2001’s Greatest Hits
The year 2001 marked a turning point in video game history, where innovation and competition came together to shape the future of the industry. The PlayStation 2 was hitting its prime, Nintendo introduced the GameCube with a bold new direction, and Microsoft entered the console race for the first time with the original Xbox. With all three giants pushing boundaries, a flood of game-changing titles followed. So, let’s take a look back at the 20 most iconic games that made 2001 an unforgettable year for gamers everywhere.
FINAL FANTASY X (2001) 100% FULL GAME - Gameplay Movie Walkthrough【FULL HD by Weiss Network TV
1. Grand Theft Auto III
A faithful recreation of New York City formed the backdrop for Grand Theft Auto III, an influential 2001 release that revolutionized gaming. The title's unprecedented freedom and open world established new standards, while its success prompted numerous developers to create similar sandbox experiences.
GTA 3 - Full Game Walkthrough in 4K by GTA Series Videos
2. Halo: Combat Evolved
Halo: Combat Evolved changed the way we see console shooters with its sophisticated AI and challenging enemy behavior. The 2001 Xbox flagship title featured Master Chief's epic conflict with the Covenant on a ring-world, yet its multiplayer mode became equally iconic through competitive LAN gaming.
Halo: Combat Evolved 100% Walktrough - Longplay [No Commentary] [4K] Legendary by Star Marshal
3. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty
The PlayStation 2's groundbreaking stealth-action title Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty earned widespread acclaim for its cinematic presentation and complex narrative. Beyond that, players discovered an unexpected protagonist in Raiden, and the game's 96 Metacritic score confirmed its excellence.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty | Full Game Walkthrough | No Commentary by The Game Archivist
4. Silent Hill 2
In Silent Hill 2, the disturbing atmosphere grips players from the start. This 2001 psychological horror game introduces the nightmarish Pyramid Head, while following James Sunderland's search for his deceased wife through foggy streets. Even today, the psychological storytelling remains unmatched.
Silent Hill 2 | FULL GAME | Complete Playthrough No Commentary [4K/60fps] by Silent Hillside
5. Max Payne
Told through striking graphic novel panels, Max Payne delivers a gripping, noir-inspired tale of betrayal. Released in 2001, it follows an NYPD cop pursued by both the law and the underworld. The third-person shooter earned widespread acclaim for introducing “bullet time” mechanics, which changed the action gameplay.
Max Payne - FULL GAME - Walkthrough - No Commentary by SourceSpy91
6. Black & White
The ambitious Peter Molyneux directed Black & White, where divine powers manifest through fear or kindness. Players train extraordinary creatures that evolve in size and intelligence, while simultaneously guiding devoted villagers. With this, the 2001 god simulation broke new ground in interactive storytelling.
Black and White 1 made me a g̶e̶n̶e̶r̶o̶u̶s morally dubious person by Best Guest
7. SSX Tricky
Spectacular aerial moves define this 2001 snowboarding sensation, thanks to the innovative Uber Trick system. Adding to the vibrant roster of characters, SSX Tricky delivers high-energy entertainment across multiple platforms—all set to Run-DMC’s “It’s Tricky,” the perfect soundtrack for mountain mayhem.
SSX Tricky (PS2) is STILL Amazing by MB93
8. Super Smash Bros. Melee
The competitive gaming scene found its champion in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Released for GameCube in 2001, this fighting game features beloved Nintendo characters in intense battles. Additionally, its tournament presence remains strong even after two decades.
Super Smash Bros. Melee - Gamecube Gameplay 1080p (Dolphin GC/Wii Emulator) by John GodGames
9. Jak And Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Naughty Dog's expertise in platforming games shone through in Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. Made for PlayStation 2, this adventure eliminated loading screens through seamless world design. Plus, the dynamic between Jak and his sidekick Daxter built upon the studio's success with "Crash Bandicoot".
10. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
The third entry in the celebrated skateboarding franchise arrived in 2001, bringing fresh features to fans. Players gained the ability to compete online against others, plus the freedom to skate as pros or custom characters. Notably, this became the series' final Nintendo 64 installment in North America.
TONY HAWK'S PRO SKATER 3 | Full Game (PC Gameplay 4K 60FPS) by BenedictPlays
11. Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry started as a fresh direction for the Resident Evil series before becoming its own sensation. The 2001 Capcom release combined demanding gameplay with rapid-fire combat, plus introduced Dante, a character who would define the action genre for years ahead.
Devil May Cry 1 HD (PS4 Pro 1080p 60fps) Longplay Walkthrough FULL Gameplay by Sheanwalsh
12. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
The realistic driving simulation and graphics of Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec set new standards for racing games in 2001. Originally planned as a PS2 launch title, the game underwent additional development before release. This extra polish paid off, as GT3 subsequently became the second-best-selling PlayStation 2 game ever.
Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec - PS2 Gameplay UHD 4k 2160p (PCSX2) by John GodGames
13. Final Fantasy X
Square's masterpiece Final Fantasy X revolutionized the series through fully voiced characters and the strategic Sphere Grid progression system. Released for PlayStation 2, this compelling chapter follows Tidus, a young athlete mysteriously transported to the world of Spira, creating an unforgettable adventure.
FINAL FANTASY X (2001) 100% FULL GAME - Gameplay Movie Walkthrough【FULL HD by Weiss Network TV
14. Advance Wars
The first Advance Wars outside Japan brought tactical combat to the Game Boy Advance in 2001. Players command armies across grid-based maps, making strategic decisions in turn-based battles. This groundbreaking release subsequently helped establish strategy gaming as a major force on handheld consoles.
Advance Wars - Full Playthrough (All Rank S) 【Timestamps】by K1PM
15. Pikmin
Captain Olimar's adventure began on GameCube in 2001, as legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto introduced players to the helpful Pikmin creatures. The game's strategic time pressure adds urgency to each puzzle, while the plant-like companions assist their leader through various challenges.
Pikmin 1 (Switch) - Full Game 100% Walkthrough by BeardBear
16. Red Faction
Mars serves as the backdrop for Red Faction, a 2001 first-person shooter that challenged gaming conventions. Players join a rebellion against a powerful mining corporation, while the innovative Geo-Mod engine enables environmental destruction. This technical achievement redefined shooter gameplay across PC and consoles.
Red Faction (2001) | Full Game by Max Difficulty
17. Ico
A boy named Ico must guide a mysterious girl called Yorda through an expansive castle in this atmospheric PlayStation 2 release. Their compelling journey unfolds through minimalist storytelling, and the game's distinctive visual style shaped adventure gaming for years afterward.
Longplay of ICO (HD) by LongplayArchive
18. Luigi's Mansion
Nintendo broke tradition by placing Luigi in the spotlight for Luigi's Mansion, a GameCube launch title from 2001. Armed with the Poltergust 3000 vacuum, Mario's brother ventures through a ghost-filled mansion to save his sibling. This marked his first major console adventure as the lead hero.
Longplay of Luigi's Mansion (2001) [NEW] by LongplayArchive
19. Conker's Bad Fur Day
The creative minds at Rare made a daring choice when developing Conker's Bad Fur Day. Even though it was initially conceived as a children's game, this Nintendo 64 release turned into a mature comedy. Additionally, the team that crafted "Banjo-Kazooie" packed it with clever pop culture references before its 2001 debut.
Conker's Bad Fur Day - Full Game 100% Walkthrough - All Cash (Longplay) by ModernXP
20. Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
The console-based action RPG Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance brought the rich Dungeons & Dragons universe to life in 2001. Players marveled at its groundbreaking water effects and graphics, while cooperative multiplayer enhanced the adventure. This success subsequently inspired more D&D console games and earned a sequel.
Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance -【GAMEPLAY】 Playthrough Part 1 by Rich Gameplay and Reviews
