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Best Platformer games on PlayStation 2

The 18 best Platformer games on PlayStation 2, ranked from 4,104 critic and player ratings.

The best Platformer game on PlayStation 2 right now is Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal, with a critic score of 91/100 — updated November 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.
  • Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
  • 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.
  • 18 games are listed on this page, carrying 4,104 ratings between them.
  • Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 13 November 2026.

Top 18

Played them? Give your tier with the + next to each game. No account needed to try — create one to keep your tiers.

01 Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal 2004 · 202 ratings A 3D platform video game and the third installment in the Ratchet & Clank series. The gameplay is similar to previous games in the series but introduces new features such as a new control system and more levels in the upgrade system for weapons. It follows Ratchet and Clank's adventure through a fictional universe to defeat a robotic villain, Dr. Nefarious, who intends to destroy all organic life. Characters such as Dr. Nefarious and Sasha, a Cazar starship captain who helps Ratchet throughout the game, are introduced, and a number of characters return from the original Ratchet & Clank. 91 /100
02 Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy A Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy 2001 · 333 ratings · 2 Tier votes · finished by 22% Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is a 2001 platform video game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the Sony PlayStation 2 on December 4, 2001, as the first game of the Jak and Daxter series. The game follows the protagonist, a young teenager named Jak, as he tries to help his friend Daxter after he is transformed into an "ottsel", a fictional hybrid of an otter and a weasel. The game offers a large range of missions, collectables and objectives, often in the form of minigames, which provide a variety of gameplay experiences, as well as puzzles and platforming stages, which are completed by the player to proceed with the story. 90 /100
03 Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando 2003 · 189 ratings Ratchet and Clank return as heroes for hire in Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando, the second game in this action platforming franchise.There are 18 entirely new weapons, as well as five weapons from the first game (you can upload them if using your old memory save). Each weapon is upgradeable, utilizing a new experience system, where weapons transform into more powerful forms the more they are used. In addition to main story levels, new Maxi-games give players a chance to test their skills and gain experience. 90 /100
04 Ratchet & Clank (2002) Ratchet & Clank (2002) 2002 · 303 ratings Ratchet & Clank is a 3D platform-adventure game featuring the protagonists Ratchet, a furry alien creature, and Clank, a small robot. The two travel across the galaxy in search of Captain Qwark and ultimately become involved in an effort to prevent a threat to the galaxy. The game follows conventions established by earlier 3D platform games such as Rayman, Sonic, and Mario while introducing its own mechanics and structure. Its levels consist of large environments with detailed buildings and distant areas that can often be reached and explored. The game also includes several gameplay sequences outside its standard platforming, including space combat and first-person turret sections resembling Missile Command. The game contains more than twenty levels, each set on a different planet, along with numerous real-time cutscenes that develop the story. Progression is partly non-linear, requiring the player to revisit previous planets to complete objectives and offering multiple routes through portions of the game. Ratchet can also acquire or purchase a range of weapons, gadgets, and accessories, each providing different functions in combat, exploration, or puzzle-solving. 88 /100
05 Jak II A Jak II 2003 · 229 ratings · 1 Tier vote Jak II is an open-world platform, third-person shooter, and an action-adventure video game. It is the second game of the Jak and Daxter series and a sequel to Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. 87 /100
06 Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus 2002 · 180 ratings Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus is a stealth-platformer developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2, the game follows Sly Cooper, a skilled raccoon thief, as he and his gang attempt to recover the Thievius Raccoonus, a book containing the secrets of his family's thieving legacy. The gameplay combines stealth, platforming, puzzle-solving, and light combat, and is noted for its cel-shaded visuals and humorous narrative. This game is divided into five worlds, each themed around a particular part of the world and the villain headquartered there. Most worlds are structured as a central hub with entrances to numerous individual levels. Each of the levels has a primary goals which earns the player a key. You must collect all the keys in the world to fight the world's boss. Many of the levels have a platformer structure. The objective of these worlds is to reach the location of the key. There are substantial stealth elements here as the player must dodge searchlights and trips lasers which set off alarms and avoid alerting guards. In addition to the main objective, there are clue bottles to find. Finding all the clues in a level allows you to open a safe with a page from the Thievius Raccoonus which grants a new ability of some sort. After getting this, there is also a master thief sprint where the player must get from the start of a level to the exit within a time limit. 86 /100
07 Psychonauts Psychonauts 2005 · 428 ratings Psychonauts is a platform-adventure game developed by Double Fine Productions and released in 2005. It follows Razputin “Raz” Aquato, a young psychic who runs away from the circus to attend a summer camp for aspiring psychonauts. Players explore imaginative levels set inside the minds of different characters, each reflecting their mental states. Gameplay combines platforming, combat, and the use of psychic abilities such as telekinesis and levitation. The game was praised for its creativity, humor, and distinctive art style. 85 /100
08 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time 2003 · 777 ratings · finished by 39% Deceived by the treacherous Vizier, I was led to unleash the Sands of Time curse upon the Sultan's kingdom. With little but an ancient dagger and a devious princess to aid me, I must undo my fatal mistake. Mine is a fight for survival… not glory. • Reverse, accelerate, and slow time itself with the almighty Sands of Time. • Master the Prince's speed, agility, and ferocious fighting skills. • Explore and survive the vast kingdoms of medieval Persia. 84 /100
09 Jak 3 S Jak 3 2004 · 205 ratings · 1 Tier vote Jak 3 is a platform game developed by Naughty Dog for Sony's PlayStation 2 console. The game is the sequel to Jak II, and third in the series. The game features new weapons and devices, new playable areas, and a storyline that picks up after the events of the previous games. As in the other games in the series, the player takes on the dual role of recurring protagonists Jak and Daxter. 84 /100
10 Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves 2005 · 111 ratings Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves is a stealth-action platformer developed by Sucker Punch Productions and released for PlayStation 2 in 2005. The game follows Sly Cooper and his crew as they recruit new allies to help unlock the Cooper Vault while facing off against Dr. M, a former member of Sly’s family lineage. It introduces new playable characters, expanded mini-games, and a 3D mode with optional glasses. 83 /100
11 Sly 2: Band of Thieves B Sly 2: Band of Thieves 2004 · 154 ratings · 1 Tier vote 80 /100
12 SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom 2003 · 129 ratings 71 /100
13 Madagascar B Madagascar 2005 · 83 ratings · 1 Tier vote 66 /100
14 Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc 2003 · 144 ratings 65 /100
15 Crash Twinsanity Crash Twinsanity 2004 · 126 ratings 63 /100
16 Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex 2001 · 188 ratings 62 /100
17 Sonic Heroes Sonic Heroes 2003 · 233 ratings 62 /100
18 Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters 2007 · 90 ratings 60 /100
Browse all the best PlayStation 2 games

Other platforms

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Same platform, other genres

Best Action games on PlayStation 2Best Adventure games on PlayStation 2Best Arcade games on PlayStation 2Best Fighting games on PlayStation 2Best Music games on PlayStation 2Best Racing games on PlayStation 2Best RPG games on PlayStation 2Best Shooter games on PlayStation 2Best Sports games on PlayStation 2

Nearby rankings

Best Platformer games of 2021Best Platformer games of 2020Best Platformer games of 2019Best Platformer games of 2018

Catalog statistics

Most abandoned gamesMost completed games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Platformer game on PlayStation 2?

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal currently tops the ranking with a score of 91/100 across 202 ratings. Ranking updated November 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.