Best PS2 Basketball Games of 2025

James Ryan Avatar
James Ryan
Last Updated: Jan 7, 2025

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PS2 Basketball Games are an excellent choice for any basketball enthusiast who owns a PlayStation 2 console. These games offer a realistic and immersive basketball experience, allowing players to control their favorite teams and players in various game modes. With stunning graphics and smooth gameplay, PS2 Basketball Games provide hours of entertainment for both casual and hardcore gamers. Whether you're looking to play a quick pickup game or compete in a full season, these games have something for everyone. So, dust off your PS2 console and get ready to hit the court with PS2 Basketball Games.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Backyard Basketball - PS2 by Atari Cover #TOP 1
Backyard Basketball - PS2 by Atari
ftb score rating icon 9.8
NBA Live 2005 - PS2 Cover #TOP 2
NBA Live 2005 - PS2
ftb score rating icon 9.7
NCAA Basketball 09 - PS2 Cover #TOP 3
NCAA Basketball 09 - PS2
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 6 PS2 Basketball Games

#TOP 1

Backyard Basketball - PS2 by Atari

Atari
24527-cr
Backyard Basketball - PS2 by Atari Cover
Backyard Basketball - PlayStation 2 (Renewed)

Backyard Basketball - Atari offers an exciting gaming experience with vibrant 3D environments that immerse you in the action. You can choose from 30 unique Backyard Kids and 10 kid versions of NBA stars like Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal, adding a fun twist to your gameplay. The game features logos from all 30 NBA teams, making it feel authentic and engaging. You'll also enjoy awesome power-ups like the Super Dunk, which can elevate your game and give you an edge over your opponents. With options to select players, courts, and uniforms, you can customize your experience to match your style.

What We Like
Vibrant 3D environments
Diverse player selection
Authentic NBA team logos
Exciting power-ups
Customizable gameplay options
#TOP 2

NBA Live 2005 - PS2

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NBA Live 2005 - PS2 Cover
NBA Live 2005 - Playstation 2 (Renewed)

NBA Live 2005 offers an exciting gaming experience with its innovative features. With Freestyle Air, you can showcase your skills in mid-air, making every move thrilling. The NBA All-Star Weekend mode allows you to personalize your dunks in the Slam Dunk Contest, giving you complete control to impress your friends. The Comprehensive Dynasty Mode lets you build and manage your own basketball franchise over 25 seasons, creating a legacy of success. Additionally, EA SPORTS Online enables you to compete against players from across North America, making it easy to connect and challenge others in the game.

What We Like
Innovative Freestyle Air control
Customizable Slam Dunk Contest
Long-term Dynasty Mode
Online multiplayer functionality
#TOP 3

NCAA Basketball 09 - PS2

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NCAA Basketball 09 - PS2 Cover
NCAA Basketball 09 - PlayStation 2

Experience authentic team ratings, use the Floor General Playcalling system to call offensive and defensive sets, and lead your team to the NCAA Championship as head coach. Create custom tournaments, choose from all-time greatest teams, and use in-season recruiting tools to go after top players.

What We Like
Authentic team ratings
Floor General Playcalling system
Custom tournaments with all-time greatest teams
In-season recruiting tools
#TOP 4

NBA Live 06 - PlayStation 2

14950-cr
NBA Live 06 - PlayStation 2 Cover
NBA Live 06 - PlayStation 2 (Renewed)

NBA Live 06 offers an exhilarating basketball experience on the PlayStation 2. You can enjoy playing as your favorite NBA stars, each with unique playing styles like Power and Playmaker. The game features authentic 5-on-5 matchups, enhanced by a new animation system that showcases fast-paced gameplay, perfect for fans of up-tempo basketball. With improved transition play and physical interactions, you’ll feel the thrill of every collision and dunk. This game allows you to display your skills in an open-court environment, making every game exciting and dynamic.

What We Like
Realistic player performance
Fast-paced gameplay
Improved physical interactions
Dynamic open-court action
#TOP 5

NBA Live 06 for PS2

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NBA Live 06 for PS2 Cover
NBA Live 06 - PlayStation 2

Experience authentic 5-on-5 gameplay with NBA stars performing like their real-life counterparts based on distinct character types, including Power, Playmaker, Stopper and more. The all-new animation system helps to visually present the up-tempo, fast-break brand of basketball that makes the NBA thrive. Additionally, improved transition game and a more physical brand of play with collisions and dunked-on scenarios make the game even more realistic. The stunning visuals make players look like their real-life counterparts.

What We Like
Realistic gameplay with distinct character types
Visually stunning with improved animation system
Fast-paced and physical brand of play
#TOP 6

NBA Live 07 - PS2

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NBA Live 07 - PS2 Cover
NBA Live 07 - PlayStation 2

Experience the thrill of playing basketball on the court with EA NBA Live 07 for PlayStation 2. With total freestyle control, you have more command over the athletes than ever before. The groundbreaking AI, stunning graphics, and next-generation gameplay ensure an immersive gaming experience. Plus, with more ESPN in-game content, you can truly run the show in Dynasty mode. Take on the challenge of managing your franchise and lead your team all the way to the NBA Championship. EA NBA Live 07 brings the excitement of basketball to your living room, offering you the ultimate control and realism in gameplay.

What We Like
Realistic gameplay
Total control over athletes
Immersive graphics
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the biggest PS2 game ever?

The biggest PS2 game in terms of file size is "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" with a size of 4.7 GB. This game offered a vast open-world experience for players to explore.

2. What year did they stop making PS2 games?

The last game for the PlayStation 2, Pro Evolution Soccer 2014, was released on November 14, 2013, marking the end of the PS2 game production.

3. When was the last PS2 game sold?

The release of the PlayStation 3 in 2006 led to a decline in PS2 game releases. The last new games for the console were Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin in Asia, FIFA 14 in North America, and Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 in Europe.

4. What is the lifespan of a PS2?

The PlayStation 2 had a lifespan from 2000 to 2013. It was the best-selling console of all time, with a massive install base.

5. Was PS2 sold at a loss?

Each PS2 console was sold at a loss, with the profit being made up from software sales. The production pipeline faced challenges in meeting the demand and managing costs.

6. Why are PS2 games so expensive?

Some PS2 games have become expensive over time due to factors like limited availability, falling into obscurity, or not being released in multiple markets. Additionally, certain games based on well-recognized IPs have become rare collector's items, driving up their value.

Editor's Notes

During our ps2 basketball game research, we found 16 ps2 basketball game products and shortlisted 6 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,821 customer reviews through our big data system to write the ps2 basketball games list. We found that most customers choose ps2 basketball games with an average price of $7.89.

The ps2 basketball games are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of ps2 basketball games, including Atari, Electronic Arts, PlayStation. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 317 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
James Ryan Avatar

James Ryan is a young writer with a degree in journalism. He’s well-versed in topics such as literature, video games, and gaming devices. In his free time, he enjoys editing, playing games, exercising and photography.