The difficult second album for Sony, the PlayStation 2 (PS2) released in 2000 sitting alongside Microsofts OG Xbox, Nintendo’s Gamecube and the SEGA Dreamcast as part of the sixth generation of consoles. This time around Sony looked for returning players by offering backwards compatibility while adding DVD playback and improved horsepower. Sony got something right as the PS2 ended up selling over 155 million units (lifetime) and amassed a library of close to 4000 games, here’s just ten you must play.
GRAN TURISMO 3: A-SPEC
Gran Turismo 3 released in 2001 and was the series first appearance on the updated hardware. Building on the first two outings this sequel offered fans the usual, albeit cut down, dose of licensed vehicles, races and gameplay modes while delivering a state of the art visual.
DEVIL MAY CRY 3
DMC also made its debut in 2001 setting a new standard for hack and slash adventures, but it wasn’t until 2005 that the franchise would reach its full potential. Serving as a prequel jump into the boots of a younger Dante as he faces off against his twin brother, masters six combat styles, wields a wide selection of weapons and slays monsters to a kick-ass soundtrack, this is action-adventure at its finest.
OKAMI
We’ve talked about our love of Okami quite a bit, especially seeing it’s been ported to pretty much every format since originating on PS2. Set in classical Japan this action-adventure published by Capcom combines mythology and folklore as you play a wolf, named Amaterasu, and sun goddess that must save the world from darkness.
METAL GEAR SOLID 3: SNAKE EATER
MGS is known far and wide, filled with memorable characters, fourth-wall-breaking moments and a batshit crazy sci-fi take on history. Most fans will fail to choose between MGS2 and MGS3 as the best but we are sticking with 3. Taking control of a young Big Boss trekking through the jungle to stop a defection during the cold war. Ahead of its time, you must hunt for food, use camo wisely and face-off against some of the best enemies ever to grace a video game.
GOD OF WAR
God of War is a 2005 Santa Monica Studio developed action-adventure published by Sony. Following the journey of Kratos, the story is loosely based upon Greek mythology and combines epic set pieces with button bashing combos while splicing in mild puzzle elements. Its success spawned a number of sequels, spin-offs and definitely is a must-play.
RESIDENT EVIL 4
The horror of Resident Evil evolves as Leon Kennedy head’s to western Europe to rescue the president’s daughter. No time to breath a sigh of relief for lack of zombies as a sinister cult is playing body snatchers with a newly discovered parasite. Crazed villagers, chainsaw-wielding maniacs, giant fish, Bilbo Baggins and Emporer Palpatine are all out to get you as you learn to be afraid of the light.
STREET FIGHTER ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
Street Fighter Anniversary Collection packaged two great entries in the series onto one disc. It included Hyper Street Fighter 2 and Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike for hours of entertainment and button mashing. As a bonus, the PlayStation version included the animated movie.
SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS
In order to bring back the love of your life, you have been asked to slay 16 colossi. There is no main bad guy or ‘normal’ enemies within. Just you, the colossi, a vast barren land. Gameplay is intoxicating and this Team ICO developed title recently received the HD treatment with a 2018 remake.
JAK AND DAXTER: THE PRECURSOR LEGACY
The first Jak and Daxter is an incredibly well made open-world 3D platformer, which is to be expected from a Naughty Dog produced game. It follows the titular duo on a mission to save the world and return Daxter to his pre-ottsel form in the process. Although the subsequent sequels didn’t quite make the same impact this one is worthy of a place on our list.
GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE CITY
After the successful transition into 3D with 2001’s Grand Theft Auto III, Rockstar North took us back to the 80s a year later. Tommy Vercetti, recently released from prison, looks to become number one in the sandbox city of sin. Besides the vast open-world, funny yet controversial storyline it was the soundtrack that really makes this title a must-play.
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TWO BEARD GAMING 