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PS2 online gaming
Soon after the PS2 console’s launch, PlayStation stepped into the world of online multiplayer.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 (2001)
The first PlayStation game to feature online multiplayer, THPS3 was a revelation as players could challenge friends around the world. The game also introduced a wealth of moves and gameplay features which earned it phenomenal review scores.
Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001 (2001)
This critically acclaimed 2D fighting game merged classic six-button play with SNK-indebted ‘Grooves’, starred a host of combatants from both studios’ storied fighter franchises, and was the first online-enabled title to support cross-console play.
SOCOM: US Navy Seals (2002)
Playing as Kahuna, players led a four-man squad across missions in Alaska, Thailand and elsewhere. But going online offered competitive play, playing as SEALs or terrorists, supported – for the first time on PlayStation – by voice chat via a USB headset.
Final Fantasy XI (2002)
The first open-world massively multiplayer role-playing game (MMORPG) on console, XI was the first game in the Final Fantasy series to introduce real-time enemy encounters and let players create their own avatars. Such was the game's popularity that it was supported on PS2 until 2016.
Star Wars: Battlefront (2004)
Not to be confused with its PS4 remake over a decade later, Star Wars: Battlefront thrust players into a galaxy far, far away to fight as the Rebel Alliance, Galactic Empire, the Galactic Republic or the Confederacy of Independent Systems. What blew players’ minds though was the ability to fight these battles online, with up to 16 players skirmishing on iconic planets from the Star Wars universe.
Jak and Daxter (2001)
Naughty Dog’s action-platformer finds Jak and his ‘ottsel’ best pal Daxter – half otter, half weasel – embarking on a quest to stop a pair of wicked sages who want to contaminate the world with corruptive dark energy.
Twisted Metal: Black (2001)
Twisted Metal’s car combat formula evolved for even more mayhem than its PS one predecessor, earning widespread acclaim for the array of vehicles and weapons available – including the terrifyingly iconic Sweet Tooth in his ice-cream truck.
Ico (2001)
Ico’s gentle puzzles, emotional weight and hand-in-hand running between objectives – and away from evil shadows – saw this action-adventure become a PS2 cornerstone (and a PS3 hit too, via an HD remaster), as well as a huge influence on other games.
Ratchet & Clank (2002)
An all-action 3D platformer, the original Ratchet & Clank introduced the gaming world to the wisecracking Lombax and his mechanical pal, and their penchant for letting rip with a huge array of weapons against the fiendish schemes of Dr. Nefarious.
Sly Cooper (2002)
A colourful cartoon-y sneak ‘em up, Sly Cooper was an early hit for Sucker Punch Productions, who went on to develop inFamous and Ghost of Tsushima. With stylish visuals and tight, rewarding gameplay, Sly’s debut still holds up brilliantly today.
Killzone (2004)
This sci-fi first-person shooter from Guerrilla finds humanity fighting for its existence against invading Helghast forces on the planet of Vekta, and started a series spanning PS2®, PS3®, PS4®, PSP, and PS Vita.
God of War (2005)
Kratos’ debut was themed around Greek mythology and saw the iconic Ghost of Sparta guided by the goddess Athena on a quest of vengeance to kill then god of war, Ares, and eventually assume his mantle. God of War I established what the series come to be best-known for: epic scale, larger-than-life boss battles, and frenetic combat rewarding stylish combo strings with a brutal flourish.
Resident Evil 4 (2005)
Blending intense shootouts with survival-horror gameplay and taking an innovative over-the-shoulder perspective on pistol pointing, Resident Evil 4 kicked Capcom’s series up a gear with a romp through rural Spain that set a new standard for third-person action.
Shadow of the Colossus (2005)
Set in an open world quite unlike any other, Shadow of the Colossus contrasts its uniquely minimalist moment-to-moment play with puzzle-orientated boss fights – 16 in total, against the colossi of the title. This is vast adventuring, but in service of a story told quietly.
One console, many ways to play
PlayStation controller innovations take a giant leap forward and show there’s more than one way to play…
DualShock 2
The bundled PS2 controller was a subtle evolution of the design that had shaken up home gaming on the original PlayStation, and featured improved dual analogue sticks, vibration feedback, and PS one backwards compatibility.
SingStar mics
Whether connected to your PS2 or wirelessly rocking around your room, a mic was essential for playing SingStar. Debuting in 2004, the sing-along experience was fun solo but even better as a duo – and luckily the SingStar microphones came as pairs.
Buzz! Buzzers
The Buzz! series of TV-styled quiz games was a firm party favourite – but to really get the most out of these fast-fingered trivia fests you needed the official Buzzer controller, complete with multiple-choice inputs and the all-important big, red buzzer.
EyeToy camera
A camera that made you the star of the on-screen action, EyeToy was supported by specially designed games that used your motions as inputs. Many more PS2 titles featured optional EyeToy enhancements, including entries in The Sims and Tony Hawk series.
Guitar Hero
The world-famous Guitar Hero series began on PS2 in 2005, with the original game featuring 47 tracks to rock along with. Naturally, you couldn’t do that with a DualShock – so the game's guitar-shaped controller was a must for mastering those blistering riffs.
Games on the go
Some of the most iconic games and characters playable on the PSP system.
Ape Escape: On the Loose! (2004)
PSP launched to a fanfare of monkey business as the original Ape Escape was rebuilt to kick off the handheld era.
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
Bend Studio’s stealthy Syphon Filter series snuck onto PSP with a classic tale of espionage that supported up to eight players, connected via the PSP system’s ad hoc mode for a range of deathmatch and objective-based multiplayer modes.
LocoRoco (2006)
In the peaceful and colourful world of the LocoRoco, players control not the jelly-like creatures, but the planet around them, manoeuvring their environment to roll and bounce its residents on a quest to rescue their friends from invaders.
Patapon (2007)
A unique blend of rhythm, action, and strategy, Patapon casts players as the worshipped leader of a tribe of lovable villagers, commanded into battle by a series of rhythmic patterns. To play it was to have the tuneful chorus of “Pa-ta-pon” forever stuck in your head.
God of War: Chains of Olympus
Set before Kratos learned the truth of Ares’ betrayal, God of War: Chains of Olympus is a prequel God of War I and the fourth entry in the series. Tasked by Athena to find the missing Helios, Kratos embarks crossing the war-torn lands of Greece and into the underworld itself to battle gods and monsters of legend.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Harking back to the early top-down days of GTA, Chinatown Wars thrust players into Liberty City’s underworld as young gangster Huang Lee, caught in a power struggle with dangerous Triads as he tries to protect his family’s honour.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
Snake made several appearances on PSP, with this fan-favourite instalment taking him to the wilds of Central America in his guise as Big Boss, leader of a mercenary organization known as Militaires Sans Frontières – Soldiers without Borders.
