Even at present, the ultimate video game console system in terms of sales and critical acclaim is still the mighty PlayStation 2. It was not only a satisfying step forward for the PS1 in terms of graphics and games but it had the triple caveat of also playing DVD discs and co🦂nnecting online to the internet (at a very primitive level, mind).

Still, it wasn't all peaches and cream, with a wealth of games the console also had its fair share of stinkers as it was an era plagued with lame licensed games, blatant rip-offs of popular titles (e.g. Tony Hawk, GTA) and some completely bewilde🔥ring rush jobs. No two ways about it—there were some really, really bad games dumped out on the PS2.

On the other side of the spectrum, they were also some fantastic games released that got lost in the crowd due to the console's other major heavy hitters getting all the limelight. These titles were usu🌃ally either being ahead of their time, not flashy enough or outshined—no doubt, there are plenty of games from back then that more than deserve their due.

An extra note though; some formerly underrated PS2 games (e.g. Beyond Good and Evil, Okami) have gotten so much attention that 💟they are now officially considered classics—so, they won't get a mention in this list. So, without further ado, let's have a look at some of the PS2's epic dumpster fires and some🌟 of its shiniest unsung heroes...

30 Worst: Army Men: Green Rogue 𒀰

The Army Men franchise managed to carve out a low-key if long-lasting run for itself while holding a strict following of niche players. Yet, one game that no one can defend is the utter mess of the Green Rogue spin-o🐟ff, even if it was saddled with a 🥃reliably fun premise.

The developers decided to mash an isometric shooter with third-person combat and an imposing on-rails camera.

All of those three things contrast and wrestle with each other as billions of bullet are sprayed at the player relentlessly. A fun id🅷ea becomes an endlessly frustrating one.

29 𒉰 Underrated: The Warriors

Rockstar Games—at the peak of their heat during the PS2 era—decided to tackle an adaptation of this obscure 80s cult movie. Proving th🍸ey were a company that truly does whatever the heck they wanted, it also resulted in their best game from that era.

Taking a loving approach with the material; the campaign plays into the events leading up to the movie, with everything feeling like an authentic exꦅpansion, plus every single one of the film's actors returned for their roles. Add to that great co-op, combat mechanics, and synth atmosphere—this is great, great stuff.

28 𝐆 Worst: Aq𒉰uaman: Battle For Atlantis

Jason Momoa’s coolness factor has made the underwater hero an exciting prospect for a solo movie. Yet most people might forget what a joke the character was back in t💫he ﷽day.

Then, a rip-roaringly good run in the 90s basically rebooted him into an underwater Thor with an awesome trident hand; he was rife for gaming attention. Sa💎dly, this morbidly repetitive game wasn’t the answer; swim around, find some bad guys, and beat them up with vanilla moves. Do this for six hours while struggling with an anti-social camera and that pretty much sums it up.

27 Underrate🔯d: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

The first three Silent Hill games have a rightful place in gaming history as classics—after that, pretty much 🍃everything is dismissed as garbage... which is a little unfair. This was a late franchise entry and a port of an ignored Wii game. Thankfully without the annoying motion controls, the PS2 version could emphasize what made these ꦫgames so incredible; the dark and unpredictable storyline.

It even had the gamer go through subtle psychological tests that would affect the morbid campaign in delicious ways (an idea Until Dawn totally steals). It was a creepy and emotion🐭al entry.

26 Worst: Robin Hood’s Quest 𒅌

My goodness, even the title just oozes a lack of imagination... it’s not often when the use of a sub-title feels necessary to breathe some excitement into a pr�𒁃�oject's name, but this one really makes a case.

Graphics that match mid-era PS1, stifled movement, awful voice acting, flat story, and most of all; it’s just dreadfully boring. The studio’s idea of making a Robin Hood adventure 🥀game with a Zelda influence was a sound principle—that’s about where the good ends.

25 U🎃nderrated: Killer7 🍸

Game developer Suda 59 not only seems to have cult appeal follow him onto every game he tackles—he purposefully reviles in it. This is no more apparent than his first big game in the West; that was as be🎃wildering as it was fascinating.

Its obtuse plot turned many off when released back in the day, plus it was a puzzle-game set on-rails with eve♊n weirder combat. Yet, the intriguing game has garnered a deserved cult appeal over the years with it worth checking out in its upcoming remaster edition; it might not always make sense but is well worth the wild ride.

24 ꧅ Worst: Pro Evolution Soccer Mangement🍷

Emerging out of the PS2 era was Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer, the only soccer franchise that has properly given FIFA a challenge. Not content on having sneaked in on EA’s action, Konami also attempted to give Sega’s Football Manager franchise a run for their money as well.

Unfortunately, a limited handle on licenses and official teams made the playgrou෴nd limited, wi🦩th a frustratingly awkward interface making the process a total headache. This is one that's better left forgotten.

23 Underrated: Fahr🍌enheit (AKA Indigo Prophecy)

The PS3’s cinematic Heavy Rain marked the arrival of developer Quantic Dream, yet it was actually the third game they had made—with this PS2 title their first venture into the heady blend of interacti𝐆ve movie and adventure game.

Certainly, the game is plenty flawed—with the game mechanic playing awkward and the stories third act imploding into nonsense—yet, it still a wild, e🅷xciting and involving mix of genres and ground-breaking ambition. It certainly didn't get its due at the time, but is well worth a look for those curious of this innovating companies start.

22 Worst: Pꦉimp My Rid🔴e

Xzibit’s trademark proclamation to pimp a contestant's ride was a familiar vocal on mওost teen's TV's during the late noughts—in fact, it still is MTV’s second most popular show produced. A game-infused s꧙pin on the show wasn’t a far reach.

Yet, 🔯what possible fun had with customizing and racing your ride is let down by a beyond clunky open-world. One where you e♏arn pennies by smashing into random objects or doing ‘Cruise By’ quick-time events. None of it was fun, catered to the show’s fans, or made much sense either.

21 Underrated: Red Dead Revolver ♌

It might be hard for most gamers to realize Red Dead Redemption was actually a sequel to a൲ low-key shooter released on PS2. Originally developed by Capcom, it was axed half-way and Rockstar Games swooped in for the rescue and bought the studio, I.P. and completed production.

Passionately steeped in the Spaghetti Western genre, the game lovingly recreates set-pieces and scenarios from big the screen in a fast-paced arcade shooter with a decent plot-line threading it to the end. When it꧋ comes to no-nonsense Western fun, this one is even superior.