Best Co-Op Game From Each Year Of The PS2's Life

The PlayStation 2 console was not only a success during its release but continues to be highly regarded among existing consoles. With a diverse library of games filled with innovative gameplay and creative narratives, the PlayStation 2 is marked by the many iconic installments released throughout its long-lasting lifetime.

When looking at its vast catalog, the console seems to have released a plethora of popular games every year, some of which are still used as a reference point within the gaming community. Thus, from 2000 to 2013, the console ruled the market with every type of game, with some titles standing out due to the extra layer of immersion that came with their innovative multiplayer or co-op modes.

Updated on July 30, 2024, by Ana Scheidemantel: While the end of the PS2's life had very few game releases due to the rise of the PS3, the console's start was filled with a variety of fun games to play alone or with friends. Thus, this list was updated to include some honorable mentions that deserve to be recognized as great releases in the early years of the PlayStation 2. From 2000 until 2006, the console released a range of great games that came with a co-op option to enhance the gaming experience.

Gauntlet Dark Legacy (2000)

Four-Player Quest With Co-op Map Exploration, Fantasy World, And Distinct Combat

Even though the PlayStation 2 game library wasn't filled with the best titles in its first year, it still managed to have some solid co-op choices, like Tekken Tag Tournament and TimeSplitters. However, Gauntlet Dark Legacy won over the audience as it allowed the player to join up to three friends to embark on a quest, collecting mythic rune stones and fantastical battles.

As part of the Gauntlet Legends franchise, Dark Legacy immerses the players in a fantasy world where they can choose a character with distinct combat styles to explore the world. Its multiplayer version provides players with:

• Local Co-op up to 4 players
• Co-op Campaign
• Co-op Specific Content

Other Great 2000 PS2 Co-op Games

• Timesplitters - Starting off the series, the game offers arcade and story modes offer two-player co-op, with the story mode taking players through different time periods as players work together against their enemies.
• Cookies and Cream - Following two bunnies, players can go on a two-player local co-op journey to find the moon that mysteriously disappears.
• Tekken Tag Tournament - As part of the fighting games that have dominated the genre, Tekken Tag Tournament has a unique format that allows two fighters in a match at once or four players in the "tag" mode.

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance (2001)

RPG Less Focused On Narrative And More Focused On Co-Op Gameplay

This RPG franchise cannot be left out of any co-op list as it offers so many installments riddled with variety in gameplay, narrative, and multiplayer mechanics.

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance might slip away from the D&D elements and decision-making elements, yet it makes up with a riveting co-op mode and fast-paced combat. Having a friend through the intricate puzzles and epic fights, the game offers:

• 2-player local co-op
• Co-op campaign

Other Great 2001 PS2 Co-op Games

• Twisted Metal: Black - As the series' debut, Twisted Metal: Black pushed the title into one of the biggest gaming titles with an updated online version that takes the multiplayer experience to the next level.
• Time Crisis 2 - Teaming up with a friend in a two-player split-screen or link mode in a traditional shooter with a fun co-op campaign.

TimeSplitters 2 (2002)

Time-Traveling Shooter With Memorable Multiplayer Missions

While the first installment was already a contender for best co-op game, its sequel definitely improved on the game, making it one of the best PS2 multiplayer games. This time-traveling shooter sends players through a rift in time and space.

With funny remarks and impressive multiplayer feats, TimeSplitters 2 offers an immersive FPS, fast-paced missions, and one of the best co-op modes on the PlayStation 2 console. Balanced and engaging, the cooperative version of the game includes:

• 2-player local co-op
• Co-op campaign
• 2-player split-screen

Other Great 2002 PS2 Co-op Games:

• Mystic Heroes - Spawning from the popular Dynasty Warriors series, Mystic Heroes embraces the best part of magic and sorcery with up to 4 people multiplayer and a co-op mode.
• Rayman Arena - A Rayman installment that focuses on multiplayer gameplay, including a couch co-op mode with fun adventures to play with friends.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)

Bringing Light And Fight To The Franchise With Cooperative Mechanics

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise expanded in so many formats throughout the 2000s, including through a great local co-op PS2 game based on the 2003 cartoon show. Although the later games of the franchise accommodated more players, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had its own flair.

With a cel-shaded art style, this action game was the perfect adventure to embark on with a friend, offering the best co-op mode out of the franchise and of that year. With iconic characters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles includes:

• Local co-op for 2 players
• Co-op campaign
• Drop in/Drop out

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (2004)

Bring Mayhem Together, Targetting Missions And Roaming The Streets

It's no secret that this franchise has been making its name for a while and GTA San Andreas shows why it deserves recognition. Although the game is mostly known for its single-player gameplay, it features a mode for cooperative mayhem.

In this GTA installment, players can have a friend join them in time-sensitive missions to kill targets or to create chaos as they roam the streets of Los Santos. GTA San Andreas includes:

• Local 2-player co-op
• Co-op free-roam exploration
• Co-op rampage locations

Other Great 2004 PS2 Co-op Games:

• Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance 2 - A two-player co-op campaign with new enemies and adventures to save Baldur's Gate in a couch co-op RPG sequel.
• Champions of Norrath - Similar to the Baldur Gate Dark Alliance series, this game offers an action RPG co-op campaign with up to 4 players, either offline or online.

Ratchet: Deadlocked (2005)

Gladiator-Like Arenas With Weird Weapons And Robot-Friendly Support

The Ratchet & Clank series does not have a shortage of great installments despite some misses in a 15+ game collection. It might not rank the highest among the games in the franchise, yet Ratchet: Deadlocked offers a unique experience.

As the first spin-off of the series with a couch co-op mode, the game serves as a survival game of sorts where players fight their way through arenas. The action-packed version gives Ratchet some well-deserved support, as it incorporates:

• 2-player couch co-op
• Co-op campaign
• Splitscreen

Other Great 2005 PS2 Co-op Games:

• X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse - A sequel to the mutant success and predecessor of Marvel Ultimate Alliance, offering a co-op campaign of up to 4 players online or offline to join the X-Men as they fight the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.
• Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows - Another game in the Gauntlet series with up to 4 player co-op offering a hack-and-slash adventure with the warrior, elf, valkyrie, and wizard fighting their way through waves of enemies.
• Star Wars Battlefront 2 - Recreating environments and battles from Star Wars, this installment offers local co-op to up to 2 players and online co-op to up to 16 players, as players join friends in epic fights in a galaxy far, far away.

Guitar Hero 2 (2006)

Bass And Guitar Players Rocking Together

The Guitar Hero franchise made a rock-y impact in the gaming world, allowing players to become rock stars. With over 40 songs, Guitar Hero 2 has an amazing soundtrack with intense solos, nostalgic notes, and lively gameplay.

Players can invite their friends to play the best rock tracks using their controllers as instruments. Guitar Hero 2 started to embrace multiplayer gameplay, including cooperative options with:

• Local co-op for 2 players
• Co-op campaign
• Co-op specific content

Other Great 2006 PS2 Co-op Games:

• Tales of the Abyss - As part of the Tales series, this RPG offers a local co-op experience for up to 4 players, allowing all players to submerge into a co-op campaign filled with great levels.

Crash of the Titans (2007)

Beat Things Up Together In A Crash Bandicoot Adventure

With six Crash Bandicoot games on the PS2, it is hard to pinpoint the best installments as each brings forth an engaging narrative with simple gameplay. As one of the easiest games of the series, however, Crash of the Titans, players can feel indestructible as the protagonist.

Not only that, Crash of the Titans was also the first installment in the franchise that allowed players to enjoy the game through a cooperative mode. This version allowed for:

• Couch 2-player co-op
• Campaign available in co-op mode
• Drop in and drop out

Rock Band 2 (2008)

Band Mates, Instrument Variety, Multiplayer Harmony And Playlist Diversity

Although Guitar Hero 2 might have planted the co-op seed in the rock games' genre, Rock Band 2 perfected the multiplayer musical experience in so many ways. While the premise of both games is very similar, Rock Band really embraced how the different instruments work together.

While a single-player mode is available, the game is the epitome of a great group title with its customizable characters, different instruments, and diverse playlist. With the game, players get access to:

• 4-player co-op
• Online co-op up to 4 players
• Co-op campaign
• Specific content for co-op

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (2009)

Superheroes Unite In A Comic-Accurate Adventure

There are a plethora of superhero games out there, but not all of them make it in the gaming world. When it comes to installments inspired by Marvel Comics, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 rises above the multitude as one of the most faithful adaptations out there.

What makes this super-hero team-up conflict game even more authentic is the fact that players can call on their friends to help out. This includes:

• Local co-op up to 4 players
• Co-op Campaign
• Specific co-op missions