While the original PlayStation came first, it’s undeniable that the PlayStation 2’s success is the driving force behind the brand today. The PlayStation 2 is the highest selling console with over 155 million units sold. The second best selling console is the original PlayStation, marking over 102 million units.
In comparison, the original Xbox, released only one year after the PS2, has sold only 24 million units. That’s just how huge of an impact the PS2 has had on gaming throughout the turn of the century.
The reason for this article is that today, Final Fantasy XI’s servers are officially shutting down on the legendary console. This marks the last online functionality for the PS2, which is unfortunately the send off of an era.
The PlayStation 2’s iconic start up screen will forever be cemented in our memories. It truly was the console of gaming revolution that propelled the industry into what its become today, and impacted an entire generation.
It might no longer be functional online but the memories will last all of us a lifetime.
Let’s take a look at some of the PS2’s biggest and best games to relive one of the best and most storied consoles of all time.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
While Metal Gear Solid 2 had its problems, Konami and Hideo Kojima, at the time, nailed it with the 1960s set sequel. It features Solid Snakes father, Naked Snake (aka Big Boss), and took innovation to a new level.
It took your familiar close quarters combat of previous games, where it was pretty contained, and moved you into a vast jungle. New features included using camouflage, killing animals to eat, and healing your own wounds. Stealth played a big roll in the game and it’s safe to say you’ve got a lot of memories invested in it.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
San Andreas pushed the limits of not only the technical capabilities of the PS2, but also how much it can get away with. Rockstar always went for controversy, since in the end controversy sells games, and they hit a home run with this one.
Imagine how many memories you really have playing this game. My favorite is all of the myths associated with it. I can’t tell you how long I searched for Bigfoot in the woods or how spooky the thought of CJ’s Moms Ghost was as a kid. The GTA franchise is still going strong and we can’t wait to see the next iteration on the PS4 soon with the release of GTA 6.
Resident Evil 4
The change up with this game compared to it’s predecessors is massive. It took the traditional survival horror genre the franchise built and tossed you right in the middle. Well.. from a third person perspective at least.
Still garnered as the best Resident Evil game ever, and way ahead of its time. Playing the original Resident Evils as a child, no more than 10 years old, kept me up at night. Fortunately I was 12 when this one was released, so I was able to appreciate it more, which made the PS2 even more special to me.
Silent Hill 2
Speaking of things keeping you up at night, Silent Hill 2 did EXACTLY that, no matter how old you were. Silent Hill 2 is still the best game in the series to most, and with good reason. This game scared the sh*t out of you and you couldn’t get enough.
Pyramid Head is so iconic in fact, it’s pretty much synonymous with the PS2’s start up screen. Silent Hill 2 truly sticks with you, 15 years later. Radio static never really sounds the same again.
