The Most Popular PS2 Game, Ranked

Choose the game you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 7, 2024 06:47
Determining which PS2 game holds the crown for popularity isn't just about nostalgia; it shapes discussions, influences gaming archives, and guides new players. By establishing a hierarchy based on votes, one comprehends the collective preference better, helping to inform choices for both seasoned and novice gamers alike. Participation from a diverse range of voters ensures that the standings genuinely reflect the community's opinion. This live ranking is not only a trip down memory lane but also a dynamic exchange of opinions where each vote counts. Your engagement directly impacts the visibility and appreciation of these classic games.

What Is the Most Popular PS2 Game?

  1. 1
    23
    votes
    This open-world game was one of the best-selling PS2 games, with over 27 million copies sold worldwide. It offers a vast map and an engaging storyline, making it a fan favorite.
    Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is an action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the seventh installment in the Grand Theft Auto series and was released in 2004. Set in the fictional state of San Andreas, the game follows the story of Carl Johnson, a former gang member who returns to his hometown to uncover the truth behind his mother's murder.
    • Genre: Action-adventure
    • Release Date: 2004
    • Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Microsoft Windows
    • Open World: Yes
    • Map Size: Very large with three major cities and countryside areas
    Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in other rankings
  2. 2
    40
    votes

    Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

    Polyphony Digital
    This racing game is one of the most popular PS2 games, with over 14 million copies sold. It offers a vast collection of cars and tracks, making it a popular choice among racing enthusiasts.
    Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is a popular racing game released for the PlayStation 2 console. It was developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment.
    • Release Date: April 28, 2001
    • Genre: Racing
    • Platform: PlayStation 2
    • Players: 1-2 (split-screen), up to 6 (online)
    • Game Modes: Arcade, Simulation, Time Trial
  3. 3
    20
    votes

    Final Fantasy X

    Square Enix
    This RPG game is one of the best-selling PS2 games, with over 8 million copies sold worldwide. It offers an engaging storyline and memorable characters, making it a fan favorite.
    Final Fantasy X is a role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix. It was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001 and became one of the most popular games on the console. The game follows the story of Tidus, a young athlete who finds himself in the world of Spira. He joins forces with a group of companions to defeat the powerful creature known as Sin and save the world from destruction.
    • Platform: PlayStation 2
    • Genre: Role-playing
    • Release Year: 2001
    • Players: 1
    • Single-Player: Yes
  4. 4
    14
    votes
    This action-adventure game is one of the most popular PS2 games, with over 7 million copies sold worldwide. It offers a complex storyline and engaging gameplay, making it a fan favorite.
    Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is an action-adventure stealth game developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan. It was originally released for the PlayStation 2 console in 2001. The game follows the story of Solid Snake, a legendary secret operative, as he infiltrates a marine cleanup facility taken over by terrorists, who are threatening the world with a new form of Metal Gear weapon. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty features groundbreaking graphics and gameplay mechanics for its time. It introduced an advanced enemy AI, dynamic weather systems, and realistic physics. The game also included immersive storytelling with complex characters and intricate plot twists. Players could utilize various stealth techniques, engage in tactical combat, and utilize a wide range of weapons and gadgets. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty received critical acclaim upon release, praising its graphics, gameplay depth, and compelling narrative. It sold over 7 million copies worldwide, solidifying its position as one of the most popular and influential games on the PlayStation 2 platform.
    • Platform: PlayStation 2
    • Genre: Action-adventure, stealth
    • Release Year: 2001
    • Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan
    • Players: 1
  5. 5
    14
    votes
    This action-adventure game is one of the most popular PS2 games, with over 4.6 million copies sold worldwide. It offers an engaging storyline and intense gameplay, making it a fan favorite.
    God of War is a highly acclaimed action-adventure video game series that focuses on the protagonist Kratos, a Spartan warrior who battles the gods of Olympus. The game features a combination of hack and slash combat, platforming elements, and puzzles, all woven into a rich and immersive storyline inspired by Greek mythology.
    • Genre: Action-adventure
    • Platform(s): PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
    • First Release: God of War (2005)
    • Latest Release: God of War (2018)
    • Developer: Santa Monica Studio
    God of War in other rankings
  6. 6
    4
    votes
    This survival horror game is one of the most popular PS2 games, with over 4.5 million copies sold worldwide. It offers an intense storyline and terrifying atmosphere, making it a fan favorite.
    Resident Evil 4 is a survival horror game developed and published by Capcom. It was released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2005 and is widely regarded as one of the best games in the Resident Evil series. The game follows Leon S. Kennedy, a government agent, as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of the President's daughter and uncovers a sinister plot involving a cult and genetically modified creatures known as Los Ganados. Resident Evil 4 introduced a new over-the-shoulder camera perspective and a more action-oriented gameplay style compared to its predecessors.
    • Release Year: 2005
    • Genre: Survival Horror
    • Platform: Nintendo GameCube
    • Modes: Single-player
    • Perspective: Third-person
    Resident Evil 4 in other rankings
  7. 7
    7
    votes

    Kingdom Hearts

    Tetsuya Nomura
    This action RPG game is one of the most popular PS2 games, with over 4 million copies sold worldwide. It offers an engaging storyline and memorable characters, making it a fan favorite.
    Kingdom Hearts is a renowned JRPG (Japanese Role-Playing Game) that combines the worlds of Disney and Final Fantasy. The game follows a young boy named Sora, who teams up with various Disney characters and Final Fantasy heroes to battle against darkness and save different worlds. With its unique blend of action, adventure, and fantasy, Kingdom Hearts has gained a dedicated fan base.
    • Release Date: March 28, 2002
    • Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS
    • Genre: Action RPG
    • Game Modes: Single Player
    • Number of Main Installments: 13
    Kingdom Hearts in other rankings
  8. 8
    5
    votes
    This action-adventure game is one of the most popular PS2 games, with over 2.7 million copies sold worldwide. It offers an intriguing storyline and unique gameplay, making it a fan favorite.
    Shadow of the Colossus is an action-adventure game that follows the story of a young man named Wander who enters a forbidden land in hope of resurrecting a young girl. In order to achieve his goal, he must defeat sixteen massive colossi spread across the vast and desolate landscape. The game is known for its breathtaking visuals, emotional narrative, and unique gameplay mechanics.
    • Release Date: October 18, 2005
    • Platform: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
    • Genre: Action-adventure
    • Mode(s): Single-player
    • Playable Characters: Wander
    Shadow of the Colossus in other rankings
  9. 9
    7
    votes

    Ratchet & Clank

    Insomniac Games
    This platformer game is one of the most popular PS2 games, with over 2 million copies sold worldwide. It offers fun gameplay and memorable characters, making it a fan favorite.
    Ratchet & Clank is a popular action-adventure video game series that combines platforming, shooting, and exploration elements. The game follows the adventures of Ratchet, a Lombax mechanic, and Clank, a small robot companion, as they travel through various colorful and imaginative worlds, battling enemies and solving puzzles.
    • Genre: Action-adventure
    • Platform: PlayStation
    • Release Date: November 4, 2002 (original game)
    • Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
    • Number of Games: Over 15 games in the series
  10. 10
    0
    votes
    This platformer game is one of the most popular PS2 games, with over 1.8 million copies sold worldwide. It offers an engaging storyline and fun gameplay, making it a fan favorite.
    Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is an action-adventure platformer game for the PlayStation 2. It was developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game follows the story of Jak and his loyal sidekick Daxter as they embark on a quest to save the world from an evil villain. As they explore a vibrant and diverse world filled with various environments, players must overcome challenging obstacles, engage in intense combat, and collect Precursor orbs to unlock new abilities.
    • Genre: Action-adventure platformer
    • Platform: PlayStation 2
    • Developer: Naughty Dog
    • Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
    • Release date: December 3, 2001

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Ranking factors for popular game

  1. Sales figures
    Look at the number of units sold for each game. Higher sales figures usually indicate greater popularity.
  2. Critical reception
    Consider the game's scores and reviews from professional critics and publications, like Metacritic score and IGN ratings.
  3. Player reviews
    Assess the player community's feedback, such as user reviews and ratings on websites like GameFAQs, Amazon, and Reddit.
  4. Popularity over time
    Determine the game's enduring appeal, including how often it's discussed and whether its popularity has persisted long after release.
  5. Awards and accolades
    Take into account any industry awards or recognition the game has received, such as Game of the Year or Best Graphics awards.
  6. Influence
    Examine the game's impact on the gaming industry or on other games, including whether it spawned sequels, spin-offs, or inspired other games' mechanics and design.
  7. Cultural impact
    Assess the game's influence outside the gaming industry, such as its impact on pop culture, films, TV, books, and music.
  8. Replayability
    Consider whether the game offers a high level of replayability, with features like various difficulty levels, branching storylines, or multiplayer options that keep players engaged over time.
  9. Innovation and originality
    Evaluate the game's unique and innovative aspects, such as its gameplay mechanics, story, setting, and art style.
  10. Genre and appeal
    Determine the game's appeal to a broad audience by considering its genre and the preferences of different types of gamers.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular PS2 game. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1619 views
  • 135 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each game once every 24 hours. The rank of each game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular ps2 game

The PlayStation 2, or PS2, was one of the most popular gaming consoles of all time, with over 155 million units sold worldwide. Released in 2000, it was the successor to the original PlayStation and featured improved graphics, online play, and a vast library of games. The PS2 was home to some of the most iconic and memorable games in gaming history, including Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Final Fantasy X. In this article, we take a closer look at the most popular PS2 games and find out which one reigns supreme according to the StrawPoll community.

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