The PS2 was the gift that kept on giving in the early and mid-2000s, with a prolific run giving birth to some amazing new IPs, while also allowing for some of the finest entries ever in long-running and uber-successful franchises.

It was the console that everyone wanted, and judging by sales figures, the one that everyone had. Which naturally means that even with the slew of modern games on offer these days, many gamers are still keen to jump back into older titles for a nice little blast from the past.

This is where the PS Plus Catalog comes in, as the classic collection has a wealth of iconic PS2 titles. Some may not be as eye-catching as others, but we have curated a list of all-killer, no-filler games, that warrant a revisit in 2025 and beyond.

10

Dark Cloud

Sony’s Alleged Zelda Killer

Back in the early days of the PS2, Sony was making moves to try and create their own Zelda to rival Link’s adventures on Nintendo consoles, which is what birthed the idea that would eventually become Dark Cloud.

Honestly, the Zelda-style dungeon crawling aspects don’t even come close to rivaling any 3D Zelda game. But, thanks to fun combat, an addictive gameplay loop, and an interesting town/city builder aspect that feels like something out of the Suikoden playbook, there’s plenty to love about this one, Zelda fan or not.

The weapon degradation system is a pain, and the dungeons can be a little repetitive. But, as a sum of its parts, Dark Cloud is actually a ray of sunshine, and a PS2 classic well worth diving into.

9

Summoner

A Rare PS2 Open World RPG

It’s fair to say that the Western RPG genre was something that didn’t quite make the leap from PC to PS2 particularly well. JRPGs had a swell time on console, but it would take a long time before traditional RPGs would have their moment in the sun.

Games like Morrowind, Gothic, and many others were absent from the PS2 lineup, but a game boldly holding the line for RPGs everywhere in their absence was Summoner.

Offering tactical combat, a vast and open world, a summon system that could help or hinder you depending on how you fared in battle, and a gritty fantasy story, Summoner has it all. It’s a plucky title that walked so that games like Baldur’s Gate, Divinity and The Witcher could run. So, play it and give it the respect it deserves.

8

Timesplitters

About Time You Played

While I would have absolutely preferred to place Timesplitters 2 on this list, we sadly only have the original on the lineup at the time of writing. That said, though, it’s a classic FPS title that goes to show that not all console FPS games of this era were objectively terrible. Just most of them.

Sure, it doesn’t have the campaign of your Goldeneyes or your Perfect Darks to ground the experience. But the missions are still quality outings, if a little random and disconnected. Plus, the gameplay is fast, fluid, and fun in all the ways that those aforementioned classic FPS hits were too.

Not to mention, this game had a robust level editor, which was pretty much unheard of back then. Which doubled up nicely with the quality local co-op to ensure you got out what you put in. It’s a little primitive, but even still, it’s one that true FPS fans will love.

7

Lego Star Wars: The Original Trilogy

Strike Up The Cantina Band

There are so many Lego games out there today, including a remake of this very game listed. But if you want to truly experience the best version of the Skywalker saga in Lego form, then you need to play the original.

It’s the classic Lego formula that has you solve puzzles, partake in accessible combat and platforming, and collect as many studs as you can. All the while role-playing as just about any of the major players this side of Tatooine.

The level design is much more straightforward, and the quintessential slapstick humor of the Lego games lands much more often in this version of the game. Sure, it’s a little less shiny and new, but there’s something about this game’s simplicity that makes it the better of the two.

6

Forbidden Siren

A Quite Literal Bloodbath

When it comes to underrated horror gems, there aren’t many that deserve their props more than the original Forbidden Siren. A game that might look a little primitive by today’s horror standards. But even without high-fidelity gore, this game is creepy enough to keep you on your toes.

Zombies are one thing, but when you tweak that formula slightly to place the player in a village overrun with blood-cursed, demonically possessed townsfolk, the horror naturally elevates to another level.

Couple this with a gripping and tense plot, and the vulnerable nature of your character as you have to use sight-jacking powers to evade enemies, and you have something truly special. Alongside Silent Hill and Resident Evil, Forbidden Siren is one of the finest on the platform. No hyperbole, just facts.

5

Jak & Daxter: The Precursor’s Legacy

Mascot-Platforming Royalty

Speaking of genre pedigree, there are few dynamic duos that can stand against the iconic pair of Jak and Daxter. Now, I know many will fight on this, as a lot of people prefer the GTA-esque sequel, which is also on the PS Plus Catalog. But for me, the original is still the best by a long shot.

It’s absent of that gritty, reluctant anti-hero shtick. It’s vibrant, whimsical, and oozing with charm, and above all, it feels much more like a traditional mascot platformer rather than a game trying to mash together Ratchet and Clank with Grand Theft Auto.

Don’t get me wrong, love them both. But across the series, The Precursor’s Legacy wins every time thanks to the amazing semi-open-world structure, the outstanding, memorable mini-games, and of course, Daxter’s one-liners when you kick the bucket.

4

Okage: Shadow King

Release Your Inner Demon

The PS2 was a continuation of the breakout success of the JRPG genre on the PSX, and just as you had unsung heroes like Vagrant Story and Parasite Eve, the PS2 played host to its own cast of JRPG gems. Of which Okage: Shadow King was certainly one.

I’ll be honest, the JRPG mechanics, while serviceable, were nothing to write home about. But, where the game shines is in its visual style and its writing, as the game has a Tim Burton-esque, creepy but campy cartoon vibe. Not to mention, it’s a game that dares to shoot for humor, and hits the target more than it misses.

There’s something rather fun about fighting against the powers of evil while actively aiding and abetting a sleeping giant in the evil villain landscape. It’s a bold idea executed brilliantly, and it’s one that JRPG fans worth their salt should play.

3

Skygunner

An Alternate Persona

We know ATLUS mainly for its collection of long-running and hugely successful JRPG franchises. But, alongside being masters of the JRPG realm, this team has also dabbled in the world of flight simulation, allowing you to take control of the skyships that have become a staple of multiple major JRPG franchises. So there’s your link, however tenuous it may be.

What’s great about this one is that, unlike typical aerial combat games of the era like Ace Combat, this game offers a more light-hearted tone, a more vibrant aesthetic, and, most importantly, gameplay that isn’t so much focused on realistic dogfighting as it is fun.

Picture an arcade flight simulator with a steampunk Studio Ghibli vibe, a colorful cast of characters, and gameplay that feels like Kingdom Hearts Gummi Ship missions on steroids, and that about sums up what’s in store if you choose to play Skygunner.

2

Rogue Galaxy

A Not-So-Rogue Inclusion

There are quite a few genuinely magnificent JRPGs within the classics catalog, a few of which we have already mentioned. But, the pick of the bunch, where the PS2 line-up is concerned, has to be Rogue Galaxy.

Alongside offering an interstellar storyline worth absorbing, the game also provides players with a great cast of characters to get to know intimately, excellent real-time combat complete with unique features like weapon fusion systems. Plus, the game provides vast open planets to explore rather than repetitive dungeons.

This, combined with the fact that the visuals and score still hold up nicely today thanks to the game’s timeless cel-shaded art style and the wealth of side content in the form of fun mini-games, makes Rogue Galaxy a title well worth exploring in 2025.

1

Deus Ex: The Human Conspiracy

Immersive Sim Heritage

Screw your Adam Jensen, I want JC Denton. If you’re someone who was massively into gaming around the turn of the millennium, then I reckon you’ll feel the same way.

This one might not be quite as smooth to play on console, as it was developed in an era when PCs were king and then ported to the PS2. But, even still, it’s a way to jump into an immersive sim that rivals the Thief series in terms of quality and pedigree.

Each mission is something that can be approached in any way you see fit, with an insane level of depth and flexibility, considering this was a game made way back in 2000.

It doesn’t have the flashy gunplay of Mankind Divided, for example. But with quality level design and immersive gameplay like this, you won’t miss it.