2000s in video games

Video game-related events in 2000s The 2000s was the fourth decade in the industry's history. It was a decade that was primarily dominated by Sony, Nintendo, newcomer Microsoft, and their respective systems. Sega, being Nintendo's main rival in the 1980s and 1990s, left the console market in 2001 in favor of returning to third-party development, as they once were. Overall the decade saw the last of the low resolution three-dimensional polygons of the 1990s with the emergence of high definition games, and often focused on developing immersive and interactive environments, implementing realistic physics, and improving artificial intelligence.http://nn.cs.utexas.edu/downloads/papers/gold.cig05.pdf Academic AI and video games 2005 26 September 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070824022123/http://nn.cs.utexas.edu/downloads/papers/gold.cig05.pdf 24 August 2007 livehttp://www.valvesoftware.com/sourcelicense/default.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20100214074504/http://www.valvesoftware.com/sourcelicense/default.htm February 14, 2010 Source engine n.d. 26 September 2007 The sixth and seventh generation of video game consoles went on sale, including the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable. Notable games released in the 2000s included Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Wii Sports, Half-Life 2, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, BioShock, World of Warcraft, The Sims, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Resident Evil 4, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Portal, Shadow of the Colossus, Gears of War, God of War, Super Mario Galaxy, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and League of Legends. Consoles of the 2000s Sixth generation (1998–2006) Sixth generation of video game consoles thumb|PlayStation 2 (2000) The sixth generation of video games officially began in 1998 with the introduction of the short-lived Dreamcast, which was discontinued in 2001. Sega announced that they would no longer produce video game consoles after two straight underperforming consoles and became a third-party developer. The PlayStation 2 was released in 2000 and became the best-selling video game console of all time. Microsoft entered the home console market with the Xbox. Although initially expected to struggle, it managed to reach second place in sales behind the PS2 on the strength of the launch title Halo: Combat Evolved. The GameCube, launched in 2001 alongside the Xbox, fell into third place, a first for Nintendo. The sixth generation improved on the 3D graphics of the fifth generation consoles. Some of the new features in the consoles included built-in DVD players and hard drives.http://www.xbreporter.com/xbox_system_specifications.php The Xbox reporter n.d. 31 January 2008 9 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080509092351/http://www.xbreporter.com/xbox_system_specifications.php deadhttp://playstation.about.com/od/hardwareandaccessories/a/NewPS2Details_2.htm About.com – PS2 Specs 21 September 2004 31 January 2008 8 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080308060200/http://playstation.about.com/od/hardwareandaccessories/a/NewPS2Details_2.htm dead Internet play on consoles, pioneered by the Dreamcast, became commercially viable with the Xbox Live system, which was launched in November 2002, one year after the console's release. It featured a broadband connection and downloadable content and was a success. Seventh generation (2005–2012) Seventh generation of video game consoles thumb|Nintendo Wii (2006) The seventh generation of consoles began with the release of the Xbox 360 in 2005. This was followed by the Wii and the PlayStation 3 in 2006. The seventh-generation featured widespread implementation of HD-ready graphics, media centers, and Wireless game controllers, as well as online services for all consoles. The PS3 also has Blu-ray Disc compatibility. The Wii implemented an innovative game controller that features full motion sensitivity and is wielded like a remote, with limited button interaction. In response, the PS3 introduced tilt-sensitive functionality with its controllers. The Wii's motion sensitive controls and focus on family-friendly games, while alienating some hardcore gamers, helped the Wii to become the best-selling console of the seventh-generation. The high price of the PS3 had initially caused slow sales, but numerous price cuts and efforts to bring feature-parity between it and Xbox 360 were made in the years following. It was generally successful as the PlayStation 3 steadily increased in popularity, resulting in lifetime sales to be nearly equal to that of the Xbox 360. Nintendo continued to dominate the handheld console market with the release of the dual-screen Nintendo DS in 2004. One of the screens is a touchscreen. The PlayStation Portable, released in 2005 by Sony, was the first serious competitor to Nintendo's handheld video game consoles and is by far the best-selling non-Nintendo handheld. History An evolving industry Early on in the decade, the video games world was shaken up over two major stories that dominated the headlines: Sega was pulling out of the console war and that Microsoft was entering the market. Sega stated that the poor performance of the Sega Dreamcast and Sega Saturn lines contributed to their decision.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1145936.stm BBC News Sega scraps the Dreamcast 31 January 2001 The company returned to third party publishing for the remaining consoles.http://bitmob.com/articles/qaa-former-sega-president-on-dreamcasts-failure-pranks-against-sony-his-ouster Former Sega president on Dreamcast's failure 2012-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20120415134444/http://bitmob.com/articles/qaa-former-sega-president-on-dreamcasts-failure-pranks-against-sony-his-ouster 2012-04-15 dead Microsoft officially debuted their Xbox console at the Game Developers Conference in 2000 after much speculation.http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/2000/03-10xbox.aspx Xbox Brings "Future-Generation" Games to Life Microsoft 2012-04-26 2014-03-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20140313001634/http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/2000/03-10xbox.aspx live After the release of the Xbox and PlayStation 2, a noticeable trend was to push video game consoles into media centers and offer more features than just playing games. Nintendo was slow to react and released the GameCube in 2001 without many of the exotic features seen in other consoles.http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/1278831 Xbox Vs. GameCube Vs. PlayStation 2Torture-testing all the video game consoles--in one room, at one time. 7 December 2004 26 April 2012 4 August 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130804101308/http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/1278831 live Instead, Nintendo was focusing on improving the gameplay experience, as well as preparing its new innovative controller to be released in 2006.http://www.pcworld.com/article/127869/nintendo_wii.html%20?tk=rel_news Nintendo Wii 2012-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20120629210404/http://www.pcworld.com/article/127869/nintendo_wii.html%20?tk=rel_news 2012-06-29 dead Backward compatibility also became a staple feature to gaming in this decade. The PlayStation 2 was the first major system to allow for backward compatibility to a preceding console.https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/427056371.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+12%2C+2000&author=&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Test+driving+the+PS2&pqatl=google https://archive.today/20130201115121/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/427056371.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+12,+2000&author=&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Test+driving+the+PS2&pqatl=google dead February 1, 2013 Test driving the PS2 12 October 2000 Toronto Starhttp://edition.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/10/26/ps2.main.story/ CNN PlayStation 2 makes its North American debut 26 October 2000 Copyright infringement became a big concern to game developers and many companies tried experimenting with ways to combat the growing problem, especially among PC games. Some companies required registration through the use of a product key.http://pcsupport.about.com/b/2007/06/30/what-is-a-product-key.htm What is a Product Key? 2012-04-26 2012-08-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20120801124120/http://pcsupport.about.com/b/2007/06/30/what-is-a-product-key.htm dead In one of the more notable events of the decade, Valve was hit particularly hard by a hacker and subsequently had much of their work on Half-Life 2 leaked onto the internet.http://www.technewsworld.com/story/31783.html Half Life 2 Source-Code Leak Delays Debut 7 October 2003 26 April 2012 12 November 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061112045317/http://www.technewsworld.com/story/31783.html live Sony and Microsoft released their PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles in the mid-decade. As the decade progressed, more and more features were added to consoles. Internet connectivity became ubiquitous and some games integrated the use of webcam accessories. In the mid-decade, the industry was caught in the crossfire of the HD DVD and Blu-ray format war. Ultimately, the Blu-ray format won out, but that didn't help Microsoft after they have already made HD DVD compatibility a feature.https://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/04/alt-text-gaming-consoles/ Wired Lore Sjöberg Alt Text: Gaming Consoles Will Soon Be for Nerds Only 2 April 2012 Nintendo had still yet to release a system compatible for viewing films. Instead, Nintendo unveiled the Wii and revolutionized the industry with the interactive gameplay that its brand new controller provided.http://www.theage.com.au/news/articles/which-console-to-buy/2007/11/21/1195321840790.html The Age Which console to buy? 10 December 2007 Melbourne It would not be until the next decade that Sony or Microsoft would release a similar motion controller to the Wii as an accessory (See: Kinect and PlayStation Move). Graphic innovation The 1990s decade oversaw the transition from 2D-based video games to fully immersive three-dimensional environments and gameplay. The 2000s continued on this trend by polishing many of the flaws of creating a new dimension for games such as rigid polygon characters and animations. By the decades end, Microsoft and Sony had already been releasing games in high definition.http://www.1up.com/features/10-ways-xbox-360-changed 10 Ways Xbox 360 Changed Gaming 2012-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20130531035958/http://www.1up.com/features/10-ways-xbox-360-changed 2013-05-31 deadhttp://www.giantbomb.com/news/dont-panic-ps3-hardware-will-still-play-hd-games-via-component/3479/ Don't Panic: PS3 Hardware Will Still Play HD Games Via Component 13 July 2011 Status of PC video games thumb|An Xbox Debug Kit, intended for game developers on porting PC games to the Xbox. PC video games remained popular throughout the decade, but was in an overall decline as consoles became more and more popular. Publishers also liked the standardization that consoles provided, whereas PC game performance was dependent on the graphic capabilities of a player's hardware. Nevertheless, the PC remained the device of choice for many popular strategy, simulation, and online games. Blizzard was a company in the spotlight on numerous occasions throughout the 2000s and loyal to the PC. In 2000, it released the hack and slash game Diablo II which is frequently listed as one of the best games ever made.http://seekingalpha.com/article/440511-the-time-is-right-for-activision-blizzard-calls-and-gamestop-shares The Time Is Right For Activision Blizzard Calls And Gamestop Shares The game continues to have a wide following many years after its release and was listed on NPD Group's top ten PC games sales list as recently as 2010.Stephany Nunneley http://www.vg247.com/2010/08/05/activision-blizzard-q2-financials-net-revenue-comes-in-at-967-million/ Blog Archive » Activision Blizzard Q2 financials: Net revenue comes in at $967 million VG247 2010-08-05 2010-09-15 2010-10-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20101004040715/http://www.vg247.com/2010/08/05/activision-blizzard-q2-financials-net-revenue-comes-in-at-967-million/ live Then in 2004, Blizzard wowed gamers with the release of World of Warcraft, which was the world's most-subscribed MMORPG at the time with over 10 million subscribers. The Sims, a spin-off project of the popular Sim City franchise, also became a popular game of the era. Combining all of its sequels and expansions, The Sims easily becomes one of the best-selling PC game in history.http://www.gamespot.com/news/the-sims-overtakes-myst-2857556 The Sims overtakes Myst 2012-04-26 2012-04-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20120401185642/http://www.gamespot.com/news/the-sims-overtakes-myst-2857556 live The Sims also had an important role in bringing female and casual gamers into the often male-dominated and hardcore video game market.https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2010/feb/11/games2 The Guardian Greg Howson 10 years on and The Sims is still going strong 15 February 2010 Londonhttp://www.destructoid.com/ea-sims-3-best-selling-pc-game-worldwide-in-2009-161323.phtml EA: Sims 3 best-selling PC game worldwide in 2009http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-04-16/entertainment/17895368_1_expansion-packs-sims-label-division-of-electronic-arts Daily News Women really click with The Sims 16 April 2008 New York dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110815081727/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-04-16/entertainment/17895368_1_expansion-packs-sims-label-division-of-electronic-arts August 15, 2011 Rhythm game fad thumb|right|250px|Aria Wallace and Victoria Justice playing Guitar Hero Rhythm games were primarily centered in the arcade with popular games such as Dance Dance Revolution and Beatmania. Many of these franchises had been popular since the late-nineties, but it wasn't until Guitar Heros release in 2005 that the genre really impacted on popular culture.http://www.mancouch.com/727186220/is-the-guitar-herorock-band-craze-over/ Is The Guitar Hero/Rock Band Craze Over? 2012-04-26 2011-07-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20110726064918/http://www.mancouch.com/727186220/is-the-guitar-herorock-band-craze-over/ dead Most games in this category will feature a set list of songs that a player can choose to perform. They also generally come with a unique controller, usually shaped like a musical instrument.http://www.gamestop.com/ps3/accessories/ps3-guitar-hero-controller-wireless-used/67480 PS3 Guitar Hero Controller Wireless - Used by GameStop 2012-04-26 2012-04-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20120422013037/http://www.gamestop.com/ps3/accessories/ps3-guitar-hero-controller-wireless-used/67480 dead The success of Guitar Hero lead to the creation of other similar game franchises such as Rock Band and DJ Hero. These games have also been cited as inspiration for people seeking to actually play instruments, and leading to a revival of interest in classic rock nostalgia.http://kotaku.com/5103724/guitar-hero-inspiring-british-kids-to-take-up-real-music https://web.archive.org/web/20081210050347/http://kotaku.com/5103724/guitar-hero-inspiring-british-kids-to-take-up-real-music dead December 10, 2008 Guitar Hero Inspiring British Kids to Take Up Real Music 7 December 2008 https://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2008/0603/rock-revival-via-video-games Rock revival, via video games Christian Science Monitor https://www.vice.com/en/article/closed-frontier-487-v17n8/ Closed Frontier: Is Rock Over? Sam McPheeters August 2010 In retrospect, rhythm games appear to have been a fad.http://www.vg247.com/2011/02/18/activision-abused-guitar-hero-theres-no-reason-why-it-cant-continue-says-summer/ Activision "abused" Guitar Hero, there's "no reason why" it can't continue, says Summer 18 February 2011 http://www.vg247.com/2011/02/15/analysts-guitar-hero-was-a-fad-activision-wont-approach-call-of-duty-that-way/ Guitar Hero was a "fad," Acti won't "strip-mine" CoD 15 February 2011 https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/937671--success-in-our-times-from-hero-to-zero The Star Success in our times: From Hero to zero 12 February 2011 Toronto In late 2011, due to low sale figures, Activision closed its Guitar Hero division.http://mashable.com/2011/02/09/guitar-hero-dead/ Guitar Hero Gone: What Went Wrong? Mashable 10 February 2011 https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/02/guitar-hero-canceled/ Wired Chris Kohler Activision Bails Out of Guitar Hero, Cancels Games 9 February 2011 Video games in Africa Since 2007, the fast growing mobile market in African countries such as Nigeria and Kenya has resulted in a growth in mobile game development. Local developers have taken advantage of the recent increase in mobile internet connection in countries where broadband is rarely available and console games are expensive, though locally developed applications have difficulty competing against millions of western applications available on the Google Play Store. This growth has continued through the 2010s as video games are becoming a more viable business on the continent.http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/12/28/nigeria-gaming.html Video game culture takes hold across Nigeria Aljazeera America Vourlias Christopher 2014-12-28 2015-08-18 2016-10-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20161010082432/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/12/28/nigeria-gaming.html livehttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/sep/26/african-videogames-nigeria The Guardian African videogames level up Mark Monica 2013-09-26 2016-12-13 2021-08-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20210827042803/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/sep/26/african-videogames-nigeria livehttp://www.polygon.com/features/2013/7/3/4483276/kenya-games-industry Big Game: The Birth of Kenya's Game Industry Polygon Moss Richard 2013-07-03 A decade of controversy Video game controversy As video games approached greater realism in their graphic capabilities, it was inevitable that controversy would result. The evidence was inconclusive, but debates continued throughout the decade about the level of profanity, violence, pornography, and whether or not video games had an addictive effect.http://www.gamespot.com/news/aggression-and-games-link-inconclusive-oconnor-6284706 Aggression and games link "inconclusive": O'Connorhttps://techland.time.com/2012/02/28/good-news-oklahoma-violent-video-games-bill-tossed/ Time 28 February 2012 Good News: Oklahoma 'Violent' Video Games Bill Tossedhttp://www.computerandvideogames.com/278756/aussie-gov-violence-and-video-game-links-are-inconclusive/ Aussie gov: Violence and video game links are 'inconclusive'http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24245196 https://web.archive.org/web/20130209153627/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24245196/ dead February 9, 2013 What makes video games 'addictive'? Kristin Kalning NBC News 22 April 2008 One game series in particular that was no stranger to controversy in the 2000s was Grand Theft Auto.https://www.cnbc.com/id/43295087/Sex_and_Violence_The_10_Most_Controversial_Games?slide=2 Sex and Violence: The 10 Most Controversial Games CNBC November 2024 medicmedichttp://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/digital/gaming/the-outlaw-history-of-grand-theft-auto-7795480 The Outlaw History of Grand Theft Auto 2 April 2012 In the 2004 San Andreas installment of the series, the game received widespread criticism revolving around the Hot Coffee mod, a normally disabled mini-game that could be enabled.http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090902/1836396087.shtml Hot Coffee Finally History? Take-Two Pays $20 Million To Investors Mike Masnick 2 September 2009 http://www.pcworld.com/article/184246/the_geekiest_moments_in_video_game_history.html The Geekiest Moments in Video Game History Chris Jager 2012-04-26 2012-04-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20120419183807/http://www.pcworld.com/article/184246/the_geekiest_moments_in_video_game_history.html dead The drama and pressure forced the ESRB to re-rate the game as an AO (Adults Only) and to have it pulled from store shelves.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/grand-theft-auto-rerated-for-porn-scene-499699.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090215172004/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/grand-theft-auto-rerated-for-porn-scene-499699.html dead February 15, 2009 The Independent David Usborne 22 July 2005 'Grand Theft Auto' re-rated for porn scene London The game was also criticized for being excessively violent.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grand-theft-auto-under-fire/ CBS News Grand Theft Auto Under Fire Another game that struck a nerve with many analysts and the general public was a game released in 2005 entitled Super Columbine Massacre RPG! in which a player actually carries out the events of the 1999 Columbine high school shooting.http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_86/484-Be-Men-Not-Destroyers Be Men, Not Destroyers Kieron Gillenhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2006/jun/01/games.guardianweeklytechnologysection1 The Guardian Aleks Krotoski Aleks Krotoski: Should gamers get to grips with Columbine? 1 June 2006 London The game and its creator, Danny Ledonne, was both praised for the bold statement on free speech and criticized for being distasteful.http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/super-columbine-massacre-rpg-part-2-article Super Columbine Massacre RPG - Part 2 Eurogamer 23 January 2007 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2006/jun/01/comebacksandc The Guardian Greg Howson Comebacks and controversy 1 June 2006 London It became the first finalist to ever be rejected at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival's Guerrilla Games Competition. In protest of the rejection, many of the finalists withdrew from the competition and in the end no awards were handed out that year.http://gamepolitics.com/2007/01/07/developer-pulls-out-of-festival-competition-in-protest-over-super-columbine-decision Developer Pulls Out of Festival Competition in Protest over Super Columbine Decision 2012-04-26 2012-02-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20120216230507/http://www.gamepolitics.com/2007/01/07/developer-pulls-out-of-festival-competition-in-protest-over-super-columbine-decision livehttp://www.bogost.com/watercoolergames/archives/slamdance_game.shtml Slamdance Game Competition Ends in Dissolution Ian Bogost The competition has not been held since the 2007 incident. Expanded influence thumb|250px|right|An orchestra performing a Video Games Live event As video games diversified and became an ever-present part of pop culture, its influence began integrating with other media. The film industry in particular took notice and capitalized on how they could integrate video games into their storytelling. The Wachowskis, known for their Matrix series of films, developed Enter the Matrix to tie together the events of The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions motion pictures.http://www.giantbomb.com/enter-the-matrix/61-7570/ Enter the Matrix Making films from video games is nothing new to Hollywood, but the transition from video game to film doesn't always succeed.http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Article/Game-feature-Best-and-worst-videogame-movies-021243152880070 Best & worst videogame movies Glen Ferris Red Bull The 2000s however began to show promise in the profitability and success of making video game-based films. Opening in 2001, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider became the highest-grossing video game adaptation with over a US$274 million box office performance.http://www.empireonline.com/promotions/game-to-film-adaptations/ Game-To-Film Adaptions: Fortunes And Flopshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/7037574/Lara-Croft-picks-up-six-Guinness-world-records.html The Daily Telegraph Lara Croft picks up six Guinness world records 21 January 2010 London 29 September 2015 3 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20150929070446/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/7037574/Lara-Croft-picks-up-six-Guinness-world-records.html live Tomb Raider held that title for nearly a decade.http://www.tgdaily.com/games-and-entertainment-brief/50385-prince-of-persia-becomes-highest-grossing-video-game-movie-ever Prince of Persia: highest-grossing "video game movie" ever Mike Luttrell 2012-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20100701083025/http://www.tgdaily.com/games-and-entertainment-brief/50385-prince-of-persia-becomes-highest-grossing-video-game-movie-ever 2010-07-01 dead Other adaptations in the 2000s included the popular Resident Evil saga, Silent Hill, Max Payne, Hitman, Alone in the Dark, DOOM, House of the Dead, and Dungeon Siege. The 2000s was also the first decade that the medium has significantly affected classical music. Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall had a vision that a concert would be a way to show "how culturally significant video games and video game music is in the world today."http://www.deseretnews.com/article/695265797/Symphony-help-breathe-life-into-video-games.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120322011152/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/695265797/Symphony-help-breathe-life-into-video-games.html dead March 22, 2012 Concert review: Symphony help breathe life into video games Deseret News The first Video Games Live concert was held at the Hollywood Bowl on July 6, 2005, to an audience of 11,000 people.http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sectionfront/life/pso-presents-video-games-live-to-turn-on-new-generation-348458/ https://web.archive.org/web/20121018063112/http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sectionfront/life/pso-presents-video-games-live-to-turn-on-new-generation-348458/ dead October 18, 2012 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PSO presents 'Video Games Live' to turn on new generation 7 July 2009 Many of the events feature a live orchestra, synchronized lighting and effects, and gameplay projected onto a screen.http://www.videogameslive.com/index.php?s=info What is Video Games Live? 2012-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20150224122623/http://videogameslive.com/index.php?s=info 2015-02-24 dead Notable video-game franchises established in the 2000s 15em Ace Attorney (2001) Akinator (2007) Angry Birds (2009) 1 Animal Crossing (2001) ARMA (2006) Army of Two (2008) Art Academy (2009) Assassin's Creed (2007) ATV Offroad Fury (2001) Batman: Arkham (2009)1 Battlefield (2002) Bayonetta (2009) Bejeweled (2001) Big Brain Academy (2005) BioShock (2007) Bit.Trip (2009) Black & White (2001) Bloons (2007) Borderlands (2009) Brothers in Arms (2005) Burnout (2001) Buzz! (2005) 2 Call of Duty (2003) Call of Juarez (2006) Chibi-Robo! (2005) Cities XL (2009) Club Penguin (2005) Company of Heroes (2006) Cooking Mama (2006) 2 Counter-Strike (2000)2 Crackdown (2007) Crysis (2007) De Blob (2008) 2 Dead Rising (2006) Dead Space (2008) Def Jam (2003) Deus Ex (2000) Devil May Cry (2001) Divinity (2002) Dinosaur King (2005) Doodle Jump (2009) Dragon Age (2009) Drawn to Life (2007) Dungeon Siege (2002) Empire Earth (2001) Etrian Odyssey (2007) EyeToy (2003) Fable (2004) Family Guy (2006) 1 Far Cry (2004) FarmVille (2009) F.E.A.R. (2005) FIFA Street (2005) 2 Fight Night (2004) Football Manager (2005)2 Forza Motorsport (2005) Gears of War (2006) Geometry Wars (2003) God of War (2005) Gothic (2001) Grid (2008) Guild Wars (2005) Guitar Hero (2005) Halo (2001) Hitman (2000) Inazuma Eleven (2008) Infamous (2009) Imagine (2007) Jak and Daxter (2001) Jet Set Radio (2000) Jubeat (2008) Just Cause (2006) Just Dance (2009) 2 Katamari Damacy (2004) Killzone (2004) Kingdom Hearts (2002) League of Legends (2009) Left 4 Dead (2008) LittleBigPlanet (2008) LocoRoco (2006) Lord of the Rings (2002)1 Lost Planet (2006) Luigi's Mansion (2001)2 Lumines (2004) Mafia (2002) Manhunt (2003) Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2004)2 Mario & Luigi (2003)2 Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (2007)2 Mass Effect (2007) Max Payne (2001) Messiah (2000) Minecraft (2009) Mirror's Edge (2008) MLB: The Show (2006) Monster Hunter (2004) Moshi Monsters (2008) MotorStorm (2006) MVP Baseball (2003) MX vs. ATV (2005) Naruto (2003) 1 NBA Street (2001) 2 NFL Street (2004) 2 Nintendogs (2005) Ōkami (2006) Operation Flashpoint (2001) Overlord (2007) Paper Mario (2000)2 Peggle (2007) Perfect Dark (2000) Pikmin (2001) Plants vs. Zombies (2009) Poptropica (2007) Portal (2007)2 Pro Yakyū Spirits (2004) 2 Professor Layton (2007) 2 Prototype (2009) Psychonauts (2005) Ratchet & Clank (2002) Raving Rabbids (2006) 1 2 Red Dead (2004) Red Faction (2001) Resistance (2006) Rhythm Tengoku (2006) 2 Rise of Nations (2003) Risen (2009) Roblox (2006) Rock Band (2007) RuneScape (2001) Saints Row (2006) Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action (2007) Scribblenauts (2009) Shantae (2002) SingStar (2004) 2 Skate (2007) Sly Cooper (2002) 2 SOCOM (2002) Splosion Man (2009) SpongeBob SquarePants (2001) Spore (2008) SSX (2000) Star Wars: Battlefront (2004) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003) 1 2 Super Brawl (2009) 2 Super Monkey Ball (2001) Taiko no Tatsujin (2001) Tak and the Power of Juju (2003) 1 The Political Machine (2004) The Sims (2000)2 The Witcher (2007) TimeSplitters (2000) Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (2001) Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (2002) Tomodachi (2009) Total War (2000) Trails (2004)2 Trials (2000) Tropico (2001) Ty the Tasmanian Tiger (2002) Uncharted (2007) 1 Viewtiful Joe (2003) Viva Piñata (2006) Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (2004) Wii (2006) Wizard101 (2008) World of Warcraft (2004)2 WWF SmackDown! (2000) 2 Xenosaga (2002) Yakuza (2005) Notes: 1Game franchises that also accompany major film or television franchises. 2Game franchises that are considered spin-offs of previously established franchises. Best-selling video games of the decade The following table lists video games of the 2000s that have sold at least 10 million copies. Downloaded content may not be included into figures. + Best-selling video games of the 2000s (as of January 2020) No. Number Title Units sold Initial release date Platform(s) Genre(s) Developer(s) Publisher(s) Ref Reference 1 Wii Sports 82.88 million 2006 11 19 Wii Sports Nintendo EAD (Group 2) Nintendohttps://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wii.html Sales Data - Top Selling Title Sales Units - Wii Software Nintendo September 30, 2019 October 31, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20171219181140/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wii.html December 19, 2017 live 2 Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus 43.80 million 2007 12 01 Exergaming Nintendo EAD (Group 5) Nintendo 3 Mario Kart Wii 37.24 million 2008 04 10 Kart racing Nintendo EAD (Group 1) Nintendo 4 Wii Sports Resort 33.11 million 2009 06 25 Sports Nintendo EAD (Group 2) Nintendo 5 New Super Mario Bros. 30.80 million 2006 05 15 Nintendo DS Platformer Nintendo EAD (Group 4) Nintendohttps://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/ds.html Sales Data - Top Selling Title Sales Units - Nintendo DS Software Nintendo September 30, 2017 October 30, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170425225159/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/ds.html April 25, 2017 live 6 New Super Mario Bros. Wii 30.28 million 2009 11 11 Wii Platformer Nintendo EAD (Group 4) Nintendo 7 Wii Play 28.02 million 2006 12 02 Party Nintendo EAD (Group 2) Nintendo 8 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 27.5 million 2004 10 26 Multi-platform Action-adventure Rockstar North Rockstar Gameshttp://www.itv.com/news/2013-09-13/a-brief-history-of-the-grand-theft-auto-series/ From 1997- 2013: How the Grand Theft Auto series has evolved ITV September 13, 2013 April 26, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20150213204138/http://www.itv.com/news/2013-09-13/a-brief-history-of-the-grand-theft-auto-series/ February 13, 2015 live 9 Grand Theft Auto IV 25.00 million 2008 04 29 Action-adventure Rockstar North Rockstar Gameshttps://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/gaming/gta-5-has-already-beaten-gta-4s-lifetime-sales-8863784.html GTA 5 has already beaten GTA 4's lifetime sales Vincent James The Independent October 7, 2013 April 26, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152753/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/gaming/gta-5-has-already-beaten-gta-4s-lifetime-sales-8863784.html April 26, 2017 live 10 Nintendogs 23.96 million 2005 04 21 Nintendo DS Pet-raising simulation Nintendo EAD (Group 1) Nintendo 11 Mario Kart DS 23.60 million 2005 11 14 Kart racing Nintendo EAD (Group 1) Nintendo 12 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 22.70 million 2009 11 10 Multi-platform First-person shooter Infinity Ward Activisionhttp://microsites.ign.com/call-of-duty-a-short-history/ Call of Duty: A Short History IGN April 26, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172825/http://microsites.ign.com/call-of-duty-a-short-history/ March 3, 2016 live 13 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 20.00 million 2002 10 29 Action-adventure Rockstar North Rockstar Gameshttps://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-violent-videogame-has-made-more-money-than-any-movie-ever-2018-04-06 This violent videogame has made more money than any movie ever MarketWatch April 9, 2018 April 26, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20180407133735/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-violent-videogame-has-made-more-money-than-any-movie-ever-2018-04-06 April 7, 2018 live 14 Brain Age 19.01 million 2005 05 19 Nintendo DS Puzzle, educational Nintendo SPD Nintendo 15 Pokémon Diamond and Pearl 17.67 million 2006 09 28 Role-playing Game Freak The Pokémon Company, Nintendo 16 Grand Theft Auto III 17.50 million 2001 10 22 Multi-platform Action-adventure DMA Design Rockstar Games 17 Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire 16.22 million 2002 11 21 Game Boy Advance Role-playing Game Freak The Pokémon Company, Nintendohttps://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-x-y-sells-4-million-in-two-days/1100-6415582/ Pokemon X/Y sells 4 million in two days Makuch Eddie GameSpot CBS Interactive October 15, 2013 April 25, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170426063508/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-x-y-sells-4-million-in-two-days/1100-6415582/ April 26, 2017 live 18 The Sims 16.00 million 2000 01 31 Multi-platform Life simulation Maxis Electronic Artshttp://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20050207005389/en/Sims-Franchise-Celebrates-Anniversary-Continues-Break-Records The Sims Franchise Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary and Continues to Break Records Business Wire February 7, 2005 April 26, 2017 May 31, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190531152554/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20050207005389/en/Sims-Franchise-Celebrates-Anniversary-Continues-Break-Records live 19 Need for Speed: Most Wanted 16.00 million 2005 11 11 Racing EA Canada, EA Black Box Electronic Artshttp://news.softpedia.com/news/100-million-Need-for-Speed-Games-Have-Been-Sold-to-This-Day-125015.shtml 100 million Need for Speed Games Have Been Sold to This Day Totu Florian Softpedia October 22, 2009 April 26, 2017 April 2, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120402024311/http://news.softpedia.com/news/100-million-Need-for-Speed-Games-Have-Been-Sold-to-This-Day-125015.shtml live 20 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec 14.89 million 2001 04 28 PlayStation 2 Sim racing Polyphony Digital Sony Computer Entertainmenthttp://www.polyphony.co.jp/english/list.html Polyphony Digital Inc. - Software Title List - August 30, 2009 Polyphony Digital dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070206025009/http://www.polyphony.co.jp/english/list.html February 6, 2007 21 Brain Age 2 14.88 million 2005 12 29 Nintendo DS Puzzle, educational Nintendo SDD Nintendo 22 Halo 3 14.50 million 2007 09 25 Xbox 360 First-person shooter Bungie Microsoft Game Studioshttps://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo3 Halo 3 | Games | Halo - Official Site Halo Waypoint January 6, 2020 October 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141014015330/https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo3 dead 23 Super Smash Bros. Brawl 13.30 million 2008 01 31 Wii Fighting Game Arts, HAL Laboratory, Sora Ltd. Nintendo 24 Super Mario Galaxy 12.79 million 2007 11 01 Platformer Nintendo EAD (Group 1) Nintendo 25 Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver 12.72 million 2009 09 12 Nintendo DS Role-playing Game Freak The Pokémon Company, Nintendo 26 Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen 12.00 million 2004 01 29 Game Boy Advance Role-playing Game Freak The Pokémon Company, Nintendo 27 Gran Turismo 4 11.76 million 2004 12 28 PlayStation 2 Sim racing Polyphony Digital Sony Computer Entertainment 28 Animal Crossing: Wild World 11.75 million 2005 11 23 Nintendo DS Social simulation Nintendo EAD (Group 2) Nintendo 29 Super Mario 64 DS 11.06 million 2004 11 21 Platformer Nintendo EAD Comprehensive Group Nintendo Hardware timeline The following gallery highlights hardware used to predominantly play games throughout the 2000s. References Video games 2000s video games Category:Video games by decade