What are the best 2 player PS2 games?

Timesplitters 2, Burnout 3, SSX Tricky, Ratchet: Deadlocked and Guitar Hero II. All support two players on a single screen with no online requirement.

Do I need a multitap for four-player PS2 games?

Yes for most of them — the PS2 has two controller ports, so games like Timesplitters 2, Champions of Norrath and Buzz! need a multitap for three or four players.

What PS2 co-op games work for kids?

Gauntlet: Dark Legacy, Lego Star Wars, Buzz! and Bomberman Land 2 are all approachable, forgiving and quick to learn.

Can I play these PS2 co-op games on modern consoles?

A few have modern re-releases — Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II and Burnout Paradise Remastered among them. Most still need original hardware or a PS3 with backwards compatibility.

What is the best PS2 co-op RPG?

Champions of Norrath for depth and Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II for pacing. Both support couch co-op through the entire campaign.

🎮The 20 Best Co-op PS2 Games

The PS2 generation was the last one where local multiplayer was assumed rather than added. Almost every genre had a two-player option, and a multitap turned that into four.

These are the best co-op PS2 games, split by how you want to play — full campaign co-op, competitive split screen, or party games for a room.

Where to buy or play these today

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Best PS2 campaign co-op

1
Ratchet: Deadlocked (2005)
- PS2
- PS3
The whole arena-based campaign supports two players in split screen. Leaner and faster than the mainline games.
2
Resident Evil Outbreak (2003)
- PS2
Survival horror designed for four players, ahead of its time and hampered only by the era's online. Offline AI partners work.
3
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II (2004)
- PS2
- Xbox
- Modern ports
Isometric loot-driven action RPG with full couch co-op. The direct ancestor of Diablo on console.
4
Champions of Norrath (2004)
- PS2
Four-player dungeon crawling with deep character builds and save-transfer between games. Enormous.
5
Gauntlet: Dark Legacy (2000)
- PS2
- GameCube
- Xbox
Four-player arcade dungeon crawling with the classic 'Wizard needs food badly' pacing. Great for kids.
6
Contra: Shattered Soldier (2002)
- PS2
Brutal two-player run-and-gun with a weapon-swap system. Short stages and endless retries.
Similar games →
7
Ico (co-op in spirit) (2001)
- PS2
- PS3
One player, but the second controller can guide Yorda — the classic 'player two' trick families used.
Similar games →

Best split-screen competitive PS2 games

8
Timesplitters 2 (2002)
- PS2
- GameCube
- Xbox
Four-player split screen with bots and a map editor. The best console shooter multiplayer of its generation.
9
Burnout 3: Takedown (2004)
- PS2
- Xbox
Split-screen racing built around crashing your friend into a wall. Crash mode is a party game in itself.
Similar games →
10
SSX Tricky (2001)
- PS2
- GameCube
- Xbox
Two-player snowboarding with a soundtrack everyone remembers. Runs last two minutes.
Similar games →
11
Tekken 5 (2005)
- PS2
The strongest PS2 fighting game, with an arcade history mode bundled in. Perfectly readable for beginners.
Similar games →
12
Soulcalibur II (2003)
- PS2
- GameCube
- Xbox
Weapon-based fighting with an eight-way run that makes it feel more open than its peers. Beautiful even now.
13
Def Jam: Fight for NY (2004)
- PS2
- Xbox
- GameCube
Environmental grappling and a preposterous cast. One of the most fun two-player brawlers ever made.
14
Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition (2005)
- PS2
- Xbox
Split-screen street racing through open cities with heavy customisation. Chaotic and fast.

PS2 party games for a room

15
Guitar Hero II (2006)
- PS2
Co-op lead and bass, plus face-off mode for two guitars. The easiest way to get non-gamers playing.
16
Buzz!: The Mega Quiz (2007)
- PS2
Four buzzer controllers and a quiz format anyone can join instantly. A genuine family-night staple.
17
SingStar (2004)
- PS2
Karaoke with scoring and two microphones. It sold consoles in Europe on party night alone.
18
Bomberman Land 2 (2003)
- PS2
Classic four-player bomb battles with a minigame collection attached. Rounds last a minute.
Similar games →
19
Dance Dance Revolution Extreme (2004)
- PS2
Two dance mats, one very tired living room. Still the most physical party game on the console.
20
Fusion Frenzy-style minigame nights: Mario Party alternatives (2002-2007)
- PS2
Titles like Sega Superstars Tennis and Crash Bash filled the board-and-minigame slot on PlayStation. Best with a multitap.

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