Top 42 Video Games of the Millennium's Initial Phase

Top Selling Video Games from the Early 21st Century

In the world of video games, the 2000s was a decade of innovation and creativity. Here's a look at some of the most influential and beloved games that graced our screens during this time.

Half-Life 2 (2004)

A sequel to the original Half-Life, this game combined first-person shooter (FPS) gameplay with puzzle elements and storytelling. Players control Gordon Freeman, a resistance fighter, as he fights to free humanity from an alien empire.

Mario Kart Wii (2008)

This instalment of the Mario Kart series was exclusive to the Nintendo Wii console. Despite being released over a decade ago, it still provides the same degree of fun as all the Mario Kart games that came before it.

Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn (2001)

This party-based role-playing game (RPG) brought the world of Dungeons & Dragons to video games. Players could control a party of six characters, exploring a vast world filled with adventure and danger.

Shadow of the Colossus (2005)

Sony's Shadow of the Colossus employed a beautiful, dreamy art style. Players sought out to destroy 16 giant monsters, all while trying to revive a dead girl.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003)

Set thousands of years before the films, this RPG saw players battling against Darth Malak and his Sith armada.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (2002)

This stealth game limited players in terms of the tools at their disposal, making every move count as they completed dangerous missions.

Pokémon Colosseum (2003)

A spin-off to the Pokémon franchise, players could steal and rescue Pokémon from other trainers throughout the story.

Deus Ex (2000)

Developed by ION Storm, this action-RPG featured cyberpunk aesthetics, dystopia, and conspiracies.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

This FPS changed the genre forever, defining what a multiplayer shooter should be.

Battlefield 1942 (2002)

EA's Battlefield 1942 offered various roles and both infantry and vehicular combat, allowing players to take part in massive multiplayer battles across multiple WW2 battlegrounds.

BioShock (2007)

This FPS adventure featured a fantastic story and an underwater city to explore after surviving a plane crash.

Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion (2007)

Players looked to thwart a cult trying to open portals to a demonic realm in this action RPG.

Halo 3 (2007)

The third installment to the Halo: Combat Evolved franchise continued the story from the first two games, offering a multiplayer ability that players couldn't stop playing.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (2000)

Players were transported to a parallel world and tasked with stopping the moon from crashing into this world in this Zelda release.

Wii Sports (2006)

Nintendo's Wii Sports featured five sports with increasing difficulty, making it fun regardless of whether you're playing solo or with friends.

Counter-Strike

Regarded as the grandfather of esports, this tactical FPS game pitted five terrorists against five counter-terrorists, with the terrorists trying to detonate a bomb, and the counter-terrorists trying to stop them.

Assassin's Creed (2007)

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, this game took players on an adventure through history.

Portal (2007)

Players used a portal gun to solve puzzles and advance through the game's levels, featuring an incredible physics engine.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)

This game pushed the Grand Theft Auto franchise to a whole new level, with a story of crime and betrayal that stands as one of the best in the franchise.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2002)

Players took control of Raiden, a complete stranger to the franchise, as they uncovered conspiracies and fought the Sons of Liberty in this action adventure game.

Sid Meier's Civilization 3 (2007)

Players were tasked with utilizing strategy to avoid dangers and build a civilization in this strategy game.