Today marks the 25th anniversary of the PlayStation 2! We’re taking a look back at the incredible variety of games it offered, the features that still influence gaming today, and the unique experiences that defined its era.
Games today offer incredible variety and reach. Platforms like Itch.io encourage creativity through game jams and support unique gaming communities, giving new developers a place to showcase their work. Steam boasts a larger game selection than any traditional console. While this diversity is facing challenges, it’s still thriving.
If you wanted to explore the wide world of video games using only one system, the PlayStation 2 remains a strong choice.
The PlayStation 2 really stands out when you compare it to other consoles of its time. While the Nintendo GameCube has some great, well-known games, most were made by Nintendo themselves. The original Xbox, on the other hand, is mostly remembered for Halo and the fun people had playing it together, whether at local gaming events or online with Xbox Live.
The PlayStation 2 wasn’t just a console; it launched games that became cultural phenomena, often overshadowing the system itself. It was instrumental in making Grand Theft Auto the massive franchise it is today, and remains strongly linked to classics like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and the origins of Kingdom Hearts. The PS2 also sparked the popularity of the Persona series in the West, ultimately leading to titles like Metaphor: ReFantazio. It’s difficult to overstate how much the PS2 did to popularize video games and shape the industry into what it is now.
The PlayStation 2 wasn’t afraid to take risks and offer truly unique experiences. Games like Rule of Rose remain remarkably strange and impactful survival horror titles, holding their own against genre giants like Silent Hill 2 and Resident Evil 4. Drakengard delivered a still-shocking and relentlessly bleak dark fantasy adventure. Ico and Shadow of the Colossus quietly influenced modern games like The Last of Us and the 2018 God of War, yet possess a special, almost minimalist beauty linked to the PS2’s hardware. Playing Shadow of the Colossus on the original console, you can almost feel the system working hard to display its scope, and that struggle actually adds to the game’s impressive power.
The PlayStation 2 was a surprisingly innovative console. Games like Katamari Damacy were wonderfully strange and popular, while titles such as Silent Hill 2 and Fatal Frame III explored mature themes that many games still haven’t fully embraced. Even Metal Gear Solid 2 was ahead of its time, experimenting with self-awareness and complex storytelling—ideas later seen in games like BioShock and Spec Ops: The Line. While building on past successes, the PS2 was remarkable for how much it influenced and foreshadowed the future of gaming.
Looking back at the PlayStation 2 feels different now that I’m removed from that era. I’m no longer frustrated by Japanese games never being released here, disappointed by the limited selection at stores, or struggling to break into the game development industry. I experienced the PS2 by borrowing games, finding deals at local shops, or through other means. Now, I can even play official English translations of games that never came to the US. This nostalgic view is a result of revisiting the PS2 with my current perspective. Many of my frustrations with the gaming industry today started back then. With so many innovative games readily available now, it makes me wonder why I feel nostalgic at all.
The PlayStation 2 wasn’t the end of great video games, but it marked a turning point. After the PS2 era, mainstream games stopped consistently striving for innovation beyond just improved graphics.
The PlayStation 2 era was different because console games weren’t designed to be constantly demanding of your time and money. Consoles didn’t have reliable internet access, so very few games offered ongoing updates or online experiences. While titles like Final Fantasy XI and Phantasy Star Online existed, they were rare examples, and even they didn’t have the constant stream of microtransactions and ongoing engagement we see in today’s free-to-play games. This approach originated on PCs, but it’s now standard practice across all gaming platforms.
The PlayStation 2 became very affordable over time, eventually becoming incredibly common. It remains the best-selling console ever, and surprisingly, was still selling over a million units in late 2012, shortly before it was discontinued. Even years after its release, new games like FIFA and Final Fantasy XI continued to be released for it. The PS2 is still incredibly popular in Brazil, particularly modified versions used to play pirated games. This makes Sony’s decision to move towards more expensive and high-end hardware with the PlayStation 3 seem even more surprising and disappointing.
The PlayStation 2 was affordable, had a huge variety of games, and arrived just as online gaming was becoming popular – it foreshadowed the future while still feeling unique. The PS2 wasn’t the end of great video games, but it was the last console generation where mainstream titles consistently felt innovative and experimental, going beyond just improved graphics. Throughout its lifespan, even popular games felt ambitious, unusual, and bold. That era is something to remember and appreciate.
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2025-10-26 16:40