5. Saints Row 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox360)

The Saints Row series takes the mayhem potential of the Grand Theft Auto series to another level of havoc. It may not be the most intellectually stimulating game on the list, but it absolutely refuses to pull any chaotic punches. The series can’t compete with GTA on a story line basis, but it replaces the series on this list with its pure, explosive fun. Awesome co-op play is a huge plus.

4. Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (PS2)

Big guns, bad puns and exploding robots make a true blow-stuff-up shooter tick. The third installment of the classic, family-friendly Ratchet & Clank series took the fun, simple formula to the next level of gameplay, making it and the series one of the best reasons to hold on to an old PlayStation 2. Deep weapons upgrade systems and arcade-like mission modes, not to mention a pretty funny story line, took a solid 3D platformer to the peak of awesomeness. An added plus, it was the first game of the series to feature online multi-player.

3. Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction (PS2, Xbox)

The name says it all. The original sandbox-style open world havoc gameplay makes this awesome shooter a true playground of destruction and another reason to cling tightly to those PS2s. The first installment was more complete and less buggy than the second, so it earns the nod on this list. The game was certainly a pioneer in the genre, but it can’t quite touch the number 1 choice, despite the ability to drop nukes and walk away slowly.

2. Duke Nukem 3D (PC)

The game that started it all has to feature prominently on this list. This classic, MS-DOS era shooter broke new ground in one-liners, misogyny and 3D destruction. The cult status of this father-of-a-genre is a huge reason why the flop of Duke Nukem Forever is such a blow to the gaming community. Since its original release in 1996, the game has been ported to almost every platform you can think of, notably Nintendo 64 and Xbox Live Arcade. Fifteen years later, it’s still good for some old-fashioned blow-stuff-up fun.

1. Just Cause 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox360)

A massive, open world with hundreds of destructive or just plain fast vehicles is a must for next-generation blow-stuff-up gameplay. Just Cause 2 comes through in a big way on this front, rewarding ridiculous stunts in addition to blowing literally everything up. Aerial vehicles are the keystone of this mayhem shooter, employing a grappling hook and parachute to hilarious, awesome effect. The game seems to never run out of more stuff to blow up, providing hours and hours of top class, stress-relieving fun. Even if other games are better overall, nothing quite touches Just Cause 2 in pure chaos. Besides, the joke of a story line seems to fit nicely in the genre.