All aboard the nostalgia train, for we’re about to leap and hop into the classic PS2 platforming games list. Yep, it’s been a long time coming. Now’s a great time to throw our hat in the debate gauntlet for ranking the best PS2 platformers. There’s always been a consistent flow of games within the genre in every gaming generation.
No doubt, the 16-bit era was the height of platformers; it was the golden age. Having said that, the PS2 platforming games are no slouch, either. Today’s list will prove that Sony’s dominant PlayStation 2 console boasts a terrific lineup of platformers. They’re not copycats of each other either, as each pick on our list offers something truly unique for players.
Which PS2 Plaforming Games Rank Among the Best Of All Time?
Alright, we won’t bore you with long and arduous insight into the appeal of PS2 platforming games. We know they’re great! We’re only adding one rule to make things fair and give each game its moment in the spotlight. That rule is simple; we won’t include more than one game from each franchise. After all, can’t have all 9 slots be held hostage by the Mega Man or Ratchet & Clank series.
Aside from that, we’re pretty chill with our picks. Now it’s a matter of which platforming games on PS2 impress us to snatch a spot. A quick side note before we begin, most of the games we’ll mention are stuck on PS2 hardware. However, you can find a fix in our guide about if it’s possible to play PS2 games on PS5. Alright, let’s cut to the chase and kick things off.
9. Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath Of Cortex – An Incredibly Silly Yet Skill-Based Platformer
We’re starting the party of platforming games on PS2 with one of the former mascots of the PlayStation brand. Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath Of Cortex sees the anthropomorphic siblings, the titular Crash and his sister Coco go on a mayhem-filled adventure. The goal is to stop the evil scientist Dr. Cortex and his latest abomination that serves as an adversary for Crash, Crunch Bandicoot.
Gameplaywise, Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath Of Cortex has the fun DNA of previous titles in the series. There are more secrets within each hub world and some much-needed new abilities like the fruit bazooka, belly slam, and the death tornado spin. They require absolute mastery of the controls. Fail, and you’ll regret it, but that’s half the fun of any Crash game. There are plenty of enemies and tricky platforming segments.
There are boxes to destroy, gems to collect, and several bosses to defeat that won’t get easier. It’s the challenging and chaotic aspect of Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath Of Cortex that makes the PS2 platforming game such a delight. The game’s stress is by design and will trigger your motivation to improve your gamer skills, kind of similar to games like Overcooked!
8. The Legend Of Spyro: The Eternal Night – The 3D Action-Adventure Platformer is A Delight
Next up, another former Sony mascot, boy, they really wanted a face for their PlayStation brand, huh? Spyro the Dragon started life on the original PlayStation and is a part of our top PS1 games. Having said that, on the PS2 side of things, the best platforming game in the series isn’t an exclusive. Case-in-point, The Legend Of Spyro: The Eternal Night is one of the most gorgeous and absolutely enjoyable Spyro games.
The Legend Of Spyro: The Eternal Night has that magical vibe of an epic quest. Only instead of slaying dragons, you play as one, and an adorable one at that. Spyro’s standard ram attack, flight, and flame breath return, but there are also more nifty innovations. There are magical blasts and other elemental breaths like ice, zap, and earth. You need to switch them up to adjust against enemies and bosses.
The time stop ability is new to The Legend Of Spyro: The Eternal Night, where you can slow down moving rocks and other platforms. Spyro can use them to jump ahead or above during levels. If you like puzzle-solving and fantasy adventure with your PS2 platforming games, then The Legend Of Spyro: The Eternal Night is for you. The game’s colorful aesthetic and distinct level designs are a visual treat.
7. Shadow The Hedgehog – It’s Not the Blue Blur, But Still A Darn Great Platforming Game on the PS2
Alright, so this next PS2 platforming game got a lot of flak for its design choices, both lore-wise and in level layouts. Well, we’re here to tell you the critics just want an excuse to bash Shadow The Hedgehog because, in our playthrough, it felt like one of the best games in the Sonic franchise. Sure, it’s not the happy-go-lucky cool and charming Sonic in the lead role, but that’s the idea, Shadow is his own, uh.. hedgehog.
Also, Shadow The Hedgehog is full of awesome storyline moments that deviate drastically, depending on the player’s choices. There are multiple branching paths that go in totally different directions for Shadow. The game’s traversal is still in line with the high-octane 3D Sonic formula. There’s an extremely satisfying feeling of rushing into the open world of Shadow The Hedgehog at full throttle.
The combat in Shadow The Hedgehog comprises melee attacks and even shooting elements that give the game plenty of variety. You can even use select vehicles with weaponry to shoot powerful blasts and clear an area of enemies or destroy blockades. The chaos attacks are super fun to pull off, as are the platforming segments in this PS2 classic game. This is a mature take on a kid’s game, kind of like the adult games on Switch.
6. Mega Man X8 – A Bold New Direction for the Action-Platforming Series Pays Dividends
For the next entry on our list of excellent PS2 platforming games, we’re going old-school with Mega Man X8. Mega man series has always been synonymous with the platform genre. Mega Max X8 while staying true to its roots, also takes creative liberties that, in our opinion breath new life into the franchise. The graphics were profoundly mesmerizing at the time, and the gameplay was also rock solid.
Mega Man X8 features a trio of protagonist, each with a distinct playstyle, and a cool appearance. Is it obvious yet, we’re big on customization features like Fortnite character skins? Anyway, in Mega Man X8 players will navigate 8 different levels, each one serving as a trial by fire for gamer’s platforming skills. At the end of each stage, there’s a high power boss awaiting. If you can beat the boss, you get their ability or weapon, neat huh?
There aren’t exactly plaforming heavy games on PS2 like 2D Castlevania or Metroid. Mega Man X8 is as close as you’re getting to playing a Metroidvania game that carries the legacy. Although, some more backtracking would have been nice. You can create a sort of custom armor for X, which is a neat little addition. Also, Axl, one of the playable characters can also transform into enemies, how epic is that? Mega Man X8 is awesome in our book.
5. Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil – This Obscure Gem Within the Sea Of Plaformers is Well Worth Playing
With almost every platforming game on the PS2 gunning for 3D transition, it was a breath of fresh air to see Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil sticking to its guns. Yep, believe it or not, Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil is a 2D platformer, much akin to the retro NES games but its environments are 3D to give a nice little pictureque view. The game stars Kolona, a hybrid anthropomorphic hero who’s physique mimics traits of dog, cat, and rabbits.
If that sounds intriguing, wait till you get a load of how Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil plays. You shoot at enemies to disorient them using Klonoa’s wind bullet projectile. One stunned, Klonoa can then either use them to acend higher, or use them to solve an environmental puzzles. The gameplay while fairly linear, holds a certain charm that will engross players. Enemy variety is respectable and add flavor to the hybrid puzzle and combat situations.
Plenty of collectibles in Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil that add cool art work in the extras gallery. Players will need patience to master the controls and learn the enemy pattern to time their traversal and puzzle solving. Oh, and did we mention the story is superb, that’ll get you immediately invested in this platforming PS2 game for the long haul. Honestly, Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil is criminally utilized, so, if you’re reading this Sony, it needs a revival asap!
4. Jak And Daxter: The Precursor Legacy – One of the Pillars of 3D Platforming Games
Jak And Daxter: The Precusor Legacy is one the finest examples of innovation in 3D platforming games on the PS2. The scope of the game’s story and its presentation makes it on par with other great single-player adventure games. As part of the platforming genre boom, Sony had another hit on their hands with Jak And Daxter: The Precusor Legacy. It served as the launching pad of Naugthy Dog’s (Uncharted, and The Last Of US) meteroic rise.
The gameplay of Jak And Daxter revolves around the titular protagonists, Jak, another anthropomorphic hero, and his friend, Daxter who turns into an otter and weaseal hybrid. (Seeing the trend here?) Anyway, players will control Jak to leap over obstacles, to clear paths and solve cleverly designed puzzles. Jak uses the double jump feature to reach high or combine it with his spinning melee kick to deliver a beatdown.
Jak And Daxter: The Precursor Legacy also heavily features ecos. They’re magical auras that can grant various benefits, depending on their color. They’re mostly for platforming and puzzle, but also grant various combat boosts like faster movement and a projectile blast. The game’s lore and visuals are topnotch, and provide a depth to the character’s motivations. Jak And Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is 3D platofrming game perfection.
3. Prince Of Persia: The Two Thrones – An Amazing Blend of Fantasy and Action Platforming Genre
Almost in the final stretch of our list of fantastic PS2 platforming games, so bear with us. Our next pick is one of the more intriguing amlagamation of excellent narrative-driven games and seamless traversal. Prince Of Persia: The Two Thrones is our absolute favorite game in the series. Not only is the gameplay much more intuitive and contextual to the position of the characters, but there’s more depth to the combat.
You know the drill by know if you’ve played any of the Prince Of Persia games before. You need to watch out for traps, pick your moments to strike at enemies, and if you goof it up, use the sands to give yourself a second chance. That essence of the gameplay is still present in Prince Of Persia: The Two Thrones, but with more refinement. Players can get crafty to eliminate enemies, or use a more aggressive approach.
Speaking of more freedom, as the name implies, there’s a duality factor in the gameplay and story of Prince Of Persia: The Two Thrones. Our lovable protagonist, the free-spirited and likable Prince’s edgelord persona the Dark Prince comes out from time to time. This is essentially, Prince’s devil trigger, and he can perform visicious executions and go on a rampage. The plaforming element is highly addictive; you can wall-run, slide down chutes, and even form air assassinations.
2. Ratchet & Clank – Our Runner-Up Choice Is A Masterful Platforming Game on the PS2
Ah, talk about memories. The original Ratchet & Clank on the PS2 is masterclass showcase of Insomniac’s ingenuity and creativity of platforming games. Players control (yep, you’ve guessed it) another anthropomorphic creature, Ratchet, who’s a wombat. His partner’s a sentiant robot, Clank. The two team up to follow and track down the evil businessman, who’s hellbent on ruining the galaxy.
The game’s lighthearted tone and humor will leave you chuckling, like some of the funiest PS4 games. The game’s levels have a timeless beauty to them. Each level has a distinct identity, and give a surreal feeling of tropical vistas to futuristic metropolis. There are hidden secrets and optional missions, including hover board racing, that nicely pad out the gameplay of Ratchet & Clank. Players have access to awesome weapons and gadgets; the R.Y.N.O is the best, hint-hint.
The bolts are scattered throughout the stages which are the game’s currency, and you need as many as you can get to unlock upgrades. The platforming in Ratchet & Clank is excellence exemplified, with gadgets adding to the enjoyment. You use anti-gravity boots, there’s rail grinding, and hook shot to pull you closer and swing from point to point. Ratchet can even use Clank as a miniature helicopter to cross gaps. Ratchet & Clank is one of the most delightful plaforming games on the PS2.
1. Sly Cooper And The Thievius Raccoonus – The Perfect Platforming Game On the PS2
Alright, this is the big one, Sly Cooper And The Thievius Raccoonus is the most outstanding platforming game on the PS2. It features a talking raccoon. At this point, you might as well just check out our list of amazing games starring animal heroes. Anyway, Sly Cooper And the Thievius Raccoonus has a unique originality to platforming, by also having stealth as a game mechanic. Sly is a highly vulnerable, where one hit kills him.
Since Sly’s a thief, he must avoid confrontations as much as he can. His primary weapons of choice is a cane that he carries on him. Sly can use it to solve puzzles by moving objects, or silently wack enemies to knock them out. In Sly Cooper And The Thievius Raccoonus, players can look for environmental clues using Sly’s thief vision. Exploration is heavily encouraged in the game, allowing upgrades and new stealth tactics.
One of the advanced techniques Sly can learn if he’s willing to risk the extra time to find the titular Thievius Raccoonus, is copycat. Players can use decoys to lure enemies, and go through the level without so much as a single enemy spotting the craft raccoon hero. The traversal in Sly Cooper And The Thievius Raccoonus is an absolute joy to experience. Sly Cooper And the Thievius Raccoonus easily eclipses the competition and ranks at the top of the best PS2 plaforming games.
Final Thoughts About the Greatest PS2 Platforming Games Ever
Wow, this list was a doozy, wasn’t it? We’re not complaining, though, cause we love rambling on and on about our favorite PS2 platforming games. So, what do you think of our selection for today’s list? Agree with our choices? Or massively resisting the urge to punch the screen for missing out on your favorite? Fire away in the comments below, and enlighten us with your own list of games.
Oh, and if you’re still not over the nostalgia bug yet, don’t worry; we’re in the same boat. We’ve got a list of the greatest PS2 games that’ll show you more of the perfect hits on Sony’s PlayStation 2. Well, that’s it for today; we’re signing off for now; take care, everybody, and happy gaming!
