Best games
Best Arcade games on PlayStation 2
The 52 best Arcade games on PlayStation 2, ranked from 13,805 critic and player ratings.
The best Arcade game on PlayStation 2 right now is Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, with a critic score of 94/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 13,805 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 50
01
A
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
In the year 1986, Tommy Vercetti is heavily indebted to his mafia superiors after a drug deal gone awry, but his dreams of taking over Vice City (based on Miami) push him down a different path. Featuring a wide variety of vehicles and weapons, radio stations playing hit songs from the era and an intense atmosphere, GTA: Vice City is an open-world sandbox satire of '80's Miami.
94
/100
02
Burnout 3: Takedown
Take anarchic driving destruction on a world tour and experience the pure arcade adrenaline-rush of Burnout 3: Takedown. Combine aggressive high-speed racing with the ultimate in slamming crash action to boost your way to the top. Takedown the competition across the USA, Europe and the Far East in over 60 Race events, or crush all comers with Burnout 3: Takedown's junction-jamming Crash event pileups. Push it to the next level with five competitive multiplayer models, then move the mayhem online to compete against up to seven players. Reap the rewards of dangerous driving, earning Crash $ and Burnout Points to unlock over 60 hot vehicles, coveted skill trophies, front-page headlines and much more. (Source PS2 Game Manual)
94
/100
03
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 is a 2001 skateboarding video game and the third installment in the Tony Hawk's series. Skate as the legendary Tony Hawk or choose from a dream team of 12 top pro skaters, including old favorites like Lasek, Thomas, Muska, and Steamer, as well as new talent like Gilfberg, Caballero, Koston, and Mullen. Travel from L.A. to Tokyo, Suburbia to Skater's Island performing challenges and meeting goals with new moves that include the Revert, which allows you to link vert tricks, and flatland tricks such as Caspers, the Primo, and Handstand Manual.
94
/100
A
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
In the year 1986, Tommy Vercetti is heavily indebted to his mafia superiors after a drug deal gone awry, but his dreams of taking over Vice City (based on Miami) push him down a different path. Featuring a wide variety of vehicles and weapons, radio stations playing hit songs from the era and an intense atmosphere, GTA: Vice City is an open-world sandbox satire of '80's Miami.
94
/100
02
Burnout 3: Takedown
Take anarchic driving destruction on a world tour and experience the pure arcade adrenaline-rush of Burnout 3: Takedown. Combine aggressive high-speed racing with the ultimate in slamming crash action to boost your way to the top. Takedown the competition across the USA, Europe and the Far East in over 60 Race events, or crush all comers with Burnout 3: Takedown's junction-jamming Crash event pileups. Push it to the next level with five competitive multiplayer models, then move the mayhem online to compete against up to seven players. Reap the rewards of dangerous driving, earning Crash $ and Burnout Points to unlock over 60 hot vehicles, coveted skill trophies, front-page headlines and much more. (Source PS2 Game Manual)
94
/100
03
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 is a 2001 skateboarding video game and the third installment in the Tony Hawk's series. Skate as the legendary Tony Hawk or choose from a dream team of 12 top pro skaters, including old favorites like Lasek, Thomas, Muska, and Steamer, as well as new talent like Gilfberg, Caballero, Koston, and Mullen. Travel from L.A. to Tokyo, Suburbia to Skater's Island performing challenges and meeting goals with new moves that include the Revert, which allows you to link vert tricks, and flatland tricks such as Caspers, the Primo, and Handstand Manual.
94
/100
04
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2 is the sequel to the 2007 musical simulation game Rock Band and offers similar gameplay. Directly competing with Guitar Hero: World Tour, the game allows different people to play together as in a band, with the same peripherals as the first game: lead guitar, bass guitar, microphone and a drum set. The new drum and guitar controllers for this version, bundled or sold separately, have been revised and older controllers are also supported. The guitar controller, modelled after the Fender Stratocaster, has five additional fret buttons near the neck, for fast fingertapping sessions. There is also an effect switch to toggle between five different effects. Players use the instruments to match notes on the screen, divided in different portions for different instruments, along with the lyrics for the singer who need to match the pitch.
93
/100
05
Guitar Hero II
Unleash your inner rock star! Unlock new songs and venues to become the ultimate rock star in Career mode, jump right in and play any song you've unlocked in Quickplay, or play with or against friends in Multiplayer, all right from your living room!
92
/100
06
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Drop into the ultimate challenge. In the next chapter in the Tony Hawk series, pros challenge you to make your mark in huge free-roaming levels, taking on 190 progressively harder goals with no time limits to hold you back. Decide when you're ready to take on your Pro Challenge and move into the pro ranks, where it's a whole new game. Build your skills, perform all-new tricks, play up to eight players online, and show that you've got what it takes to go Pro.
91
/100
07
Katamari Damacy
The King of All Cosmos accidentally destroyed the stars and—having recovered—wants the prince to rebuild them. Unfortunately the prince stands a little less than half a foot tall, so recreating the stars will require some effort. Enter the Katamari, a sphere the prince can push around our world to “roll up” items increasing the Katamari’s size until it’s suitable for the King. Taking place in stylized versions of Japanese houses, cities, and environs, the prince pushes the Katamari around collecting items which adhere to it. At first, the prince can only pick up smaller items, but as the Katamari grows, the more it can collect. Push pins and paper clips cling to the Katamari increasing its size so it can roll over obstacles and pick up bigger items. Over many levels, the Katamari can eventually pick up people, cars, and other bigger items. Players steer the Katamari from a third-person perspective using the analog sticks on the PS2. A tutorial stage takes the player through the controls and sets up the story as well as introducing a side story about a Japanese girl who can feel the cosmos. Wanting to challenge the prince, the King sets requirements on the Katamari’s size and sets time limits on the level. Bonus missions restore constellations and have their own restrictions. The world of Katamari Damacy is brought to life with off-beat animation and a catchy soundtrack. Players can find presents hidden in the levels that contain accessories for the prince. Two players can also battle head-to-head in a Katamari competition.
86
/100
08
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Need for Speed: Most Wanted takes on the gameplay style of the first Most Wanted title in the Need for Speed franchise. Most Wanted allows players to select one car and compete against other racers in three types of events: Sprint races, which involves traveling from one point of the city to another, Circuit races, each having two or three laps total and Speed runs, which involve traversing through a course in the highest average speed possible. There is also the Ambush races, which start with the player surrounded by cops and tasked to evade their pursuit as quickly as possible.
85
/100
09
Tony Hawk's Underground 2
You've been chosen by Tony Hawk to compete against Bam Margera's team in the World Destruction Tour. In an all-new storyline, Tony Hawk's Underground 2 takes you to skateparks around the world, where you can spray your custom tag, slap stickers, and even create new skate lines. Now you can play as yourself, as your teammates, or as more than 20 special skaters. If you're feeling nostalgic for older Tony Hawk games, you can try Classic mode, which challenges you to accomplish your favorite goals, such as Secret Tape and High Score.
84
/100
10
S
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Rock out to the third entry in in Red Octane's music series for guitar gods! Songs for Guitar Hero III include Barracuda by Heart, Sabotage by Beastie Boys, Rock And Roll All Nite by Kiss, and much more! In addition, players can experience an incredible number of added features and explosive content including a new multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a bevy of exclusive unlockable content and authentic rock venues.
84
/100
11
FlatOut 2
82
/100
12
Guitar Hero World Tour
82
/100
13
Metal Slug 3
82
/100
14
Crazy Taxi (1999)
82
/100
15
Rock Band
82
/100
16
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
81
/100
17
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
81
/100
18
Midnight Club 2
81
/100
19
FlatOut
80
/100
20
Lego Star Wars: The Video Game
80
/100
21
Test Drive Unlimited
79
/100
22
Tekken 4
79
/100
23
Need for Speed: Underground 2
78
/100
24
Zuma
78
/100
25
Spider-Man: The Movie
77
/100
26
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
76
/100
27
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
74
/100
28
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
74
/100
29
Madagascar
73
/100
30
Kung Fu Panda
73
/100
31
Oni
73
/100
32
Worms Blast
73
/100
33
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
72
/100
34
Need for Speed: ProStreet
72
/100
35
Need for Speed: Carbon
70
/100
36
The Simpsons Game
70
/100
37
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
68
/100
38
Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup
68
/100
39
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
67
/100
40
Sonic Heroes
67
/100
41
THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2002
67
/100
42
Sonic Riders
66
/100
43
Need For Speed Undercover
65
/100
44
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
65
/100
45
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
64
/100
46
Metal Slug 4
64
/100
47
Crash of the Titans
63
/100
48
Shrek 2: The Game
63
/100
49
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
60
/100
50
Sonic Unleashed
60
/100
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2 is the sequel to the 2007 musical simulation game Rock Band and offers similar gameplay. Directly competing with Guitar Hero: World Tour, the game allows different people to play together as in a band, with the same peripherals as the first game: lead guitar, bass guitar, microphone and a drum set. The new drum and guitar controllers for this version, bundled or sold separately, have been revised and older controllers are also supported. The guitar controller, modelled after the Fender Stratocaster, has five additional fret buttons near the neck, for fast fingertapping sessions. There is also an effect switch to toggle between five different effects. Players use the instruments to match notes on the screen, divided in different portions for different instruments, along with the lyrics for the singer who need to match the pitch.
93
/100
05
Guitar Hero II
Unleash your inner rock star! Unlock new songs and venues to become the ultimate rock star in Career mode, jump right in and play any song you've unlocked in Quickplay, or play with or against friends in Multiplayer, all right from your living room!
92
/100
06
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Drop into the ultimate challenge. In the next chapter in the Tony Hawk series, pros challenge you to make your mark in huge free-roaming levels, taking on 190 progressively harder goals with no time limits to hold you back. Decide when you're ready to take on your Pro Challenge and move into the pro ranks, where it's a whole new game. Build your skills, perform all-new tricks, play up to eight players online, and show that you've got what it takes to go Pro.
91
/100
07
Katamari Damacy
The King of All Cosmos accidentally destroyed the stars and—having recovered—wants the prince to rebuild them. Unfortunately the prince stands a little less than half a foot tall, so recreating the stars will require some effort. Enter the Katamari, a sphere the prince can push around our world to “roll up” items increasing the Katamari’s size until it’s suitable for the King. Taking place in stylized versions of Japanese houses, cities, and environs, the prince pushes the Katamari around collecting items which adhere to it. At first, the prince can only pick up smaller items, but as the Katamari grows, the more it can collect. Push pins and paper clips cling to the Katamari increasing its size so it can roll over obstacles and pick up bigger items. Over many levels, the Katamari can eventually pick up people, cars, and other bigger items. Players steer the Katamari from a third-person perspective using the analog sticks on the PS2. A tutorial stage takes the player through the controls and sets up the story as well as introducing a side story about a Japanese girl who can feel the cosmos. Wanting to challenge the prince, the King sets requirements on the Katamari’s size and sets time limits on the level. Bonus missions restore constellations and have their own restrictions. The world of Katamari Damacy is brought to life with off-beat animation and a catchy soundtrack. Players can find presents hidden in the levels that contain accessories for the prince. Two players can also battle head-to-head in a Katamari competition.
86
/100
08
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Need for Speed: Most Wanted takes on the gameplay style of the first Most Wanted title in the Need for Speed franchise. Most Wanted allows players to select one car and compete against other racers in three types of events: Sprint races, which involves traveling from one point of the city to another, Circuit races, each having two or three laps total and Speed runs, which involve traversing through a course in the highest average speed possible. There is also the Ambush races, which start with the player surrounded by cops and tasked to evade their pursuit as quickly as possible.
85
/100
09
Tony Hawk's Underground 2
You've been chosen by Tony Hawk to compete against Bam Margera's team in the World Destruction Tour. In an all-new storyline, Tony Hawk's Underground 2 takes you to skateparks around the world, where you can spray your custom tag, slap stickers, and even create new skate lines. Now you can play as yourself, as your teammates, or as more than 20 special skaters. If you're feeling nostalgic for older Tony Hawk games, you can try Classic mode, which challenges you to accomplish your favorite goals, such as Secret Tape and High Score.
84
/100
10
S
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Rock out to the third entry in in Red Octane's music series for guitar gods! Songs for Guitar Hero III include Barracuda by Heart, Sabotage by Beastie Boys, Rock And Roll All Nite by Kiss, and much more! In addition, players can experience an incredible number of added features and explosive content including a new multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a bevy of exclusive unlockable content and authentic rock venues.
84
/100
11
FlatOut 2
82
/100
12
Guitar Hero World Tour
82
/100
13
Metal Slug 3
82
/100
14
Crazy Taxi (1999)
82
/100
15
Rock Band
82
/100
16
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
81
/100
17
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
81
/100
18
Midnight Club 2
81
/100
19
FlatOut
80
/100
20
Lego Star Wars: The Video Game
80
/100
21
Test Drive Unlimited
79
/100
22
Tekken 4
79
/100
23
Need for Speed: Underground 2
78
/100
24
Zuma
78
/100
25
Spider-Man: The Movie
77
/100
26
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
76
/100
27
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
74
/100
28
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
74
/100
29
Madagascar
73
/100
30
Kung Fu Panda
73
/100
31
Oni
73
/100
32
Worms Blast
73
/100
33
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
72
/100
34
Need for Speed: ProStreet
72
/100
35
Need for Speed: Carbon
70
/100
36
The Simpsons Game
70
/100
37
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
68
/100
38
Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup
68
/100
39
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
67
/100
40
Sonic Heroes
67
/100
41
THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2002
67
/100
42
Sonic Riders
66
/100
43
Need For Speed Undercover
65
/100
44
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
65
/100
45
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
64
/100
46
Metal Slug 4
64
/100
47
Crash of the Titans
63
/100
48
Shrek 2: The Game
63
/100
49
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
60
/100
50
Sonic Unleashed
60
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Arcade game on PlayStation 2?
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City currently tops the ranking with a score of 94/100 across 3,107 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.