Above: So many feels.
PlayStation 2
Ico
PlayStation release date: Sep. 24, 2001
What it was: Ico was a beautiful 3D platformer where a young boy and a mysterious girl try to escape a strange castle.
Why it was important for PlayStation: While many games were taking after Hollywood blockbusters (loud, violent, fast-paced), Ico was more like an art-house film. It was slow, thoughtful, deliberate, and eerily gorgeous. It spawned a semi-sequel, Shadow of the Colossus, that was another memorable PlayStation 2 exclusive.
Grand Theft Auto III
PlayStation release date: Oct. 22, 2001
What it was: GTA III was an open-world game where you could explore the New Yory City-like area of Liberty City while stealing cars and running over hookers.
Why it was important for PlayStation: Grand Theft Auto III might have been the most important game of its generation. Not only was it hugely popular, but it defined the open-world genre (just think about how many modern games, such as Infamous, Assassin’s Creed, and Shadow of Mordor, fit into that category). Also, while Mortal Kombat and Twisted Metal’s violence had a fantasy element to it, Grand Theft Auto’s acts of murder and carnage took place in a more realistic world. It caused a lot of controversy, which pretty much always leads to a game becoming a huge hit.
Above: “Yup. This is blood alright.”
Final Fantasy X
PlayStation release date: Dec. 17, 2001
What it was: This was the first Final Fantasy released on the PlayStation 2 and to feature voice-acting.
Why it was important for PlayStation: It may not have been as hugely popular as Final Fantasy VII, but the 10th entry in Square Enix’s premier franchise still garnered a lot of attention for its gorgeous visuals. Also, it further cemented the PlayStation brand as the premier consoles for Japanese role-playing games.
Kingdom Hearts
PlayStation release date: Sept. 16, 2002
What it was: Kingdom hearts was an action role-playing game that brought together characters from Disney films and Final Fantasy.
Why it was important for PlayStation: Despite its bizarre premise, Kingdom Hearts became one of Square Enix’s most popular franchises, and its only console releases so far (the original and Kingdom Hearts II) remained PlayStation 2 exclusives (although they recently saw HD releases on the PlayStation 3).
Above: Thanks to Kingdom Hearts, Donald and Goofy are now badasses.
Ratchet & Clank
PlayStation release date: Nov. 4, 2002
What it was: Ratchet & Clank was a 3D platformer with shooter elements and crazy guns.
Why it was important for PlayStation: Crash Bandicoot was no longer a PlayStation exclusive franchise, but Sony still had excellent 3D platformers in the PS2 era thanks to series like Sly Cooper and Jak & Daxter. Ratchet & Clank, however, was the best of them. It combined great platforming action with creative weapons.
God of War
PlayStation release date: March 22, 2005
What it was: An action game set in the mythology of Greece.
Why it was important for PlayStation: If Crash Bandicoot was the face of the original PlayStation, God of War’s Kratos was the personification of the PlayStation 2. Edgy and violent, God of War was another popular exclusive for the PlayStation 2 that would spawn an important franchise for Sony.
Above: Those blades don’t look sterile.
Persona 4
PlayStation release date: Dec. 9, 2008
What it was: Persona 4 was a Japanese role-playing game that combined the elements of high school life with dungeon-crawling.
Why it was important for PlayStation: Persona 4’s production values might look quaint next to a Final Fantasy, but it was a critically acclaimed game that helped to bring attention to JRPGs outside of the giant franchises. Persona 4 would spawn an anime series, a fight game franchise, and an upcoming spin-off for the Nintendo 3DS. A port of Persona 4 for the Vita is also one of that system’s highest rated games.
PlayStation 3
LittleBigPlanet
PlayStation release date: Oct 27, 2006
What it was: This was a 2D sidescroller that let players create their own levels and experiences.
Why it was important for PlayStation: LittleBigPlanet is more of a platform than a game. Sure, it had a single-player campaign, but it’s easy-to-use creation tools really made it stand out. It showed that Sony was still willing to release inventive, charming games.
Above: LittleBigPlanet is all about the “dawwwww.”
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
PlayStation release date: Oct 13, 2009
What it was: Uncharted 2 was a third-person shooter starring the likable treasure hunter, Nathan Drake.
Why it was important for PlayStation: The original Uncharted was successful, but the sequel really garnered a lot of attention, including multiple Game of the Year awards. Like Crash and Kratos, the wise-cracking Nathan Drake became another face for the PlayStation brand, one that was able to have fun and not take himself too seriously.
Journey
PlayStation release date: March 13, 2012
What it was: Journey was a mysterious, beautiful game that has you traversing a desert.
Why it was important for PlayStation: During the PS3 era, downloadable games were becoming more prominent in the industry. While the Xbox 360 originally had most of the downloadable hits with games like Geometry Wars and Braid, Journey was an artistic achievement for the PlayStation 3. Despite being a downloadable game, it had beautiful graphics that could rival any full-priced retail title. It also had inventive multiplayer, where another player would organically show up in your world while playing.
Above: Journey may be the best-looking brown game ever.
The Last of Us
PlayStation release date: Jun 14, 2013
What it was: The Last of Us was a third-person action game set after an odd virus turned most of the world’s population into fungi-infected zombies.
Why it was important for PlayStation: Developer Naughty Dog was on a roll with the Uncharted series, but it took a risk with The Last of Us, a darker, more adult story that became one of the PlayStation 3’s best received games. Naughty Dog established itself as the PlayStation’s premier developer.