It was a long time in coming, but Half-Life 2 delivered everything it promised and more. Between the level design, multi-layered characters, stunning visuals (remember going up the citadel spire for the very first time?) and the impact of the physics-based gameplay, HL2 displayed just how involving a first-person-shooter could be.

2. World of Warcraft
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Platform: PC

Like it or not, World of Warcraft brought the MMO genre to the masses with its easy-to-play-but-tough-to-master game mechanics, astounding art direction (even by today’s standards) and unparalleled support. Ever since its release, other games have claimed to be the “WoW killer”, and yet still it stands, strong as it was in 2004.

3. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami JPN (KCEJ)
Platform: PS2

A franchise prequel, Snake Eater sets most of the events of the Metal Gear series into motion and redefines its stealth action gameplay. The player’s environmental surroundings were vital in this Cold War tale set on the brink of nuclear war.

4. Ninja Gaiden
Publisher: Tecmo
Developer: Team Ninja
Platform: Xbox

It’s one thing to bring back a classic. It’s another to re-invent the game entirely and set a new standard for an entire genre. Ninja Gaiden could be soul crushing in its difficulty, but this was due to lightning fast gameplay and incredible AI. Tomonobu Itagaki made a game that was better than you, and he wanted you to know it.

 
5. Halo 2
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Bungie Software
Platform: Xbox

Xbox Live ushered in a new era of online console gaming, and Halo 2 helped Microsoft lead the charge. In addition to its high-octane single-player campaign, Halo 2 allowed gamers to compete online for glory. It was an instant success, and Bungie rode the wave to online multiplayer stardom.

6. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar North
Platform: PS2

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas gave you everything the other GTA titles did, but then it added in about 400-percent more. Now you could eat fast food to become fat, workout to get jacked, ride bikes, fly planes, date, skydive, and get lost in the story of Carl Johnson’s return to Los Santos and all of the headaches that came with it. The story, violence, and open world of GTA was back, and it was amazing.

 
7. Rome: Total War
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Creative Assembly
Platform: PC

Creative Assembly has proven in the past that it could fuse turn-based strategy gameplay with large-scale, real-time battlefield management, but never before was the chaos of battle brought to life as it was in Rome. Buoyed by a number of gameplay refinements and a massive graphical upgrade over previous series entries, Rome proved to be one of the prettiest, deepest, and most satisfying gaming experiences ever made.

 
8. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Retro Studios, Inc.
Platform: GameCube

While developer Retro Studios may have fallen short of expectations set by the first Metroid Prime, the team’s sophomore effort, Prime 2: Echoes, remains an impressive, landmark release in the GameCube library. Retro’s talents in marrying classic gameplay appeal to modern presentation and immersive environments evolved with Metroid Prime 2 to stunning, if not revolutionary, effect.

 
9. Burnout 3: Takedown
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Criterion Games
Platform: PS2 , Xbox

Criterion took everything we never knew we wanted from a driving game and stuffed it all into Burnout 3: Takedown. In Crash mode, we used cars as virtual weapons, destroying our surroundings. In Road Rage, we took out our latent driving aggression, pushing cars off the road with manic glee. Fantasy fulfillment at its finest.

10. ESPN NFL 2K5
Publisher: SEGA
Developer: Visual Concepts
Platform: PS2 , Xbox

As a slap in the face of EA’s Madden series, ESPN NFL 2K5 managed to grab and hold onto a firm legion of NFL fans. The game, which – you know – involves two teams on a field running headlong into each other while carrying a synthetic ball, remains as playable and enjoyable as ever – even if the presentation has taken a hit over the years.

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