Shadow of the Colossus review

Shadow of the Colossus is the PS2's most distinctive game and would top a list scored on design alone. Sony's 2005 launch release describes a single-player, third-person action-adventure from the creators of ICO, in which a young man mourning a lost loved one rides across ancient lands to find and defeat 16 gigantic Colossi. Each fight mixes puzzle solving and action: you climb, swim and ride with a supernatural sword and bow to bring a giant down. It is rated T, which widens the audience compared with San Andreas or God of War II. The catch is price. DKOldies lists the used disc at $51.99 before sales, the most on this list, which pulls its value score down and is why it ranks fifth. If you are building a collection around the console's most praised art games, it belongs on the shelf next to ICO.

Who it is for

Players who want an artistic, boss-only adventure and collectors who value the original release.

Price

Used PS2 disc from $51.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $51.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• 16 gigantic Colossi to find and defeat
• Travel on horseback across large open lands
• Climb, swim and ride to reach and topple each giant
• Supernatural sword and bow as the main tools
• From Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, the team behind ICO

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Every fight is a puzzle built around a single giant
• Strength: Rated T, so it suits a wider age range than most top picks
• Strength: Single-player with no online parts
• Weakness: Costs $51.99 used before sales, the most expensive game here
• Weakness: Little to do between the 16 fights by design
• Weakness: Collectors pay a premium for the original disc

Key facts

• Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan
• Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America (North America)
• North American release: October 18, 2005
• ESRB: Teen
• Bosses: 16 Colossi

Where it ranks

Shadow of the Colossus is No. 5 in our Best PS2 Games of All Time verdict.