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

Highlights

• Gauntlet Dark Legacy
  immerses players in fantasy multiplayer battles with distinct combat styles and cooperative quests.
• Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
  focuses on co-op gameplay in an RPG setting, offering 2-player local co-op and campaign mode.
• TimeSplitters 2
  enhances the FPS genre with time-traveling shooter missions, fast-paced gameplay, and engaging 2-player local co-op.

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 lifetime.

When looking at its vast catalog, the console seems to have released a plethora of popular games every year. 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.

14 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

13 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

12 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

11 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

10 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

9 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

8 Guitar Hero II (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

7 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

6 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

5 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

4 Scooby-Doo! And The Spooky Swamp (2010)

Mystery For Two: Meddling Kids, Talking Dog And Spooky Monsters

Granted that there was not a lot of competition closer to the end of the PS2’s life, but the game about the iconic mystery-solving group of meddling kids and the charismatic talking dog, Scooby, makes for an enjoyable cooperative game.

With some clever puzzle-solving, iconic characters, and cool gadgets, this game is intuitive yet very enjoyable. Players investigate mysteries as their favorite Scooby-Doo character and have a friend tag along through:

• 2-player couch co-op
• Cooperative campaign
• Drop-in and drop-out options

3 WWE All-Stars (2011)

Two-Man Tag Team To Determine The Greatest Wrestlers of All Time

As the PS3 became more accessible, most of the PS2 releases were sports simulation games. This engaging wrestling sim offered a visually appealing rendition and hard-hitting gameplay filled with epic match-ups to determine the best of all time.

Playing as a two-man tag team, players and their friends can experience the WWE world together as action figures from the 1990s. WWE All-Stars offered players:

• Local 2-Player co-op
• Specific co-op content

2 Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 (2012)

No Matter The Team, Team Up With Friends

As a sports simulator, PES 2013 came with distinct features that allow soccer fans to play alongside their friends. The game provides intricate ball control in an intuitive strategic soccer game.

With a polished adaptive AI, challenging matches, and accurate tricks, the game offers a distinct experience. Yet, what sets PES 2013 apart from the other soccer games of its time is its offline multiplayer. In the game, players have access to:

• Couch co-op
• Co-op leagues

1 FIFA 14 (2013)

Soccer Season With New Co-op Online Mode

Not a lot of games made it to the PS2 in its final year, yet high-quality releases of sports sims kept it alive until 2013. Still ranked high among the many FIFA games,FIFA 14 wrapped up the PlayStation 2 game library with a brand-new co-op online mode.

Playing a season for the same team, the players and their friends were able to experience their favorite sport together without having to upgrade their consoles. FIFA 14 allowed:

• Co-op for 2-Players
• Co-op Seasons Online