5 Greatest PS2 Exclusives Of All Time

Published Sep 6, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT Bruno Yonezawa is a Gaming Senior Writer for Screen Rant. He's been practicing professional journalism for over 10 years, and is also a communications specialist. He's played games all his life and turned that passionate hobby into a passionate career, in an industry where he's worked as a writer, editor, analyst, and more. The PlayStation 2 was a technical revolution, not only bringing brand-new possibilities for games, but also housing some of the best and most iconic games ever made. It was on Sony’s 2000 console that the Grand Theft Auto franchise exploded in popularity, with the introduction of the first 3D entry in the series, Grand Theft Auto 3. Now, we’re looking forward to the release of GTA 6 in November as what may possibly become one of the biggest games in history, and there’s no denying that the PS2 had its role in that. The extremely popular God of War franchise was also born on the PlayStation 2, back in 2005, as a remarkable exclusive. There was a huge list of popular PS2 games everyone had, and many of them, in fact, were exclusives for the console. Many of them have been re-released, remastered, and remade for modern platforms, several of which went multi-platform. Final Fantasy X, for example, was exclusive at launch, but nowadays, you can play it nearly anywhere. There are, however, some titles that remained in the PlayStation ecosystem, even if they were ported to other Sony consoles. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec One of the clearest examples of this is Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec. Developed by Polyphony Digital exclusively for the PlayStation 2 – in fact, this was the first Gran Turismo game on the console – the title was released in 2001. One of the most popular PlayStation 2 games ever, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec was also a huge improvement compared to other titles, especially when it comes to its technical aspects. The game featured cutting-edge graphics for racing games, as well as improved physics and sound design. Another important thing about A-Spec was its enhanced opponent AI, which made races feel a lot more realistic, even if, at times, they felt a bit punishing too. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec never received any ports or remasters for other platforms, making it one of the most memorable PS2 exclusives of all time. Shadow of the Colossus Shadow of the Colossus was another fantastic PS2 exclusive that became one of the poster children for the console and Sony’s gaming division. Developed and published by Sony, this legendary action-adventure title was released in 2005 to critical acclaim. Widely considered one of the best games ever made, Shadow of the Colossus took advantage of the PS2 hardware to bring forth an enormous, even if empty, dying world to explore. As you control Wander through different regions, you face the titular colossi, which are themselves legendary boss fights with puzzle mechanics. The game is steeped in melancholy throughout its design, and immersion is one of its core pillars. Shadow of the Colossus was remade for PlayStation 4 consoles, but remains to this day one of the brightest PlayStation 2 exclusives. Ico Before Shadow of the Colossus left its mark on PlayStation 2 gamers, director Fumito Ueda released Ico, another PS2 exclusive. Developed by Sony, this 2001 action-adventure game had a similar premise in the sense that it was a minimalist game. The title has you control the titular Ico, who needs to guide Yorda by literally holding her hand through an input. This game is full of clever puzzles that help tell an unforgettable story. Ico was not as commercially successful as Shadow of the Colossus, but it was, dare I say, even more innovative than its spiritual successor. The 2001 game featured several brand-new elements that were unheard of until then, and it’s considered a pioneer for atmospheric narrative-driven games. Titles like Journey, Monument Valley, and The Last Guardian would likely not exist in the same way without this perfect PS2 exclusive that nobody remembers. Jak 2 My personal favorite on this list, Jak 2, was an unforgettable PlayStation 2 exclusive that changed everything. The original Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, released in 2001, was an absolutely fantastic action-adventure game that served as an alternative for fans of series like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon. The original title was already revolutionary with its non-linear world and story, but Jak 2 changed everything – and for the better. Developed by Naughty Dog and released in 2003, Jak 2 shifted into a much darker story, while keeping the lore elements that made the world of Jak and Daxter so appealing. As a kid growing up, I felt like the franchise was keeping up with me. The game is set in the open-world map of Haven City, featuring completely new gameplay mechanics, like gunplay and the constant use of vehicles, combined with mechanics from the classic. It was one of the hardest PlayStation 2 games to beat, and undeniably one of the best. Silent Hill 2 Arguably the best entry in the series, Silent Hill 2 was an absolute masterpiece of a PS2 exclusive. Developed and released by Konami in 2001, the title is a massive improvement on the original title from 1999. Following the story of James Sunderland, you venture into the town of Silent Hill, only to be met with unbelievable horrors. This psychological horror game hits every note perfectly. The game talks about grief, the human psyche, and much more in ingenious ways. Silent Hill 2’s setting, story, themes, and gameplay were all groundbreaking. It’s also worth noting that this is the game that presented the dreadful and iconic Pyramid Head to the world. This may have been the pinnacle of horror at its time, and it’s easily one of the best exclusives released for PlayStation 2. Brand Sony Original Release Date February 4, 2000 Original MSRP (USD) $299 Weight 4.85 lb