PlayStation 2 Playable List

A list of games for PS2 that I tested and categorize as Playable in RetroArch trough Steam on the ''PCSX2'' and ''Play!'' cores (NOT NATIVE). Currently in progress, testing many others!

This is the best-selling game console ever, so you will find it has an absurdly vast library.

The Sony PlayStation 2, or PS2 for short, is a sixth generation (1998–2013) home video game console developed and distributed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was released on March 4, 2000 in Japan at a retail price of ¥45,000. The console was later released in North America (2000), Europe (2000), and Australia (2000). The PlayStation 2 was the first PlayStation console to offer backwards compatibility for its predecessor's DualShock controller, as well as for its games. The console was discontinued on January 4, 2013.

Emulation

The PS2 is fully emulatable, provided you have a decent PC, some games work flawlessly, better than the hardware, and the others work pretty well.

In RetroArch is a bit more complex than with classic 16-bit consoles or even the PS1 platform, but also the emulation itself is much more dependent on the availability of constant new updates in the current cores for even better results. If you wish to play PS2 games on RetroArch fully upscaled to higher resolutions, then you will require a decent specification PC with a strong CPU and GPU. But don’t let that put you off, decent performance can be achieved with modest setups too.

To play this platform trough Steam, you gonna need to import the PCSX2 (preferably) or Play! cores files to your main folder, as these are not native here. These cores on RetroArch requires the use of a PS2 BIOS files so it can boot up games, and you will need to search online to find it. Also, the RetroArch documentation for the PS2 gives details about the BIOS and other files required.

Note that emulating isn't magic, and the "core material" will be in 480p at best, which means that 3D\polygon-heavy games will benefit much more from those changes than 2D\sprite-based games. For every game you decide to emulate, check with the PCSX2 Wiki for more compatibility info and contribute your own if possible. It's also worthwhile to look up any widescreen or no-interlacing patches that may be available for your games. Many PS2 games utilized interlacing as part of their render pipeline and if this is not disabled the game will look blurry on a modern display.

Now, choose your classics, check here if it's playable on the emulators and just have fun!

∎ Black

The player assumes control of Jack Kellar, a black ops agent being interrogated about his previous missions involving a terrorist operation. Gameplay involves players confronting enemies by using firearms and grenades. The game is notable for its heavily stylized cinema-inspired action as well as its sound quality and focus on destructive effects during gameplay.

∎ Bloody Roar 3

The gameplay had six different buttons and the commands would be; punch, kick, throw, beast form, and side-step left and right with L2 and R2, which can also be done by double tap down or up to side-step. The main feature is still the ability to transform into beasts, which is involved in all of the Bloody Roar games.

∎ Bloody Roar 4

This is the last title in the series, and is once again a full-3D fighting game featuring the series' trademark transformation abilities. Unlike previous titles in the series, the beast gauge now acts as its own health bar; if a character's health gauge is depleted, they will automatically transform.

∎ Bully

As a mischievous schoolboy, you’ll stand up to bullies, get picked on by teachers, play pranks, win or lose the girl, and ultimately learn to navigate the obstacles of the worst school around, Bullworth Academy - a corrupt and crumbling prep school with an uptight facade. The story follows Jimmy Hopkins, a teenager who’s been expelled from every school he’s ever attended.

∎ Burnout

It's an arcade style racing game in the mold of the Test Drive or Need For Speed series. In this game, you are racing on realistic streets with real traffic to contend with. There are 6 courses on which to race, 3 of which are reminiscent of Europe, and 3 from the USA.

∎ Burnout 2: Point of Impact

It's a street racing game focused around speed and crashing. Unlike many games which focus on closed course driving, you get to drive through cities with real traffic and city infrastructure. Burnout strongly encourages offensive driving.

∎ Burnout 3: Takedown

It's a racing game which encourages aggressive driving and lets you use your vehicle to smash your way to the finish line by taking out your rivals and causing massive multi-car pileups. The more cars you take out, damage you inflict, the more events and cars you can unlock.

∎ Burnout: Dominator

It's the second spin-off game in the Burnout series and sixth overall. It retains the core gameplay of the series, as players race at top speeds through dozens of World Tour events testing "reckless skill-based" driving techniques. Is the first Burnout game in the series since Burnout 2: Point of Impact to not feature the "Crash Mode".

∎ Burnout: Revenge

The fourth Burnout racing game puts you once again in the eye of traffic storms, where you do not only rush to be the fastest, but brutally, yet stylishly, take down your opponents. This is emphasized by impact time, which shows crashes in all their slowed-down glory, and the boost you receive after a successful wrecking.

∎ Call of Duty: Finest Hour

The story spans through three different fronts in the Second World War through three soldiers' viewpoints. Basically, the game is a heavily scripted, story-driven action game where the main focus is on the action and the dramatization of the war and the people in the middle of it all.

∎ Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001

It's a fighting game with characters taken from many Capcom and SNK games. The game system is centered around "grooves" which are selected before any battle. These different grooves alter the character's abilities to resemble different Capcom or SNK games.

∎ Castlevania: Curse of Darkness

In this game you play as Hector, a former Dracula servant and a Devil Forgemaster, who disowns his dark gifts and aims to live a normal life. This event left Dracula vulnerable to the attacks of the Belmont clan. Now that Dracula is vanished, you must fight back the curse cast upon all Europe.

∎ Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

It's the prequel to all Castlevania games previously released, explaining the connection and never-ending war between the Belmont family and Dracula. You play Leon Belmont, who was once a Baron for the King. After his betrothed, Sara, was kidnapped and taken to a large castle, Leon asked the Church for permission to command his underlings to attack the castle.

∎ Darkwatch

The Darkwatch is an ancient organization hell-bent on destroying evil in the world. As Jericho Cross, the former outlaw and now the newest member of this organization, you must find and kill Lazarus, lest you turn into a full-blown vampire yourself.

∎ Def Jam: Fight for NY

The game opens with the person you beat in the previous game, D-Mobb, being arrested. As the police are driving, an SUV comes out of nowhere and smashes into the car, setting D-Mobb free. After a quick cutscene, it turns out the person who was driving the SUV was you, and you have now joined D-Mobb's crew.

∎ Def Jam: Vendetta

It's a wrestling game featuring the artists from the Def Jam Recordings hip-hop label, such as DMX, Ludacris, Method Man, N.O.R.E., Redman, Scarface, WC, Ghostface Killah and more! Featuring more than 40 playable characters (the aforementioned with 1500 wrestling moves, Def Jam: Vendetta is all about money, power, and respect on the underground wrestling business.

∎ Devil May Cry

Legend has it that 2000 years ago in the depths of hell, a demon rebelled against the devil, waging a one-man war in support of the human world. In the present, Dante, a private investigator of the supernatural, realises that the devil is rallying to rise again against mankind. The power of ancient demons and as his power builds he transforms into a demon state where he can use his power against evil he encounters.

∎ Devil May Cry 2

From the start of the game, the player controls Dante, or his new partner, Lucia, through various levels as they battle waves of demons, ultimately reaching the conclusion and finding out Arius schemes. The game is the debut of Dante's iconic sword the Rebellion.

∎ Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening - Special Edition

Dante returns in this prequel to the first Devil May Cry. The story focuses on Dante's back story, mainly on why he is feuding with his brother. The Special Edition of Devil May Cry 3 included a number of gameplay changes and additional content.

∎ Downhill Domination

It's a video game based on a fictional racing event with fictional racers mixed with a few unlockable professional racers. Downhill Domination includes a very different style of gameplay that differs from standard bike racing games by having the character riding downhill almost exclusively (hence the name), due to the incline of the tracks.

∎ Enthusia: Professional Racing

It's a driving simulation that features hundreds of licensed vehicles from dozens of various manufacturers. The cars vary in type, class, and time periods, so you can find some old timers as well as family cars and test them on the given tracks, race against another player in split-screen mode, or play the Enthusia Life mode.

∎ F1 06

The official game of the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship is here exclusively on PSP and PS2, with all the new updates from the 2006 season. All the drivers and teams race onto your screen, including three new teams: Scuderia Toro Rosso, Super Aguri F1 Team, and Midland F1 Racing.

∎ Fast and the Furious, The

This game features many different races that may take place on the Wangan, or on the local mountain roads called Touge. There are two types of races that can take place on the Wangan: Destination Races - a simple point to point race, and Top Speed Battles - whoever can set the highest speed record in between the start and finish wins.

∎ Fifa 08

The game challenges players to master the skills required to play like a pro soccer player. Fans around the world can experience the same highs and lows of real-world players and tackle the challenges they face on a daily basis.

∎ Fifa World Cup 2006: Germany

Featuring 12 official German stadiums and all the teams that qualified for the World Cup 2006 in Germany, plus additional teams and unlockable classic players. The playable modes let you try any of the qualifying stages or skip right to the world cup mode assuming as one of the qualified teams.

∎ Fight Night 2004

Fight Night is EA Sports' new boxing series, replacing the previous Knockout Kings line of games.You have the option of creating your own personalized boxer, and entering a career mode, where you start off on the lowest rung in dirty, rundown gyms, as you make your way up the ropes to become the undisputed champion.

∎ Football Kingdom

It's a soccer game developed by Namco, released only in Japan. The game features advanced ball physics allowing you to perform a wide number of passes, manual off-the-ball movement for fellow players and is widely known for its superb net physics.

∎ Front Mission 4

In the year 2096, the Wanzer ("Walking Tanks" mecha) form the backbone of many military forces. The European Community is enjoying a period of relative peace when it is surprised by sudden attacks on German bases from a mysterious force. To investigate, it is decided to send the EC Armor Tactics Research Corps, also known as "Durandal".

∎ God Hand

The game mixes western and Japanese-themed comedy, containing over-the-top characters and storyline events. The gameplay combines traditional elements of the beat 'em up genre with new features, these include being able to map and string together a large repertoire of fighting techniques to the gamepad's face buttons in order to create unique combo attacks.

∎ Gran Turismo 3

The third game in the Gran Turismo series of racing games for PlayStation and PlayStation 2. This time with an even more realistic driving experience. Lighting now has an effect on the game, such as buildings blocking the sunlight. There are now smoke effects caused by skidding. Now there is even heat rising from the road.

∎ Gran Turismo 4

Over 650 cars spanning a century of automotive history - Up to 100 tracks from across the world - Spectators that react to your every move - New game modes like Photo Mode and B-Spec Mode - Racing in all its breathtaking, utterly merciless glory.

∎ Gran Turismo 4 - Prologue

This is a sneak preview to the full experience of 'GT4.' Though it will be necessary to limit the number of cars and courses included, this product will still include some of the main features of the Gran Turismo franchise such as races, time attack and license tests.

∎ Gran Turismo Concept: 2002 Tokyo-Geneva

Over 100 cars to choose from, including concept cars designed by the likes of Honda, Toyota, Suzuki and Mitsubishi, fantasy cars by Sony and other car designers, updated models to existing Gran Turismo car selections (i.e. body kits and engine improvements) and much more.

∎ Guilty Gear X2 - Reload

An enhanced version of 2002's popular 2D fighting hit, Guilty Gear X2 #Reload brings back the entire cast from the previous installment plus four all-new combatants. True to its hardcore roots, the fighting mechanics offers easy to learn controls and concepts, but augments them with nuances that can take years to master.

∎ Guilty Gear XX Accent Core - Plus

The fighting franchise that launched an entirely new style of fighting games is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the most complete and definitive version of the game on the PlayStation 2. Follow the stories of the 25 crazy combatants and dish out a mind-numbing amount of insane combos that the series is known for.

∎ Half-Life

Players assume the role of Dr Gordon Freeman, a recently graduated theoretical physicist who must fight his way out of a secret underground research facility, whose research and experiments into teleportation technology have gone disastrously wrong.

∎ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The game follows the three main characters of the film — namely Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley — and there is an entirely new spell-casting system that allows for collaborative spells.

∎ Ico

The game's main protagonist is Ico, a young boy with a pair of horns on his head—considered a bad omen by his village. As part of the village's tradition, he is taken by a group of warriors to a castle surrounded by water and locked inside one of the sarcophagi in a crypt.

∎ King of Fighters: Maximum Impact - Regulation A, The

The game was released for the Taito Type X2 arcade system and the Sony Playstation 2 in July 2007. Regulation "A" is a remake of Maximum Impact 2, but with the classic 3 on 3 gameplay added from the 2D KOF series added in hopes of winning over the series fanbase as well as new players.

∎ Manhunt

The game casts you as James Earl Cash, a prisoner on death row. You are led down a corridor where you are about to receive a lethal injection. The needle goes in. You wake up hours later. A mysterious voice tells you to stick in the nearby earpiece, and explains that the "lethal" injection was just a heavy sedative.

∎ NBA Live 2003

Genre: Sports | Players: 4 | Publisher: Electronic Arts | Release: October 7, 2002

The 2003 version of the NBA simulator has improved graphics in relation to the previous installments and features like detailed faces and a player design engine. It also has rosters in accordance to the 2002-2003 Season.

∎ Persona 3 FES

Genre: Role-Playing | Players: 1 | Publisher: Atlus | Release: April 22, 2008

Description: Lead a group of high school students with a dangerous extracurricular activity: exploring the mysterious tower Tartarus and fighting the sinister Shadows during the Dark Hour, a frozen span of time imperceptible to all but a select few. However, the end of their quest is no longer the end of the story--witness for the first time the aftermath of the final battle and the students' struggle to find meaning in their new lives.

∎ Pro Evolution Soccer 4

Genre: Sports | Players: 4 | Publisher: Konami | Release: August 5, 2004

Description: The new Pro Evolution Soccer has over 3000 licensed players, and Fully Licensed Leagues & teams from Serie A (Italy), Liga Espanola (Spain), & Eredivisie (Holland). So this new PES has definitely improved on the License front. There's also full leagues of England, France & Germany.

∎ Pro Evolution Soccer 5

Genre: Sports | Players: 4 | Publisher: Konami | Release: August 4, 2005

Description: Pro Evolution Soccer 5 pushes the franchise one level up towards realism by expanding and improving character moves and control. Now, the match feels more real to the actual play as players make mistakes more often and passes don't go too well if the player is on the wrong foot, or makes a bad turn.

∎ Pro Evolution Soccer 6

Genre: Sports | Players: 4 | Publisher: Konami | Release: October 27, 2006

Description: The Pro Evolution Soccer series is renowned for its realism, and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 is abundant with new gameplay additions. Player AI has been massively upgraded, with players running intelligently into space when not in possession of the ball and pointing where they want the pass placed to continue the attack.

∎ Resident Evil 4

Genre: Horror, Shooter | Players: 1 | Publisher: Capcom | Release: October 25, 2005

Description: Picking up six years after Resident Evil 2, the fourth game in the series follows former cop (now US agent) Leon S. Kennedy to Europe on a top secret mission to investigate the disappearance of the president's daughter Ashley.

∎ Resident Evil Code: Veronica X

Genre: Action, Horror | Players: 1 | Publisher: Capcom | Release: March 22, 2001

Description: Resident Evil Code: Veronica X is an updated version of the original Resident Evil Code: Veronica released in 2001. The only major difference being having to find a serum for Claire, if she is poisoned in the Nosferatu battle, after she is rescued with Chris in the mansion, where they later fight Alexia for the first time.

∎ Ring of Red

Genre: Action, Strategy | Players: 1 | Publisher: Konami | Release: March 12, 2001

Description: A highly classified prototype mech was stolen from the allied forces in southern Japan and it's up to you to get it back! Take control of monstrous mechs and brave soldiers. Immerse yourself in detailed 3D battle sequences with an exciting style of gameplay that mixes in-depth strategy and real-time action as you lead the allies to victor.

∎ Robot Wars: Arenas of Destruction

Genre: Action | Players: 2 | Publisher: BBC | Release: February 6, 2002

Description: A simulation of the TV program 'Robot Wars' , where you can create virtual mechanical robots. These can be entered into a series of different competitions such as 'battle to destruction', 'capture the flag', 'mad bomber'. The main arena battles have house robots which can be activated if any combatant robots enter 'corner patrol zones' which are supposed to be off limits.

∎ Rumble Racing

Genre: Racing | Players: 2 | Publisher: Electronic Arts | Release: April 23, 2001

Description: Rumble Racing is an arcade-style racing game that includes features like various stunts, power-ups, speed boosts, and track short cuts. It was influenced by Electronic Arts’ NASCAR Rumble.

∎ Silent Hill 2 - Director's Cut

Genre: Horror | Players: 1 | Publisher: Konami | Release: July 4, 2002

Description: A separate story from the first game. Great graphics, incredible plot, suffocating atmosphere and legendary soundtrack; horror doesn't get better than this. Includes multiple endings and replay-only extras. The Greatest Hits re-release and ports to other systems include a new intro sequence.

∎ Silent Hill 3

Genre: Horror | Players: 1 | Publisher: Konami | Release: May 23, 2003

Description: Unlike Silent Hill 2, this is a direct sequel to the original, so play that first. This time you play as a teenage girl, which leads to some cheeky humor, but it's still Silent Hill, with the best graphics on the PS2 to boot. As per usual, the soundtrack is fantastic.

∎ Silent Hill 4: The Room

Genre: Horror | Players: 1 | Publisher: Konami | Release: September 7, 2004

Description: Silent Hill 4: The Room is the first game in the series to feature a first-person perspective. In Room 302, the player navigates through a first-person perspective and can access their only save point and enter the Otherworlds through holes formed in the walls.

∎ Silent Hill: Origins

Genre: Horror | Players: 1 | Publisher: Konami | Release: March 4, 2008

Description: Silent Hill: Origins is a prequel to the Silent Hill series set in the 1970s. You play as trucker Travis Grady, who attempts to take a shortcut through Silent Hill late one night when running behind on his rounds. As in the previous Silent Hill games, you move back and forth between nightmare and real versions of the town, here crawling through mirrors to get between.

∎ Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

Genre: Horror | Players: 1 | Publisher: Konami | Release: December 9, 2009

Description: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is a reimagining (of sorts) of the first Silent Hill game. Wii version is considered to be the best, with some great flashlight puzzles and comfortable controls. Also has a surprisingly in-depth psychological profiling feature that judges you, the player, based on how you play, and bases its enemy design, character costumes, and even endings on this profile.

∎ Sims, The

Genre: Simulation | Players: 2 | Publisher: Electronic Arts | Release: February 4, 2000

Description: Gameplay in the Sims may be classified as the following: Life Simulation: This revolves around simulating their day-to-day lives. From eating, sleeping, entertainment, socializing and romance, you are in complete control of their actions if you choose to. Each Sim has a statistics that may be developed. Your role in simulating their lives is primarily to keep them happy by fulfilling their desires.

∎ Sims 2, The

Genre: Simulation | Players: 2 | Publisher: Electronic Arts | Release: October 24, 2005

Description: The game has the same concept as its predecessor: players control their Sims in various activities and form relationships in a manner similar to real life. The Sims 2, like its predecessor, does not have a defined final goal; gameplay is open-ended. Sims have life goals, wants and fears, the fulfillment of which can produce both positive or negative outcomes.

∎ Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus

Genre: Platform, Stealth | Players: 1 | Publisher: Sony | Release: September 26, 2002

Description: Sly Cooper is the latest in a long line of master thieves. When he was a kit, a gang called the Fiendish Five killed his family and divided up their book on the art of thieving: the Thievius Raccoonus. Sly must defeat all the members of the gang to recover the book while evading Carmelita Fox, a police officer chasing him around the world to apprehend him.

∎ Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike - Fight for the Future

Genre: Fighting | Players: 2 | Publisher: Capcom | Release: July 22, 2004

Description: This amazing fighter stars 18 brawlers from the STREET FIGHTER III universe and introduces the new Leap Attack. Plus, a new Grade Judge system evaluates player performance at the end of each match. Huge characters and an innovative Hit-Frame system team up with the return of the Super Arts Fighting Styles.

∎ Tekken 4

Genre: Fighting | Players: 2 | Publisher: Bandai Namco | Release: September 13, 2002

Description: Tekken 4 picks up two years after Tekken 3. Heihachi and his scientists have captured samples of Ogre's blood and tissue to splice with Heihachi's genome and make him immortal. The experiment fails, since Heihachi lacks the necessary Devil Gene. Heihachi searches for his grandson, Jin Kazama, with Heihachi learning that the body of his son, Kazuya is stored in the labs of the Mishima Zaibatsu's main business rival.

∎ Tekken 5

Genre: Fighting | Players: 2 | Publisher: Bandai Namco | Release: February 24, 2005

Description: Tekken 5 promises to deliver the next generation of blistered fingers and bleary eyes as it brings players the ultimate, most visually stunning fighting experience ever seen in a Tekken game. Brings back the popular cast of characters from the previous games along with three new characters for a total of 20 default characters to start, with even more to unlock as you progress in the game.

∎ Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift

Genre: Racing | Players: 2 | Publisher: Crave | Release: February 27, 2003

Description: This fifth installment in the Tokyo Xtreme series, focuses more on the "drifting" style of racing and has two different distinctive challenges of racing included in the game. Players can race professionally during day races, earning money to upgrade their cars and try to get the big sponsorships. During night races, players can race for pride, along with the ability to bet money and even car parts.

∎ Tourist Trophy

Genre: Racing | Players: 2 | Publisher: Sony | Release: April 4, 2006

Description: A motorcycle-racing simulator with an abundance of options, Tourist Trophy lets players choose from over 100 bikes from makers like Buell, Ducati, and Kawasaki, and race them on one of 35 real and fantasy tracks. Custom rider option let you choose how your character looks and handles a bike, while a quick-play "Arcade" mode lets you pick a race and go.

∎ Victorious Boxers 2: Fighting Spirit

Genre: Fighting, Sports | Players: 2 | Publisher: Empire Interactive | Release: November 20, 2006

Description: The original Victorious Boxers was an unsung gem, delivering one of the most realistic fight styles of any boxing game. The manga that inspired that game celebrates its 15th anniversary by serving up a sequel packed with punishing body shots and jaw-rattling action! Step into the ring in three modes of play featuring fighters based in the Victorious Boxers anime series.

∎ Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution

Genre: Fighting | Players: 2 | Publisher: Sega | Release: August 13, 2003

Description: Virtua Fighter 4 offers a selection of thirteen characters to engage in one-on-one beat 'em up action similar to previous titles in the series. Most of them are from previous games, but two of them are brand new to this game. Evolution was an updated version of Virtua Fighter 4.

Latest game list Update = 10/03/2023

Have you played these games? Have you tested and approved other games? Help-me create and improve this list!

Guide in progress...

[Laeton]

How about the Jak and Daxter games?

[MALYSZ]

Retroarch have PS2 core? Where? I don't see it in download core list, but i have no steam version.

[Holding These Alligators Down]

Add Manhunt to the list, it's working ok on my end.
There are some glitches with some light sources like light bulbs being VERY bright but overall it's fine.

[ItHurts2Poo]

how do you get the pcsx2 to add into retroarch i ahve everything downloaded and all the files and bios in the right spot but the core does not apear

[Solaris]

Game list Updated!

[Solaris]

@Gabeisdabombay
Bully seems to work well, I will add here!

[Solaris]

@deadpool_4000
None of the NFS's I tested worked well, neither the GTA VC Stories

[RoboDudeJ]

You have a nice list setup here. I hope you will be able to update this some more.

[Gabeisdabombay]

What about Bully?

[Major Wiggles]

Sly raccoon seems to work fine, played for approx 20 min nd no apparent issues