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.
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Online gamingis a given when it comes to the majority of current generationPlayStationtitles, 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 ofgreat 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 thebest online PS2 gamesever made.
18Burnout 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.
17Mortal 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.
16Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition
Street racingwas a dominant force in the racing genre during the sixth generation of home consoles. Franchises likeBurnout,Need for Speed,andMidnight Clubwere not only some of the biggest names in the racing genre at the time, but all of gaming.
Rockstar Games’Midnight Club 3: Dub Editionoffered 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.
15Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal(known simply asRatchet & Clank 3in Europe) released in November 2004. The game had a huge weight of expectations on its shoulders following the success and acclaim ofRatchet & Clank: Going Commando.Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint, exemplified by its impressive91 Metascoreand 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.
14SOCOM II
Zipper Interactive’sSOCOM IIreleased in 2003 as the sequel toSOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs. Much like its predecessor,SOCOM IIdifferentiated itself from most other shooters at the time with its emphasis on tactical and strategic combat. This style made for engaging online multiplayer matches.
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Like many online PlayStation 2 games,SOCOM IIhad its servers shut down in August 2012. However, the game’s online multiplayer made a resurgence in late 2020, thanks to a revival effort fromthe PS2onlinegaming.com community.
13Pro Evolution Soccer 5
Pro Evolution Soccer 5was released around the middle point of the series' golden age.FIFAwas still the sports' dominant franchise, but many people were jumping ship having heard about the quality of thePESseries. The latter series has always had its fundamental issues, in particular thelack of licensed teams. Still, players were willing to look past that in 2005 due to the sheer quality ofPES 5.
Pro Evolution Soccer 5was the first game in thePESseries to feature online play. There was no Ultimate Team mode or My Club at the time, just classic matches with a simple league structure.
12Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistenceis an expanded version of the classicMetal 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 titledPersistance.It contained a good variety of game modes, including capture, sneaking, and rescue missions, along with classic Deathmatch.
11Twisted Metal: Black Online
Sony’sTwisted Metalfranchise 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 Metalgets a lot right.
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Twisted Metal: Blackis the series’ big PlayStation 2 debut and the online edition allowed players to take this destructive combat to a bigger playground.Twisted Metal: Black Onlinecan be a shallow experience, but online competition adds a ton to the title and its unpredictable energy.
10Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
TheMarvel: Ultimate Allianceseries take the popularbeat-‘em-up genreof action titles, but injects it with dozens of popular Marvel characters, placing them in non-stop combat. SubsequentMarvel: Ultimate Alliancegames 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.
9Need For Speed: Underground
The racing genre continues to experience ebbs and flows with audiences, and while crazier racers often perform better, theNeed for Speedfranchises has remained relevant due to its realistic approach to racing.
Need for Speed: Undergroundfor 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.
