2001 in video games

Overview of the events of 2001 in video games

2001 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as Madden NFL 2002, NBA Live 2002, NBA 2K2, WWF Smackdown! Just Bring It, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Crazy Taxi 2, Dead or Alive 3, Final Fantasy X, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, Grand Theft Auto III, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Myst III: Exile, Silent Hill 2, Sonic Adventure 2, SSX Tricky, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Tekken 4, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, and Virtua Fighter 4. New intellectual properties include Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Advance Wars, Animal Crossing, Burnout, Gothic, Black & White, Devil May Cry, Fatal Frame, Ghost Recon, Halo: Combat Evolved, Jak and Daxter, Max Payne, Oni, Onimusha: Warlords, Operation Flashpoint, Pikmin, Pro Evolution Soccer, Red Faction, Serious Sam, and Tropico.

Three major video game systems were released in 2001: the GameCube and the Game Boy Advance by Nintendo, and the Xbox by Microsoft.[1] Sega, which had been a major competitor in the video game hardware market to this point, ended its involvement in the market after the failure of the Dreamcast.[2]

The year 2001 is remembered for its influence on the video game industry with the release of many games recognized as classics.[3][4] Many video games released in 2001 defined or redefined their respective genres, including hack and slash game Devil May Cry,[5][6] first-person shooter game Halo: Combat Evolved,[7][8] and open world action-adventure game Grand Theft Auto III, which is regarded as an industry-defining work.[9][10]

The year has been retrospectively considered one of the best and most influential in video game history due to the release of numerous critically acclaimed, commercially successful and influential titles across all platforms and genres at the time. It was the peak year for the sixth generation of video game consoles, with the launch of the GameCube and Xbox, the latter focusing on online games (following SegaNet the previous year), and the Dreamcast's last year of production with Sega's exit from console manufacturing. Storytelling and mature themes also became a more mainstream trend.[11][12]

The year's best-selling video game worldwide was Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal, the fourth year in a row for the Pokémon series (since 1998). The year's most critically acclaimed titles were Gran Turismo 3 and Final Fantasy X in Japan, and Halo and Grand Theft Auto III in the West.

Legend

Video game platforms
DCDreamcastGBAGame Boy Advance, iQue GBAGBCGame Boy Color
GCNGameCubeN64Nintendo 64, iQue PlayerPS1PlayStation 1
PS2PlayStation 2WINMicrosoft Windows, all
versions Windows 95 and up		X360(replace with XB360)
XBLATerm not foundXBOX(replace with XB)

Hardware releases

Game Boy Advance
GameCube
Microsoft released it's first home console, the Xbox.
Month Day Console
March 21 Game Boy AdvanceJP
June 11 Game Boy AdvanceNA
22 Game Boy AdvancePAL
September 14 GameCubeJP
November 15 Xbox
16 Pokémon Mini[13]
18 GameCubeNA

Top-rated games

Major awards

GameRankings named Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty the Game of the Year for 2001, citing its position as the highest-rated title of the year with an aggregated score of 97% based on reviews from more than 50 gaming publications.[14]

Game of the Year awards for 2001
Awards Game of the Year Platform(s) Publisher(s) Genre Ref
Electronic Playground Grand Theft Auto III PS2 Rockstar Games Open world [15]
GameRevolution Grand Theft Auto III PS2 Rockstar Games Open world [16]
British Academy Games Awards Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec PS2 Polyphony Digital Racing [17]
British Academy Games Awards Halo Combat Evolved Xbox Bungie FPS [18]
British Academy Games Awards Max Payne PC Rockstar Games Third Person Shooter [19]
D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year Halo Combat Evolved Xbox Bungie FPS [20]
Game Developers Choice Awards Grand Theft Auto III PS2 Rockstar Games Open world [21]
Golden Joystick Awards Grand Theft Auto III PS2 Rockstar Games Open world [22]
Japan Game Awards Final Fantasy X PS2 SquareSoft Role-Playing [23]
EGM Magazine Halo Combat Evolved Xbox Bungie FPS [24]
Eurogamer Grand Theft Auto III PS2 Rockstar Games Open world [25]
Game Informer Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty PS2 Konami Stealth game [26]
GameSpot Grand Theft Auto III PS2 Rockstar Games Open world [27]
IGN Halo Combat Evolved Xbox Bungie FPS [28]

Critically acclaimed titles

Famitsu Platinum Hall of Fame

In Japan, the following video game releases in 2001 entered Famitsu magazine's "Platinum Hall of Fame" for receiving Famitsu scores of at least 35 out of 40.[29]

Title Platform(s) Publisher Genre Score (out of 40)
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec PS2 Sony Racing simulation 39
Final Fantasy X PS2 Squaresoft Role-playing 39
Fushigi no Dungeon: Fūrai no Shiren GB2 GBC Chunsoft Roguelike 38
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty PS2 Konami Stealth 38
Culdcept Second DC Media Factory Turn-based strategy 37
Dai Rantō Smash Brothers DX (Super Smash Bros. Melee) GCN Nintendo Fighting 37
Dōbutsu no Mori + (Animal Crossing) GCN Nintendo Social simulation 37
Dragon Quest Characters: Torneko no Daibōken 2 (The Last Hope) GBA Enix Roguelike 36
Madden NFL 2001 PS2 Square EA Sports 35
Onimusha (Onimusha: Warlords) PS2 Capcom Hack and slash 35
Kessen II PS2 Koei Real-time tactics 35
Crazy Taxi 2 DC Sega Driving 35
Zeonic Front: Kidō Senshi Gundam 0079 (Mobile Suit Gundam) PS2 Bandai Strategy 35
Capcom vs. SNK 2: Millionaire Fighting 2001 DC, PS2 Capcom Fighting 35
Magical Vacation GBA Nintendo Role-playing 35
Battle Network Rockman EXE 2 (Mega Man Battle Network 2) GBA Capcom Tactical role-playing 35

Metacritic and GameRankings

In the West, Metacritic (MC) and GameRankings (GR) are aggregators of video game journalism reviews.

2001 games and expansions scoring at least 88/100 (MC) or 87.5% (GR)[30][31]
Game Publisher Release date Platform(s) MC score GR score
Halo: Combat Evolved Microsoft Game Studios November 15, 2001 XBOX 97/100 95.54%
Grand Theft Auto III Rockstar Games October 22, 2001 PS2 97/100 95.19%
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Konami November 13, 2001 PS2 96/100 95.09%
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec Sony Computer Entertainment April 28, 2001 PS2 95/100 94.54%
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Activision October 30, 2001 PS2 97/100 93.43%
Devil May Cry Capcom August 23, 2001 PS2 94/100 92.6%
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 Activision June 11, 2001 GBA 95/100 89.88%
Madden NFL 2002 EA Sports August 19, 2001 PS2 94/100 92.32%
NBA 2K2 Sega October 24, 2001 DC 93/100 92.82%
Mario Kart: Super Circuit Nintendo July 21, 2001 GBA 93/100 91.54%
SSX Tricky EA Sports November 5, 2001 PS2 92/100 92.49%
Advance Wars Nintendo September 10, 2001 GBA 92/100 92.38%
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 Nintendo December 14, 2001 GBA 92/100[32] 92.36%[33]
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages Nintendo February 27, 2001 GBC N/a 92.2%
Final Fantasy X Square July 19, 2001 PS2 92/100 91.73%
Super Smash Bros. Melee Nintendo November 21, 2001 GCN 92/100 90.52%
Conker's Bad Fur Day Rare March 5, 2001 N64 92/100 89.28%
NHL 2002 EA Sports September 24, 2001 PS2 92/100 88.84%
Pro Evolution Soccer Konami March 15, 2001 PS2 N/a 91.69%
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons Nintendo February 27, 2001 GBC N/a 91.37%
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Activision November 18, 2001 GCN 91/100 91.12%
IL-2 Sturmovik 1C Company November 18, 2001 WIN 91/100 90.65%
Golden Sun Nintendo August 1, 2001 GBA 91/100 89.1%
Twisted Metal: Black Sony Computer Entertainment June 18, 2001 PS2 91/100 88.52%
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Konami March 21, 2001 GBA 91/100 88.11%
Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil Namco March 22, 2001 PS2 91/100 84.76%
Madden NFL 2002 EA Sports November 17, 2001 GCN 89/100 90.39%
Ico Sony Computer Entertainment September 24, 2001 PS2 90/100 90.29%
NCAA Football 2002 EA Sports July 23, 2001 PS2 90/100 90.25%
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy Sony Computer Entertainment December 3, 2001 PS2 90/100 90.22%
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader LucasArts November 18, 2001 GCN 90/100 90.04%
Black & White Electronic Arts March 30, 2001 WIN 90/100 89.79%
NFL 2K2 Sega September 19, 2001 DC 90/100 89.35%
Civilization III Infogrames October 30, 2001 WIN 90/100 88.75%
Madden NFL 2002 EA Sports October 31, 2001 XBOX 90/100 88.72%
Unreal Tournament Infogrames March 13, 2001 DC 90/100 87.8%
Virtua Tennis 2 Sega October 24, 2001 DC 90/100 87.22%
Dance Dance Revolution Konami March 6, 2001 PS1 90/100 83.63%
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Microsoft October 16, 2001 WIN 90/100 82.44%
Shenmue II Sega September 6, 2001 DC N/a 89.63%
Max Payne Gathering of Developers July 23, 2001 WIN 89/100 89.26%
NASCAR Racing 4 Sierra Entertainment February 6, 2001 WIN 89/100 88.5%
NBA Street EA Sports June 19, 2001 PS2 89/100 86.92%
Pikmin Nintendo October 26, 2001 GCN 89/100 86.71%
Final Fantasy Chronicles Square June 29, 2001 PS1 89/100 86.7%
NHL 2002 EA Sports December 10, 2001 XBOX 89/100 86.33%
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies Namco September 13, 2001 PS2 89/100 86.07%
Max Payne Rockstar Games December 12, 2001 XBOX 89/100 85.95%
Silent Hill 2 Konami September 24, 2001 PS2 89/100 85.82%
Sonic Adventure 2 Sega June 23, 2001 DC 89/100 83.26%
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal Interplay Entertainment June 22, 2001 WIN 88/100 88.73%
Super Monkey Ball Sega September 14, 2001 GCN 87/100 88.7%
Red Faction THQ May 22, 2001 PS2 88/100 88.32%
Dark Age of Camelot Vivendi Universal Games October 10, 2001 WIN 88/100 88.08%
Return to Castle Wolfenstein Activision November 19, 2001 WIN 88/100 86.75%
SSX Tricky EA Sports December 10, 2001 XBOX 88/100 86.6%
Wario Land 4 Nintendo August 21, 2001 GBA 88/100 85.34%
Madden NFL 2002 EA Sports August 13, 2001 PS1 88/100 85.08%
Tribes 2 Sierra Entertainment March 28, 2001 WIN 88/100 84.85%
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis Nintendo June 21, 2001 GBA 88/100[32] 83.62%[33]

Financial performance

Best-selling home video games

Best-selling home video games in Japan and the United States
Rank Title Platform(s) Publisher Sales
Japan United States[34] Combined
1 Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal GBC Nintendo 826,125[a] 3,127,659 3,953,784
2 Final Fantasy X PS2 Squaresoft 2,434,015[35] 746,632[36] 3,180,647
3 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec PS2 Sony 1,656,959[35] 1,172,322 2,829,281
4 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty PS2 Konami 750,560[35] 1,800,000+[37] 2,550,560+
5 Madden NFL 2002 PS1, PS2 EA Sports N/a 2,220,112 2,220,112
6 The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages GBC Nintendo 772,858[35] 1,248,191 2,021,049
7 Grand Theft Auto III PS2 Rockstar N/a 1,965,832 1,965,832
8 Super Mario Advance GBA Nintendo 777,899[38] 1,172,323+[39][34] 1,950,222+
9 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone PS1, WIN EA 83,954[38] 1,628,744[34][40] 1,712,698
10 The Sims WIN EA N/a 1,482,182[40] 1,482,182
Highest-grossing home video games in the United States and Europe
Rank Title Platform(s) Sales revenue
USA[34][39][41] Europe[42] Combined Inflation
1 Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal GBC $91,038,324 €221,000,000 ($198,000,000) $289,038,324 $513,000,000
2 Grand Theft Auto III PS2 $98,940,325 €54,000,000 ($48,000,000) $146,940,325 $261,000,000
3 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone $55,148,445[34][39][40] €92,000,000 ($82,000,000) $137,148,445 $244,000,000
4 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec PS2 $58,264,403 €64,000,000 ($57,000,000) $115,264,403 $205,000,000
5 Madden NFL 2002 PS1, PS2 $110,000,000 Unknown $110,000,000+ $200,000,000+
6 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 $81,000,000 €24,000,000 ($21,000,000) $102,000,000 $181,000,000
7 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty PS2 $87,000,000+ N/a $87,000,000+ $154,000,000+
8 The Sims WIN $60,499,079[40] €25,000,000 ($22,000,000) $82,499,079 $147,000,000
9 Super Mario Advance GBA $37,000,000+ €23,000,000 ($21,000,000) $56,000,000+ $99,000,000+
10 FIFA Football 2002 Unknown €52,000,000 ($47,000,000) $47,000,000+ $83,000,000+

Japan

Best-selling home video games in Japan
Rank Title Platform Sales Sales revenue Inflation Ref
1 Final Fantasy X PS2 2,434,015 ¥17,600,000,000+ ($145,000,000+) $257,000,000+ [35][43]
2 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec PS2 1,656,959 Unknown [35]
3 Dragon Quest Monsters 2 GBC 1,138,756 Unknown [38]
4 Dragon Quest IV: Michibikareshi Monotachi PS1 1,039,443 Unknown [35]
5 Onimusha (Onimusha: Warlords) PS2 1,000,000+ Unknown [44][45]
6 Minna no Golf 3 (Everybody's Golf 3) PS2 871,167 Unknown [35]
7 Dai Rantō Smash Brothers DX (Smash Bros. Melee) GCN 838,237
8 Pocket Monsters: Gold / Silver / Crystal (Pokémon) GBC 826,125 Unknown [a]
9 Winning Eleven 5 (Pro Evolution Soccer) PS2 789,515 Unknown [35]
10 Super Mario Advance GBA 777,899 Unknown [38]

United States

Best-selling home video games in the United States
Rank Title Platform(s) Sales Revenue Inflation Ref
1 Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal GBC 3,127,659 $91,038,324 $162,000,000 [34][39][41]
2 Madden NFL 2002 PS2, PS1 2,220,112 $110,000,000 $200,000,000 [39][34]
3 Grand Theft Auto III PS2 1,965,832 $98,940,325 $180,000,000 [39][34]
4 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty PS2 1,800,000+ $87,000,000+ $150,000,000+ [37][39]
5 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 PS2, PS1 1,693,037 $81,000,000 $144,000,000 [39][34]
6 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone PS1, WIN 1,628,744 $55,148,445 $98,000,000 [34][39][40]
7 The Sims WIN 1,482,182 $60,499,079 $110,000,000 [40]
8 The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages GBC 1,248,191 $39,000,000 $69,000,000 [39][34]
9 Super Mario Advance GBA 1,172,323+ $35,000,000+ $62,000,000+ [39][34]
10 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec PS2 1,172,322 $58,264,403 $103,000,000 [39][34]

PAL regions

Highest-grossing home video games in Europe[42]
Rank Title Platform(s) Publisher Genre Sales revenue Inflation
1 Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal GBC Nintendo Role-playing €221,000,000 ($198,000,000) $352,000,000
2 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Electronic Arts Action-adventure €92,000,000 ($82,000,000) $150,000,000
3 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec PS2 Sony Racing sim €64,000,000 ($57,000,000) $101,000,000
4 Grand Theft Auto III PS2 Rockstar Games Action-adventure €54,000,000 ($48,000,000) $85,000,000
5 FIFA Football 2002 EA Sports Sports €52,000,000 ($47,000,000) $83,000,000
6 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Eidos Interactive Quiz €33,000,000 ($30,000,000) $53,000,000
7 FIFA 2001 EA Sports Sports €31,000,000 ($28,000,000) $50,000,000
8 Final Fantasy IX PS1 Squaresoft Role-playing €30,000,000 ($27,000,000) $48,000,000
9 Black & White WIN Electronic Arts God game €28,000,000 ($25,000,000) $44,000,000
10 The Sims WIN Electronic Arts Life simulation €25,000,000 ($22,000,000) $39,000,000
Best-selling home video games in Australia[46]
Rank Title Platform Developer Publisher Genre
1 Pokémon Crystal GBC Game Freak Nintendo Role-playing
2 Pokémon Gold
3 Pokémon Silver
4 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone PS1 Argonaut Games Electronic Arts Action-adventure
5 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone GBC Griptonite Games Role-playing
6 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec PS2 Polyphony Digital Sony Racing simulation
7 Gran Turismo 2 PS1
8 Pokémon Stadium 2 N64 Nintendo EAD Nintendo Turn-based strategy
9 Super Mario Advance GBA Nintendo R&D2 Platformer
10 Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped PS1 Naughty Dog Sony

Highest-grossing arcade games in Japan

Highest-grossing arcade games in Japan[47]
Rank Title Developer Manufacturer Type Genre Points
1 Canvas Shot / Flash Shot / Chaopi Omron Omron Other Purikura 8712
2 Derby Owners Club Sega AM3 Sega Dedicated Simulation 3837
3 Battle Gear 2 Taito Taito Dedicated Racing 2601
4 Tekken Tag Tournament Namco Namco Software Fighting 2568
5 Shakatto Tambourine (Samba de Amigo) Sega Sega Dedicated Rhythm 2523
6 Time Crisis 2 Namco Namco Dedicated Light gun shooter 2400
7 The King of Fighters 2000 SNK SNK Software Fighting 2382
8 Virtua Striker 2 ver. 2000 Sega AM2 Sega Software Sports 2345
9 Street Snap EG Hitachi Hitachi Other Purikura 2291
10 Kidō Senshi Gundam: Renpō vs. Zeon (Federation vs. Zeon) Capcom Banpresto Software Third-person shooter 2280

Major events

Date Event
January 29 Infogrames acquired Hasbro Interactive, including the Game.com division, the MicroProse and Atari labels, and a right to publish and develop games based on Hasbro properties. Paradigm Entertainment was also acquired.[48]
January 31 Sega announced it would be departing from the console market[49] and discontinuing the Dreamcast, and develop and publish games for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.[50]

Events

Business

Lawsuits

  • Sega of America Inc. v. Kmart Corporation; Sega sues Kmart over an unpaid debt of over US$2 million
  • Uri Geller v. Nintendo; Geller sues Nintendo over his resemblance to a Pokémon character. The suit is dismissed.[citation needed]

Notable releases

Release date Title Computer Releases Console Releases Handheld Releases
January 4 RuneScape WIN N/a N/a
January 10 Mega Man 64 N/a N64 N/a
January 16 Mario Tennis N/a N/a GBC
January 29 Oni WIN PS2 N/a
January 29 Phantasy Star Online N/a DC N/a
January 30 Rayman 2: The Great Escape N/a PS2 N/a
January 31 Mega Man X5 N/a PS1 N/a
February 5 Paper Mario N/a N64 N/a
February 6 Action Man: Search for Base X N/a N/a GBC
February 6 Metal Walker N/a N/a GBC
February 7 Clive Barker's Undying WIN N/a N/a
February 16 Final Fantasy IX N/a PS1 (EU) N/a
February 20 Scooby-Doo! Classic Creep Capers N/a N/a GBC
February 27 The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages N/a N/a GBC (JP)
March 1 Lego Island 2 The Brickster's Revenge WIN PS1 GBC, GBA
March 5 Conker's Bad Fur Day N/a N64 N/a
March 6 The Bouncer N/a PS2 N/a
March 9 Sonic Shuffle N/a DC N/a
March 12 Star Wars: Episode I: Battle for Naboo WIN N/a N/a
March 13 Onimusha: Warlords N/a PS2 N/a
March 13 Unreal Tournament N/a DC N/a
March 14 Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage N/a N64 N/a
March 15 SpongeBob SquarePants: Legend of the Lost Spatula N/a N/a GBC
March 20 Summoner[52] WIN N/a N/a
March 21 Daytona USA N/a DC N/a
March 21 Tribes 2 WIN N/a N/a
March 21 Serious Sam: The First Encounter WIN N/a N/a
March 22 Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil N/a PS2 N/a
March 23 Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising WIN N/a N/a
March 25 Black & White WIN N/a N/a
March 26 Pokémon Stadium 2 N/a N64 N/a
March 26 The Simpsons: Night of the Living Treehouse of Horror N/a N/a GBC
March 26 Zone of the Enders N/a PS2 N/a
March 27 Rocket Power: Gettin' Air N/a N/a GBC
March 27 Strikers 1945 II N/a PS1 N/a
March 30 Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine N/a N/a GBC
March 30 Star Wars: Episode I: Battle for Naboo N/a N64 (EU) N/a
April 6 Snoopy Tennis N/a N/a GBC
April 8 Dr. Mario 64 N/a N64 N/a
April 11 Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble N/a N/a GBC
April 12 The Simpsons Wrestling N/a PS1 N/a
April 16 Illbleed N/a DC N/a
April 16 Batman: Chaos in Gotham N/a N/a GBC
April 19 Spider-Man N/a DC N/a
April 23 Silpheed: The Lost Planet N/a PS2 N/a
April 30 The Adventures of Cookie & Cream N/a PS2 N/a
April 30 Mars Matrix: Hyper Solid Shooting N/a DC N/a
May 7 Mario Party 3 N/a N64 N/a
May 8 Myst III: Exile WIN PS2 N/a
May 14 Crazy Taxi N/a PS2 N/a
May 16 Giga Wing 2 N/a DC N/a
May 16 Project Justice N/a DC N/a
May 18 Atlantis The Lost Empire: Trial by Fire WIN N/a N/a
May 21 Cool Boarders N/a PS2 N/a
May 22 Red Faction N/a PS2 N/a
May 28 Crazy Taxi 2 N/a DC N/a
May 29 Shrek: Fairy Tale Freakdown N/a N/a GBC
May 30 Bejeweled WIN N/a N/a
May 30 Spider-Man 2: The Sinister Six N/a N/a GBC
May 30 Max Steel: Covert Missions N/a DC N/a
June 11 Castlevania: Circle of the Moon N/a N/a GBA
June 11 ChuChu Rocket! N/a N/a GBA
June 11 Earthworm Jim N/a N/a GBA
June 11 F-Zero: Maximum Velocity N/a N/a GBA
June 11 Konami Krazy Racers N/a N/a GBA
June 11 Rayman Advance N/a N/a GBA
June 11 Super Mario Advance N/a N/a GBA
June 14 Atlantis: The Lost Empire N/a PS1 N/a
June 18 Twisted Metal: Black N/a PS2 N/a
June 19 Sonic Adventure 2 N/a DC N/a
June 19 Startopia[53] WIN N/a N/a
June 20 Time Crisis: Project Titan N/a PS1 N/a
June 21 Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal WIN N/a N/a
June 22 Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis WIN N/a N/a
June 27 Anachronox WIN N/a N/a
June 27 Anarchy Online[54] WIN N/a N/a
June 29 Bomberman Tournament N/a N/a GBA
June 29 Diablo II: Lord of Destruction WIN N/a N/a
June 29 Final Fantasy Chronicles N/a PS1 N/a
July 1 Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword N/a N/a GBC
July 6 Runaway: A Road Adventure WIN N/a N/a
July 8 Dark Angel: Vampire Apocalypse N/a PS2 N/a
July 10 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec N/a PS2 N/a
July 14 Mega Man Legends WIN N/a N/a
July 16 Jurassic Park III: The DNA Factor N/a N/a GBA
July 17 City Crisis N/a PS2 N/a
July 19 Final Fantasy X N/a PS2 (JP) N/a
July 23 Extermination N/a PS2 N/a
July 23 Max Payne WIN N/a N/a
July 28 Rune: Viking Warlord N/a PS2 N/a
July 30 Pokémon Crystal (North America) N/a N/a GBC
July 30 Tweety and the Magic Gems N/a N/a GBA
August 1 Golden Sun N/a N/a GBA
August 1 Nancy Drew: Treasure in the Royal Tower WIN N/a N/a
August 7 WWF Betrayal N/a N/a GBA
August 8 Shogun: Total War: Mongol Invasion WIN N/a N/a
August 19 Madden NFL 2002 N/a PS1, PS2 N/a
August 20 Armored Core 2: Another Age N/a PS2 N/a
August 21 Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura WIN N/a N/a
August 27 Mario Kart: Super Circuit N/a N/a GBA
August 27 Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 N/a PS2 N/a
August 28 ESPN Final Round Golf 2002 N/a N/a GBA
August 29 Alchemy WIN N/a N/a
August 30 Klonoa: Empire of Dreams N/a N/a GBA
September 6 Shenmue II N/a DC N/a
September 10 Advance Wars N/a N/a GBA
September 10 Jurassic Park III: Park Builder N/a N/a GBA
September 10 Portal Runner N/a PS2 N/a
September 11 The World Is Not Enough N/a N/a GBC
September 13 Heavy Metal: Geomatrix N/a DC N/a
September 13 Ooga Booga N/a DC N/a
September 15 Power Rangers Time Force N/a N/a GBA
September 17 Arctic Thunder N/a PS2 N/a
September 18 Red Faction[55] WIN N/a N/a
September 21 SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge N/a PS1 N/a
September 24 Monster Rancher 3 N/a PS2 N/a
September 24 Phantasy Star Online Version 2 N/a DC N/a
September 24 Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor WIN N/a N/a
September 24 Silent Hill 2 N/a PS2 N/a
September 24 SpyHunter N/a PS2 N/a
September 24 SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Krabby Patty WIN N/a N/a
September 25 X-Men: Reign of Apocalypse N/a N/a GBA
September 26 Bass Strike N/a PS2 N/a
September 26 Dexter's Laboratory: Deesaster Strikes! N/a N/a GBA
September 26 Final Fight One N/a N/a GBA
September 26 Kessen II N/a PS2 N/a
September 30 Ico N/a PS2 N/a
October 1 NASCAR Thunder 2002 N/a PS1, PS2, XBOX N/a
October 1 Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase N/a N/a GBA
October 1 Time Crisis II N/a PS2 N/a
October 1 Yanya Caballista: City Skater N/a PS2 N/a
October 2 Lego Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge N/a N/a GBA
October 3 Lego Bionicle N/a N/a GBA
October 4 Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase N/a PS1 N/a
October 5 The Wild Thornberrys: Chimp Chase N/a N/a GBA
October 8 Castlevania Chronicles N/a PS1 N/a
October 10 Dark Age of Camelot WIN N/a N/a
October 12 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney N/a N/a GBA
October 15 Lady Sia N/a N/a GBA
October 15 Batman: Vengeance WIN PS2, GCN, XBOX GBA
October 17 Devil May Cry N/a PS2 N/a
October 18 E.T.: Digital Companion N/a N/a GBC
October 21 Stronghold WIN N/a N/a
October 22 Grand Theft Auto III N/a PS2 N/a
October 24 Virtua Tennis 2 N/a DC N/a
October 28 Doom N/a N/a GBA
October 28 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 N/a PS1, PS2, GCN N/a
October 29 Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex N/a PS2, XBOX, GCN N/a
October 29 Spyro: Season of Ice N/a N/a GBA
October 30 Aliens versus Predator 2 WIN N/a N/a
October 30 Boxing Fever N/a N/a GBA
October 30 Civilization III WIN N/a N/a
October 30 Mega Man Xtreme 2 N/a N/a GBC
October 30 Monsters, Inc. Scream Team WIN PS1, PS2 N/a
October 30 Super Street Fighter II Turbo Revival N/a N/a GBA
October 31 Soul Reaver 2 N/a PS2 N/a
October 31 Mega Man Battle Network N/a N/a GBA
November 1 Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies N/a PS2 N/a
November 1 Burnout N/a PS2 N/a
November 1 Dragon Warrior VII N/a PS1 N/a
November 1 FIFA Football 2002 N/a PS1, PS2 N/a
November 1 Nancy Drew: The Final Scene WIN N/a N/a
November 3 Rocket Power: Dream Scheme N/a N/a GBA
November 5 SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge N/a PS1 GBA
November 5 SSX Tricky N/a PS2, GCN, XBOX N/a
November 7 Jackie Chan Adventures: Legend of the Dark Hand N/a N/a GBA
November 9 Project Gotham Racing N/a XBOX N/a
November 11 Golden Sun N/a N/a GBA
November 12 Empire Earth WIN N/a N/a
November 12 Gradius Advance N/a N/a GBA
November 12 Survivor WIN N/a N/a
November 13 007: Agent Under Fire N/a PS2 N/a
November 13 Cubix - Robots for Everyone: Race 'N Robots N/a N/a GBC
November 13 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty N/a PS2 N/a
November 13 Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon WIN N/a N/a
November 14 Frank Herbert's Dune[56] WIN PS2 N/a
November 14 Harvest Moon 3 GBC N/a N/a GBC
November 14 Shrek N/a XBOX N/a
November 15 Cel Damage N/a XBOX, PS2, GCN N/a
November 15 Dead or Alive 3 N/a XBOX N/a
November 15 Halo: Combat Evolved N/a XBOX N/a
November 15 Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted Mansion N/a N/a GBA
November 15 Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee N/a XBOX N/a
November 15 Wizardry 8[57] WIN N/a N/a
November 16 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone WIN PS1 GBC, GBA
November 16 Headhunter N/a DC N/a
November 17 NHL Hitz 2002 N/a GCN N/a
November 17 Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader N/a GCN N/a
November 18 Crazy Taxi N/a GCN N/a
November 18 Super Monkey Ball N/a GCN N/a
November 18 IL-2 Sturmovik WIN N/a N/a
November 18 Luigi's Mansion N/a GCN N/a
November 18 WWF Road to Wrestlemania N/a N/a GBA
November 19 Soul Reaver 2[58] WIN N/a N/a
November 19 Wario Land 4 N/a N/a GBA
November 19 WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It N/a PS2 N/a
November 20 Frequency N/a PS2 N/a
November 20 Return to Castle Wolfenstein WIN N/a N/a
November 20 Frogger: The Great Quest N/a PS2 N/a
November 21 Ecks vs. Sever N/a N/a GBA
November 21 Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles N/a N/a GBA
November 21 Super Smash Bros. Melee N/a GCN (JP) N/a
November 22 Mr. Driller G N/a PS1 (JP) N/a
November 23 Gothic WIN N/a N/a
November 24 Frogger's Adventures: Temple of the Frog N/a N/a GBA
November 25 Azurik: Rise of Perathia N/a XBOX N/a
November 26 Jurassic Park III: Island Attack N/a N/a GBA
November 26 Star Wars: Starfighter N/a XBOX N/a
November 26 Twisted Metal: Small Brawl N/a PS1 N/a
November 27 Extreme-G 3 N/a GCN N/a
November 27 Lego Racers 2 N/a N/a GBA
November 28 Cruis'n Velocity N/a N/a GBA
November 29 Rampage Puzzle Attack N/a N/a GBA
November 30 Dokapon: Monster Hunter N/a N/a GBA
December 1 Breath of Fire N/a N/a GBA
December 1 M&M's Blast! N/a N/a GBA
December 3 Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance N/a PS2 N/a
December 3 Pikmin N/a GCN N/a
December 3 Super Smash Bros. Melee N/a GCN (NA) N/a
December 3 Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy N/a PS2 N/a
December 4 Mega Man X6 N/a PS1 N/a
December 5 American Bass Challenge N/a N/a GBA
December 7 Cel Damage N/a GCN N/a
December 7 Magical Vacation N/a N/a GBA
December 7 Evil Twin: Cyprien's Chronicles N/a PS2 (PAL & EU) N/a
December 9 The Flintstones: Big Trouble in Bedrock N/a N/a GBA
December 12 Mortal Kombat Advance N/a N/a GBA
December 12 Shadow Hearts N/a PS2 N/a
December 17 Dark Rift (North America) N/a N64 N/a
December 18 Universal Studios Theme Parks Adventure N/a GCN N/a
December 19 Star Wars: Obi-Wan[59] N/a XBOX N/a
December 19 Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land N/a PS2 N/a
December 20 Final Fantasy X N/a PS2 (US) N/a
December 20 Giants: Citizen Kabuto N/a PS2 N/a
December 21 Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut N/a XBOX N/a
December 21 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 N/a N/a GBA

Video game consoles

The dominant video game console in 2001 was Sony's PlayStation 2.

Nintendo released the GameCube on September 14 in Japan (North America on November 18 and in Europe on May 3, 2002). Microsoft released the Xbox in North America on November 15 (in Europe on March 14, 2002).

Handheld game systems

The dominant handheld system in 2001 was Nintendo's Game Boy Color.

Nintendo released the Game Boy Advance in Japan on March 21 (in North America on June 11 and Europe on June 22).

Deaths

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Crystal Version sold 749,863.[35] Gold and Silver versions sold 76,262.[38]

References

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