all about jumping into the chaos and enjoying it for what it is, which is why it’s still so easy to enjoy it... for what it is. Story mode surprises with some solid storytelling, while Galactic Conquest lets you play sandbox general with a side of interstellar ego. Sure, the controls are a little retro and the design isn’t flashy, but it’s hours of chaotic “Star Wars” joy, everything “Star Wars Outlaws” wasn’t... I actually never played “Outlaws.” I just wanted to pile on.

“Tekken 5” (2004)

Listen, guys, I’m gonna get personal. Most of my time with “Tekken 5” was spent in multiplayer chaos, duking it out with friends and family while shouting things that would get me kicked out of school. Revisiting this game showed me that it does have a story, picking up right after “Tekken 4,” but honestly, the story barely gets a chance to breathe before you’re launching combos and spinning into the next round. Fast, fluid gameplay is what keeps this entry so addictive. Give it a shot, because it should be considered a fighting game classic alongside the originals like “Tekken 3.”

“Pac-Man World 2” (2002)

I can’t believe I finally have an opportunity to talk about the 3D “Pac-Man” games. This second entry to the 3D series, of course, has you playing as “Pac-Man,” hopping through vibrant levels to rescue the kidnapped Pac-People from those pesky ghosts. The game only has 25 levels, but don’t let that fool you. Collectibles and Pac-Pellets are scattered everywhere, keeping completionists busy for hours. Honestly, it should be considered a platforming classic alongside Crash and Spyro.

“Sly 2: Band of Thieves” (2004)

Before Sucker Punch was sneaking samurai across feudal Japan in “Ghost of Tsushima,” they were busy sneaking a certain thieving raccoon and his merry band of animal accomplices. “Sly 2: Band of Thieves” shows the studio cutting its teeth with stealthy, cartoon-flavored heists that feel like Saturday morning TV. This sequel ditched the first game’s linear platforming for bigger open-world levels and more playable characters, each with their own quirky skills. Don’t expect “Splinter Cell”-level espionage. It’s family-friendly mischief, not FBI-grade sneaking. But with breezy stealth, witty humor, and comic-book-style visuals, it’s equally as fun.

“Resident Evil 4” (2005)

Alright, many consider this more of a GameCube game than a PS2 game... But I don’t, so suck egg Nintendo nerds (I love you, please don’t be mean in the comments). “Resident Evil 4” isn’t just a game. It’s a survival horror masterclass wrapped in rural Spanish chaos. With spot-on pacing, clever puzzles, and more B-movie charm than a vampire convention, it’s no wonder fans worship this one like it’s sacred. Sure, the 2025 PS5 remake polishes the edges and makes it prettier, but the original? Untouchable. It’s more action than terror, including roundhouse kicking zombies, the way CapGod intended.

“Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening” (2005)

Releasing the same year as the previous “Resident Evil 4,” “Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening” wears its age like a leather jacket, stylish, albeit a little stiff in the elbows. The combat is as slick and over-the-top as ever, but some of the puzzles feel like someone sneezed “weird” into a game design meeting. That’s hardly enough to ruin it, though, as the story is pure 2000s angsty, goofy chaos, with gothic drama dialed to eleven and Dante’s hair probably having its own paycheck. But that’s the charm! “DMC3” doesn’t apologize for its melodrama, flamboyance, or bizarre plot twists, and that unapologetic swagger is why fans keep returning.

“God of War II” (2007)

It was way too hard to pick a “God of War” entry to tell you to revisit, and I decided to go with the middle, because it DEFINITELY deserves more praise than it gets. “God of War II” is all about hack‑and‑slash mayhem, giant monsters, epic combos, and enough flying swords and axes to make a medieval weapons store jealous. Sure, the story is there, and it’s compelling, but the writing sometimes screams “teenager with a vendetta,” especially Kratos’ over-the-top lines. Still, that unfiltered, punch‑first-ask-questions-later attitude makes this a blast to play. You’ll get over the dialogue REAL quick.

“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” (2003)

“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” is a relic of the golden age of action-adventure games, back when parkour and time travel weren’t just Instagram trends. The mix of slick platforming, clever puzzles, and swashbuckling combat feels rare in today’s crop of cookie-cutter action games. The story is simple, think “romance, betrayal, sand, repeat,” but charming nonetheless. The real magic? Flipping, climbing, and rewinding time without face-planting into spikes. Even now, few games match its fluid controls or let you undo a bad jump with the smug satisfaction of a time wizard.

“Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando” (2003)

Let’s follow my previous theory of giving love to the middle entries that are sometimes overshadowed by their strong third entries, with “Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando,” this is as good as a sequel gets. Traveling across a variety of wacky planets, you’ll blast enemies, collect bolts, and dive into mini-games, hover bike races being my personal favorite. The plot? You’re recovering a rogue experiment for a big boss, which, naturally, escalates in hilariously chaotic ways. Smooth controls, clever humor, and inventive weaponry make this a PS2 classic worth returning to, even if your hover bike skills are questionable.

“Tony Hawk’s Underground 2” (2004)

I have credited “Tony Hawk’s Underground” as one of the best skating games ever made, but the sequel deserves SO much love for improving upon the first in every way. You grind, jump, and chain combos like a physics-defying daredevil, all while globe-trotting on the “World Destruction Tour.” From Boston to Berlin to Thailand, each location is packed with ramps, rails, and secret spots begging for chaos. The story? Not QUITE as good as the first, honestly, it’s mostly an excuse to skate everywhere and wreak havoc, but that’s fine, because the gameplay is so addictive you barely notice.

“Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty” (2001)

The “Metal Gear” series has never been one to follow the rules. After all, it basically invented stealth gaming. “Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty” is a prime example: a post-modern, over-two-decades-old masterpiece that simultaneously dazzles and frustrates. The gameplay can feel clunky compared to modern entries, but the story and characters remain iconic. Its aesthetics scream “early 2000s” in all the right ways, and its themes of disinformation and info warfare? Shockingly relevant today. In 2001, it was science fiction. In 2025, it’s basically Twitter in game form.

“Final Fantasy X” (2001)

GOD I love “Final Fantasy,” and “Final Fantasy X” is proof that even a series obsessed with reinventing itself can’t escape its era. Released during a turning point in gaming, it sticks with the classic turn-based combat while the rest of the RPG world was running around mashing buttons in real time. The plot has a few clichés, and the voice acting feels like a beta test for lip-syncing, but none of that stops “FFX” from being pure magic, and arguably the best “Final Fantasy” game of all time (if 6 and 7 haven’t hijacked your heart). Critics love it, fans worship it, and even the slightly dated mechanics add charm.

“Ico” (2001)

Forget “Shadow of the Colossus,” we’ve talked about that game ad nauseam. Let’s give some credit to the spiritual predecessor, “Ico.” “Ico” is like the quiet, artsy kid in the PS2 playground, minimalist, mysterious, and oddly inspiring. This 2001 masterpiece laid the groundwork for indie games years before “indie” was cool. You play a horned boy rejected by his village, locked in a castle, who meets Yorda, a girl you help escape. No flashy UI, almost no dialogue, and barely any context, just a lot of holding hands, solving puzzles, and tiptoeing past baddies. It’s basically a stealth game meets emotional bonding 101.

“Silent Hill 2” (2001)

If your idea of “finest” includes endless fog, awkward combat, and puzzles that make you question your life choices, then “Silent Hill 2” may well be the finest horror game of all time. Modern horror games might have slick controls and jump scares, but “SH2” doesn’t need them. It terrifies with something deeper and oddly engaging. Creepy, moody, and willing to tackle topics even today’s games would say “nope” to, it’s a masterclass in psychological horror. Combat may be repetitive and puzzles maddening, but the narrative hits harder than pyramid-head. Decades later, its grim tale still resonates, proving story beats can outlast clunky gameplay.

“Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” (2004)

“San Andreas” might get overshadowed by later “GTA” games, but back in its day, this PS2 juggernaut blew minds. You play as CJ, arguably the most meme-worthy “GTA” protagonist ever, as he rebuilds his gang and investigates his mom’s murder, ah sh*t, here we go again. Your adventure spans the entire state, from the LA-inspired streets of Los Santos to the desert casino chaos of Las Venturas (Las Vegas, but with more chaos and fewer cocktails). And this range was something open worlds hadn’t seen up until this game. Sure, some combat and missions feel dated now, but everything that makes “GTA” great, crime, chaos, and endless customization, is here.

“Burnout 3: Takedown“ (2004)

This game NEVER gets the love it deserves, so let me do my job. Released in 2004, “Burnout 3: Takedown” is arcade racing on steroids. The series has always been about high-speed chaos and taking out your rivals, but “Takedown” cranks everything up to eleven. Crashes are bigger, boosts are faster, and the action just zooms. The game even lets you steer your car after a wreck with “aftertouch,” so you can drag someone else into your fiery demise. The progression keeps you hooked, the music slaps, and even though the cars aren’t licensed, they’re ridiculously fun to smash around in.

“Katamari Damacy” (2004)

Instead of shooting enemies or slicing demons, “Katamari Damacy” has you control the tiny Prince, tasked with rolling up… well, everything for his dad, to recreate the stars and moon. It’s a quirky little puzzle-action game that’s short, sweet, and gloriously weird. The gameplay is devilishly simple: push your sticky Katamari around, picking up anything smaller than it, and keep rolling until you’ve collected enough objects in the time limit. Chairs, cats, refrigerators, if it fits, it ships. It’s basic, sure, but insanely fun, like playing cosmic cleanup with zero supervision.

“Beyond Good & Evil” (2003)

“Beyond Good & Evil” might have stumbled out of the gate when it first launched, but like a fine wine, or me, it’s only gotten better with age. Sure, some things haven’t aged gracefully. The camera? Let’s just say it’s about as helpful as a GPS made by a drunk raccoon. And the experimental gameplay and quirky art style can feel a little “what did I just boot up?” by today’s standards. But honestly, that’s part of the charm. And it almost lands better today than it did in 2003. The world had to catch up to it. The game’s inventive story, clever mechanics, and overall weirdness have stood the test of time far better than its technical hiccups. Playing it now is like discovering an old band. I love these Beatles. What happened to these guys?