The 2000s brought gaming into adulthood: cinematic storytelling, detailed 3D worlds, the first steps online. This is the era of the PS2, GameCube, Xbox and Dreamcast. This Top 50 gathers the decade's finest titles, re-tested and ranked by RomWize, with versions, rarity and collector value.
"Mikami's Resident Evil revolution, originally a GameCube exclusive. Over-the-shoulder camera, measured and tense action, an unforgettable Spanish rural village. Almost every set piece has become iconic. A high point of 2000s action gaming."
"Vice City immerses in a sunny, criminal 1980s Miami of exceptional cultural and musical richness. The neon atmosphere, iconic soundtrack and cinematic storytelling come together perfectly. An open world masterpiece, among PS2's finest achievements."
"Resident Evil 4 reinvents survival horror on PS2. Over-the-shoulder camera, surgical action and the unforgettable rural village. A peak of video games that reshaped a decade of TPS."
"First Metroid Prime, revolutionary FPS-adventure transposing Samus to 3D. Tallon IV exploration, encyclopedic environmental scanning, strategic combat with special visors. Isolated and atmospheric mood, ingenious backtracking level design. Wii Edition offers precise Wiimote controls, more natural than the original GameCube. An absolute Metroid series peak, essential."
"The game that defined FPS on console. Master Chief, the Flood, the Ring - the Halo universe is immediately iconic. 4-player splitscreen multiplayer is legendary. One of the foundational moments of modern gaming. Indispensable for every Xbox owner."
"Mass Effect 2 turns the promise into pure craftsmanship: the suicide mission stands as a game design peak, every companion grows unforgettable, and BioWare prove an RPG can be both space opera and tightly paced corridor thriller."
"Japanese release of Uncharted 2 Among Thieves, the absolute series peak. Exceptional cinematic staging, perfect pacing, refined gameplay and solid multiplayer. One of the finest PS3 games and an unmatched genre benchmark."
"Uncharted 2 is widely considered one of the greatest games ever made. Perfectly paced cinematic action, memorable characters, iconic levels and solid multiplayer. An absolute PS3 masterpiece that has not aged a day."
"Revolution in action-adventure gaming by Hideo Kojima. Raiden infiltrates an offshore facility in a staggering postmodern staging. The depth of infiltration, memorable bosses, meta storytelling and character controversy make MGS2 a controversial and brilliant work of art."
"Enriched version of MGS2 with substantial bonus content. The extensive VR Training with hundreds of missions, new difficulty levels and additional Snake Tales make Substance the definitive version. One of the most content-rich PS2 experiences for Kojima fans."
"Rockstar deliver a stirring immigrant mafia fresco with Niko Bellic, a reworked Liberty City and Euphoria physics that bleeds into every fall. Slower than its descendants, but the writing on debt and the American dream remains an absolute peak."
"BioShock is one of the greatest FPS ever made. Rapture, the fallen Art Deco underwater city, is unforgettable. Revolutionary environmental storytelling, joyful Plasmids, heartbreaking Little Sisters."
"Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 is one of the most impactful FPS of the generation. Spectacular and controversial campaign, multiplayer that changed everything with killstreaks and customisation. A monument."
"LittleBigPlanet is a creative revolution on PS3. Sackboy, infinite level creation and worldwide community sharing. Accessible platformer, powerful level editor, titanic player-generated content. A masterpiece."
"LittleBigPlanet GOTY is the enriched version with extra DLC costumes and levels. Same Sackboy creative revolution with even more content from the start. The best way to approach the original LBP."
"Final Fantasy IX is a melancholic and beautiful tribute to the series' roots. A return to basics with medieval fantasy style, deep characters including Zidane and Vivi, and one of Nobuo Uematsu's finest soundtracks. An emotional end-of-cycle PS1 masterpiece."
"The Legendary Edition gathers Skyrim with its three major expansions, including Dawnguard and Dragonborn which radically reshape the journey. The version to pick on 360 to visit Solstheim and face Miraak with a fully kitted Dovahkiin."
"Capcom's peak of 2D versus, sublime in precision and depth. Parry, fluidity, cult cast and sublime animation: everything is at the top. An eternal masterpiece of the genre."
"Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare revolutionised the modern FPS. Short but impactful campaign, multiplayer progression system that changed everything. All Ghillied Up remains one of the greatest FPS missions in history."
"Epic Games reinvent the cover shooter with the roll-and-slam cover system and a testosterone-soaked Marcus Fenix. Sera stays chilling, the Lancer's growl is unforgettable, and the 360 finds in Gears its obvious first flagship."
