The PS2 can be described as Sony’s slap on ass – answer to Microsoft’s Xbox. Released in early 2000 in Japan, the PS2 became the highest selling video game console of all times. One of the reasons that can be attributed to its success was the superb performance of the games that could be played on this console. Here are 5 of the best PS2 games, that every gamer should aspire to have:

Gran Turismo 3: A-spec

Though there have been several jaw dropping games produced for the PS2 platform, Gran Turismo 3: A-spec is designed to leave you half-crazed with excitement. No one could have ever imagined that graphics of such finesse could have been possible outside pre-rendered cut scenes. Gran Turismo 3 introduced such a high level of environmental detail, that it set a standard for all other racers of the future. From the screeching tire sounds, to the roar of the engine, GT 3 is realism personified.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

With Grand Theft Auto 3, a new genre was added to PC games – thugs on a crime spree genre. “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” proved that with a little tweaking, this genre could be turned into the most addictive games in history. And now with the release of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Rockstar proved that it could literally be the biggest games of all times. Grand Auto Theft: San Andreas gives gamers what can only be described as their own personal city to explore.

God of War

This PS2 game is a must have for gamers obsessed with the war action genre. It’s a fact that while strategy and first person shooters have had their fair share of PS2 success; what contributed the maximum to its success are the beautifully violent war games. God of war was a complete eye popper. We had all expected to be suitably impressed, but God of War, took our breaths away with a level of violence and stylish combat system, that we hadn’t come across since Mortal Combat.

Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution

Talk about resurrections. VF4: Evolution proved that not only was Sega more than capable of making graphically dazzling games, it surprised everyone with its low price tag (was released in the US for just $20). Virtua Fighters 4, though promoted as little more than a budget title, proved to be one of the most complex games ever created by any company for any console.

Jak II

Jak I, though good, wasn’t good enough to inspire a sales boom. With Jak II, the character grew up a bit and the game play matured by several times. Jak II is one of the best Story based games I have ever tried my hands on. Taking a cue page from Grand Theft Auto’s super success story, Jak II also allows you to fearlessly roam the streets, get into fist fights with other thugs, steal cars and raise hell. Where Jak II improves as a game is in the mature story line, which subtly blends mindless violence with razor sharp stealth that is required to complete its various missions.