The Best PlayStation 2 Light Gun Games
If you owned a PS2 at any time during your life, then it's safe to say there were probably a few light gun games in your collection. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we've decided to rank the best PS2 light gun games of all time.
This list features all the most popular and best-selling light gun games that were released for PS2. While many of these games were console exclusive, we're allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Everything from Time Crisis II to Time Crisis 3 is included on this list.
Vote for your favorite video games below.
- 1Jan 01 1998
Time Crisis II is a high speed, action-packed on-rails light gun shooter where you play as top agents in the V.S.S.E, tasked to take down the evil Neodyne Industries corporation whose intent is to launch a nuclear satellite into space. With its unique cover system where a press of the foot pedal allowed you to dart in and out of danger, Time Crisis II brought a new flavour to light gun shooters. It has been credited with revolutionising the genre and significantly raising the bar for future games in the style.
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- 2Jan 01 2002
In Time Crisis 3, you're thrust into an island conflict, playing as snappy agents Alan Dunaway and Wesley Lambert, charged with rescuing a cute politician and stopping Zagorias Federation from launching weapons of mass destruction. Marked by intense gameplay, it introduced the ability to swap weapons on the fly, adding depth and strategy to the frantic shoot-'em-up action. It stands as a landmark installment in the series, praised for its fast-paced gameplay and freshness of switching gears.
- 3Jan 01 2000
Vampire Night takes you on a Bram Stoker-esque journey, where you play as vampire hunters Michel and Albert, out to liberate a village from a monstrous vampire overlord. You take down undead legions with your holy light gun, in an arcade-style shoot-'em-up that's a blood-curdling blast! Never really taken the gaming world by storm, but is nonetheless remembered for its eerie setting and satisfying combat mechanics.
- 41995
Virtua Cop 2 puts you in the shoes of cool-as-ice law enforcers Rage and Smarty out to thwart the E.V.I.L Inc's dastardly deeds. It tinkered with the foundational formula of the light-gun genre, emphasizing precision shooting over wild, trigger-happy sprays. This title has etched itself into the minds of gamers for its unambiguous task, relentless action, and crucial role in shaping modern light gun gameplay.
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- 52002
In Ninja Assault, you're transported to feudal Japan where two noble ninja warriors are out for justice against an evil Shogun and his army of the undead. The gameplay mixes up sword combat with gunplay, providing a unique blend in the light-gun genre. With its historic setting and innovative use of weapons, it holds a special place in the pantheon of PS2 light gun games.
- 6Jan 01 1999
Crisis Zone drops you into the middle of Garland Square, under siege by a terrorist group, as the leader of an elite special forces team responsible for their swift eradication. Its gameplay shifted from its predecessors, with a focus on environmental destruction and a novel automatic machine gun as your primary weapon. While it didn't quite shatter the mold, its distinctive features have won it a sturdy following among light gun shooter fans.
- 7Feb 13 2003
Resident Evil: Dead Aim sets you in the middle of a zombie apocalypse aboard an ocean liner, as special agent Bruce McGivern with a duty to stop a nefarious plan. Known for integrating traditional third-person exploration with light gun mechanics, it presented a blend that was fresh for the Resident Evil series. While not the crowning jewel of the franchise, it does hold a soft spot for the fans who appreciate its experimental approach.
- 8Jan 01 2002
Virtua Cop: Elite Edition offers a thrilling pack of two games where you play as stoic cops Rage and Smarty and face off against goons of E.V.I.L Inc. The draw here is the "Justice shot", precision shooting that rewards tactical play. As a collection, it's recognized for offering substantial value and a polished taste of classic light gun shooter action.
- 9Sep 09 2002
Dino Stalker throws you back in time to the age of dinosaurs where WWII pilot Mike Wired must fight for survival. Being the third game in Capcom's Gun Survivor series, it mixed first-person shooting with a third-person perspective and focused heavily on quick reflexes. Not as impactful as its predecessors, it still managed to leave a mark with its unique setting and ambitious marriage of different game styles.
- 10Oct 17 2002
Silent Scope 3 lets you sneak into the shoes of a secret operative armed with a sniper rifle, assigned to thwart a terrorist organizations. The gameplay revolves around finding targets in a full view field before zooming in for the kill, creating a unique hide-and-seek shooting game. Despite a lukewarm reception, the game is remembered for its unique premise, turning the typically frantic light gun shooter genre into a slow, pondering game of precision.
- 11Jan 01 2001
Resident Evil Survivor 2 - Code: Veronica pushes you to survive in a world overrun by the Umbrella Corporation's hideous creatures. It provided a notable departure from the rest of the series by putting players in a time-limited arcade-style format rather than a linear story. Although not as beloved as mainline entries in the series, it certainly shakes things up a bit and provides a unique take on the celebrated franchise.
12Endgame
Endgame was a cornerstone of the PS2 light gun genre with its gripping plot and fast-paced gameplay. In a dystopian future, players blast their way through armies of rogue A.I to avert global catastrophe. Its unique blend of thrilling story and high-octane action made Endgame a PS2 favorite.
- 131999
In Silent Scope, you move into the nitty-gritty world of a professional sniper, tasked with rescuing the president's family from an array of terrorists. Providing a change of pace from typical run-and-gun gameplay, it introduced a strategic element of needing to spot targets before opening fire. The game's unique sniper-based mechanics have earned it a solid place in the annals of light gun gaming history.
- 14
Police 24/7
Known for its "being-there" authenticity, Police 24/7 plunged PS2 gamers into the adrenaline-pumping world of law enforcement. Players could dynamically interact with their surroundings, using cover, body movement and the physicality of their handguns to bring perps to justice with a visceral intensity. This game's innovative use of light guns made it a key influencer in the development of immersive gameplay.
- 15
Gunvari Collection + Time Crisis
The Gunvari Collection + Time Crisis compiles some of the best shooting games known to the PS2, featuring arcade classics that kept players on their toes and their trigger fingers twitching. The memorable storyline in Time Crisis, coupled with the unique cover/reload mechanism, kept gamers coming back for more. Its pivotal role in shaping light gun gaming on the console can never be understated.
Dipping its toes into the sci-fi genre, Space Gun gave PS2 gamers a taste of intergalactic warfare like never before. With its storyline set against an alien invasion backdrop and gameplay centered on extraterrestrial extermination, it was a breath of fresh air in the system's light gun library.
- 17
Gunfighter Ii: Revenge of Jesse James
Prepare to saddle up and draw the heat in Gunfighter II: Revenge of Jesse James—an intense ride into the wild, wild west. You'll relive the era of the outlaw, taking on the role of the legendary Jesse James in a quest for vengeance. This game surely left a mark on the PS2 light gun gaming frontier with its distinct setting and gameplay mechanics.
- 18Jan 01 2000
Silent Scope 2: Dark Silhouette put gamers in the sniper's nest of a high-stakes tactical shooter. Players learned the art of finesse and patience, delivering lethal justice from a distance while getting enmeshed in its engrossing tale of espionage and counter-terrorism. The game undoubtedly shaped the sniper-oriented shooter subgenre on the PS2.
- 19Aug 08 2001
This cult classic took the light gun shooter genre to a surreal new level. With an unconventional storyline that's equal parts mystery and tragedy, alongside a rich gameplay involving intricate gunplay mechanics, it carved its own niche among PS2 games.
- 20Jan 01 1991
This game took players into the heart of 1920s gangland America, on a mission to uncover the truth behind Johnny Rock's untimely demise. Swapping tommy guns for light guns, players navigated a shadowy underworld defined by an intriguing storyline and intense gunplay. As a noir-inspired PS2 title, Who Shot Johnny Rock brought a unique flavor to the light gun genre.
- 21Sep 11 2003
Starsky & Hutch gave players a chance to step into the platforms of these iconic 70s lawmen. The game excellently fuses nostalgia and action-packed gameplay in a whirlwind of high-speed car chases and blazing shootouts. Starsky & Hutch made a significant splash in the PS2 light gun arena that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
- 22Apr 07 2006
With its delightfully colorful aesthetics and whimsical story, Cocoto Magic Circus offered a quirky twist on the PS2 light gun genre. The gameplay centered on shooting matches against fantastical creatures and evil bosses with gameplay as charming as its premise. Cocoto Magic Circus was a standout title in its own pocket of the PS2's impressive light gun repertoire.
- 23
Cocoto Funfair
This is the whimsical follow-up to the original Cocoto Magic Circus. It takes players on another delightful ride, filled with carnival-inspired shooting games set in a vibrant, magical world. This game added a dash of bright, family-friendly fun to the otherwise intense PS2 light gun genre.
