1.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3

OCT 30, 2001 • Rated T

Challenge up to four friends in online competitions over a LAN or the Internet. Take them on in both
Trick Attack and Graffiti modes. [Activision]

97

Metascore

2. Grand Theft Auto III

OCT 22, 2001 • Rated M

Players are put at the heart of their very own gangster movie, and let loose in a fully-realised 3
dimensional city with a cast of hundreds, 50 plus vehicles, ranging from sports cars to ice cream trucks
and from boats to buses, 3 hours of music, including opera, reggae, house, drum and bass, pop and
disco, and a huge array of street ready weapons. [Rockstar Games]

97

Metascore

3. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

NOV 12, 2001 • Rated M

Since the incident on Shadow Moses Island, Metal Gear's top-secret technology has been leaked into the
black market through the machinations of Revolver Ocelot. As a result, countless variations of Metal
Gears have sprung up in every corner of the globe, making the weapon an increasingly common
component of the armed forces of nuclear powers. In the midst of all of this, Solid Snake, now a member
of the anti-Metal Gear group "Philanthropy," has learned that a new prototype Metal Gear has been
developed by the U.S. Marines and is being transported in secret to an unknown destination. To learn
more about this new machine, Snake must infiltrate the transport, disguised as a tanker, as it makes its
way down the Hudson River. Just as Snake is about to begin his mission, however, the ship is seized by a
mysterious and well-armed group bent on stealing the new Metal Gear for their own, nefarious
purposes. [Konami]

96

Metascore

4. Resident Evil 4 (2005)

OCT 25, 2005 • Rated M

In Resident Evil 4 players are reacquainted with Leon S. Kennedy, Raccoon City Police Department's
idealistic rookie cop from "Resident Evil 2." It has been six years since the destruction of Raccoon City
and in that time, the U.S. government has been able to destroy the nefarious Umbrella Corporation. Fast
forward to 2004 and players rejoin Leon, who is now a U.S. agent with a top-secret mission. He has been
tasked to look into the abduction of the President's daughter and his investigation has led him to a
mysterious location in Europe. As Leon encounters unimaginable horrors, he must find out who or what
is behind everything. [Capcom]

96

Metascore

5. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

OCT 29, 2002 • Rated M

[Metacritic's 2002 PS2 Game of the Year ] Welcome to Vice City. Welcome to the 1980s. Having just
made it back onto the streets of Liberty City after a long stretch in maximum security, Tommy Vercetti is
sent to Vice City by his old boss, Sonny Forelli. They were understandably nervous about his re-
appearance in Liberty City, so a trip down south seemed like a good idea. But all does not go smoothly
upon his arrival in the glamorous, hedonistic metropolis of Vice City. He's set up and is left with no
money and no merchandise. Sonny wants his money back, but the biker gangs, Cuban gangsters, and
corrupt politicians stand in his way. Most of Vice City seems to want Tommy dead. His only answer is to
fight back and take over the city himself. Vice City offers vehicular pleasures to suit every taste. For the
speed enthusiast, there's high-performance cars and motorbikes. For the sportsman, a powerboat or a
golf buggy lets you enjoy the great outdoors. For those that need that sense of freedom and escape, why
not charter a helicopter and see the beauty of Vice City from the air? [Rockstar]

95

Metascore

6. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

JUL 9, 2001 • Rated E

With the addition of two new courses (a downtown Tokyo circuit and the Monte Carlo Grand Prix
course), an impressive range of cars (from Vipers to Cooper Minis), and a soundtrack featuring
everything from Lenny Kravitz to Jimi Hendrix, this highly anticipated title is finally ready to be driven.

95

Metascore

7. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

OCT 26, 2004 • Rated M

[Metacritic's 2004 PS2 Game of the Year] Five years ago Carl Johnson escaped from the pressures of life
in Los Santos, San Andreas... a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs and corruption. Where
filmstars and millionaires do their best to avoid the dealers and gangbangers. Now, it's the early 90s.
Carl's got to go home. His mother has been murdered, his family has fallen apart and his childhood
friends are all heading towards disaster. On his return to the neighborhood, a couple of corrupt cops
frame him for homicide. CJ is forced on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas,
to save his family and to take control of the streets. [Rockstar]

95
Metascore

8. Madden NFL 2003

AUG 12, 2002 • Rated E

Take Your Game Online: Access an online community where you can meet, chat, and play head-to-head
against other gamers. Audio Dream Team: Dynamic play-by-play and analysis by Madden and Michaels.
All-New Mini-camp: Hop on John Madden's Cruiser Tour Bus and travel to all NFL cities to complete
skilled tasks. Create-A-Playbook: Customize receiver routes, player formations, and your team's entire
playbook. Deepest Franchise Mode Ever: Play 30 years of Franchise mode and draft players each season
with tips from your scouts. [EA Sports]

95

Metascore

9. Madden NFL 2004

AUG 12, 2003 • Rated E

[Metacritic's 2003 Playstation 2 Game of the Year] Key Features for 2004 include New Playmaker Control
- Make pre-snap adjustments to your receiver routes, direct receiver routes during a scramble, direct
blocking down field during a run, or read and react to the offense to deliver a crushing tackle; New
Owner Mode - Hire your own staff, set your team's ticket prices, build your own stadium, reward key
players with signing bonuses and boost player attributes in Mini-Camp drills; Most Realistic NFL
Playbooks Ever - Tons of new trick plays, multiple formation variations, and the deepest NFL playbooks
from all 32 officially licensed Coaches Club Head Coaches; New Animations and Enhancements - New QB
scramble transitions to improve throwing on the run, stumbles, open field blocks, whirlwind defensive
reaction moves, sideline wrap tackles, and out of bound pushes. [Electronic Arts]

94

Metascore
10. NCAA Football 2004

JUL 16, 2003 • Rated E

Take the rivalry online: Battle Michigan vs. Ohio State, USC vs. Notre Dame, Oklahoma vs. Nebraska, and
more in online head-to-head exhibition games. Chat or sing your favorite fight song in-game with EA
SPORTS Talk, or follow the stat leaders across the country in the Online Top 100. Get in the end zone with
new trick plays like the Halfback Throwback and Wide Receiver Double Reverse Pass. New animations
include sideline tackles, stumbles, new over-the-shoulder and basket catches, user-controlled
celebrations, and much more. See the receivers better through a new QB Rollout camera and use the
Play-Action Pass camera to fake out the defense. New College Classics mode: Replay 20 of the greatest
college football games from the last two decades. Take over the game at a key situation, relive the
glorious victory, or change history with an upset. Over 150 new teams: Play as one of 36 new 1-AA teams
or one of the 100+ NEW Classic Teams including 1930 Notre Dame, 1956 Oklahoma, 1972 USC, 1985
Auburn, and 2002 Ohio State. Continuing the dynasty: Project the season's top performers with the new
Pre-Season All-American Team and revel in your weekly accomplishments with new Sports Illustrated
magazine covers. [EA Sports]

94

Metascore

11. God of War (2005)

MAR 22, 2005 • Rated M

Unleash the power of the Gods and embark on a merciless quest as Kratos, an ex-Spartan warrior driven
to destroy Ares, the God of War. Armed with lethal double chainblades, Kratos must carve through
mythology's darkest creatures including Medusa, Cyclops, the Hydra and more, while solving intricate
puzzles in breathtaking environments. Driven by pure revenge, nothing can stop Kratos from achieving
absolution. [SCEA]

94

Metascore
12. Devil May Cry

OCT 16, 2001 • Rated M

In a large American metropolis, a man named Dante, a private investigator of the supernatural, is seeking
revenge for the death of his mother and brother. The world is waiting, for Dante is no ordinary man, and
with his father's sword in hand, he must enter the demon realm and avenge mankind. [Capcom]

94

Metascore

13. Madden NFL 2002

AUG 19, 2001 • Rated E

The industry football standard returns featuring the Houston Texans, new player face and body
technology, the ability to create your own team with custom helmets, uniforms, and stadiums, and a
new training mode that let's you learn from Madden, the master himself.

94

Metascore

14. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence

MAR 14, 2006 • Rated M

Metal Gear goes online for the first time in Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence! Players can battle or team up
with up to 7 other friends for online dominance. Featuring different gameplay modes, new camera
system, and robust online play, Subsistence is the game that gives players a brand new Metal Gear
experience. Includes MGS3 Snake Eater and all new Online Modes, including Death Match, Team Death
Match, Sneaking Mission, Capture Mission, and Rescue Mission. Third Person Camera system gives
players more control. Bonus Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake games which have never been
released before in the North America. Demo Theater, Duel Mode, and new stages for Snake vs. Monkey
mini-game. [Konami]

94

Metascore

15. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4

OCT 23, 2002 • Rated T

Build your skills, earn respect, and show that you've got what it takes to Go Pro. 190 progressively harder
goals. No time clock, no constraints. Pro-specific challenges. Evolving levels. Interact with other skaters.
Multi-player modes. Customize your game...Your career is what you make of it. [Activision]

94

Metascore

16. Virtua Fighter 4

MAR 17, 2002 • Rated T

Two new characters (Lei Fei and Vanessa Lewis) join 11 VF veterans, each with their own unique styles
based on real martial arts. New counters and defensive moves allow players to switch up their stances
and fighting styles mid-bout. Train a computer-controlled character through sparring and an easy-to-use
rewards system, then pit your character against a friend's or challenge the arcade mode. [Sega]

94

Metascore
17. Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution

AUG 13, 2003 • Rated T

Challenge a steady stream of opponents with varying ranks and skill levels, with the impression that
you're playing online against human opponents with different styles. Along with this illusion of online
play, Virtua Fighter 4 has also been expanded upon, including the roster, the character customization
features, the visuals, the training mode, and even the arcade mode. With the different tournaments and
two new characters to explore, VF4: Evolution will put your fighting skills to the ultimate test.

93

Metascore

18. Pro Evolution Soccer 2

MAR 11, 2003 • Rated E

North America, the wait is over. Experience the most realistic virtual recreation of the sport to date. Life-
like player models, staggeringly realistic animations, and renowned gameplay bring a soccer experience
that can't be beat. This critically acclaimed title is the must have soccer game of the year. Find out what
you've been missing. Create your own dream team in the Master League. [Konami]

93

Metascore

19. World Soccer Winning Eleven 7 International

FEB 17, 2004 • Rated E

Winning Eleven 7 International features 100 teams, 21 stadiums, new player models and key additions to
the Master League. Winning Eleven 7 also utilizes a custom designed engine that allows for great
flexibility and customization. Upon entering a match, players will find incredibly masterful gameplay,
beautifully rendered stadiums and picture-perfect player models. While on the field, players will
experience true-to-life gameplay, with carefully tuned A.I., realistic pace and balance. [Konami]

93

Metascore

20. Okami

SEP 19, 2006 • Rated T

In Okami, the legendary monster Orochi has come back to life and turned the world into a veritable
wasteland. Players must assume the role of a wolf, an embodiment of the sun god Amaterasu, which is
capable of wielding unimaginable power. The state of the world lies in gamer's hands as they must fight
ominous beings and reclaim the earth from a curse that plagues it. It is crucial to help Amaterasu make
the world a place where all living creatures can dwell once again. [Capcom]

93

Metascore

21. Burnout 3: Takedown

SEP 7, 2004 • Rated T

Burnout 3 takes the hit series even further, now featuring a unique "crash and burn" racing concept and
a one-of-a-kind special effects engine that delivers spectacular visuals. The intensity heats up as players
race, and often crash, their way through oncoming traffic in an attempt to claim the top spot. Boasting
multiple single-player, multiplayer and online crash and race modes, Burnout 3 offers players the
opportunity to race through busy city streets and be rewarded for taking risks that result in heart-
pounding action and electrifying crashes. [Electronic Arts]

93

Metascore
22. God of War II

MAR 13, 2007 • Rated M

[Metacritic's 2007 PS2 Game of the Year] God of War saw Kratos, a mortal warrior, set upon an epic
quest to dethrone a God. But his journey did not end there. In God of War II, Kratos sits atop his
Olympus throne, as the new God of War – far more ruthless than Ares ever was. To end his continued
torment, Kratos must journey to the far reaches of the earth and defeat untold horrors and alter that
which no mortal, or god has ever changed, his fate. God of War II sets an epic stage for a devastating
mythological war to end all wars. In God of War II, players retake the role of Kratos. Armed with the
deadly blades and blistering rage, players are aided by new breath-taking magic and new brutal combat
moves. The journey takes them through vividly striking environments where they are faced with a
labyrinth of challenging puzzles and mini-games intricately woven into the story. The violent world of
Greek mythology comes to life in gory detail as Kratos encounters new mythical characters, and compete
in epic boss battles in his quest. [SCEA]

93

Metascore

23. SSX 3

OCT 20, 2003 • Rated E

Embark on the ultimate adventure and conquer the mountain with SSX 3. Life begins at the summit
where a wide-open mountain awaits you -- board it, explore it, and beat it. Featuring all-new freestyle
events and race courses, jaw-dropping tricks, and a cast of cool, customizable characters, SSX 3 is yours
to conquer. Redefine the boundaries what you do and what you earn, and go anywhere gravity takes you
with SSX 3! [Electronic Arts]

93

Metascore
24. SSX (2000)

OCT 30, 2000 • Rated E

Remember when snowboard sims used to suck? The times have truly changed with the monster speed,
detailed tracks and super-fast frame rates of EA's first extreme sports game for the PS2.

93

Metascore