With a library of over 4,000 games that defined a generation, the PlayStation 2 is still one of the most famous consoles ever. You can play these classic PS2 games on modern PCs with improvements like 4K upscaling, widescreen patches, 60FPS hacks, and custom HD texture packs thanks to the very mature PCSX2 emulator, which now works with more than 99.5% of PS2 games. Games that used to push the PS2 hardware to its limits now run perfectly, and they often look better than they did on the original hardware. Based on expert lists and community favorites, here are our top ten picks, ranked by how well they last and how well they work with emulators. These games can be played on PCSX2 with only a few changes.
10. Burnout 3: Takedown (2004)
Criterion Games’ arcade racing game turns crashes into exciting shows. Crash Junctions let you slam your opponents off the road, chain huge wrecks, and chase boost in fast races. It’s cathartic, aggressive fun that made the formula perfect. Why use an emulator? PCSX2’s upscaling makes the bright tracks stand out in 4K, and 60FPS mods make the chaos smoother for modern screens. Works perfectly as is.
9. Devil May Cry (2001)
Capcom’s stylish hack-and-slash game stars demon hunter Dante in fluid, combo-heavy combat that mixes guns and swords. Tight level design and boss fights are what action games should be like. Why use an emulator? Enhanced resolutions fix the aliasing problems that were common on the PS2, showing off detailed gothic settings. Patches that make the game run at 60 frames per second make combos feel very smooth.
8. Ico (2001)
In Team Ico’s minimalist adventure, you help the ghostly Yorda through creepy ruins by holding her hand and solving puzzles. The sparse dialogue and tense atmosphere make it a great work of emotional storytelling. Why use an emulator? Widescreen hacks and HD textures give its painterly art style a new lease on life. Recent builds of PCSX2 let you play the game fully and fix problems automatically.
7. Final Fantasy X (2001)
Square’s epic JRPG takes place in the world of Spira and follows Tidus as he fights Sin with turn-based combat, summonings, and a touching story. Voice acting and 3D exploration were game changers. Why use an emulator? Massive world looks great at 4K/60FPS, and there are speedhacks for grinding. One of the PS2 games that works best.
6. God of War (2005)
Kratos’ brutal Greek mythology rampage has over-the-top fights, epic quick-time events, and set pieces that will blow your mind, like tearing gods apart. Violence and size turned up to 11. Why use an emulator? PCSX2 handles effects with a lot of particles perfectly. 16x MSAA and custom shaders make blades shine in ultra-HD.
5. Silent Hill 2 (2001)
James Sunderland’s psychological descent into foggy horror explores taboo themes with Pyramid Head as its famous monster. Masterclass in survival tension over gore. Why use an emulator? Shaders improve fog and lighting to make the fear come alive in widescreen 4K. Community patches fix small problems to make things perfect.
4. Resident Evil 4 (2005)
With laser-precise aiming and quick-time-event escapes, over-the-shoulder action-horror changes the series for the better. A tense, replayable work of art. Why use an emulator? It runs at a locked 60 frames per second, and the upscaling makes every zombie chainsaw swing sharper. Compatibility at the highest level.
3. Shadow of the Colossus (2005)
Kill 16 huge monsters in a huge, empty world. The story is simple, the climbing is based on physics, and the mood is sad, which all add up to an experience that can’t be matched, even though the original performance drops.
Why use an emulator? PCSX2 gets rid of lag, making 4K/60FPS stable. With HD fur and textures, giants look like gods.
2. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Naked Snake’s stealth epic from the 1960s adds survival features like hiding and healing wounds. Smart bosses, movie-like style, and Subsistence edition upgrades seal its legacy.
Why use an emulator? In 4K, jungle plants look great, and 60FPS and widescreen make sneaking feel new. One of the best-looking games for the PS2, upscaled.
1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
The best open-world game from Rockstar is CJ’s 90s gang story set on a huge map with RPG elements, customization, and no limits. For a good reason, this is the best-selling PS2 game.
Why use an emulator? Native 4K/60FPS with widescreen makes big landscapes look great. Mods add modern controls to make timeless chaos even better.
These games show how varied the PS2 is, from action games to RPGs, and PCSX2 makes them better for 2025 hardware. Get the newest version of PCSX2 (v2.0+) and legally dump your own discs for ROMs. For the best results, turn on the Vulkan renderer. Get in there—the golden age is waiting!