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ThePlayStation 2is lovingly remembered as a golden era for gaming , with a plethora of nostalgic and unforgettable championship that traverse legion genre . Many of the classics from its 2000 to 2006 lifespan proceed to be delight and played in their original console data format , via PlayStation 5 ’s Classics Catalog , or from the myriad remakes or remasters that are perpetually in growth . Despite being developed 20 years ago , manyPlayStation 2 rubric have a timeless natureto them and are deserve of their bequest .
Among these titles , platformers had one of its gravid period in the early 2000s . gamey - quality side - scrolling and 3D games were consistently being free on the PS2 , Xbox , and Gamecube , with cosmopolitan vital acclaim for several now - canonized titles . These platformers combined creativity , pursue narratives , and gameplay that could be savor at any age . Ten of the honest PS2 platformers of all time can be identified , which all experienced high levels of kudos , have wear legacies to this day , and are simply fun .
10Jak 3 (2004)
A Dark Hero’s Journey
Naughty Dog ’s final mainline game from theJak and Daxterseries was concluded withJak 3.Like its predecessor , Jak 3combined excellent platforming gameplay with vehicular and third - person combat along with open - world geographic expedition , but this time it add together a more matured story . Jak 3sees the titulary theatrical role and his part - otter , part - weasel companion Daxter navigating the harsh Wasteland that they have been banished to , a year from the consequence ofJak 2.Jak 3expanded upon the core group elements of its seriesbut continued to deliver the goofy humor and charm that fans find endearing .
Uncharted theater director Ruben Fleischer expose he is modernise a Jak and Daxter motion-picture show adaptation with PlayStation as his next projection .
The addition of Light and Dark Jak powers toJak 3added needed profundity , and the beloved level design of talkative environments carry on to encourage geographic expedition . The visuals were splendid for the sentence and still have a nostalgic charm to them today . Despite some fans feeling that the plot was rush with a much easier difficulty than the series ' predecessors , Jak 3was a solid last to a much - worship franchise that showcased the phylogeny of the character and the game ’s development . Jak 3became part of the PS2 ’s Greatest Hits solicitation in 2005 due to its vital and commercial success .
9Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves (2005)
A Heist Masterpiece
buff of the anthropomorphic raccoon , and his gang of stealer , continue to debate which of theSly Coopergames is the best . A strong argument could be made for Sucker Punch ’s third iteration , asSly 3enhanced thestrong foundations laidby its predecessors . Maintaining the stealth - action platforming gameplay of the other two titles , Sly 3provided an copiousness of refreshfully new minigames and mechanics . This let in four new playable role to reflect the secret plan of Sly foregather a crew of the world ’s best thief for one last heist .
Expanded roles for the tolerate plaster bandage , multiplayer musical mode , and vivid cel - shaded nontextual matter all solidifySly 3as not just one of the best game in the series , but one of the dear platformers on the PlayStation 2 .
The conclusion to the original trilogy is deeply engaging , with an emotionally driven game that delves into themes of legacy and family . The hoi polloi of new mechanics feels challenging to the point of excess , but their overall amusement value and spell vouch a rich experience . expand role for the supporting cast , multiplayer musical mode , and vivid cel - shaded computer graphic all solidifySly 3as not just one of the good games in the series , but also one of the best platformers on the PlayStation 2 as a whole .
8Psychonauts (2005)
A Quirky Mind Trip
Psychonautsdeserves high-pitched spirit level of kudos for its unique and inventive approach to platforming gameplay , which is uncomparable to its generation . From the far-out mind of Double ok output and lead visionary Tim Schafer , Psychonautsfollows Raz , a youthful psychic who infiltrates a summertime clique for gifted individuals as they learn how to enter people ’s mind . The level design is outstanding due to this far-out assumption , as each stage sees player enter dissimilar character ’s minds which have their own surreal landscape . Each level uniquely represents unlike head in a distinctly bizarre manner .
From a twisted tooth doctor ’s office to a phantasmagoric milkman ’s delivery road , Psychonautsinnovatively press the bound of what a platformer could be .
Its eccentric bodily fluid and creative thinking see to it it became a beloved furore classic , as it receive underwhelming sales during its initial waiver on PlayStation 2 and other 6th - coevals console . After successfully crowdfunding a continuation , two-fold - Fine released the sequel 16 years after in 2021 , which received similar spirit level of praise . Both the sequel and its 2005 predecessor stay on peerless in originality .
7Ratchet & Clank (2002)
A Galactic Adventure
The originalRatchet & Clankgame laid the foundation for one of PlayStation ’s most beloved franchises , which currently has nine independent title , several tailspin - offs , and even an liven feature cinema . The first title introduce players to the iconic pair of the anthropomorphic Ratchet and his robot companion Clank . Ratchet & Clankcombines platforming with gadget - base combat , as the protagonists move the galaxy to develop horrific weaponry .
Ratchet & Clank : Rift Apart is truly phenomenal , with splendid graphics and gameplay , and a close - perfect understanding of what the PS5 can offer .
Iconic weapon like the Glove of Doom , R.Y.N.O , and the Morph - atomic number 8 - Ray let for originative and eccentric ways to engage in fight against extraterrestrial enemy . Ratchet & Clankshines with its zany sense of humour , wide-ranging interplanetary tier design , and charming reference , becoming an instant classic upon spillage . Its numerous subsequence have fine-tune the formula , with the latest in the serial publication , Rift Apart , emerging as one of the standout titles on the PS5 , butRatchet & Clankremains a nostalgic masterpiece .
6Sly 2: Band of Thieves (2004)
A Thieving Spree
Although its follow - up pick up a eminent grade of praise , Sly 2 : Band of Thievesis the high spot of theSlyseries due to its refinement of the stealth - action gameplay . Sly 2follows the Cooper Gang as they trip the mankind to recover the region of Clockwerk , the mechanical opposer from the first launching in the Sly saga . Thesequel down many of the elementsofSly 1and featured an open - world conception , as players could explore hub area at will . secret , enemies , and pickpocketing opportunity are present in these areas , advance exploration .
Sly , Bentley , and Murray each offer unique ability and gameplay styles , as a thematic survey on the grandness of shape together .
Sly 2 ’s fib featured a with child accent on teamwork , as role player could become other members of the Cooper Gang for the first time . Sly , Bentley , and Murray each offer unequaled ability and gameplay manner , as a thematic study on the grandness of working together . Sly 2 ’s cultivation of its mechanic , as opposed to the overload of novel 1 in its sequel , has endear platformer gamers and made ita fan - favorite PS2 deed of conveyance .
5Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (2002)
A Commando’s Challenge
The second installation in theRatchet & Clankseries , Going Commandoexpanded on the archetype ’s compounding of platforming and outlandish weaponry , by introducing even more outlandish weaponry . It strike a similar equaliser of platforming , shooting , and exploration as the original . However , its launching of RPG - style rise to wellness and shootout evolve the serial further . fantabulous new planets to search and improve mechanics solidifiedRatchet & Clank : Going Commandoas one of the best platformers of the PS2 .
4Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001)
A Precursor’s Legacy
Thefirst of Naughty Dog ’s legendary platforming seriesquickly became one of the most acclaimed games of the PS2 propagation . The Precursor Legacyfeatured a revolutionary want of loading times despite being an open - world game . In addition to elaborated nontextual matter , the charming puzzles and fuddled platforming mechanics led to Jak ’s first outing being a commercial and critical success , earningJak and Daxter : The Precursor Legacy’sappraisal by fans as one of the greatest PS2 game of all fourth dimension .
3Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil (2001)
A Dreamlike Odyssey
standardized toPsychonauts , Klonoa 2is one of the most underrated game ever . Featuring traditional 2D side - scrolling platforming in a 3D environment , playing as the titular character is childlike but addictively challenge . Despite lack the commercial viability of its coevals , Klonoa 2’sMetacriticscore of 91 firmly places it alongside theoriginalGuitar HeroandMetal Gear Solid 3 , which demonstrates its superb response .
The platforming puzzles , bosses , and challenge bit by bit become more hard as the game pass on , meaning wit and reflexes are at the forefront of its 2.5D gameplay . Its cel - shaded graphics are succulent and timeless , with a whimsical standard atmosphere . Klonoa 2is a hidden gem of the PlayStation 2and deserves to be praised as one of the finest platforming games ever .
2Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (2004)
A Weapon Masterclass
Whilst the late few games of its series are among its okay , Up Your Arsenalis the bestRatchet & Clankgame and capsule the golden contemporaries of PlayStation 2 mascot platformers . The RPG elements ofGoing Commandowere expanded , meaning players had access to even bigger guns , with more extravagant action platforming . The story incorporate genuinely uproarious moments and the young planets are visually stunning .
Up Your Arsenal ’s relentless activeness gameplay even channelize successfully to online and offline multiplayer . This was groundbreaking , as it was ultimately a platforming secret plan , an strange choice to make into a competitive multiplayer mode . To this day , die - hard buff execute the multiplayer on emulated organisation , which highlights whyRatchet & Clank : Up Your Arsenalis one of the best platforming game of the PS2 era .
1Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (2003)
A Timeless Classic
Despite the difficultness of doing so , Prince of Persia : Sands of Timeredefined platforming in the 3D space with its innovative gameplay which is still being double by Ubisoft today in theAssassin ’s Creedseries . Seamless parkour mechanism , time - rewinding , and a great story all led toSands of Time ’s general plaudits . play as the titulary prince is fluid as he scale wall , dodges baneful traps , and engages in sword fights with vicious sand creatures .
The Rogue Prince of Persia sees Dead Cells reframed as an introduction in Ubisoft ’s enfranchisement , but some fun platforming alone is n’t enough for EA adoptive parent .
News aboutUbisoft ’s upcoming remakeof the game is overdue , but upon reflexion of the time period of time , Prince of Persia : Sands of Timeis the good platforming game of the PlayStation 2 era . The Prince rightly deserves his claim to this summit .
Source : Metacritic
