6 Iconic PS2 Games That Changed Gaming Forever

There’s a reason the PlayStation 2 was the best-selling console of all time, with an absolutely massive catalog of more than 4,000 games, many of which went on to shape the future of the industry. It was an era when groundbreaking new IPs launched at the same time as beloved franchises peaked, with bangers in virtually every genre imaginable.

The PS2 consistently delivered legendary games that have remained influential decades later. It introduced players to iconic series like God of War, Kingdom Hearts, and Devil May Cry, while rolling out new sequels in established franchises such as GTA, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, Gran Turismo, and Resident Evil. Few consoles have boasted such an incredible slate of timeless classics, making the PlayStation 2’s library one of the greatest in video game history.

Grand Theft Auto 3

Unquestionably, Grand Theft Auto 3 was an absolute game-changer when it comes to PlayStation 2 releases. While the original two entries had already established Rockstar Games’ criminal-mayhem formula, GTA 3‘s jump to a fully realized 3D world completely transformed the franchise and, in many ways, the gaming industry as a whole.

Liberty City felt alive in a way no other open world had up to that point, giving players a level of freedom to explore the city at their own pace, or to simply run around and wreak havoc however they saw fit. Its innovative sandbox design laid the foundation not only for future Rockstar masterpieces like Vice City, San Andreas, GTA 4, GTA 5, as well as the upcoming GTA 6, but also inspired countless other open-world franchises that followed.

From Saints Row and Sleeping Dogs to Watch Dogs and Mafia, GTA 3‘s influence is still palpable more than two decades later. Even today, it remains one of the most important and revolutionary video games ever released, helping redefine what players came to expect from open-world games writ large.

Resident Evil 4

Ada Wong dangles a key in her hand while smirking softly

You can’t overstate just how important Resident Evil 4 was in the evolution of gaming, fundamentally changing how third-person action games were designed forever. While it was a survival horror game at its core, nearly every major mechanic it introduced or refined became an industry standard.

For starters, Res 4 popularized the over-the-shoulder third-person camera, which influenced countless games to come, e.g., Gears of War, Dead Space, Last of Us, Tomb Raider, etc. Beyond that, the enemy AI was way ahead of its time, with the infamous Ganado enemies able to flank, dodge, use melee weapons, throw projectiles, and even coordinate into groups.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Resident Evil 4 is regularly ranked among the greatest video games of all time, and it not only revolutionized the Resident Evil franchise itself, but arguably every game in the genre thereafter.

Screenshot from Metal Gear Solid 3 from the MGS:MCV1 show Naked Snake in the woods while beams of sunlight shine through the trees.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is widely regarded as one of the PlayStation 2’s defining masterpieces, featuring one of gaming’s most memorable narratives and going on to receive an incredible modern remake with Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater that’s definitely worth checking out if you haven’t by now.

Metal Gear Solid 3 was well ahead of its time in the stealth-action genre, incorporating novel survival mechanics, emergent gameplay features, incredible boss designs, and immersive environments that blew other similarly styled games out of the water. Snake had to camouflage himself using different uniforms and face paint to blend into his surroundings, hunt wildlife to replenish stamina, treat various injuries in unique ways, etc.

Further, the game played like you were taking part in a movie, with long cutscenes that didn’t take you out of the experience at all. It was a masterclass in storytelling with the gameplay to back it up, and is a shoo-in for one of the best titles ever released on the PS2.

God of War

With the recent announcement of God of War Laufey and God of War 6 likely on the way in no time, this list wouldn’t be a list without the OG God of War, which dropped on the PlayStation 2 back in 2005. Widely regarded as one of the greatest action games ever made, the original God of War redefined the hack-and-slash genre with its brutal and unforgettable take on Greek mythology.

It established Kratos as one of PlayStation’s most iconic mascots while laying the groundwork for a franchise that continues to influence action games more than two decades later. While God of War may not have reinvented gaming to the same extent as Grand Theft Auto 3 or Resident Evil 4, it absolutely set new standards for cinematic action games and influenced countless titles that followed.

Outside the game’s story, premise, and unique mythos, the original God of War’s gameplay incorporated what may have been the perfect blend of challenging combat, puzzle-solving, and platforming mechanics, inspiring a gameplay loop you’ve likely seen in countless games since.

Final Fantasy X

Where do you even start when talking about Final Fantasy X‘s influence on gaming? For starters, the game showcased what the PlayStation 2 was capable of in a way no other game could, with over-the-top visuals that were jaw-dropping for their time, an orchestral soundtrack and fully-voiced cutscenes, not to mention the game’s next-level CGI and world design.

Aside from that, FFX blew gamers away with its epic storytelling and character development, not to mention the groundbreaking turn-based mechanics that players still yearn for in modern RPGs to this day. Modern titles like GOTY-winning Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 owe their success entirely to FFX‘s innovative systems, which developers at Sandfall have openly acknowledged time and again.

As PlayStation honors the game’s 25th anniversary with the release of Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster on the Nintendo Switch 2, players are getting a chance to dive back into the heart-wrenching story once again and re-experience what made FFX so beloved in the first place.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3

THPS 3+4 Secret Tape Cover Image Screenshot

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 is often considered the peak of the classic Tony Hawk formula because it took everything the first two games established and refined it to near perfection. Its introduction of online multiplayer and the Revert mechanic permanently changed the series, while its various gameplay improvements helped define the arcade sports genre for years to come.

Aside from gameplay, the game’s soundtrack remains one of the undeniable GOATs, only outmatched by later entries in the series like Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland. Further, THPS 3 popularized online multiplayer on consoles, letting players compete in trick attack, graffiti, and other modes over the internet well before XBOX Live was the dominant online method.

While the modern remake of THPS 3+4 was massively successful in its own right, nothing could recapture the unique moment that the original THPS3 enjoyed back in its heyday. It dropped at the perfect time in gaming and scratched an itch that nearly every gamer needed, and there’s no doubt it remains one of the most iconic PlayStation 2 games ever to release on the platform.