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2001 in video games

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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

[edit]
Video game platforms
DCDreamcastGBAGame Boy Advance, iQue GBAGBCGame Boy Color
GCNGameCubeN64Nintendo 64, iQue PlayerPS1PlayStation 1
PS2PlayStation 2WINWindows, all versions Windows 95 and upXBXbox, Xbox Live Arcade

Hardware releases

[edit]
Game Boy Advance
GameCube
Microsoft released its first home console, the Xbox.

This is a list of game hardware released in 2001.

Nintendo released two consoles this year; the Game Boy Advance, the second & final entry in the Game Boy family (excluding revision models), and the GameCube, Nintendo's home console entry in the sixth generation of game consoles.

Microsoft entered the video game industry this year with the launch of 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

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Major awards

[edit]

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 XB Bungie FPS [18]
British Academy Games Awards Max Payne WIN Rockstar Games Third Person Shooter [19]
D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year Halo Combat Evolved XB 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 XB 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 XB Bungie FPS [28]

Critically acclaimed titles

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Famitsu Platinum Hall of Fame

[edit]

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

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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 XB 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 XB 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 XB 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 XB 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 XB 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

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Best-selling home video games

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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 $526,000,000
2 Grand Theft Auto III PS2 $98,940,325 €54,000,000 ($48,000,000) $146,940,325 $267,000,000
3 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone $55,148,445[34][39][40] €92,000,000 ($82,000,000) $137,148,445 $249,000,000
4 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec PS2 $58,264,403 €64,000,000 ($57,000,000) $115,264,403 $210,000,000
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 $185,000,000
7 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty PS2 $87,000,000+ N/a $87,000,000+ $158,000,000+
8 The Sims WIN $60,499,079[40] €25,000,000 ($22,000,000) $82,499,079 $150,000,000
9 Super Mario Advance GBA $37,000,000+ €23,000,000 ($21,000,000) $56,000,000+ $102,000,000+
10 FIFA Football 2002 Unknown €52,000,000 ($47,000,000) $47,000,000+ $85,000,000+

Japan

[edit]
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+) $264,000,000+ [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

[edit]
Best-selling home video games in the United States
Rank Title Platform(s) Sales Revenue Inflation Ref
1Pokémon Gold / Silver / CrystalGBC3,127,659 $91,038,324 $166,000,000 [34][39][41]
2Madden NFL 2002PS2, PS1 2,220,112 $110,000,000 $200,000,000 [39][34]
3Grand Theft Auto IIIPS2 1,965,832 $98,940,325 $180,000,000 [39][34]
4Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyPS2 1,800,000+ $87,000,000+ $160,000,000+ [37][39]
5Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3PS2, PS1 1,693,037 $81,000,000 $147,000,000 [39][34]
6Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's StonePS1, WIN 1,628,744 $55,148,445 $100,000,000 [34][39][40]
7 The Sims WIN 1,482,182 $60,499,079 $110,000,000 [40]
8The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of AgesGBC 1,248,191 $39,000,000 $71,000,000 [39][34]
9Super Mario AdvanceGBA 1,172,323+ $35,000,000+ $64,000,000+ [39][34]
10Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecPS2 1,172,322 $58,264,403 $106,000,000 [39][34]

PAL regions

[edit]
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) $360,000,000
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) $104,000,000
4 Grand Theft Auto III PS2 Rockstar Games Action-adventure €54,000,000 ($48,000,000) $87,000,000
5 FIFA Football 2002 EA Sports Sports €52,000,000 ($47,000,000) $85,000,000
6 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Eidos Interactive Quiz €33,000,000 ($30,000,000) $55,000,000
7 FIFA 2001 EA Sports Sports €31,000,000 ($28,000,000) $51,000,000
8 Final Fantasy IX PS1 Squaresoft Role-playing €30,000,000 ($27,000,000) $49,000,000
9 Black & White WIN Electronic Arts God game €28,000,000 ($25,000,000) $45,000,000
10 The Sims WIN Electronic Arts Life simulation €25,000,000 ($22,000,000) $40,000,000
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

[edit]
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

[edit]
Date Event
January 22 Naughty Dog is acquired by Sony Computer Entertainment.[48]
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.[49]
January 31 Sega announced it would be departing from the console market[50] and discontinuing the Dreamcast, and develop and publish games for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.[51]

Events

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Business

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Lawsuits

[edit]
  • 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

[edit]
Release date Title Computer Releases Console Releases Handheld Releases
January 4RuneScapeWINN/aN/a
January 10Mega Man 64N/aN64N/a
January 16Mario TennisN/aN/aGBC
January 29OniWINPS2N/a
January 29Phantasy Star OnlineN/aDCN/a
January 30Rayman 2: The Great EscapeN/aPS2N/a
January 31Mega Man X5N/aPS1N/a
February 5Paper MarioN/aN64N/a
February 6Action Man: Search for Base XN/aN/aGBC
February 6Metal WalkerN/aN/aGBC
February 7Clive Barker's UndyingWINN/aN/a
February 16Final Fantasy IXN/aPS1 (EU)N/a
February 20Scooby-Doo! Classic Creep CapersN/aN/aGBC
February 23Severance: Blade of DarknessWINN/aN/a
February 27The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of AgesN/aN/aGBC (JP)
March 1Lego Island 2 The Brickster's RevengeWINPS1GBC, GBA
March 5Conker's Bad Fur DayN/aN64N/a
March 6The BouncerN/aPS2N/a
March 9Sonic ShuffleN/aDCN/a
March 12Star Wars: Episode I: Battle for NabooWINN/aN/a
March 13Onimusha: WarlordsN/aPS2N/a
March 13Unreal TournamentN/aDCN/a
March 14Aidyn Chronicles: The First MageN/aN64N/a
March 15SpongeBob SquarePants: Legend of the Lost SpatulaN/aN/aGBC
March 20Summoner[53]WINN/aN/a
March 21Daytona USAN/aDCN/a
March 21Tribes 2WINN/aN/a
March 21Serious Sam: The First EncounterWINN/aN/a
March 22Klonoa 2: Lunatea's VeilN/aPS2N/a
March 23Hostile Waters: Antaeus RisingWINN/aN/a
March 25Black & WhiteWINN/aN/a
March 26Pokémon Stadium 2N/aN64N/a
March 26The Simpsons: Night of the Living Treehouse of HorrorN/aN/aGBC
March 26Zone of the EndersN/aPS2N/a
March 27Rocket Power: Gettin' AirN/aN/aGBC
March 27Strikers 1945 IIN/aPS1N/a
March 30Indiana Jones and the Infernal MachineN/aN/aGBC
March 30Star Wars: Episode I: Battle for NabooN/aN64 (EU)N/a
April 6Snoopy TennisN/aN/aGBC
April 8Dr. Mario 64N/aN64N/a
April 11Kirby Tilt 'n' TumbleN/aN/aGBC
April 12The Simpsons WrestlingN/aPS1N/a
April 16IllbleedN/aDCN/a
April 16Batman: Chaos in GothamN/aN/aGBC
April 19Spider-ManN/aDCN/a
April 23Silpheed: The Lost PlanetN/aPS2N/a
April 30The Adventures of Cookie & CreamN/aPS2N/a
April 30Mars Matrix: Hyper Solid ShootingN/aDCN/a
May 7Mario Party 3N/aN64N/a
May 8Myst III: ExileWINPS2N/a
May 14Crazy TaxiN/aPS2N/a
May 16Giga Wing 2N/aDCN/a
May 16Project JusticeN/aDCN/a
May 18Atlantis The Lost Empire: Trial by FireWINN/aN/a
May 21Cool BoardersN/aPS2N/a
May 22Red FactionN/aPS2N/a
May 28Crazy Taxi 2N/aDCN/a
May 29Shrek: Fairy Tale FreakdownN/aN/aGBC
May 30BejeweledWINN/aN/a
May 30Spider-Man 2: The Sinister SixN/aN/aGBC
May 30Max Steel: Covert MissionsN/aDCN/a
June 11Castlevania: Circle of the MoonN/aN/aGBA
June 11ChuChu Rocket!N/aN/aGBA
June 11Earthworm JimN/aN/aGBA
June 11F-Zero: Maximum VelocityN/aN/aGBA
June 11Konami Krazy RacersN/aN/aGBA
June 11Rayman AdvanceN/aN/aGBA
June 11Super Mario AdvanceN/aN/aGBA
June 14Atlantis: The Lost EmpireN/aPS1N/a
June 18Twisted Metal: BlackN/aPS2N/a
June 19Sonic Adventure 2N/aDCN/a
June 19Startopia[54]WINN/aN/a
June 20Time Crisis: Project TitanN/aPS1N/a
June 21Baldur's Gate II: Throne of BhaalWINN/aN/a
June 22Operation Flashpoint: Cold War CrisisWINN/aN/a
June 27AnachronoxWINN/aN/a
June 27Anarchy Online[55]WINN/aN/a
June 29Bomberman TournamentN/aN/aGBA
June 29Diablo II: Lord of DestructionWINN/aN/a
June 29Final Fantasy ChroniclesN/aPS1N/a
July 1Tomb Raider: Curse of the SwordN/aN/aGBC
July 6Runaway: A Road AdventureWINN/aN/a
July 8Dark Angel: Vampire ApocalypseN/aPS2N/a
July 10Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecN/aPS2N/a
July 14Mega Man LegendsWINN/aN/a
July 16Jurassic Park III: The DNA FactorN/aN/aGBA
July 17City CrisisN/aPS2N/a
July 19Final Fantasy XN/aPS2 (JP)N/a
July 23ExterminationN/aPS2N/a
July 23Max PayneWINN/aN/a
July 28Rune: Viking WarlordN/aPS2N/a
July 30Pokémon Crystal (North America)N/aN/aGBC
July 30Tweety and the Magic GemsN/aN/aGBA
August 1Golden SunN/aN/aGBA
August 1Nancy Drew: Treasure in the Royal TowerWINN/aN/a
August 7WWF BetrayalN/aN/aGBA
August 8Shogun: Total War: Mongol InvasionWINN/aN/a
August 19Madden NFL 2002N/aPS1, PS2N/a
August 20Armored Core 2: Another AgeN/aPS2N/a
August 21Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick ObscuraWINN/aN/a
August 27Mario Kart: Super CircuitN/aN/aGBA
August 27Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2N/aPS2N/a
August 28ESPN Final Round Golf 2002N/aN/aGBA
August 29AlchemyWINN/aN/a
August 30Klonoa: Empire of DreamsN/aN/aGBA
September 6Shenmue IIN/aDCN/a
September 10Advance WarsN/aN/aGBA
September 10Jurassic Park III: Park BuilderN/aN/aGBA
September 10Portal RunnerN/aPS2N/a
September 11 Madden NFL 2002 GBC
September 13Heavy Metal: GeomatrixN/aDCN/a
September 13Ooga BoogaN/aDCN/a
September 15Power Rangers Time ForceN/aN/aGBA
September 17Arctic ThunderN/aPS2N/a
September 17The World Is Not EnoughN/aN/aGBC
September 18Red Faction[56]WINN/aN/a
September 21SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSpongeN/aPS1N/a
September 24Monster Rancher 3N/aPS2N/a
September 24Phantasy Star Online Version 2N/aDCN/a
September 24Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth DrannorWINN/aN/a
September 24Silent Hill 2N/aPS2N/a
September 24SpyHunterN/aPS2N/a
September 24SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Krabby PattyWINN/aN/a
September 25X-Men: Reign of ApocalypseN/aN/aGBA
September 26Bass StrikeN/aPS2N/a
September 26Dexter's Laboratory: Deesaster Strikes!N/aN/aGBA
September 26Final Fight OneN/aN/aGBA
September 26Kessen IIN/aPS2N/a
September 30IcoN/aPS2N/a
October 1NASCAR Thunder 2002N/aPS1, PS2, XBN/a
October 1Scooby-Doo and the Cyber ChaseN/aN/aGBA
October 1Time Crisis IIN/aPS2N/a
October 1Yanya Caballista: City SkaterN/aPS2N/a
October 2Lego Island 2: The Brickster's RevengeN/aN/aGBA
October 3Lego BionicleN/aN/aGBA
October 4Scooby-Doo and the Cyber ChaseN/aPS1N/a
October 5The Wild Thornberrys: Chimp ChaseN/aN/aGBA
October 8Castlevania ChroniclesN/aPS1N/a
October 10Dark Age of CamelotWINN/aN/a
October 12Phoenix Wright: Ace AttorneyN/aN/aGBA
October 15Lady SiaN/aN/aGBA
October 15Batman: VengeanceWINPS2, GCN, XBGBA
October 17Devil May CryN/aPS2N/a
October 17 Zoo Tycoon WIN N/a N/a
October 18E.T.: Digital CompanionN/aN/aGBC
October 21StrongholdWINN/aN/a
October 22Grand Theft Auto IIIN/aPS2N/a
October 24Virtua Tennis 2N/aDCN/a
October 28DoomN/aN/aGBA
October 28Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3N/aPS1, PS2, GCNN/a
October 29Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of CortexN/aPS2, XB, GCNN/a
October 29Spyro: Season of IceN/aN/aGBA
October 30Aliens versus Predator 2WINN/aN/a
October 30Boxing FeverN/aN/aGBA
October 30Civilization IIIWINN/aN/a
October 30Mega Man Xtreme 2N/aN/aGBC
October 30Monsters, Inc. Scream TeamWINPS1, PS2N/a
October 30Super Street Fighter II Turbo RevivalN/aN/aGBA
October 31Soul Reaver 2N/aPS2N/a
October 31Mega Man Battle NetworkN/aN/aGBA
November 1Ace Combat 04: Shattered SkiesN/aPS2N/a
November 1BurnoutN/aPS2N/a
November 1Dragon Warrior VIIN/aPS1N/a
November 1FIFA Football 2002N/aPS1, PS2N/a
November 1Nancy Drew: The Final SceneWINN/aN/a
November 3Rocket Power: Dream SchemeN/aN/aGBA
November 5SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSpongeN/aPS1GBA
November 5SSX TrickyN/aPS2, GCN, XBN/a
November 7Jackie Chan Adventures: Legend of the Dark HandN/aN/aGBA
November 9Project Gotham RacingN/aXBN/a
November 11Golden SunN/aN/aGBA
November 12Empire EarthWINN/aN/a
November 12Gradius AdvanceN/aN/aGBA
November 12SurvivorWINN/aN/a
November 13007: Agent Under FireN/aPS2N/a
November 13Cubix - Robots for Everyone: Race 'N RobotsN/aN/aGBC
November 13Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyN/aPS2N/a
November 13Tom Clancy's Ghost ReconWINN/aN/a
November 14Frank Herbert's Dune[57]WINPS2N/a
November 14Harvest Moon 3 GBCN/aN/aGBC
November 14ShrekN/aXBN/a
November 15Cel DamageN/aXB, PS2, GCNN/a
November 15Dead or Alive 3N/aXBN/a
November 15Halo: Combat EvolvedN/aXBN/a
November 15Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted MansionN/aN/aGBA
November 15Oddworld: Munch's OddyseeN/aXBN/a
November 15Wizardry 8[58]WINN/aN/a
November 16Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneWINPS1GBC, GBA
November 16HeadhunterN/aDCN/a
November 17NHL Hitz 2002N/aGCNN/a
November 17Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue LeaderN/aGCNN/a
November 18Crazy TaxiN/aGCNN/a
November 18Super Monkey BallN/aGCNN/a
November 18IL-2 SturmovikWINN/aN/a
November 18Luigi's Mansion N/aGCNN/a
November 18WWF Road to WrestlemaniaN/aN/aGBA
November 19Soul Reaver 2[59]WINN/aN/a
November 19Wario Land 4N/aN/aGBA
November 19WWF SmackDown! Just Bring ItN/aPS2N/a
November 20FrequencyN/aPS2N/a
November 20Return to Castle WolfensteinWINN/aN/a
November 20Frogger: The Great QuestN/aPS2N/a
November 21Ecks vs. SeverN/aN/aGBA
November 21Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power BattlesN/aN/aGBA
November 21Super Smash Bros. MeleeN/aGCN (JP)N/a
November 22Mr. Driller GN/aPS1 (JP)N/a
November 23GothicWINN/aN/a
November 24Frogger's Adventures: Temple of the FrogN/aN/aGBA
November 25Azurik: Rise of PerathiaN/aXBN/a
November 26Jurassic Park III: Island AttackN/aN/aGBA
November 26Star Wars: StarfighterN/aXBN/a
November 26Twisted Metal: Small BrawlN/aPS1N/a
November 27Extreme-G 3N/aGCNN/a
November 27Lego Racers 2N/aN/aGBA
November 28Cruis'n VelocityN/aN/aGBA
November 29Rampage Puzzle AttackN/aN/aGBA
November 30Dokapon: Monster HunterN/aN/aGBA
December 1Breath of FireN/aN/aGBA
December 1M&M's Blast!N/aN/aGBA
December 3Baldur's Gate: Dark AllianceN/aPS2N/a
December 3PikminN/aGCNN/a
December 3Super Smash Bros. MeleeN/aGCN (NA)N/a
December 3Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy N/aPS2N/a
December 4Mega Man X6N/aPS1N/a
December 5American Bass ChallengeN/aN/aGBA
December 7Cel DamageN/aGCNN/a
December 7Magical VacationN/aN/aGBA
December 7Evil Twin: Cyprien's Chronicles N/aPS2 (PAL & EU)N/a
December 9The Flintstones: Big Trouble in BedrockN/aN/aGBA
December 12Mortal Kombat AdvanceN/aN/aGBA
December 12Shadow HeartsN/aPS2N/a
December 17Dark Rift (North America)N/aN64N/a
December 18Universal Studios Theme Parks AdventureN/aGCNN/a
December 19Star Wars: Obi-Wan[60]N/aXBN/a
December 19Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken LandN/aPS2N/a
December 20Final Fantasy X N/aPS2 (US)N/a
December 20Giants: Citizen KabutoN/aPS2N/a
December 21Silent Hill 2: Director's CutN/aXBN/a
December 21Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3N/aN/aGBA
[edit]

Video game consoles

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Crystal Version sold 749,863.[35] Gold and Silver versions sold 76,262.[38]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Hu, Jim. "Video game sales set record in 2001". CNET. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  2. ↑ Watts, Jonathan (February 1, 2001). "Sega to end production of Dreamcast console". The Guardian. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  3. ↑ Kelly, Andy (September 30, 2021). "2001 Was The Best Year Ever For Video Games". TheGamer. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  4. ↑ Fillari, Alessandro (February 6, 2021). "Remembering 2001: The Biggest Games That Turn 20 This Year". GameSpot. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  5. ↑ Madsen, Hayes (October 17, 2022). "21 years ago, Capcom changed action games forever". Inverse. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  6. ↑ Figueiredo, Erick Duarte (October 2, 2022). "Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden: The Two Extremes of the Hack-and-Slash Genre". Superjump. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  7. ↑ Carnley, Zackery Van (April 19, 2021). "How Halo Has Defined the Shooter Genre". Game Rant. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  8. ↑ Plant, Mike. "In the loop: how Halo defined a new decade of first-person shooters". The Register. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  9. ↑ Kelly, Andy (October 27, 2021). "Grand Theft Auto 3 Changed Video Games Forever". TheGamer. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  10. ↑ Gordon, Jeremy (October 22, 2021). "After 'Grand Theft Auto III,' Open-World Games Were Never (and Always) the Same". The Ringer. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  11. ↑ Kelly, Andy (September 30, 2021). "2001 Was The Best Year Ever For Video Games". TheGamer. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  12. ↑ Fillari, Alessandro. "Remembering 2001: The Biggest Games That Turn 20 This Year". GameSpot. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  13. ↑ IGN Staff (November 14, 2001). "Pokemon Mini Hits the US". IGN. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Game Rankings - The Game Reviews Database - Best Games of 2001!". www.gamerankings.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2002. Retrieved October 24, 2025. As Decided by ALL Websites and Magazines combined
  15. ↑ "the electric playground". www.elecplay.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2003. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Best PS2 Games of 2001 - Game Revolution". www.game-revolution.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2002. Retrieved October 24, 2025. GTA 3 stole more than a few cars...it stole our jaded gamer's heart. Embroiled in controversy due to its violent nature, it's much, much more than a topic for the 6 o' clock news - it's the best console game of the year.
  17. ↑ "BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  18. ↑ "BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  19. ↑ "BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Awards Category Details". www.interactive.org. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Game Developers Choice Online Awards | Archive | 2nd Annual GDCA". www.gamechoiceawards.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  22. ↑ GamesRadar_UK (September 14, 2009). "12 hot facts about the Golden Joystick Awards". GamesRadar+. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Japan Game Awards 2011". awards.cesa.or.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 26, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  24. ↑ "EGM Awards | Award | VideoGameGeek". videogamegeek.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Games of the Year 2001". Eurogamer.net. December 30, 2001. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  26. ↑ Marchiafava, Jeff. "Check Out 25 Years Of Game Informer's GOTY Awards". Game Informer. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  27. ↑ "GameSpot Presents: The Best and Worst of 2001". gamespot.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2002. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Overall Game of the Year 2001 - Cube News at IGN". IGN. January 19, 2002. Archived from the original on December 19, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  29. ↑ "週刊ファミ通クロスレビュープラチナ殿堂入りソフト一覧" [Weekly Famitsu Cross Review Platinum Hall of Fame Software List]. Geimin (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 27, 2008. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Best Video Games for 2001". Metacritic. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Highest-Ranking Games of 2001 (with at least 10 reviews)". GameRankings. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  32. 1 2 "Best Video Games for 2002". Metacritic. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  33. 1 2 "Highest-Ranking Games of 2002 (with at least 10 reviews)". GameRankings. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "The top five selling videogame software titles sold in the United States for 2001". WIPO Guide on the Licensing of Copyright and Related Rights. Collective Management. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). 2004. p. 72. ISBN 978-92-805-1271-7.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "2001 Top 100 Japanese Console Game Chart". The Magic Box. Archived from the original on January 24, 2004. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  36. ↑ "August sales data". The Motley Fool. The NPD Group. September 23, 2002. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  37. 1 2 "Metal Gear Solid 2 hits the 1.8 million mark". Gaming Intelligence Agency. November 28, 2001. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 "2001年ゲームソフト年間売上TOP300" [2001 Game Software Annual Sales Top 300]. Famitsū Gēmu Hakusho 2002 ファミ通ゲーム白書2002 [Famitsu Game Whitebook 2002] (in Japanese). Tokyo: Enterbrain. 2002. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "NPD REPORTS ANNUAL 2001 U.S. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT SALES SHATTER INDUSTRY RECORD" (Press release). Port Washington, New York: NPD Group. February 7, 2002. Archived from the original on August 14, 2004. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bradshaw, Lucy (January 31, 2002). "Markle Forum on Children and Media" (PDF). New York University. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 19, 2004. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  41. 1 2 Schilling, Melissa (January 2005). "Game Not Over: Competitive Dynamics in the Video Game Industry". In Lampel, Joseph; Shamsie, Jamal; Lant, Theresa K. (eds.). The Business of Culture: Strategic Perspectives on Entertainment and Media. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. pp. 75–103.
  42. 1 2 "Europäische Verkaufsawards" [European Sales Awards]. GameStar (in German). February 7, 2002. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  43. ↑ Nicholson, Zy (September 2001). "Final Reality" (PDF). Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine. No. 11. Future Publishing. pp. 49–50.
  44. ↑ "First PlayStation 2 videogame to sell one million units". Guinness World Records. February 2001. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  45. ↑ Nicholson, Zy (September 2001). "Final Reality" (PDF). Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine. No. 11. Future Publishing. pp. 49–50.
  46. ↑ "Top 20 Console Games Ranked by Units Sold, 1998–2013". Screen Australia. Australian Government. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  47. ↑ Akagi, Masumi, ed. (January 15, 2002). ""Tekken TT", "DOC 2000" Top Game Charts" (PDF). Game Machine. No. 650. Amusement Press, Inc. p. 18.
  48. ↑ "Sony Acquires Naughty Dog". January 22, 2001. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  49. ↑ "Infogrames to Acquire Hasbro Interactive". IGN. December 6, 2000. Archived from the original on November 19, 2001. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  50. ↑ "CNN.com - Game over for Sega's Dreamcast - January 31, 2001". www.cnn.com. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  51. ↑ I. G. N. Staff (February 3, 2001). "Sega Goes Third-Party, Nintendo Ties Announced". IGN. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Attendance and Stats". IGN. June 8, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  53. ↑ "Summoner Review". GameSpot. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  54. ↑ "Startopia | Eurogamer.net". Eurogamer. July 6, 2022. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Anarchy Online: The Shadowlands Review". GameSpot. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  56. ↑ "Red Faction Review". GameSpot. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  57. ↑ "Frank Herbert's Dune in November - IGN". May 20, 2024. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  58. ↑ I. G. N. Staff (December 15, 2001). "Wizardry 8". IGN. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  59. ↑ I. G. N. Staff (July 26, 2001). "Soul Reaver 2 to PC". IGN. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  60. ↑ Boulding, Aaron (January 3, 2002). "Star Wars: Obi-Wan". IGN. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  61. ↑ "David Pridie | Additional Crew". IMDb. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  62. ↑ John Chartier (May 18, 2001). "Sega's gaming gambit". CNN. Archived from the original on July 6, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
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