The video game industry has exploded in tremendous ways. Video game hardware and games continue to become more impressive, but as far as the industry has come, there’s still a ton of affinity for the PlayStation 2. Sony’s formative console changed video games in unprecedented ways and helped establish many of their traditions, which are now the norm.
Online gaming is a given when it comes to the majority of current generation PlayStation titles, but the technology was still in its infancy during the PlayStation 2’s release. However, there are still a number of titles for the retro console that took advantage of this feature.
Updated June 13th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: Although Online Gaming was very much in its infancy during the PS2 era, it's arguable that the success of both the PS2 and Xbox Live helped to spring the online world forward for video games, especially when it came to consoles. There were a lot of developers jumping onto the bandwagon to give players access to robust online games that could be enjoyed from the comfort of their own homes. No longer did players need to get together to play with others and could instead hop online, challenging and working with strangers from all over the globe, while simultaneously making new friends and connections. There were a ton of great online PS2 games, but some were much better than others. To highlight some of these releases, the following list has been updated to include even more of the best online PS2 games ever made.
18 Burnout 3: Takedown
There were a ton of great racing games released on the PS2. With classics like Grand Theft Auto, Midnight Club, and Need for Speed, racing game fanatics had a buffet of choices if they were craving some high-speed high jinks. But the Burnout series was its own brand of chaotic racing, designed for those that wanted an arcade experience filled to the brim with crashes, punishing races, and demolition-style gameplay.
Burnout 3: Takedown was one of the best releases in the entire franchise, fine-tuning the formula that developers had spent years perfecting. The end result was a fantastically fun PS2 experience that players could take online if they wished.
17 Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
The seventh installment in the main series, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon was a step up from Mortal Kombat: Deception in terms of its robust roster. Those looking for a fighting game with tons of choice would definitely feel at home with over 60 fighters to choose from, as well as a Kreate-A-Fighter function that would let players enter their own custom creations. In addition to an expansive single-player experience thanks to the varying modes and stacked roster, players could also take their MK talents online.
It likely wasn't the best experience for some, considering how different the Internet was back during its release in 2006, but just being able to play against strangers from all over the globe was a worthwhile addition. The online service has since been terminated but it was definitely one of the more unique and entertaining online experiences of the PS2 era.
16 Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition
Street racing was a dominant force in the racing genre during the sixth generation of home consoles. Franchises like Burnout, Need for Speed, and Midnight Club were not only some of the biggest names in the racing genre at the time, but all of gaming.
Rockstar Games' Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition offered players a great variety in its online multiplayer. Along with normal races, players could compete in unique game modes like Capture the Flag. They could also join clubs and use tracks that they had made in the Track Editor.
15 Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (known simply as Ratchet & Clank 3 in Europe) released in November 2004. The game had a huge weight of expectations on its shoulders following the success and acclaim of Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando. Thankfully, it didn't disappoint, exemplified by its impressive 91 Metascore and 9.0 User Score.
The game's online multiplayer featured three different modes: Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and Siege. These modes let players use a variety of weapons from the single-player campaign.
14 SOCOM II
Zipper Interactive's SOCOM II released in 2003 as the sequel to SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs. Much like its predecessor, SOCOM II differentiated itself from most other shooters at the time with its emphasis on tactical and strategic combat. This style made for engaging online multiplayer matches.
Like many online PlayStation 2 games, SOCOM II had its servers shut down in August 2012. However, the game's online multiplayer made a resurgence in late 2020, thanks to a revival effort from the PS2onlinegaming.com community.
13 Pro Evolution Soccer 5
Pro Evolution Soccer 5 was released around the middle point of the series' golden age. FIFA was still the sports' dominant franchise, but many people were jumping ship having heard about the quality of the PES series. The latter series has always had its fundamental issues, in particular the lack of licensed teams. Still, players were willing to look past that in 2005 due to the sheer quality of PES 5.
Pro Evolution Soccer 5 was the first game in the PES series to feature online play. There was no Ultimate Team mode or My Club at the time, just classic matches with a simple league structure.
12 Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence is an expanded version of the classic Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. The game implemented numerous new features, including a revamped Demo Theater mode, a new camera angle, and of course, online multiplayer.
Subsistence's online multiplayer had its own separate disc titled Persistance. It contained a good variety of game modes, including capture, sneaking, and rescue missions, along with classic Deathmatch.
11 Twisted Metal: Black Online
Sony’s Twisted Metal franchise has cooled off in recent years, but for ages these destructive racers were some of the defining titles for the PlayStation. The series effectively pairs together exaggerated characters with chaotic gameplay. Although the demolition genre of racers can be a mixed bag, Twisted Metal gets a lot right.
Twisted Metal: Black is the series’ big PlayStation 2 debut and the online edition allowed players to take this destructive combat to a bigger playground. Twisted Metal: Black Online can be a shallow experience, but online competition adds a ton to the title and its unpredictable energy.
10 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
The Marvel: Ultimate Alliance series take the popular beat-‘em-up genre of action titles, but injects it with dozens of popular Marvel characters, placing them in non-stop combat. Subsequent Marvel: Ultimate Alliance games have gotten too big and missed their mark, but the original title is a satisfying, well-balanced experience.
The incorporation of online play in this PS2 game makes such a difference to the replayability and enjoyment factor.
9 Need For Speed: Underground
The racing genre continues to experience ebbs and flows with audiences, and while crazier racers often perform better, the Need for Speed franchises has remained relevant due to its realistic approach to racing.
Need for Speed: Underground for the PlayStation 2 is actually the seventh game in the franchise, but it perfects a lot of what the previous games introduced. The detailed and expansive racing title is satisfying in its own right, but the addition of online play makes this title mandatory for any racing fans. It adds a whole other level of competition to the game.
8 Monster Hunter
Capcom’s Monster Hunter franchise has been around for a long time. While the series has always been big in Japan, it hasn’t been until recent gaming generations that the series has really found popularity in America. The current titles have become sprawling in their size and scope, but the PS2’s Monster Hunter is still a gigantic endeavor for its time.
Monster Hunter is exactly the kind of immersive open-world game that benefits from online interaction and the PlayStation 2’s servers were running for four years, which allowed players to team up for quests and hunting.
7 Tony Hawk's Underground 2
There are many video games that excel at conjuring severe nostalgia, but the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series is one of the best due to its retro soundtracks and soothing gameplay. The majority of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater entries are enjoyable and deep games, but Underground 2 is often viewed as the peak and the point before everything started to go downhill.
The game already features excellent skating mechanics, challenges, and surprising roster of characters. The presence of an online mode makes this title even more fulfilling and hard to put down.
6 Call Of Duty 3
The Call of Duty games helped define how shooters work. New Call of Duty titles are basically tradition and dozens of different approaches to war have been explored. Before the series was so overdone, the original games were still exciting and original.
Call of Duty 3 pushes the series forward without making it become convoluted. However, the main advantage here is that Call of Duty 3 brings online play into the equation. At this point, many consider a Call of Duty game without online play to be a waste of time, and Call of Duty 3 helped set that precedent.
5 Star Wars: Battlefront II
Star Wars video games are in the middle of a Renaissance, but for many gamers the peak of Star Wars gaming was achieved in the PlayStation 2’s Star Wars: Battlefront II. At the time, it was unbelievable to utilize online capabilities and pull off raids & missions with players from elsewhere in the world.
The Battlefront series has been revived for modern audiences, but the soul is missing from the games. The remakes only better illustrate the truly special nature of the original Battlefront II on the PlayStation 2.
4 Resident Evil Outbreak
The survival horror genre is incredibly popular, and Capcom’s Resident Evil series has largely dominated these kinds of frightening games. Many mainline Resident Evil titles have strong reputations, but the spin-offs are less established.
A very ambitious experiment on the PlayStation 2 was Resident Evil Outbreak Files 1 & 2, both of which moved the chaos of Raccoon City to an online experience. Survival and problem solving with real people is a new kind of thrill. Even though Outbreak received criticism upon its release, there’s been a deeper appreciation for it that’s grown over time.
3 Phantasy Star Universe
Phantasy Star Universe has struggled outside of Japan. Sega’s popular franchise that started as lengthy RPGs slowly made the transition to MMORPG and absolutely nailed it. There’s so much personality in Phantasy Star Universe, from the characters, to the environments, to even how the battles work.
A game as big and interactive as Phantasy Star Universe doesn’t realize its true potential without online play. Back during the era of the PlayStation 2, there were few online titles on the console that were as complete as Phantasy Star Universe.
2 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Although Tony Hawk's Underground 2 was an excellent experience, it's arguable that Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 was better. Part of the original trilogy (which are still regarded highly to this day), THPS 3 continued to build on the formula that had made the game franchise such a success up to that point. The end result was another skating adventure that felt fantastic to play, featured some great upgrades with hidden combos like Double Kickflips, and the ability to use the Revert, which would allow players to string together some truly impressive combos compared to its predecessors.
It was also the first THPS game to include the ability to play online. This was a massive leap forward, allowing players to take their skills to the web and challenge players from all over the world in a battle for high score supremacy.
1 Final Fantasy XI
The Final Fantasy franchise has been the crown jewel for JRPG fans since the series originally debuted. The PlayStation 2’s Final Fantasy XI marked a major deviation for the series as the franchise shifts over into MMORPG territory for the first time.
The shift was a surprise for many traditionalists, but it resulted in the best example of what the PS2’s online capabilities could accomplish. Final Fantasy XI went through numerous expansions and updates, all of which pushed the console’s online features to their limits. It also helped prove that Final Fantasy can work in an online context.