20 PS2 Games That Still Hold Up

It's truly unbelievable how the PlayStation 2 has remained the best selling console ever, even after 25 years.

Now, the fact the PS2 was the first gaming system to include DVD playback obviously played a huge part in its success. But at the same time, the 2000 console dominated its competition because it had a never-ending trough of monumental titles. Even though its predecessor had plenty of awe-inspiring shooters, RPGs, and beat 'em ups, the number of hits the PS2 had to offer went beyond the stratosphere.

Not only did many PSOne franchises seamlessly transition onto the console, the PS2 spawned a lot of new IPs, such as God of War and Kingdom Hearts, which still stand the test of time. Although it was awesome to see video games looking sharper than ever, there was also a bigger push for emotional conflicts, explorable worlds, and nuanced mechanics at the time, accentuating the gaming experience as a whole.

Though some defining games aren't as great when examined with the modern lens, this Sony system has dozens of gems that have aged like fine wine.

Since we couldn't settle on a top ten, here are 20 PS2 games that still hold up.

Unlike sequels that feel like a repackaging of what came before, Sly 2: Band of Thieves took strides to expand on what made the first Sly Cooper enjoyable while introducing a whole gaggle of ideas and mechanics.

Instead of throwing a bunch of linear missions at players, our racoon hero is placed in an enormous hub, filled with all sorts of objectives, secrets, and opportunities to experiment with stealth. This shift to open-ended design was ambitious, but it gave players a sense of freedom and depth rarely seen in platformers at the time.

Another reason why Band of Thieves shines is the way characterisation and story take priority. Sly, Bentley, and Murray aren't just archetypes, but fully developed personalities, whose bond with one another drives the narrative. Their light-hearted banter is enjoyable to watch, while the overarching plot involving the Klaww Gang and the Clockwerk parts provides real stakes.

The cel-shaded visuals give Sly 2 a cool comic-book aesthetic that looks gorgeous, while the jazzy soundtracks should leave anybody humming to the beat.

Due to the clever level design, diverse missions, and the ability to control a team of spies, Sly 2 provides a wonderful experience that the franchise has never bettered.