Top PS2 Games: Best Selling Games Of All Time

The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is one of the most iconic and successful consoles ever created. With its impressive game library and innovative features, the PS2 dominated the gaming scene for many years. Today, we're diving into the best selling PS2 games of all time, exploring what made these titles so popular and why they continue to be cherished by gamers around the globe. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the world of PS2, get ready to discover some absolute classics.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas tops the list as the best selling PS2 game of all time. This open-world action-adventure game, developed by Rockstar North, immerses players in the fictional state of San Andreas, encompassing three major cities: Los Santos (based on Los Angeles), San Fierro (based on San Francisco), and Las Venturas (based on Las Vegas). The game follows the story of Carl "CJ" Johnson, who returns home after his mother's murder and is drawn back into a life of crime. San Andreas isn't just a game; it's a cultural phenomenon that shaped the gaming landscape. Its expansive open world, diverse activities, and compelling storyline set a new standard for the genre, captivating players for countless hours. One of the standout features of San Andreas is its sheer depth and breadth. Players can explore a vast and varied landscape, from bustling city streets to serene countryside, each meticulously crafted with its own unique atmosphere. The game offers an unparalleled level of freedom, allowing players to engage in a wide range of activities, such as customizing vehicles, participating in street races, and even managing their character's physical appearance. This level of customization and choice contributed significantly to the game's replayability and lasting appeal. Beyond the open-world exploration, San Andreas boasts a rich and engaging storyline filled with memorable characters and dramatic twists. CJ's journey from a reluctant participant to a powerful figure in the criminal underworld is both captivating and relatable. The game's narrative explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption, resonating with players on a deep emotional level. The voice acting, soundtrack, and overall presentation of the game are top-notch, further enhancing the immersive experience. The game's success can also be attributed to its cultural impact. San Andreas captured the zeitgeist of the early 2000s, reflecting the music, fashion, and social issues of the time. Its characters and storylines have become iconic, influencing popular culture and inspiring countless memes and references. The game's lasting legacy is a testament to its quality and its ability to connect with players on a personal level.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Coming in second is Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, another masterpiece from Rockstar Games. Released in 2002, this game transports players to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City, a vibrant and decadent metropolis inspired by Miami in the 1980s. Players assume the role of Tommy Vercetti, a mobster who arrives in Vice City to establish a new drug operation but quickly becomes entangled in a web of betrayal and violence. Vice City isn't just a game; it's a time capsule that perfectly captures the atmosphere and style of the 1980s. Its iconic soundtrack, filled with classic hits from the era, sets the tone for the game's over-the-top action and glamorous lifestyle. The game's visual design, from the pastel suits to the flashy sports cars, is a loving tribute to the decade of excess and extravagance. One of the key elements that made Vice City so popular is its immersive open-world environment. Players can freely explore the city, engaging in a variety of activities such as driving, shooting, and completing missions. The game's attention to detail is remarkable, with each district of Vice City feeling distinct and alive. From the bustling downtown area to the sun-drenched beaches, the game's world is a joy to explore. The game's storyline is another major draw. Tommy Vercetti's rise through the ranks of the criminal underworld is a gripping tale filled with memorable characters and dramatic twists. The game's narrative explores themes of ambition, greed, and the corrupting influence of power, resonating with players on a deep emotional level. The voice acting, led by Ray Liotta as Tommy Vercetti, is superb, further enhancing the immersive experience. Vice City's success can also be attributed to its cultural impact. The game captured the spirit of the 1980s, influencing popular culture and inspiring countless imitations. Its characters and storylines have become iconic, and its soundtrack is still widely listened to today. The game's lasting legacy is a testament to its quality and its ability to transport players to another time and place.

Grand Theft Auto III

Before San Andreas and Vice City, there was Grand Theft Auto III, the game that revolutionized the open-world genre. Released in 2001, Grand Theft Auto III introduced players to Liberty City, a sprawling metropolis inspired by New York City. Players take on the role of Claude, a silent protagonist who becomes embroiled in the city's criminal underworld after being betrayed during a bank robbery. Grand Theft Auto III was a game-changer. It was the first game in the series to fully embrace 3D graphics and an open-world environment, allowing players to explore a vast and detailed city at their own pace. This freedom was revolutionary at the time, and it set a new standard for the genre. One of the key elements that made Grand Theft Auto III so popular is its immersive open-world environment. Players can freely explore Liberty City, engaging in a variety of activities such as driving, shooting, and completing missions. The game's attention to detail is remarkable, with each district of the city feeling distinct and alive. From the bustling downtown area to the industrial outskirts, the game's world is a joy to explore. The game's storyline is another major draw. Claude's journey through the criminal underworld is a gripping tale filled with memorable characters and dramatic twists. The game's narrative explores themes of betrayal, revenge, and the corrupting influence of power, resonating with players on a deep emotional level. The voice acting, soundtrack, and overall presentation of the game are top-notch, further enhancing the immersive experience. Grand Theft Auto III's success can also be attributed to its cultural impact. The game pushed the boundaries of what was possible in video games, influencing popular culture and inspiring countless imitations. Its characters and storylines have become iconic, and its open-world design is still widely imitated today. The game's lasting legacy is a testament to its innovation and its ability to captivate players with its immersive world and compelling story.

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Shifting gears from open-world crime to racing, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is the best selling racing game on the PS2. This title, developed by Polyphony Digital, set a new benchmark for racing games with its stunning graphics, realistic physics, and vast selection of cars. Players could experience the thrill of driving some of the world's most iconic vehicles on a variety of meticulously crafted tracks. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec wasn't just a game; it was a virtual driving simulator that catered to both casual players and hardcore racing enthusiasts. Its realistic physics engine and attention to detail made it feel like you were actually behind the wheel of a high-performance car. One of the key elements that made Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec so popular is its stunning graphics. The game's cars and tracks were rendered with an unprecedented level of detail, pushing the PS2's hardware to its limits. The game's visual presentation was so impressive that it became a benchmark for other racing games. The game's realistic physics engine was another major draw. Cars handled realistically, and players had to master the art of braking, cornering, and acceleration to succeed. The game's physics engine was so accurate that it was used by professional racing teams to train their drivers. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec also featured a vast selection of cars, ranging from everyday vehicles to exotic supercars. Players could customize their cars with a variety of performance upgrades, further enhancing their driving experience. The game's career mode was also highly engaging, allowing players to progress through a series of races and championships, earning money to purchase new cars and upgrades. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec's success can also be attributed to its cultural impact. The game popularized the racing simulator genre, influencing countless other racing games. Its realistic graphics and physics engine set a new standard for the genre, and its vast selection of cars and tracks made it a must-have for racing fans. The game's lasting legacy is a testament to its quality and its ability to capture the thrill of racing.

Gran Turismo 4

Following the success of its predecessor, Gran Turismo 4 continued the series' tradition of excellence. Developed by Polyphony Digital, this racing simulator offered an even greater level of realism, a wider selection of cars, and more tracks to conquer. Players could immerse themselves in the world of motorsports like never before. Gran Turismo 4 was a significant step forward for the series, pushing the boundaries of what was possible on the PS2. Its graphics were even more stunning, its physics engine more realistic, and its selection of cars and tracks more comprehensive. One of the key elements that made Gran Turismo 4 so popular is its stunning graphics. The game's cars and tracks were rendered with an unprecedented level of detail, taking full advantage of the PS2's hardware. The game's visual presentation was so impressive that it became a benchmark for other racing games. The game's realistic physics engine was another major draw. Cars handled realistically, and players had to master the art of braking, cornering, and acceleration to succeed. The game's physics engine was so accurate that it was used by professional racing teams to train their drivers. Gran Turismo 4 also featured a vast selection of cars, ranging from everyday vehicles to exotic supercars. Players could customize their cars with a variety of performance upgrades, further enhancing their driving experience. The game's career mode was even more engaging than its predecessor, allowing players to progress through a series of races and championships, earning money to purchase new cars and upgrades. Gran Turismo 4's success can also be attributed to its cultural impact. The game further solidified the racing simulator genre, influencing countless other racing games. Its realistic graphics and physics engine set a new standard for the genre, and its vast selection of cars and tracks made it a must-have for racing fans. The game's lasting legacy is a testament to its quality and its ability to capture the thrill of racing.

Final Fantasy X

Final Fantasy X is a landmark title in the Final Fantasy series and one of the best selling RPGs on the PS2. Developed by Square (now Square Enix), this game introduced players to the world of Spira, a land threatened by the monstrous entity known as Sin. Players follow the journey of Tidus, a blitzball star who finds himself transported to Spira and joins forces with Yuna, a summoner on a pilgrimage to defeat Sin. Final Fantasy X was a departure for the series in several ways. It was the first Final Fantasy game to feature voice acting, which added a new layer of depth to the characters and storyline. It also introduced a new battle system, the Conditional Turn-Based Battle (CTB) system, which allowed players to strategically plan their attacks and abilities. One of the key elements that made Final Fantasy X so popular is its compelling storyline. The game's narrative explores themes of faith, sacrifice, and the struggle against destiny, resonating with players on a deep emotional level. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their relationships evolve throughout the game. The voice acting is superb, further enhancing the immersive experience. The game's graphics were also a major draw. The world of Spira was rendered with stunning detail, and the game's character models were among the best seen on the PS2. The game's visual presentation was so impressive that it became a benchmark for other RPGs. Final Fantasy X also featured a vast and engaging world to explore. Players could travel to a variety of locations, each with its own unique atmosphere and challenges. The game's side quests and optional content added even more depth to the experience. Final Fantasy X's success can also be attributed to its cultural impact. The game popularized the RPG genre, influencing countless other RPGs. Its compelling storyline and well-developed characters resonated with players around the world, and its graphics and gameplay set a new standard for the genre. The game's lasting legacy is a testament to its quality and its ability to transport players to another world.

These best selling PS2 games represent a diverse range of genres and playstyles, but they all share a common thread: they are exceptional titles that have stood the test of time. Whether you're into open-world action, racing, or RPGs, there's a PS2 game on this list that's sure to capture your imagination. So, grab your controller and get ready to experience some of the greatest games ever made!