Best games
Best PlayStation 2 games of 2008
The 15 best PlayStation 2 games released in 2008, ranked from 3,288 critic and player ratings.
The best PlayStation 2 game of 2008 is Rock Band 2, 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: 2008.
- 15 games are listed on this page, carrying 3,288 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 29 September 2026.
Top 15
01
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
02
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4
An entry in the JRPG/visual novel hybrid Persona series in which the player has to harness the power of Personas and fight entities called Shadows by forging bonds with the locals of Inaba, a rural Japanese town thrown into unrest by inexplicable murders committed under cover of foggy weather and rumours of a television channel said to broadcast mysterious images on rainy nights.
90
/100
03
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (often shortened to PES 2009, or simply PES 09) is an association football video game in Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer series. It is the sequel to Pro Evolution Soccer 2008. Before the game was released, it was revealed that creator Shingo Takatsuka had given the game a complete overhaul following the serious criticism of the previous title. The game supports network play with a reduction in lag compared to PES 2008. Lionel Messi is featured as the cover star, although Andrés Guardado features on some versions. A new game mode called Become a Legend was introduced, which involves creating a player and taking him through a career. The Master League mode saw the introduction of two-tier negotiations, which involve negotiating with the club first and then the player separately. The Edit Mode was also improved. The game was followed by PES 2010.
90
/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
02
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4
An entry in the JRPG/visual novel hybrid Persona series in which the player has to harness the power of Personas and fight entities called Shadows by forging bonds with the locals of Inaba, a rural Japanese town thrown into unrest by inexplicable murders committed under cover of foggy weather and rumours of a television channel said to broadcast mysterious images on rainy nights.
90
/100
03
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (often shortened to PES 2009, or simply PES 09) is an association football video game in Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer series. It is the sequel to Pro Evolution Soccer 2008. Before the game was released, it was revealed that creator Shingo Takatsuka had given the game a complete overhaul following the serious criticism of the previous title. The game supports network play with a reduction in lag compared to PES 2008. Lionel Messi is featured as the cover star, although Andrés Guardado features on some versions. A new game mode called Become a Legend was introduced, which involves creating a player and taking him through a career. The Master League mode saw the introduction of two-tier negotiations, which involve negotiating with the club first and then the player separately. The Edit Mode was also improved. The game was followed by PES 2010.
90
/100
04
FIFA 09
PlayStation 2 and PC port of FIFA Soccer 09.
83
/100
05
Guitar Hero World Tour
Guitar Hero: World Tour is the fourth main game in the series and brings a major change to the concept. Following the release of Rock Band that built on the Guitar Hero concept but added additional instruments, World Tour introduces these as well to allow players to play together simultaneously as a real band. Next to the guitar that was the main peripheral for the previous titles, the bundled edition of the game adds a microphone for the vocal parts and drums for percussion. Just like the previous game, the guitar tracks are split up for the lead and bass. The lyrics and the vocal pitch is shown near the top of the screen, while the bottom part is split up for bass guitar, lead guitar and drums, each with a separate set of notes that need to be hit to correctly play the part.
82
/100
06
LEGO Batman
The fun of LEGO, the drama of Batman and the uniqueness of the combination makes for a comical and exciting adventure in LEGO Batman: The Videogame. Play as Batman and his sidekick Robin as you build, drive, swing and fight your way through Gotham City capturing escaped villains including The Joker, Penguin, Scarecrow and more. Then, jump into the story from the other side and play as Batman's foes! Enjoy the power you wield and battle Batman while spreading chaos throughout the city. There is no rest for the good (or evil!).
80
/100
07
Kung Fu Panda
In the Kung Fu Panda video game, players embark on an epic, action-packed adventure as they master the specialized Kung Fu fighting styles of Po the Panda, the unlikely hero, his teacher Shifu, and the legendary Kung Fu masters, the Furious Five: Monkey, Tigress, Viper, Mantis and Crane. Through 13 legendary levels from the movie and beyond, and spanning land, water and air, players must work their way to become the Dragon Warrior and defeat the ultimate enemy, Tai Lung, as they battle a variety of foes, overcome dangerous obstacles, navigate multi-tiered environments and solve challenging puzzles. Featuring a deep variety of gameplay, unique co-op and competitive multiplayer modes, collectibles, and a host of character upgrades, the Kung Fu Panda video game provides an experience gamers of all ages will enjoy.
73
/100
08
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is an explosive open-world action game set in a massive, highly reactive, war-torn world. A power-hungry tyrant messes with Venezuela's oil supply, sparking an invasion that turns the country into a warzone. But for you, international crisis is all upside: You are a mercenary, and you profit from chaos. Mercenaries 2 features a slew of potential clients, all willing to pay you to do their dirty work. Dirty deeds, done for exorbitant fees. These are world powers with deep pockets, deep grudges, and enough arms and ammo to start World War III. This is your kind of environment. Mercenaries 2 features the latest and most dangerous in civilian and military tech, everything from shiny new sports cars, to the future-tech satellite-guided bunker-busting mini-nuke. Tanks, APCs, boats, luxury automobiles - you name it, you can have it delivered to you in real time. And if you run out of cash you can always 'acquire' the gear you need in the field. If you see it, you can buy it, steal it, or blow the living crap out of it. Play your own way, or play with the help of a friend in the new cooperative multiplayer mode. You are not a soldier. You don't have to play by anyone's rules. You have your own code: you will fulfill the terms of the contract, no matter what. Not everyone in the world of Mercenaries is as honorable. Everyone will try and screw you, given the chance. They think they can get away with it, because they don't know rule #1: EVERYBODY PAYS.
71
/100
09
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Build, Battle and Brawl your way out of trouble! Play through all three classic Indiana Jones movies and relive your favorite Indy adventures in the tongue-in-cheek worlds of LEGO. Explore and Discover - Battle enemies, solve puzzles, and seek out the world's greatest treasures.
69
/100
10
Quantum of Solace
67
/100
11
Need For Speed Undercover
65
/100
12
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
64
/100
13
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
62
/100
14
Sonic Unleashed
60
/100
15
Iron Man
40
/100
FIFA 09
PlayStation 2 and PC port of FIFA Soccer 09.
83
/100
05
Guitar Hero World Tour
Guitar Hero: World Tour is the fourth main game in the series and brings a major change to the concept. Following the release of Rock Band that built on the Guitar Hero concept but added additional instruments, World Tour introduces these as well to allow players to play together simultaneously as a real band. Next to the guitar that was the main peripheral for the previous titles, the bundled edition of the game adds a microphone for the vocal parts and drums for percussion. Just like the previous game, the guitar tracks are split up for the lead and bass. The lyrics and the vocal pitch is shown near the top of the screen, while the bottom part is split up for bass guitar, lead guitar and drums, each with a separate set of notes that need to be hit to correctly play the part.
82
/100
06
LEGO Batman
The fun of LEGO, the drama of Batman and the uniqueness of the combination makes for a comical and exciting adventure in LEGO Batman: The Videogame. Play as Batman and his sidekick Robin as you build, drive, swing and fight your way through Gotham City capturing escaped villains including The Joker, Penguin, Scarecrow and more. Then, jump into the story from the other side and play as Batman's foes! Enjoy the power you wield and battle Batman while spreading chaos throughout the city. There is no rest for the good (or evil!).
80
/100
07
Kung Fu Panda
In the Kung Fu Panda video game, players embark on an epic, action-packed adventure as they master the specialized Kung Fu fighting styles of Po the Panda, the unlikely hero, his teacher Shifu, and the legendary Kung Fu masters, the Furious Five: Monkey, Tigress, Viper, Mantis and Crane. Through 13 legendary levels from the movie and beyond, and spanning land, water and air, players must work their way to become the Dragon Warrior and defeat the ultimate enemy, Tai Lung, as they battle a variety of foes, overcome dangerous obstacles, navigate multi-tiered environments and solve challenging puzzles. Featuring a deep variety of gameplay, unique co-op and competitive multiplayer modes, collectibles, and a host of character upgrades, the Kung Fu Panda video game provides an experience gamers of all ages will enjoy.
73
/100
08
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is an explosive open-world action game set in a massive, highly reactive, war-torn world. A power-hungry tyrant messes with Venezuela's oil supply, sparking an invasion that turns the country into a warzone. But for you, international crisis is all upside: You are a mercenary, and you profit from chaos. Mercenaries 2 features a slew of potential clients, all willing to pay you to do their dirty work. Dirty deeds, done for exorbitant fees. These are world powers with deep pockets, deep grudges, and enough arms and ammo to start World War III. This is your kind of environment. Mercenaries 2 features the latest and most dangerous in civilian and military tech, everything from shiny new sports cars, to the future-tech satellite-guided bunker-busting mini-nuke. Tanks, APCs, boats, luxury automobiles - you name it, you can have it delivered to you in real time. And if you run out of cash you can always 'acquire' the gear you need in the field. If you see it, you can buy it, steal it, or blow the living crap out of it. Play your own way, or play with the help of a friend in the new cooperative multiplayer mode. You are not a soldier. You don't have to play by anyone's rules. You have your own code: you will fulfill the terms of the contract, no matter what. Not everyone in the world of Mercenaries is as honorable. Everyone will try and screw you, given the chance. They think they can get away with it, because they don't know rule #1: EVERYBODY PAYS.
71
/100
09
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Build, Battle and Brawl your way out of trouble! Play through all three classic Indiana Jones movies and relive your favorite Indy adventures in the tongue-in-cheek worlds of LEGO. Explore and Discover - Battle enemies, solve puzzles, and seek out the world's greatest treasures.
69
/100
10
Quantum of Solace
67
/100
11
Need For Speed Undercover
65
/100
12
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
64
/100
13
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
62
/100
14
Sonic Unleashed
60
/100
15
Iron Man
40
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best PlayStation 2 game of 2008?
Rock Band 2 currently tops the ranking with a score of 93/100 across 170 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.