Script written by Geoffrey Martin

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re counting down the 10 best selling PS2 games of all time. For this list, we’ll be looking at the true moneymakers for PlayStation’s beloved second console. These are the games that brought in the millions, both in terms of money and units. If you’ve played any of these PS2 best-selling juggernauts, be sure to head on over to the comments section to let us know which were your personal favorites.

“Kingdom Hearts” (2002)

While Kingdom Hearts is a regular part of the gaming discourse now-a-days, it wasn’t always that way. This wacky, yet completely lovable action RPG featuring classic Disney characters and worlds blended with Final Fantasy wasn’t a guaranteed success back in 2002. Fortunately, if you already guessed from the title of this video, it was a smash hit, with players hoovering up the delightfully whimsical adventures of Sora, Donald, and Goofy as they took on the Heartless. The game touts charm around every corner, plenty of Disney and Final Fantasy fan service, alongside some simple, yet fun combat, leveling, and exploration.

“Final Fantasy XII” (2006)

The first of the Final Fantasy games on this list (yes, Final Fantasy is that darn popular), this 12th outing for the venerable series took more steps into the action RPG arena. Final Fantasy 12 once again features a grand, epic fantasy story, one revolving around magic, airships, warring empires, royalty, and the like. The game was revolutionary for a multitude of reasons including its open world, seamless battles, a free camera, and more. These may seem like small things today, but back when Final Fantasy 12 released, these proved the long-running series was ready to tackle new ideas. Plus, the game’s six main playable protagonists, including Vaan and Ashe, were all well-written, likable, and fun to play as during the exciting battles.

“Tekken 5” (2005)

Considered by some to be the best fighting game franchise, Tekken has remained popular all throughout the various gaming generations. Enter Tekken 5, a truly next-gen (for the time) arcade fighting game that made its way from arcades to the PS2 in 2005. Namco knocked it out of the park with its previous versions but this 5th outing really raised up the series multiple notches. From a jam-packed roster of new and returning fighters including Feng Wei, Raven, Yoshimitsu, Anna Williams, and so many more to expanded stages, Tekken 5 was a smash hit. What made this PS2 version so popular with fans and newcomers, apart from the top-tier fighting model, was the introduction of something called the ‘hot system.’ This unique system allowed for character vulnerabilities during battle which greatly enhanced the nuance of moves, combos, and abilities.

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“Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty” (2001)

Upping the ante from the juggernaut that was Metal Gear Solid for the PS1, Sons of Liberty managed to blow all expectations out of the water, and proved that Kojima and his team at Konami really knew how to build on past gaming successes. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is a dense, tightly-woven stealth gameplay experience, one that isn’t afraid to dive into heady themes such as social engineering, political issues, existentialism, and more. Sure, the deep and often over-the-top story helps Sons of Liberty to stand out in the PS2 library; however, the game also refined its touted ‘tactical espionage action’ gameplay. In combination with more robust AI, you could quickly swap between first and third-person combat, peek around corners, take cover, and even avoid combat altogether for a pure stealth experience. The package as a whole really struck a chord with fans, hence why it became one of the best sellers on the venerable console.

“Grand Theft Auto III” (2001)

Simply put, open world games wouldn’t be what they are today without Grand Theft Auto 3. Ditching the top-down perspective of its previous two games, GTA 3 pushed the boundaries of freeform gameplay, open world design, meticulous writing, and, of course, controversy. While open world games might be a dime a dozen now-a-days, GTA 3 really threw everything at the wall to ensure players could take on missions and tasks all throughout Liberty City as they saw fit. Playing as Claude, you could easily spend countless hours just roaming about the city creating your own havoc and fun. It’s really not surprising that people loved this game given how polished, edgy, and enjoyable it is. There’s always something in the world of Liberty City to pique your curiosity and keep you playing.

“Final Fantasy X” (2001)

It seems like everyone, even non-JRPG fans, have at least tried Final Fantasy 10 once in their gaming careers. This seminal outing in the prolific Square series is downright fantastic. I could probably just mention blitzball and enough people would be chomping at the bit to replay this game. This massive fantasy JRPG takes place in the lush and gorgeous tropical world of Spira, where our hapless adventurers, led by Tidus, must explore and battle in order to take down Sin. Final Fantasy 10 retained the popular turn-based battles that many fans of the series loved; however, this time around, they were known as conditional turn-based battles or CTB for short. This evolution of the battle system was more engaging and thoughtful, allowing for greater strategy with your party members. On top of an immersive story, a beautifully realized world to explore, minigames to take part in, and poignant character vignettes, you could also develop your team through the meaty Sphere Grid leveling system. And yes, let’s not forget the jovial moment where Tidus laughs uncontrollably and awkwardly in equal measure. Good times had by all!

“Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” (2002)

Hopefully you aren’t sick of GTA yet since we have more to come. 2002’s Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is like an 80s-drenched, neon-soaked version of GTA 3. While that may sound reductive, it’s actually quite the opposite since the fresh coat of paint and splash of pizazz is what makes Vice City so special in the hearts of many PS2 fans. Clearly inspired by a version of Miami, Vice City is a sunny paradise with a seedy underbelly, one where criminal protagonist Tommy Vercetti must exist and thrive. This next outing for the GTA series built upon its predecessor with a more refined combat model, in-depth quests and missions, a larger open world, a killer soundtrack, and freakin’ Ray Liotta as Tommy Vercetti. What more could you want in a game?

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“Gran Turismo 4” (2004)

You gotta love Gran Turismo’s tagline of ‘The Real Driving Simulator.’ It clearly outlines what you should expect from the racing game experience. This is one heck of a gargantuan simulation racing experience. You have over 700 cars at your disposal, over 50 unique tracks to race on, and a boatload of modes to immerse yourself in. Depending on your preference, you can dive into the A-spec mode that sees you drive courses from a first-person view to earn points for progression, a B-spec mode where you play as the crew chief, special driving missions, and more. While it’s not an easy racing game to get to grips with, the sheer level of detail and authenticity for vehicles and stages that Polyphony Digital imparted is quite staggering.

“Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec” (2001)

Speaking of Gran Turismo, we now come to Gran Turismo 3: A-spec, the second best selling game of all time for the PS2. While the series’ 4th outing successfully iterated on the pinnacle racing simulation gameplay, it’s A-spec that started it all on PlayStation’s second console. The game is broken up into a multitude of events such as races, tournaments, championships, license tests, and more, all of which go towards unlocking more vehicles, upgrading them with cash, and creating a robust garage. The main gameplay model is A-spec where you drive from a first-person perspective, something unique to the racing game genre in general. While it’s lighter in content than its fourth outing, GT 3 A-spec is a simulation racing juggernaut that shouldn’t be missed.

“Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” (2004)

The sheer fact that there are three Grand Theft Auto games on the list of best selling PS2 games of all time is downright staggering, and Rockstar should be praised for that rare feat. In 2004, Rockstar released San Andreas, a truly incredible open world game that is still talked about regularly in today’s gaming discourse. San Andreas took every positive aspect of GTA 3 and Vice City and then completely refined them all, from gameplay to storytelling to open world design and concepts. Selling a ridiculous 17.33 million units over its lifetime, San Andreas is the true epitome of success on the PS2. The game takes place in a fictional version of Los Angeles and you step into the shoes of CJ as he works his way through the gang-ridden streets of San Andreas, all while trying to make his mark. The game upped the ante by adding RPG elements and even more weapons, vehicles, characters, and locations. Like any GTA game, it was met with some controversies; however, by and large, it piqued the interest of millions of PS2 gamers worldwide.