Best games
Best PlayStation 2 games of 2006
The 26 best PlayStation 2 games released in 2006, ranked from 5,398 critic and player ratings.
The best PlayStation 2 game of 2006 is Okami, with a critic score of 93/100 — 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: 2006.
- 26 games are listed on this page, carrying 5,398 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 29 September 2026.
Top 26
01
Okami
Set sometime in classical Japanese history, Ōkami combines several Japanese mythology and folklore to tell the story of how the land was saved from darkness by the Shinto sun goddess named Amaterasu, who took the form of a white wolf with celestial markings covering its fur. It features a distinct sumi-e-inspired cel-shaded visual style and the Celestial Brush, a gesture-system used to perform miracles.
93
/100
02
Final Fantasy XII
The game takes place in the fictional land of Ivalice, where the empires of Archadia and Rozarria are waging an endless war. Dalmasca, a small kingdom, is caught between the warring nations. When Dalmasca is annexed by Archadia, its princess, Ashe, creates a resistance movement. During the struggle, she meets Vaan, a young adventurer who dreams of commanding an airship. They are quickly joined by a band of allies; together, they rally against the tyranny of the Archadian Empire.
92
/100
03
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
Okami
Set sometime in classical Japanese history, Ōkami combines several Japanese mythology and folklore to tell the story of how the land was saved from darkness by the Shinto sun goddess named Amaterasu, who took the form of a white wolf with celestial markings covering its fur. It features a distinct sumi-e-inspired cel-shaded visual style and the Celestial Brush, a gesture-system used to perform miracles.
93
/100
02
Final Fantasy XII
The game takes place in the fictional land of Ivalice, where the empires of Archadia and Rozarria are waging an endless war. Dalmasca, a small kingdom, is caught between the warring nations. When Dalmasca is annexed by Archadia, its princess, Ashe, creates a resistance movement. During the struggle, she meets Vaan, a young adventurer who dreams of commanding an airship. They are quickly joined by a band of allies; together, they rally against the tyranny of the Archadian Empire.
92
/100
03
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
04
Bully
As a mischievous schoolboy, you’ll stand up to bullies, get picked on by teachers, play pranks, win or lose the girl, and ultimately learn to navigate the obstacles of the worst school around, Bullworth Academy - a corrupt and crumbling prep school with an uptight facade.
87
/100
05
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
The year is 2013 and you play as Captain Mitchell, commander of a Ghost Recon team, on a mission in Mexico City where rebels are attempting a coup, putting Mexico and the USA in danger. To deal with the different situations you have to face, taking out AA-guns or defending injured personnel until the rescue team arrives, you do not only have access to top-notch weapons like the different versions of the MR-C, but also to futuristic equipment like a drone that flies over the battlefield to spot enemy units.
85
/100
06
FlatOut 2
Experience the drive of your life as you throw yourself around on and off the track causing fences to shatter, tyre walls explode, water tanks and barrels fly across the track into other cars. And if anyone, including you, gets caught up in a big smash sit back and watch as the driver gets catapulted through the windscreen in spectacular effect. With over 5000 destructible objects on each track and 40 deformable pieces on every car sparks are guaranteed to fly increasing the mayhem with every lap! Featuring an enhanced version of the original's lauded physics engine and even faster driving track designs, FlatOut 2 also boasts a plethora of improvements, enhancements and additions to make this the definitive FlatOut experience. Twice as many vehicles, a more sophisticated career mode, additional race environments, double the number of tracks; twice as many mini-games along with many multiplayer modes (via LAN only) are just some of the exhaustive features that are included in FlatOut 2. - 34 vehicles to wreck, 12 rag-doll mini games, 60 track combinations, and thousands and thousands of destructible objects. - Enjoy the mayhem while listening to a slamming soundtrack from artists including Rob Zombie, Papa Roach, Fall Out Boy, Nickelback, Wolfmother and more! - Race hard and collide with up to 6 of your friends online in the souped up car of your dreams.
82
/100
07
Call of Duty 3
"Call of Duty 3" is a first-person shooter developed by Treyarch and published by Activision, released in 2006. This installment in the acclaimed series focuses on the Normandy breakout, one of the most pivotal moments of World War II, and follows the Allied forces' push to liberate Paris from Nazi occupation. Players experience the conflict from multiple perspectives, including American, British, Canadian, and Polish soldiers, each with unique missions and challenges. The game's narrative is rich with historical detail and emphasizes the diversity of the Allied effort. "Call of Duty 3" is known for its intense, fast-paced combat and enhanced gameplay mechanics, such as improved melee attacks and the introduction of close-quarters battles. It also features expansive multiplayer modes, allowing players to engage in large-scale battles online. With its high-quality graphics, realistic sound design, and compelling storytelling, "Call of Duty 3" provides a deeply immersive World War II experience that captures the heroism and horrors of the battlefield.
81
/100
08
B
Hitman: Blood Money
Hitman Blood Money is the fourth installment of the critically acclaimed Hitman series. If Agent 47 must stay hidden, make clean ‘hits’ and leave the scene unnoticed, he will be rewarded. But if he is revealed during a violent act, his picture will end up in the papers and on wanted posters, making the job as a contract killer more difficult. This time, Agent 47 is paid in cold, hard cash. How the money is spent will affect his passage through the game and the weapons at his disposal, resulting in a unique game-play experience for each player.
80
/100
09
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
The PlayStation Portable follow-up to Rockstar's monumental handheld entry in the series, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. As in Liberty City Stories, this game ventures back to the location of the second PS2 game.
80
/100
10
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
The best-selling Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell saga takes on an entirely new direction. In the highly anticipated sequel to the 2005 game of the year, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent, play as a double agent spy for the first time ever. Take on dual roles of covert operative and ruthless terrorist, where your choices of whom to betray and whom to protect actually affect the outcome of your game. Experience the relentless tension and gut-wrenching dilemmas of life as a double agent. Lie. Kill. Sabotage. Betray. All to protect the innocent. How far will you go to gain the enemy's trust? As covert operative Sam Fisher, you must infiltrate a vicious terrorist group and destroy it from within. You'll need to carefully weigh the consequences of your actions. Kill too many terrorists and you'll blow your cover. Hesitate and millions will die. Do whatever it takes to complete your mission, but get out alive. Double agent gameplay and branching storyline - Play both sides and decide between opposing NSA and terrorists objectives. You choose who's priorities to support, and who's to undermine. Your actions affect the story and gameplay, leading to shockingly different endings. Upgradeable weapons and gadgets - As you progress get access to upgraded prototype gadgets and weapons, like improved night vision, based on your choices and covert skills. Authentic double agent tactics - Use realistic tactics, based on testimonies of actual undercover agents, to sabotage the enemies' plans. Use realistic upgradable weapons and gadgets. Play multiplayer or co-op with 2-6 players online or system link.
79
/100
11
Test Drive Unlimited
79
/100
12
BLACK
79
/100
13
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition
76
/100
14
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
76
/100
15
FIFA Soccer 07
75
/100
16
The Godfather: The Game
74
/100
17
Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007
73
/100
18
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
72
/100
19
FIFA 07
72
/100
20
Need for Speed: Carbon
70
/100
21
Rayman Raving Rabbids
70
/100
22
Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure
69
/100
23
Sonic Riders
66
/100
24
Tomb Raider: Legend
60
/100
25
B
Just Cause
60
/100
26
Pro Evolution Soccer 6
51
/100
Bully
As a mischievous schoolboy, you’ll stand up to bullies, get picked on by teachers, play pranks, win or lose the girl, and ultimately learn to navigate the obstacles of the worst school around, Bullworth Academy - a corrupt and crumbling prep school with an uptight facade.
87
/100
05
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
The year is 2013 and you play as Captain Mitchell, commander of a Ghost Recon team, on a mission in Mexico City where rebels are attempting a coup, putting Mexico and the USA in danger. To deal with the different situations you have to face, taking out AA-guns or defending injured personnel until the rescue team arrives, you do not only have access to top-notch weapons like the different versions of the MR-C, but also to futuristic equipment like a drone that flies over the battlefield to spot enemy units.
85
/100
06
FlatOut 2
Experience the drive of your life as you throw yourself around on and off the track causing fences to shatter, tyre walls explode, water tanks and barrels fly across the track into other cars. And if anyone, including you, gets caught up in a big smash sit back and watch as the driver gets catapulted through the windscreen in spectacular effect. With over 5000 destructible objects on each track and 40 deformable pieces on every car sparks are guaranteed to fly increasing the mayhem with every lap! Featuring an enhanced version of the original's lauded physics engine and even faster driving track designs, FlatOut 2 also boasts a plethora of improvements, enhancements and additions to make this the definitive FlatOut experience. Twice as many vehicles, a more sophisticated career mode, additional race environments, double the number of tracks; twice as many mini-games along with many multiplayer modes (via LAN only) are just some of the exhaustive features that are included in FlatOut 2. - 34 vehicles to wreck, 12 rag-doll mini games, 60 track combinations, and thousands and thousands of destructible objects. - Enjoy the mayhem while listening to a slamming soundtrack from artists including Rob Zombie, Papa Roach, Fall Out Boy, Nickelback, Wolfmother and more! - Race hard and collide with up to 6 of your friends online in the souped up car of your dreams.
82
/100
07
Call of Duty 3
"Call of Duty 3" is a first-person shooter developed by Treyarch and published by Activision, released in 2006. This installment in the acclaimed series focuses on the Normandy breakout, one of the most pivotal moments of World War II, and follows the Allied forces' push to liberate Paris from Nazi occupation. Players experience the conflict from multiple perspectives, including American, British, Canadian, and Polish soldiers, each with unique missions and challenges. The game's narrative is rich with historical detail and emphasizes the diversity of the Allied effort. "Call of Duty 3" is known for its intense, fast-paced combat and enhanced gameplay mechanics, such as improved melee attacks and the introduction of close-quarters battles. It also features expansive multiplayer modes, allowing players to engage in large-scale battles online. With its high-quality graphics, realistic sound design, and compelling storytelling, "Call of Duty 3" provides a deeply immersive World War II experience that captures the heroism and horrors of the battlefield.
81
/100
08
B
Hitman: Blood Money
Hitman Blood Money is the fourth installment of the critically acclaimed Hitman series. If Agent 47 must stay hidden, make clean ‘hits’ and leave the scene unnoticed, he will be rewarded. But if he is revealed during a violent act, his picture will end up in the papers and on wanted posters, making the job as a contract killer more difficult. This time, Agent 47 is paid in cold, hard cash. How the money is spent will affect his passage through the game and the weapons at his disposal, resulting in a unique game-play experience for each player.
80
/100
09
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
The PlayStation Portable follow-up to Rockstar's monumental handheld entry in the series, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. As in Liberty City Stories, this game ventures back to the location of the second PS2 game.
80
/100
10
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
The best-selling Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell saga takes on an entirely new direction. In the highly anticipated sequel to the 2005 game of the year, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent, play as a double agent spy for the first time ever. Take on dual roles of covert operative and ruthless terrorist, where your choices of whom to betray and whom to protect actually affect the outcome of your game. Experience the relentless tension and gut-wrenching dilemmas of life as a double agent. Lie. Kill. Sabotage. Betray. All to protect the innocent. How far will you go to gain the enemy's trust? As covert operative Sam Fisher, you must infiltrate a vicious terrorist group and destroy it from within. You'll need to carefully weigh the consequences of your actions. Kill too many terrorists and you'll blow your cover. Hesitate and millions will die. Do whatever it takes to complete your mission, but get out alive. Double agent gameplay and branching storyline - Play both sides and decide between opposing NSA and terrorists objectives. You choose who's priorities to support, and who's to undermine. Your actions affect the story and gameplay, leading to shockingly different endings. Upgradeable weapons and gadgets - As you progress get access to upgraded prototype gadgets and weapons, like improved night vision, based on your choices and covert skills. Authentic double agent tactics - Use realistic tactics, based on testimonies of actual undercover agents, to sabotage the enemies' plans. Use realistic upgradable weapons and gadgets. Play multiplayer or co-op with 2-6 players online or system link.
79
/100
11
Test Drive Unlimited
79
/100
12
BLACK
79
/100
13
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition
76
/100
14
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
76
/100
15
FIFA Soccer 07
75
/100
16
The Godfather: The Game
74
/100
17
Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007
73
/100
18
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
72
/100
19
FIFA 07
72
/100
20
Need for Speed: Carbon
70
/100
21
Rayman Raving Rabbids
70
/100
22
Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure
69
/100
23
Sonic Riders
66
/100
24
Tomb Raider: Legend
60
/100
25
B
Just Cause
60
/100
26
Pro Evolution Soccer 6
51
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best PlayStation 2 game of 2006?
Okami currently tops the ranking with a score of 93/100 across 134 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.