The launch of the PlayStation 3 this weekend marks all but the end of this current generation, and perhaps to an extent too, Sony's reign as console kings if recent sales figures are to be believed. But ignoring the future, the PS2 has had a fantastic run, and certainly, a games catalogue full of triple AAA titles. So with that in mind, here's ten that stick out for me-


SSX
Undoubtedly the jewel in the PS2 launch, SSX is still incredibly playable today. Running at a fantastic framerate, SSX is a neon explosion of light and colour all set to the foreground of being a snowboard arcade-racer where the emphasis is purely on speed and style. Though the sequels meddled with the formula and exaggerated some of the title's defining features, for pure retro joy and simplicity, this is the best iteration of the series.


Grand Theft Auto III

The series' first foray into a 3D playing environment, and for many, the first memories associated with the PS2. Laden with pop-culture references and jokes on culture, GTA3 is such a joy to play because it does everything so well, whether it be exploration, shooting or driving. But it's the fact that there is so much freedom within the gameworld in the first place that makes the game successful. As with all games nowadays there's the obligatory storyline, but the notion of just being able to do whatever you want in a constricted environment previously had been unheard of. It's not revolutionary by any means, but in terms of evolution of game worlds, that it is. Like SSX it's spawned numerous sequels, but again, this is the one you want to play.

God of War
While housing numerous genres, the PlayStation 2 will always be the home for 3D action adventures, as is the Xbox(es) to First-Person-Shooters. God of War is far from revolutionary, and on the surface is just another one of those generic adventures, but a quick play and it's evident it's more than this. While far from revolutionary, GOW is an absolutely incredible playing experience with solid execution throughout. Set in ancient Greece, visual design within the game is at an all-time high. As much a platformer as it is an adventure, this is the free-roaming beat-em-up genre brought back to life and up to today's game standards. Perhaps the game lasts a little too long, but certainly, it's a game-playing experience you'll never forget upon completion.

Ico
At it's simplest level, Ico is a platformer involving the usual jumping and rope swinging, but for perhaps the first time in a videogame, the story is the main focus and admirable quality of the game. It's incredibly surreal and dark of course, but the tale of a young boy outcast from his village and a mysterious girl of light traversing a big castle while helping each other out on the way is just too charming not to care about. For once, the NPC becomes more than just that and suddenly transforms into someone you do genuinely begin to care for- not a goal, not a screen nuisance, and certainly not a chore, Ico is certainly a game that invokes emotions towards videogames you never knew possible. Visually stunning and engrossing throughout it's platforming with an adult spin.


Dragon Quest- The Journey of the Cursed King
In terms of progressing the RPG genre, Dragon Quest is far from revolutionary. In fact, the game is very decadent, free from a lot of the malarkey that current plagues the genre. But despite both these points, Dragon Quest is an absolute joy to play. A back to basics approach, everything in this title is by-the-numbers, but that's why it's so good in the first place- this is simply an old-school RPG in a "next-gen" environment. As should be the case with all RPGs, character design is a real highlight with cel-shading illuminating the game visually, and while in regards to many free-roaming titles this title is pretty restrictive, it's still a lot of fun. And hey, that's what all games should be about, right?


Canis Canem Edit
Originally titled "Bully", Canis Canem Edit ran into problems with the media very early on in it's lifespan. From Rockstar, the similarities to Grand Theft Auto are very clearly there, and Canis could easily be best described as just being "GTA with schoolkids", but that's a lazy comparison. A third-person "action-adventure", Canis Canem sees you playing young Jimmy Hopkins- trying to dodge the school bullies, find his way and life, and generally just survive his time at school. On it's concept alone it just sounds like another chance to revisit your horrible adolescence, but the game is incredibly quirky and full of humour- much like it's bigger-brother of a game. Aesthetically the game has that washed-out visual grain that's familiar with so many PS2 titles, including of course the GTA games themselves. Not that it matters, because despite this, Canis Canem is a game full of interesting ideas, and a gameplaying experience that few games can house.

Metal Gear Solid III- Snake Eater
The third installment of the popular stealth-em-up, MGS3 turns things on their head early on in the game when you soon realize that for the first time in the game, you are alone, and you are exposed. On paper the notion of placing MGS in a jungle setting doesn't sound too revolutionary, but the game is radically different from it's predecessors (and all the other stealth genre titles) as a result. The production of the game is impressive to ensure that you do really feel as if you're in a jungle, with leaves and grass slowly blowing in the wind, waterfalls heard from a distance and choruses of wildlife the number one priority on the soundtrack agenda- it truly is such an immersive gameworld. The game still sticks to series traditions however as the endless cutscenes show, but this is a great story of worldwide fear and panic on a small scale. Plotholes and absurdities are present naturally as there is in all MGS games, but for cut-scene game endings, there really is no better than the one featured here- it truly is incredible.

Final Fantasy X
The series' first title on the second PlayStation, but certainly not the last with the twelfth edition coming out only recently. Final Fantasy X is like the other games in the series, and if you've any general experience of RPGs you'll know what you're up against here. New features present in this title are the Sphere-Grid means of levelling-up and Overdrives. As with all titles in the series, the storyline is undoubtedly the main concern of the game, and while in some cases it's a masterpiece, in other areas it's completely awful. Again, if you've experience with the series you'll know what kind of things to expect, but as a newcomer it can be quite enjoyable, and dare I say it, emotionally engrossing, so much so that after eighty hours you'll still be playing. The game starts off reasonably slow but with interesting characters and locations, once you're in you'll be staying for a while.

(the) Ratchet & Clank (series)

Developed by the same team that brought you Spyro the Dragon to the original PlayStation, Ratchet & Clank is a reinvention of the platformer genre. Introducing guns and weaponry to the genre, there's times of course where the titles feel more like third-person adventure games than anything else, as well as to an extent, "shooting games". But the weapons present in this game thankfully aren't shotguns et al, but rather are comically dangerous, in a style not so distant from Nick Park's Wallace & Gromit series of films. The focus then is on fun and laugh-out-load moments rather than gore and violence, and the game (and the series) is built on this foundation. A quick glance at any platform game will tell you just how effective this notion was. But besides the arsenal, the series is naturally humourous on it's own- ripping pop-culture and bringing a new dimension to "comedy in games"- the end result of it's quirky, silly and yet interesting character design.

Okami
Released earlier this year, currently, the last great title of the PlayStation 2's legacy. Developed by the renowned Clover Studio you know automatically that this title's going to be a winner. With a fantastic visual and audio design throughout, Okami is an incredibly enchanting title that wows on all fronts. With Japanese culture and history being such a pivotal focus for the game it's easy to feel distanced at times in particular with the plot, but on the gameplay and visual front the game is wonderful. Graceful yet strong, bold and yet frail, this is a third-person adventure game like no other. The similarities to Zelda are of course there, but artistically and on the notion alone, this game is unique, and a real gem not just in the PS2 games catalogue, but the last generation in it's entirety.

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Notable mentions of more fantastic titles
Katamari Damacy, the Eyetoy technology, Resident Evil 4 (not included because of it's release on the GC), Tekken 5, Devil May Cry, Timesplitters and Lego Star Wars.
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