Top Games of 2000: Icons That Changed the Game

April 10, 2025

The year 2000 was weirdly perfect. Y2K panic was fading, flip phones were still cool, and the gaming world? On fire. The PS2 had just launched, the Dreamcast was swinging for the fences, and PC gaming was finding its voice online. It wasn't just a year of great games—it was a year of bold ideas that actually worked.

Here's a look at ten games from 2000 that left a mark. No rankings, no fighting—just a celebration of titles that made us stay up way too late and maybe forget to do our homework (or go to work).

Deus Ex – A Cyberpunk Vision That Actually Delivered

Deus Ex didn't just ask, "What if the world was controlled by shadowy conspiracies?"—it let you dig into that paranoia with skill trees, branching paths, and big moral decisions. You could hack, sneak, shoot, or talk through it. And for once, the game didn't punish you for thinking outside the box. It was moody, complex, and smarter than most of us were at the time. Still is, probably.

Perfect Dark – Blood, Bullets, and Bullet Time

Rare took the GoldenEye engine and said, "Let's go sci-fi and turn it up to 11." The result? Perfect Dark. It had aliens, dataDyne corporate schemes, laptop guns (yes, guns that turned into sentry turrets), and a lead heroine who didn't need to say much to be cool. It was ambitious, and while the N64 sometimes wheezed under the pressure, we were too busy having a blast to care.

Pokémon Gold and Silver – Pocket Monsters Go Global

You thought Red and Blue were big? Gold and Silver blew the doors off. A new region, 100 new Pokémon, breeding mechanics, real-time day and night, and the wild twist: "Oh hey, here's the entire old region too." It was like ordering a burger and fries and getting another full meal for free. Game Freak didn't just raise the bar—they chucked it into space.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 – Skaters Took Over the Streets (and the Soundtrack)

This game made you feel like a skate god, even if your real-life ollie maxed out at 2 inches. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 gave us perfect controls, trick combos that defied physics, and a soundtrack that shaped half a generation's music taste. Were you even there if you heard "Guerrilla Radio" and didn't immediately start mentally grinding a school railing?

The Sims – The Game That Took Over Our Lives

There's something weirdly addictive about managing the daily lives of virtual people. The Sims let you play house, god, or total chaos. Want to recreate your crush and marry them? Sure. Want to lock a SIM in a room with only a fireplace and no doors? Also sure. Behind the chaos was a game that genuinely innovated and hooked millions of non-gamers.

Resident Evil – Code: Veronica – Fear, Reloaded

Before survival horror turned into full-on action, there was Code: Veronica. It took the spooky mansion vibes of earlier Resident Evil games and gave them a fresh, 3D boost on the Dreamcast. The story went full soap opera, the puzzles stayed maddening, and the zombies got a bit more bite. If you ever said, "Just one more save room," and then two hours disappeared, this game's why.

Diablo II – Strategy Got Its Dark Fantasy Moment

Diablo II was the game you fired up "just for a quick run"—and then emerged bleary-eyed four hours later, thrilled because a ring with +2 to Dexterity dropped. It was dark and fast and made clicking things wildly satisfying. Add in online multiplayer and a loot loop so perfect it's still being copied, and you've got a classic that aged better than most wine.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask – The Legend, Refined

This wasn't Ocarina of Time 2.0. Majora's Mask was the weird cousin who showed up at the party with a time loop and an existential crisis. And somehow, it worked. The three-day cycle added pressure, the masks added layers, and the whole thing felt personal in a way most big adventures don't. It didn't hand you heroism—you had to earn it by helping a town on the edge of the end.

Final Fantasy IX – Turn-Based Went Tactical and Stylish

After two games with futuristic flair, Final Fantasy IX brought the series back to fantasy—capes, airships, and good old-fashioned magic. It was nostalgic without being corny, full of heart without being sappy, and funny in all the right places. Zidane had charm, Vivi had soul, and the game had polish for days. Even now, it holds up like your favorite storybook—but with boss battles.

Metal Gear: Ghost Babel – Stealth Hit Its Peak in 2D

Most Game Boy Color games were side projects. Ghost Babel? It was a full-blown Metal Gear experience. It has a tight-level design, sharp writing, and the kind of stealth gameplay that makes you sweat. It took the DNA of the original MSX games, added a sprinkle of Metal Gear Solid, and made a 2D handheld title feel as intense. Sneaky never looked so good in monochrome.

That's our take—ten games that didn't just define 2000; they helped push the whole medium forward. We skipped the rankings because they all hit different notes, and comparing The Sims to Diablo II seems like arguing whether pizza or tacos are better.

So, what did we miss? What game from 2000 had you hooked? Drop your favorite, and let's get nostalgic.