42 Popular Video Games Of The Early 2000s
The Call of Duty games defined the 00s. (Photo by Tim Ireland/PA Images via Getty Images)
PA Images via Getty Images
Games are revolutionized in every decade, and 2000s games are no different. 2000s video games saw genres developed and expanded upon, taking players to worlds bigger and better than ever seen before. Graphical and hardware advancements made in early 2000s video games led to some of the greatest games of all time, as well as the birth of many franchises that are still loved and played today. With so many games released across the decade, nailing down the best 2000s games is a tough task. Fortunately this list contains the best of the best, so it’s a great place to start.
Top Video Games From The 2000s
A decade that saw the release of the PS3, Wii and Xbox 360, video games from the 2000s changed the industry as we know it. Franchises were developed, open-world games became even bigger, and sports and first person shooter (FPS) games pushed genre limits like never before.
In the ’00s Nintendo games skyrocketed thanks to the one-of-a-kind Nintendo Wii. We also saw the big boom for console franchises, with series like Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed and Grand Theft Auto all taken to new heights across the decade. Many of these games still hold up today, so this list includes the best you would still want to play. This list features games that have stood the test of time, but were also instant hits with critics and fans when they launched. Their longevity, and a little bit of personal bias, has earned them a spot.
42. Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Platforms: DS
The fourth generation of Pokémon games to come from GameFreak, Diamond and Pearl released in 2006 with Platinum coming in 2008. The first Pokémon game to utilise the DS’s second screen, Diamond and and Pearl arguably did it better than any other, and made catching and training Pokémon more fun than ever.
41. Left 4 Dead
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360
Released in 2008, Valve’s Left 4 Dead combined co-op gameplay with zombie hordes, resulting in frightening consequences when your partner in hiding is louder than you’d like. A great time filled with solid gameplay and horrifying special enemies such as the Witch, Left 4 Dead is perfect for players who like to kick back with friends.
40. Wii Fit
Platforms: Wii
Coming from Nintendo, Wii Fit came with a peripheral that would help you complete the various activities in the 2007 exercise game. Featuring 18 mini-games and yoga, Wii Fit seemed like it was in every household in the 2000s, with good reason. A great time if you’re looking for something to play with the family.
39. Assassin’s Creed
Platforms: PS3, PC, Xbox 360
A game that spawned one of the industry’s biggest franchises, Ubisoft’s 2007 stealth-based, historical action-adventure game sees players become Altair, an assassin in a millennia-old struggle against the Knights Templar. With excellent combat and parkour mechanics, Assassin’s Creed is great for anyone looking to get both a historical and action fix.
38. The Sims
Platforms: PC, PS2, GameCube, Xbox
Who knew living a regular life would make for such an excellent video game? Maxis did. Their 2000 release of The Sims birthed a franchise still going strong today, where players take joy in living out their digital Sims’ life, holding down jobs and building relationships with the Sims around them.
A surprisingly in-depth sandbox, from character creation to things like building a house for your Sims, The Sims allows you to play God in a way that very few other games match. Perfect for players looking for a sim game to relax while playing.
37. Guitar Hero
Platforms: PS2
Developed by Harmonix and released in 2005, Guitar Hero is a rhythm game that saw players play out their favourite rock songs through the use of a controller styled after a miniature Gibson guitar. It’s simple and it’s brilliant. This one is perfect for lovers of both music and video games.
36. Football Manager 2005
Platforms: PC
The first Football Manager game developed by Sports Interactive without the Championship Manager name, this 2004 game changed everything for the widely popular sports management simulator. Featuring updated UI and a refined game engine, this one created a huge franchise in modern gaming and is perfect for sports fans.
35. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Infinity Ward’s 2009 sequel, Modern Warfare 2, is the sixth installment in the Call of Duty franchise. Considered to be one of the best FPS games ever, MW2 is remembered fondly for its multiplayer, but it also shines with its single player offering. Call of Duty fans simply have to play this one.
34. Mafia
Platforms: PS2, PC, Xbox
The first title in the Mafia franchise, Illusion Softworks’ 2002 game Mafia is an action-adventure game that lets players live out gangster dreams in the 1930s American City, Lost Heaven. A game that contains crime, gunfights and driving, if you love GTA games and want something a little different, this game is perfect.
33. Silent Hill 2
Platforms: PS2, Xbox, PC
Released in 2001, Konami’s Silent Hill 2 is a seminal title in the survival horror genre. Playing as James Sunderland, you’ll journey through the town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from your dead wife. If you want to be really scared, this game is an absolute must-play.
32. Resident Evil 4
Platforms: GameCube
The fourth installment in the Resident Evil series, Resident Evil 4 released in 2005 and took the survival horror franchise to a whole new level. Playing as Leon, players must rescue the president’s daughter from a Spanish cult, all while fighting off terrifying zombies. A perfect game for lovers of all things zombies.
31. Dead Space
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Another survival horror game, EA’s 2008 game Dead Space sees players fighting off monsters called Necromorphs on a mining spaceship as their protagonist struggles with psychosis. A trippy affair where ammunition is scarce, this one is perfect for players who like their story games to come with a bit of a challenge.
30. Halo: Combat Evolved
Platforms: Xbox, PC
Before online gaming took off, Bungie’s 2001 game, Halo: Combat Evolved, had gamers scrambling for LAN cables. A game that features a great story in which UNSC forces fight off aliens known as The Covenant, Halo: Combat Evolved can scratch an itch for both single and multiplayer FPS gameplay.
29. Far Cry
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
The second Ubisoft franchise to feature on this list, the original Far Cry was released in 2004. Featuring snappy gunplay in vast levels on a beautiful tropical island, Far Cry really set the tone for the games yet to come in the franchise. A great game for lovers of story-based FPS games.
28. RollerCoaster Tycoon 3
Platforms: PC
Made by Frontier Developments and released in 2004, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 is the third installment in the popular theme park management series. If you love theme parks and have always wanted to design your own dream park, this game allows you to do just that.
27. Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Platforms: PC, PS2, Xbox
Coming from EA in 2005, Need for Speed: Most Wanted has players race against the 15 best racers in Rockport to get to the top of the game’s Blacklist. Featuring challenging street racing and high-octane police chases, this one is perfect for people who watch Fast and Furious and think it looks fun.
26. Hitman: Codename 47
Platforms: PC
Released in 2000 and developed by IO Interactive, Hitman: Codename 47 is the first game in the stealth video game franchise where players become Agent 47, an enhanced human clone expertly trained in the various ways to murder someone. This one is perfect for those with a little bit of creativity.
25. LittleBigPlanet
Platforms: PS3
One of the most iconic PlayStation exclusives of all time, Media Molecule’s classic 2008 platformer will always be remembered for its unforgettable protagonist, Sackboy. Featuring a great story where you play as Sackboy, as well as an in-depth level creator tool, this one is perfect for fans of the platformer genre.
24. Max Payne
Platforms: PC, PS2, Xbox
A neo-noir, third-person shooter developed by Remedy Entertainment and released in 2001, Max Payne is the perfect crime thriller. While playing as Max Payne, you’ll investigate the murder of your family, a mysterious new drug, and secret societies. A great game for people who love a complex story.
23. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
Platforms: PS3
Naughty Dog’s 2007 action-adventure game Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is the first game in one of PlayStation’s most successful exclusive franchises. Playing as Nathan Drake, you’ll search for the lost treasure of El Dorado while trying to avoid dangerous enemies. Perfect for those who love an adventure.
22. Call of Duty: World at War
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
The fifth Call of Duty game, World at War, was developed by Treyarch and released in 2008. A return to a WW2 setting for the FPS franchise, not only does it have a great campaign mode and multiplayer, it also features the first-ever zombies mode, an instant classic for the franchise.
21. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Platforms: GBA, GameCube, PS2, Xbox, PC
Released in 2003, Ubisoft’s action-adventure game Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time sees the player play as an unnamed prince looking to spare his people from a monstrous fate. With a great story, fluid combat and a unique art style, this one is perfect for players who love fantasy settings rooted in reality.
20. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Platforms: Xbox
BioWare’s 2003 role-playing game (RPG) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic spawned one of the most beloved corners of the Star Wars universe. Set 1000s of years before the films, KOTOR sees players battle against the villainous Darth Malak and his Sith armada. If you love Star Wars, you’ll love this.
19. Half-Life 2
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Valve’s 2004 sequel to Half-Life sees players once again control Gordon Freeman, a resistance fighter looking to free humanity from an alien empire, the Combine. A game that combines FPS gameplay with puzzle elements and storytelling, this one is perfect for those who like a little thinking with their gunslinging.
18. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Platforms: PS2, PC
Rockstar’s 2004 hit Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas pushed the Grand Theft Auto franchise to a whole new level. A game that still resonates in meme culture today, protagonist CJ’s story of crime and betrayal stands as one of the best in the franchise. If you love GTA, you have to play San Andreas.
17. Counter-Strike
Platforms: PC
Now regarded as the grandfather of esports, it all began for Valve’s iconic Counter-Strike back in 2000. A tactical FPS game, Counter-Strike has a simple premise: five terrorists try to detonate a bomb, five counter-terrorists try to stop them from doing so. A game that is perfect for players who are after a competitive hit.
16. Halo 3
Platforms: Xbox 360
Halo 3 is Bungie’s 2007 third installment to the Halo: Combat Evolved franchise. Now bolstered by the development of online gaming, Halo 3 continues the story from the first two games, as well as offering a multiplayer ability you won’t be able to stop playing. A perfect fit for those looking for a fun time with friends.
15. Sid Meier’s Civilization 3
Platforms: PC
Developed by Firaxis Games and released in 2007, Sid Meier’s Civilization 3 drops players in an unexplored world, tasking them to utilize strategy to avoid dangers and build a civilization. Victory is the goal, but how you get there is up to you. For players who want to employ strategy in order to win.
14. Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Bethesda’s 2007 installment in their action RPG franchise came with a vast open world, thrilling combat, multiple ways to play the game and a tighter storyline where players look to thwart a cult trying to open portals to a demonic realm. If you’ve played Skyrim and want more Elder Scrolls, start here.
13. Wii Sports
Platforms: Wii
A simple game, Nintendo’s 2006 Wii Sports ended up being the best-selling game of the decade, largely due to its addictive nature. Featuring five sports with increasing difficulty, Wii Sports is fun regardless of whether you’re playing solo or with friends, and it’s perfect for anyone needing to scratch that competitive itch.
12. Shadow of the Colossus
Platforms: PS2
Released in 2005, Sony’s Shadow of the Colossus employs a beautiful, dreamy art style as players seek out to destroy 16 giant monsters and revive a dead girl. A story that makes you question right or wrong, this is a perfect game for those who like a moral question from their story games.
11. Deus Ex
Platforms: PC, PS2
Developed by ION Storm, Deus Ex is an action-RPG that was released at the dawn of the decade. A sci-fi thriller, it combines cyberpunk aesthetics with dystopia and conspiracies. Whether you choose to play it with stealth or guns blazing, this is a perfect game for sci-fi lovers.
10. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Platforms: PC, PS2, Xbox 360
Konami’s 2002 action adventure game sees players take control of Raiden, a complete stranger to the franchise. Rife with political themes that are prevalent now more than ever, you’ll uncover conspiracies as you fight the Sons of Liberty. If you like complex themes, this is one game you won’t want to miss out on.
9. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Platforms: Nintendo 64, GameCube
Set just months after its predecessor, Ocarina of Time, Nintendo’s 2000 Zelda release, Majora’s Mask, sees its hero transported to a parallel world. Tasked with stopping the moon from crashing into this world, the game utilizes a repeating three-day cycle to keep players hooked from the word go. A must-play for Zelda fans.
8. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell
Platforms: PC, Xbox, GBA, GameCube, PS2, PS3
The first game in Ubisoft’s Splinter Cell franchise, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell is a stealth game released in 2002. Playing as Sam Fisher, players are tasked with completing various dangerous missions, all while limited in terms of the tools at their disposal. If you like spy movies, you’ll feel right at home playing this.
7. Mario Kart Wii
Platforms: Wii
Released in 2008, Mario Kart Wii is the console’s exclusive Mario Kart installment. The game is the biggest in the series yet, and still provides the same degree of fun as all the Mario Kart games that came before it. Looking to entertain your family with some light competition? This one is perfect.
6. Pokémon Colosseum
Platforms: GameCube
Developed by Genius Sonority and released in 2003, Pokémon Colosseum is the infamous spin-off to the Pokémon franchise, where players can steal and rescue Pokémon from other trainers throughout the story. If you love Pokémon and you’re looking for a darker twist, this game is the perfect one for you.
5. Battlefield 1942
Platforms: PC
EA’s 2002 FPS Battlefield 1942 is one of the most iconic games across the entire genre. With various roles and both infantry and vehicular combat, Battlefield 1942 sees players take part in massive multiplayer battles across multiple WW2 battlegrounds. Love Battlefield? You’ll love this, too.
4. BioShock
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Developed by 2K and released in 2007, BioShock is an FPS adventure with a fantastic story. Playing as Jack, you’ll explore the underwater city Rapture after surviving a plane crash. A city filled with superpowers and guns, this one is perfect for players who love stories with big twists in them.
3. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Platforms: PS3, PC, Xbox 360
Infinity Ward’s 2007 release, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, is the FPS that changed the genre forever, defining what a multiplayer shooter should be. With an excellent campaign and clean multiplayer gameplay, this FPS has something for everyone, and is a must-play for fans of the FPS genre.
2. Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn
Platforms: PC
BioWare’s 2001 party-based RPG brings Dungeons & Dragons to a video game setting, allowing players to take control of a party of six characters. Taking place in Athkatla, the game uses real-time gameplay as the player interacts with Jon Irenicus, a sinister mage. If you love deep fantasy worlds, you’ll love this game.
1. Portal
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Switch
Released in 2007, Valve’s puzzle classic Portal sees players use a portal gun to solve puzzles and advance through the game’s levels. Featuring an incredible physics engine, Portal is one of the best puzzle games of all time. It’s one you have to play if you want a real mental challenge.
Bottom Line
The 2000s was an incredible decade for video games. Whether you love action-packed FPS games, high-octane racing games or vast open worlds, there was something for everyone. With just a few years having passed a lot of these games still stand up today, so it’s worth jumping into a few if you get the chance.