On 26th October 2020, Sony asked PlayStation loyalist what their favourite games on PS2 was in memory of the console’s North American launch in 2000, here are the top 10.
20 years ago today PlayStation 2 launched in North America. Favorite PS2 game? pic.twitter.com/v35xsbN5n0
— Sony (@Sony) October 26, 2020
While you may not agree with this list, the games below are actually some of the most common we found in the comment section of the post.
1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
This action-adventure game was released in 2004 for PlayStation 2 and developed by Rockstar Games. It features references to many real-life elements of the world that made it a favourite. Real cities, regions, and landmarks were important elements.
Also, its plot was based on many real-life events in Los Angeles in the early 1990s, such as; the rivalry between real-life street gangs, the 1980s–early 1990s crack epidemic, the LAPD Rampart scandal, and the 1992 Los Angeles riots. In 2011, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas had sold 27.5 million copies worldwide.
2. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
This is the prequel of the post Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and it was released in 2002. Unlike later version, it was set in a fictional Vice City. Also, it is based on multiple real-world people and events in Miami such as Cubans, Haitians, and biker gangs, the 1980s crack epidemic, the Mafioso drug lords of Miami, and the dominance of glam metal.
It is one of the best-selling PlayStation 2 games and it has sold over 17.5 million units to date.
3. Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
An action-adventure video game that was launched in 2005 and released by Midway Games. It focuses on two members of the Shaolin Order, Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Players can control these two characters in either single mode or co-op mode as they venture through several environments fighting enemies. The game sold 1 million copies by 2008 and is still a favourite among adventure game players.
4. Bully
This is another Rockstar Games production and it was released in 2006 for PlayStation 2 players. The game plyers control James “Jimmy” Hopkins, a juvenile delinquent student, who is involuntarily enrolled at Bullworth Academy for a year. The game focuses on his efforts to rise through the ranks of the school system in order to put a stop to bullying.
Within two years, Bully video game had sold 1.5 million copies in 2008 and it is a widely acknowledged game.
5. Gran Turismo 4
This is the fourth installment of the Gran Turismo series and the second released for PlayStation 2 in 2004. Polyphony Digital developed the game and it is one of the most popular video games of all time. It is a racing video game that has 34 mission which give players points and allow them unlock better cars.
Gran Turismo 4 sold over 11.7 million copies in 2016 and is regarded as the third highest-selling game in the series.
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6. Need For Speed 2: Underground
This is another racing video game and it was released in 2004 by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 2 and many other gaming consoles. It has different modes such as street races and storyline. Players basically have to keep racing and acquiring cars with higher specs as they progress.
Its plot follows the player who must beat every obstacle in their part to be crowned the best Underground racer in Bayview. Need For Speed 2: Underground sold more than 11 million copies.
7. SSX Tricky
A snowboarding video game that was developed by EA Canada and released in 2001. It is one of the most popular PlayStation 2 games of all time. The game has three modes of gameplay; Freeride, Practice, World Circuit and Single Events. In the World Circuit mode, players can unlock new characters and win contests.
8. Winning Eleven 8
Some may know it as Pro Evolution Soccer 4 or World Soccer: Winning Eleven 8 or even World Soccer: Winning Eleven 8 International. The game is one of the most memorable football video games of all time. It brought new features to PlayStation 2 that were missing in PlayStation One.
It had a Master League feature, over 200 clubs and national teams, license from Serie A, Eredicisie and Liga Espanola. Players could see the referee on the pitch during the game and they could see dirt on characters as well.
Winning Eleven 8 was launched in 2004 and it won Double Platinum sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) in 2009.
9. Spider-Man 2
This is an action-adventure video game that is based on the Spider-Man 2 film. The game was released in 2004 by Activision. While it follows the film plot, it also has other characters that were not in the film. There is a partner named Black Cat and many other supervillains as well. It manages to end the same that the original film ends.
In 2009, the PlayStation 2 version of Spider-Man 2 won a Platinum sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA).
10. God of War
The PlayStation 2 version of God of War was released in 2005 and it is one of the most popular games on the console. It sold over 4.6 million copies worldwide and is ranked 14th on the list of best-selling PlayStation 2 games of all time.
Players control the main character, Kratos. The game is a combination of combat, platforming and puzzle games. It is heavily influenced by Greek mythology and features many elements from the culture.
Other honourable mention on the earlier referenced Sony post includes; Silent Hill 2, which many said was the scariest game they have ever played. Also, Jet Li: Rise to Honour deserves a shout-out. Which PlayStation 2 game do you think should be on this list?
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