The Best PS2 Puzzle Games

Key Takeaways

• PS2 elevated puzzle games with impressive complexity and visuals compared to PS1.
• Fantavision, Lumines Plus,
  and
  Super Bust-A-Move
  offer unique puzzle gameplay experiences.
• The Adventures of Cookie and Cream, Ico,
  and
  Shadow of the Colossus
  blend puzzles with adventure and platforming on PS2.

The leap between the PlayStation 1 and the PlayStation 2 was huge. The PS2 opened up a whole new world of gaming, and its catalog shows this. From cinematic action-adventure games like God of War 2 to more relaxed games like Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, the PS2 had it all.

A fan-favorite genre on the PS2 was Puzzle Games. With the improved hardware and software, the difference in complexity and visuals of puzzle games between the PS1 and PS2 was groundbreaking. Puzzle games are great for gamers of all playstyles, whether they want to relax and solve some simple puzzles or get deep into a mind-bending puzzle. Either way, the PS2 has got it covered.

10 FantaVision

Fireworks Display Meets A Puzzle Game

• Franchise:FantaVision
• Developer: Japan Studio
• Released: 2000
• Genre: Puzzle Game

FantaVision is a real-time puzzle-based action game for the PS2. This firework-themed game had eye-catching visuals and surprisingly engaging gameplay. The overall idea behind FantaVision was to link multiple fireworks of the same color together to create a chain reaction of colorful explosions.

Despite how simple the game seems, there’s a trick to getting high scores and creating spectacular firework displays. Players need to make sure that they are on point with their timing and precision when chaining fireworks together. The more fireworks that players chain together, the better the explosion will be, earning more points.

9 Lumines Plus

The PSP Game Ported To The PS2

• Franchise:Lumines
• Developer: Bandai
• Released: 2004
• Genre: Puzzle Game

Lumines Plus is a PS2 port of the popular PSP game Lumines. Lumines Plus is a block-dropping puzzle game that works in conjunction with a music mechanic. The overall pace of the game is based on the soundtrack. As the music changes, so does the speed increase the difficulty.

Not only must players keep up with the soundtrack, but there is a fan favorite Time Attack mode, where players must race against the clock to clear out as many blocks as possible. Lumines Plus can also be played with a friend through the Versus Mode.

8 The Adventures Of Cookie And Cream

The Ultimate Two-Player Puzzle Game

The Adventures of Cookie and Cream is one of the best multiplayer games on the PS2. Players must take control of Cookie and Cream as they navigate through a series of puzzles. What makes this game stand out is its focus on having two players working together.

In The Adventures of Cookie and Cream, you and a friend must work together to complete each puzzle, with each player navigating along their separate path while simultaneously affecting their partner’s path. This game can be played solo, but the developers always recommend playing with a friend.

7 Super Bust-A-Move

The Quirky And Wacky Puzzle Game

• Franchise: Supper Puzzle Bobble
• Developer: Acclaim Entertainment
• Released: 2000
• Genre: Puzzle Game

Super Bust-A-Move is a puzzle-based arcade-style game with a wacky style. Players must use a cannon to launch colorful bubbles toward a group of other bubbles, as they try and match as many colors as possible to make the bubbles pop.

The skill behind the game comes from having careful aim and strategy, as players want to pop as many bubbles as possible with the least amount of shots. Chaining shots can also grant players a bonus score, adding more challenge to the gameplay.

6 Katamari Damacy

The Adjective Third-Person Puzzle Game

Katamari Damacy is a third-person action puzzle game made famous for its quirky and charming art style and addictive gameplay. Players must control the Prince as he rolls a magical sticky ball called the Katamari. As players roll the Katamari, they will collect items, adding to its overall size.

Players must collect a certain amount of items and get the Katamari to a certain size to progress. This game is simple yet very addictive, as players can go back to completed missions and try to get a new score based on the quality of items they collect and the overall size of their Katamari.

5 Bombastic

The Successor To Devil Dice

Bombastic is the successor to one of the most popular Puzzle games of all time, Devil Dice. Bombastic builds on what made its predecessor so loved while adding new gameplay mechanics and modes. Released on the PS2, Bombastic is visually much stronger than Devil Dice.

In Bombastic there are 5 main game modes: Classic Mode (a carbon copy of Devil Dice), Normal Mode (Bombastic’s improved version of Devil Dice), Battle Mode (where players go head-to-head), Quest Mode (a single-player campaign), and Cooperative Mode (where two players team up).

4 Ico

The Ultimate Platforming Puzzle Game

Ico is a puzzle platformer with an engaging story and amazing use of environmental puzzles. Players control the main protagonist, Ico, as he navigates through a seemingly never-ending castle. Players must find their way through this castle while completing challenging puzzles along the way.

Ico does great at combining platforming and puzzles into one complete experience. Players will often have to look to the environment to help complete puzzles, finding solutions through actions like moving boulders, pulling hidden levels, or discovering hidden passages.

3 Super Monkey Ball Delux

The Best Super Monkey Experience

Super Monkey Ball Delux is a great puzzle game with the bonus of being a party game and somewhat of a platformer. This game combines the levels from Super Monkey Ball and Super Monkey Ball 2 with its new levels to create the ultimate Super Monkey Ball experience.

With over 300 levels, fans will never be bored when playing Super Monkey Ball Delux solo, and with party games like Monkey Target, Monkey Bowling, Monkey Golf, Monkey Race, Monkey Fight, and Monkey Billards, players will never run out of content for group play sessions either.

2 Tetris Worlds

A Unique Tetris Experience

Tetris Worlds was released on the PS2 as a modern take on the classic game Tetris. Tetris Worlds builds upon the iconic Tetris formula but adds new visuals, game modes, and challenges. What makes Tetris Worlds so unique is that many levels aren’t endless, unlike in standard Tetris.

There are many levels in Tetris Worlds that have specific goals, like clearing a certain number of lines or achieving a high score within a time limit. The game also features new game modes, including Square Teris, Cascade Tetris, Sticky Tetris, Fusion Tetris, and Hotline Testris.

1 Shadow Of The Colossus

Action-Adventure Meets Puzzle Game

Despite what many fans first think when they see Shadow of the Colossus, this game is more of a puzzle game than an action-adventure. In Shadow of the Colossus, the player defeats 16 Colossi. They can do this by solving the unique puzzle surrounding each Colossi, which often involves finding a way to climb the giant creatures until players can attack a weak point.

Shadow of the Colossus is one of few games that combines the action-adventure genre with puzzles, creating a unique and refreshing title that was never before seen on the PS2. Players must use creativity, patience, and wit to solve each puzzle before they can take down each Colossi.