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 , 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 , Crazy Taxi 2 , SSX Tricky , Super Smash Bros. Melee , Sonic Adventure 2 , Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 , and Virtua Fighter 4 . New intellectual properties include Ace Attorney , Advance Wars , Animal Crossing , Burnout , Gothic , Black & White , Devil May Cry , Fatal Frame , Ghost Recon , Halo , 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 important 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.
Hardware releases
Game Boy Advance
Top-rated games
Major awards
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.[ 13]
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)[ 14] [ 15]
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
PlayStation 2
97/100
95.19%
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Konami
November 13, 2001
PlayStation 2
96/100
95.09%
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
Sony Computer Entertainment
April 28, 2001
PlayStation 2
95/100
94.54%
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Activision
October 30, 2001
PlayStation 2
97/100
93.43%
Devil May Cry
Capcom
August 23, 2001
PlayStation 2
94/100
92.6%
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
Activision
June 11, 2001
Game Boy Advance
95/100
89.88%
Madden NFL 2002
EA Sports
August 19, 2001
PlayStation 2
94/100
92.32%
NBA 2K2
Sega
October 24, 2001
Dreamcast
93/100
92.82%
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Nintendo
July 21, 2001
Game Boy Advance
93/100
91.54%
SSX Tricky
EA Sports
November 5, 2001
PlayStation 2
92/100
92.49%
Advance Wars
Nintendo
September 10, 2001
Game Boy Advance
92/100
92.38%
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
Nintendo
December 14, 2001
Game Boy Advance
92/100[ 16]
92.36%[ 17]
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
Nintendo
February 27, 2001
Game Boy Color
—
92.2%
Final Fantasy X
Square
July 19, 2001
PlayStation 2
92/100
91.73%
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Nintendo
November 21, 2001
GameCube
92/100
90.52%
Conker's Bad Fur Day
Rare
March 5, 2001
Nintendo 64
92/100
89.28%
NHL 2002
EA Sports
September 24, 2001
PlayStation 2
92/100
88.84%
Pro Evolution Soccer
Konami
March 15, 2001
PlayStation 2
—
91.69%
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
Nintendo
February 27, 2001
Game Boy Color
—
91.37%
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Activision
November 18, 2001
GameCube
91/100
91.12%
IL-2 Sturmovik
1C Company
November 18, 2001
Windows
91/100
90.65%
Golden Sun
Nintendo
August 1, 2001
Game Boy Advance
91/100
89.1%
Twisted Metal: Black
Sony Computer Entertainment
June 18, 2001
PlayStation 2
91/100
88.52%
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
Konami
March 21, 2001
Game Boy Advance
91/100
88.11%
Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil
Namco
March 22, 2001
PlayStation 2
91/100
84.76%
Madden NFL 2002
EA Sports
November 17, 2001
GameCube
89/100
90.39%
Ico
Sony Computer Entertainment
September 24, 2001
PlayStation 2
90/100
90.29%
NCAA Football 2002
EA Sports
July 23, 2001
PlayStation 2
90/100
90.25%
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Sony Computer Entertainment
December 3, 2001
PlayStation 2
90/100
90.22%
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
LucasArts
November 18, 2001
GameCube
90/100
90.04%
Black & White
Electronic Arts
March 30, 2001
Windows
90/100
89.79%
NFL 2K 2
Sega
September 19, 2001
Dreamcast
90/100
89.35%
Civilization III
Infogrames
October 30, 2001
Windows
90/100
88.75%
Madden NFL 2002
EA Sports
October 31, 2001
Xbox
90/100
88.72%
Unreal Tournament
Infogrames
March 13, 2001
Dreamcast
90/100
87.8%
Virtua Tennis 2
Sega
October 24, 2001
Dreamcast
90/100
87.22%
Dance Dance Revolution
Konami
March 6, 2001
PlayStation
90/100
83.63%
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002
Microsoft
October 16, 2001
Windows
90/100
82.44%
Shenmue II
Sega
September 6, 2001
Dreamcast
—
89.63%
Max Payne
Gathering of Developers
July 23, 2001
Windows
89/100
89.26%
NASCAR Racing 4
Sierra Entertainment
February 6, 2001
Windows
89/100
88.5%
NBA Street
EA Sports
June 19, 2001
PlayStation 2
89/100
86.92%
Pikmin
Nintendo
October 26, 2001
GameCube
89/100
86.71%
Final Fantasy Chronicles
Square
June 29, 2001
PlayStation
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
PlayStation 2
89/100
86.07%
Max Payne
Rockstar Games
December 12, 2001
Xbox
89/100
85.95%
Silent Hill 2
Konami
September 24, 2001
PlayStation 2
89/100
85.82%
Sonic Adventure 2
Sega
June 23, 2001
Dreamcast
89/100
83.26%
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
Interplay Entertainment
June 22, 2001
Windows
88/100
88.73%
Super Monkey Ball
Sega
September 14, 2001
GameCube
87/100
88.7%
Red Faction
THQ
May 22, 2001
PlayStation 2
88/100
88.32%
Dark Age of Camelot
Vivendi Universal Games
October 10, 2001
Windows
88/100
88.08%
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Activision
November 19, 2001
Windows
88/100
86.75%
SSX Tricky
EA Sports
December 10, 2001
Xbox
88/100
86.6%
Wario Land 4
Nintendo
August 21, 2001
Game Boy Advance
88/100
85.34%
Madden NFL 2002
EA Sports
August 13, 2001
PlayStation
88/100
85.08%
Tribes 2
Sierra Entertainment
March 28, 2001
Windows
88/100
84.85%
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis
Nintendo
June 21, 2001
Game Boy Advance
88/100[ 16]
83.62%[ 17]
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 [ 18]
Combined
1
Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal
Game Boy Color
Nintendo
826,125[ a]
3,127,659
3,953,784
2
Final Fantasy X
PlayStation 2
Squaresoft
2,434,015[ 19]
746,632[ 20]
3,180,647
3
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
PlayStation 2
Sony
1,656,959[ 19]
1,172,322
2,829,281
4
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
PlayStation 2
Konami
750,560[ 19]
1,800,000+[ 21]
2,550,560+
5
Madden NFL 2002
PS2 , PlayStation
EA Sports
—
2,220,112
2,220,112
6
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages
Game Boy Color
Nintendo
772,858[ 19]
1,248,191
2,021,049
7
Grand Theft Auto III
PlayStation 2
Rockstar
—
1,965,832
1,965,832
8
Super Mario Advance
Game Boy Advance
Nintendo
777,899[ 22]
1,172,323+[ 23] [ 18]
1,950,222+
9
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
PlayStation , PC
EA
83,954[ 22]
1,628,744[ 18] [ 24]
1,712,698
10
The Sims
PC
EA
—
1,482,182[ 24]
1,482,182
Highest-grossing home video games in the United States and Europe
Rank
Title
Platform(s)
Sales revenue
USA [ 18] [ 23] [ 25]
Europe [ 26]
Combined
Inflation
1
Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal
GBC
$91,038,324
€221,000,000 ($198,000,000 )
$289,038,324
$497,000,000
2
Grand Theft Auto III
PlayStation 2
$98,940,325
€54,000,000 ($48,000,000 )
$146,940,325
$253,000,000
3
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Multi-platform
$55,148,445 [ 18] [ 23] [ 24]
€92,000,000 ($82,000,000 )
$137,148,445
$236,000,000
4
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
PlayStation 2
$58,264,403
€64,000,000 ($57,000,000 )
$115,264,403
$198,000,000
5
Madden NFL 2002
PS2 , PS1
$110,000,000
Unknown
$110,000,000+
$190,000,000+
6
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Multi-platform
$81,000,000
€24,000,000 ($21,000,000 )
$102,000,000
$176,000,000
7
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
PlayStation 2
$87,000,000 +
—
$87,000,000+
$150,000,000+
8
The Sims
PC
$60,499,079[ 24]
€25,000,000 ($22,000,000 )
$82,499,079
$142,000,000
9
Super Mario Advance
GBA
$37,000,000 +
€23,000,000 ($21,000,000 )
$56,000,000+
$96,000,000+
10
FIFA Football 2002
Multi-platform
Unknown
€52,000,000 ($47,000,000 )
$47,000,000+
$81,000,000+
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 +)
$250,000,000+
[ 19] [ 27]
2
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
PS2
1,656,959
Unknown
[ 19]
3
Dragon Quest Monsters 2
PlayStation
1,138,756
Unknown
[ 22]
4
Dragon Quest IV: Michibikareshi Monotachi
PlayStation
1,039,443
Unknown
[ 19]
5
Onimusha (Onimusha: Warlords )
PS2
1,000,000+
Unknown
[ 28] [ 29]
6
Minna no Golf 3 (Everybody's Golf 3 )
PS2
871,167
Unknown
[ 19]
7
Dai Rantō Smash Brothers DX (Smash Bros. Melee )
GameCube
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
[ 19]
10
Super Mario Advance
GBA
777,899
Unknown
[ 22]
United States
Best-selling home video games in the United States
Rank
Title
Platform(s)
Sales
Revenue
Inflation
Ref
1
Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal
Game Boy Color
3,127,659
$91,038,324
$157,000,000
[ 18] [ 23] [ 25]
2
Madden NFL 2002
PlayStation 2 , PlayStation
2,220,112
$110,000,000
$190,000,000
[ 23] [ 18]
3
Grand Theft Auto III
PlayStation 2
1,965,832
$98,940,325
$170,000,000
[ 23] [ 18]
4
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
PlayStation 2
1,800,000+
$87,000,000 +
$150,000,000+
[ 21] [ 23]
5
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
PlayStation 2, PlayStation
1,693,037
$81,000,000
$139,000,000
[ 23] [ 18]
6
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
PlayStation , PC
1,628,744
$55,148,445
$95,000,000
[ 18] [ 23] [ 24]
7
The Sims
PC
1,482,182
$60,499,079
$100,000,000
[ 24]
8
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages
Game Boy Color
1,248,191
$39,000,000
$67,000,000
[ 23] [ 18]
9
Super Mario Advance
Game Boy Advance
1,172,323+
$35,000,000 +
$60,000,000+
[ 23] [ 18]
10
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
PlayStation 2
1,172,322
$58,264,403
$100,000,000
[ 23] [ 18]
PAL regions
Highest-grossing home video games in Europe [ 26]
Rank
Title
Platform(s)
Publisher
Genre
Sales revenue
Inflation
1
Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal
Game Boy Color
Nintendo
Role-playing
€221,000,000 ($198,000,000 )
$341,000,000
2
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Multi-platform
Electronic Arts
Action-adventure
€92,000,000 ($82,000,000 )
$140,000,000
3
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
PlayStation 2
Sony
Racing sim
€64,000,000 ($57,000,000 )
$98,000,000
4
Grand Theft Auto III
PlayStation 2
Rockstar Games
Action-adventure
€54,000,000 ($48,000,000 )
$83,000,000
5
FIFA Football 2002
Multi-platform
EA Sports
Sports
€52,000,000 ($47,000,000 )
$81,000,000
6
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Multi-platform
Eidos Interactive
Quiz
€33,000,000 ($30,000,000 )
$52,000,000
7
FIFA 2001
Multi-platform
EA Sports
Sports
€31,000,000 ($28,000,000 )
$48,000,000
8
Final Fantasy IX
PlayStation
Squaresoft
Role-playing
€30,000,000 ($27,000,000 )
$46,000,000
9
Black & White
PC
Electronic Arts
God game
€28,000,000 ($25,000,000 )
$43,000,000
10
The Sims
PC
Electronic Arts
Life simulation
€25,000,000 ($22,000,000 )
$38,000,000
Highest-grossing arcade games in Japan
Major events
Events
Business
Defunct companies: Bullfrog Productions , Indrema , Dynamix , Sanctuary Woods , SNK .
After Dynamix (1984–2001) is closed as part of Sierra's restructuring under Vivendi Universal , several veterans of the studio found GarageGames .
Sega announces that it will no longer develop home consoles, to focus on game development. The Dreamcast is discontinued in May, but games including Sonic the Hedgehog will continue to be released.
Activision acquires Treyarch Invention LLC.
PCCW Japan (Pacific Century CyberWorks Japan Co., Ltd.) acquires VR1 Entertainment.
Long-time arcade developer Midway Games announces that it will no longer manufacture arcade games.
August – Loki Software declares Chapter 11 Bankruptcy over internal financial troubles, before going defunct next January. In response Michael Simms of the Tux Games retailer and former Loki game tester founds Linux Game Publishing alongside ex-Loki employee Mike Philips on October 15 to keep games coming to Linux .
October – Infogrames announces to revive Atari as a sub-brand of Infogrames. Splashdown , MX Rider and TransWorld Surf were the first 3 games to receive this treatment.
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
Notable releases of the year 2001
Release
Title
Windows
5th Gen
6th Gen
Handheld
January 4
RuneScape
Win
—
—
—
January 10
Mega Man 64
—
N64
—
—
January 16
Mario Tennis
—
—
—
GBC
January 29
Oni
Win
—
PS2
—
January 29
Phantasy Star Online
—
—
DC
—
January 30
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
—
—
PS2
—
January 31
Mega Man X5
Win (2002)
PS1
—
—
February 5
Paper Mario
—
N64
—
—
February 6
Action Man: Search for Base X
—
—
—
GBC
February 6
Metal Walker
—
—
—
GBC
February 7
Clive Barker's Undying
Win
—
—
—
February 16
Final Fantasy IX
—
PS1 (EU)
—
—
February 20
Scooby-Doo! Classic Creep Capers
—
—
—
GBC
February 27
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages
—
—
—
GBC (JP)
March 1
Lego Island 2 The Brickster's Revenge
Win'98
PS1
—
GBC , GBA
March 5
Conker's Bad Fur Day
—
N64
—
—
March 6
The Bouncer
—
—
PS2
—
March 9
Sonic Shuffle
—
—
DC
—
March 12
Star Wars: Episode I: Battle for Naboo
Win
—
—
—
March 13
Onimusha: Warlords
—
—
PS2
—
March 13
Unreal Tournament
—
—
DC
—
March 14
Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage
—
N64
—
—
March 15
SpongeBob SquarePants: Legend of the Lost Spatula
—
—
—
GBC
March 20
Summoner [ 36]
Win
March 21
Daytona USA
—
—
DC
—
March 21
Tribes 2
Win
—
—
—
March 21
Serious Sam: The First Encounter
Win
—
—
—
March 22
Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil
—
—
PS2
—
March 23
Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising
Win
—
—
—
March 25
Black & White
Win
—
—
—
March 26
Pokémon Stadium 2
—
N64
—
—
March 26
The Simpsons: Night of the Living Treehouse of Horror
—
—
—
GBC
March 26
Zone of the Enders
—
—
PS2
—
March 27
Rocket Power: Gettin' Air
—
—
—
GBC
March 27
Strikers 1945 II
—
PS1
—
—
March 30
Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine
—
—
—
GBC
March 30
Star Wars: Episode I: Battle for Naboo
—
N64 (EU)
—
—
April 6
Snoopy Tennis
—
—
—
GBC
April 8
Dr. Mario 64
—
N64
—
—
April 11
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble
—
—
—
GBC
April 12
The Simpsons Wrestling
—
PS1
—
—
April 16
Illbleed
—
—
DC
—
April 16
Batman: Chaos in Gotham
—
—
—
GBC
April 19
Spider-Man
—
—
DC
—
April 23
Silpheed: The Lost Planet
—
—
PS2
—
April 30
The Adventures of Cookie & Cream
—
—
PS2
—
April 30
Mars Matrix: Hyper Solid Shooting
—
—
DC
—
May 7
Mario Party 3
—
N64
—
—
May 8
Myst III: Exile
Win
—
PS2
—
May 14
Crazy Taxi
—
—
PS2
—
May 16
Giga Wing 2
—
—
DC
—
May 16
Project Justice
—
—
DC
—
May 18
Atlantis The Lost Empire: Trial by Fire
Win
—
—
—
May 21
Cool Boarders
—
—
PS2
—
May 22
Red Faction
—
—
PS2
—
May 28
Crazy Taxi 2
—
—
DC
—
May 29
Shrek: Fairy Tale Freakdown
—
—
—
GBC
May 30
Bejeweled
Win
—
—
—
May 30
Spider-Man 2: The Sinister Six
—
—
—
GBC
May 30
Max Steel: Covert Missions
—
—
DC
—
June 11
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
—
—
—
GBA
June 11
ChuChu Rocket!
—
—
—
GBA
June 11
Earthworm Jim
—
—
—
GBA
June 11
F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
—
—
—
GBA
June 11
Konami Krazy Racers
—
—
—
GBA
June 11
Rayman Advance
—
—
—
GBA
June 11
Super Mario Advance
—
—
—
GBA
June 14
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
—
PS1
—
—
June 18
Twisted Metal: Black
—
—
PS2
—
June 19
Sonic Adventure 2
—
—
DC
—
June 19
Startopia [ 37]
Win
June 20
Time Crisis: Project Titan
—
PS1
—
—
June 21
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
Win
—
—
—
June 22
Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis
Win
—
—
—
June 27
Anachronox
Win
—
—
—
June 29
Bomberman Tournament
—
—
—
GBA
June 29
Final Fantasy Chronicles
—
PS1
—
—
July 1
Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword
—
—
—
GBC
July 6
Runaway: A Road Adventure
Win
July 8
Dark Angel: Vampire Apocalypse
—
—
PS2
—
July 10
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
—
—
PS2
—
July 14
Mega Man Legends
Win
—
—
—
July 16
Jurassic Park III: The DNA Factor
—
—
—
GBA
July 17
City Crisis
—
—
PS2
—
July 19
Final Fantasy X
—
—
PS2 (JP)
—
July 23
Extermination
—
—
PS2
—
July 23
Max Payne
Win
—
—
—
July 28
Rune: Viking Warlord
—
—
PS2
—
July 29
Pokémon Crystal (North America)
—
—
—
GBC
July 30
Tweety and the Magic Gems
—
—
—
GBA
August 1
Golden Sun
—
—
—
GBA
August 1
Nancy Drew: Treasure in the Royal Tower
Win
—
—
—
August 7
WWF Betrayal
—
—
—
GBA
August 8
Shogun: Total War : Mongol Invasion
Win
—
—
—
August 19
Madden NFL 2002
—
PS1
PS2
—
August 20
Armored Core 2: Another Age
—
—
PS2
—
August 21
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
Win
—
—
—
August 27
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
—
—
—
GBA
August 27
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2
—
—
PS2
—
August 28
ESPN Final Round Golf 2002
—
—
—
GBA
August 29
Alchemy
Win
—
—
—
September 6
Shenmue II
—
—
DC
—
September 10
Advance Wars
—
—
—
GBA
September 10
Jurassic Park III: Park Builder
—
—
—
GBA
September 10
Portal Runner
—
—
PS2
—
September 11
The World Is Not Enough
—
—
—
GBC
September 13
Heavy Metal: Geomatrix
—
—
DC
—
September 13
Ooga Booga
—
—
DC
—
September 15
Power Rangers Time Force
—
—
—
GBA
September 15
Klonoa: Empire of Dreams
—
—
—
GBA
September 17
Arctic Thunder
—
—
PS2
—
September 18
Red Faction [ 38]
Win
September 21
SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge
—
PS1
—
—
September 24
Monster Rancher 3
—
—
PS2
—
September 24
Phantasy Star Online Version 2
—
—
DC
—
September 24
Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor
Win
September 24
Silent Hill 2
—
—
PS2
—
September 24
SpyHunter
—
—
PS2
—
September 24
SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Krabby Patty
Win
—
—
—
September 25
X-Men: Reign of Apocalypse
—
—
—
GBA
September 26
Bass Strike
—
—
PS2
—
September 26
Dexter's Laboratory: Deesaster Strikes!
—
—
—
GBA
September 26
Final Fight One
—
—
—
GBA
September 26
Kessen II
—
—
PS2
—
September 30
Ico
—
—
PS2
—
October 1
NASCAR Thunder 2002
—
PS1
PS2 , Xbox
—
October 1
Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase
—
—
—
GBA
October 1
Time Crisis II
—
—
PS2
—
October 1
Yanya Caballista: City Skater
—
—
PS2
—
October 2
Lego Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge
—
—
—
GBA
October 3
Lego Bionicle
—
—
—
GBA
October 4
Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase
—
PS1
—
—
October 5
The Wild Thornberrys: Chimp Chase
—
—
—
GBA
October 8
Castlevania Chronicles
—
PS1
—
—
October 10
Dark Age of Camelot
Win
—
—
—
October 12
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
—
—
—
GBA
October 15
Lady Sia
—
—
—
GBA
October 15
Batman: Vengeance
Win
—
PS2 , GCN , Xbox
GBA
October 17
Devil May Cry
—
—
PS2
—
October 18
E.T.: Digital Companion
—
—
—
GBC
October 21
Stronghold
Win
—
—
—
October 22
Grand Theft Auto III
—
—
PS2
—
October 24
Virtua Tennis 2
—
—
DC
—
October 28
Doom
—
—
—
GBA
October 28
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
—
PS1
PS2 , GCN
—
October 29
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
—
—
PS2 , Xbox , GCN
—
October 29
Spyro: Season of Ice
—
—
—
GBA
October 30
Aliens versus Predator 2
Win
—
—
—
October 30
Boxing Fever
—
—
—
GBA
October 30
Civilization III
Win
—
—
—
October 30
Mega Man Xtreme 2
—
—
—
GBC
October 30
Monsters, Inc. Scream Team
Win
PS1
PS2
—
October 30
Super Street Fighter II Turbo Revival
—
—
—
GBA
October 31
Soul Reaver 2
—
—
PS2
—
October 31
Mega Man Battle Network
—
—
—
GBA
November 1
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
—
—
PS2
—
November 1
Burnout
—
—
PS2
—
November 1
Dragon Warrior VII
—
PS1
—
—
November 1
FIFA Football 2002
—
PS1
PS2
—
November 1
Nancy Drew: The Final Scene
Win
—
—
—
November 3
Rocket Power: Dream Scheme
—
—
—
GBA
November 5
SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge
—
PS1
—
GBA
November 5
SSX Tricky
—
—
PS2 , GCN , Xbox
—
November 7
Jackie Chan Adventures: Legend of the Dark Hand
—
—
—
GBA
November 9
Project Gotham Racing
—
—
Xbox
—
November 11
Golden Sun
—
—
—
GBA
November 12
Empire Earth
Win
—
—
—
November 12
Gradius Advance
—
—
—
GBA
November 12
Survivor
—
Win
—
—
November 13
007: Agent Under Fire
—
—
PS2
—
November 13
Cubix - Robots for Everyone: Race 'N Robots
—
—
—
GBC
November 13
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
—
—
PS2
—
November 13
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon
Win
—
—
—
November 14
Frank Herbert's Dune [ 39]
Win
PS2
November 14
Harvest Moon 3 GBC
—
—
—
GBC
November 14
Shrek
—
—
Xbox
—
November 15
Cel Damage
—
—
Xbox , PS2 , GCN
—
November 15
Dead or Alive 3
—
—
Xbox
—
November 15
Halo: Combat Evolved
—
—
Xbox
—
November 15
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Win
PS1
—
GBC , GBA
November 15
Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted Mansion
—
—
—
GBA
November 15
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee
—
—
Xbox
—
November 15
Wizardry 8 [ 40]
Win
November 16
Headhunter
—
—
DC
—
November 17
NHL Hitz 2002
—
—
GCN
—
November 17
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
—
—
GCN
—
November 18
Crazy Taxi
—
—
GCN
—
November 18
Super Monkey Ball
—
—
GCN
—
November 18
IL-2 Sturmovik
Win
—
—
—
November 18
Luigi's Mansion
—
—
GCN
—
November 18
WWF Road to Wrestlemania
—
—
—
GBA
November 19
Soul Reaver 2 [ 41]
Win
November 19
Wario Land 4
—
—
—
GBA
November 19
WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It
—
—
PS2
—
November 20
Frequency
—
—
PS2
—
November 20
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Win
—
—
—
November 20
Frogger: The Great Quest
—
PS2
—
—
November 21
Ecks vs. Sever
—
—
—
GBA
November 21
Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles
—
—
—
GBA
November 21
Super Smash Bros. Melee
—
—
GCN (NTSC-J)
—
November 22
Mr. Driller G
—
PS1 (NTSC-J)
—
—
November 23
Gothic
Win
—
—
—
November 24
Frogger's Adventures: Temple of the Frog
—
—
—
GBA
November 25
Azurik: Rise of Perathia
—
—
Xbox
—
November 26
Jurassic Park III: Island Attack
—
—
—
GBA
November 26
Star Wars: Starfighter
—
—
Xbox
—
November 26
Twisted Metal: Small Brawl
—
PS1
—
—
November 27
Extreme-G 3
—
—
GCN
—
November 27
Lego Racers 2
—
—
—
GBA
November 28
Cruis'n Velocity
—
—
—
GBA
November 29
Rampage Puzzle Attack
—
—
—
GBA
November 30
Dokapon: Monster Hunter
—
—
—
GBA
December 1
Breath of Fire
—
—
—
GBA
December 1
M&M's Blast!
—
—
—
GBA
December 3
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
—
—
PS2
—
December 3
Pikmin
—
—
GCN
—
December 3
Super Smash Bros. Melee
—
—
GCN (NTSC-U)
—
December 3
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
—
—
PS2
—
December 4
Mega Man X6
—
PS1
—
—
December 5
American Bass Challenge
—
—
—
GBA
December 7
Cel Damage
—
—
GCN
—
December 7
Magical Vacation
GBA
December 7
Evil Twin: Cyprien's Chronicles
—
—
PS2 (PAL & EU)
—
December 9
The Flintstones: Big Trouble in Bedrock
—
—
—
GBA
December 12
Mortal Kombat Advance
—
—
—
GBA
December 12
Shadow Hearts
—
—
PS2
—
December 17
Dark Rift (North America)
—
N64
—
—
December 18
Universal Studios Theme Parks Adventure
—
—
GCN
—
December 19
Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land
—
—
PS2
—
December 20
Final Fantasy X
—
—
PS2 (US)
—
December 20
Giants: Citizen Kabuto
—
—
PS2
—
December 21
Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut
—
—
Xbox
—
December 21
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
—
—
—
GBA
Trends
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).
Births
Deaths
See also
Notes
^ a b Crystal Version sold 749,863.[ 19] Gold and Silver versions sold 76,262.[ 22]
References
^ Hu, Jim. "Video game sales set record in 2001" . CNET . Retrieved December 3, 2022 .
^ Watts, Jonathan (February 1, 2001). "Sega to end production of Dreamcast console" . The Guardian . Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ Kelly, Andy (September 30, 2021). "2001 Was The Best Year Ever For Video Games" . TheGamer . Retrieved December 3, 2022 .
^ Fillari, Alessandro (February 6, 2021). "Remembering 2001: The Biggest Games That Turn 20 This Year" . GameSpot . Retrieved December 3, 2022 .
^ Madsen, Hayes (October 17, 2022). "21 years ago, Capcom changed action games forever" . Inverse . Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ 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 .
^ Carnley, Zackery Van (April 19, 2021). "How Halo Has Defined the Shooter Genre" . Game Rant . Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ Plant, Mike. "In the loop: how Halo defined a new decade of first-person shooters" . The Register . Retrieved December 10, 2022 .
^ Kelly, Andy (October 27, 2021). "Grand Theft Auto 3 Changed Video Games Forever" . TheGamer . Retrieved December 3, 2022 .
^ 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 .
^ Kelly, Andy (September 30, 2021). "2001 Was The Best Year Ever For Video Games" . TheGamer . Retrieved November 1, 2021 .
^ Fillari, Alessandro. "Remembering 2001: The Biggest Games That Turn 20 This Year" . GameSpot . Retrieved November 1, 2021 .
^ "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 .
^ "Best Video Games for 2001" . Metacritic . Retrieved August 7, 2019 .
^ "Highest-Ranking Games of 2001 (with at least 10 reviews)" . GameRankings . Retrieved August 7, 2019 .
^ a b "Best Video Games for 2002" . Metacritic . Retrieved August 9, 2019 .
^ a b "Highest-Ranking Games of 2002 (with at least 10 reviews)" . GameRankings . Retrieved August 9, 2019 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "The top five selling videogame software titles sold in the United States for 2001" (PDF) . WIPO Guide on the Licensing of Copyright and Related Rights . World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). 2004. p. 72.
^ a b c d e f g h i j "2001 Top 100 Japanese Console Game Chart" . The Magic Box . Archived from the original on January 24, 2004. Retrieved October 26, 2021 .
^ "August sales data" . The Motley Fool . The NPD Group . September 23, 2002. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021 .
^ a b "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 .
^ a b c d e "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.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "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 .
^ a b c d e f 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 .
^ a b 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.
^ a b "Europäische Verkaufsawards" [European Sales Awards]. GameStar (in German). February 7, 2002. Retrieved October 30, 2021 .
^ Nicholson, Zy (September 2001). "Final Reality" (PDF) . Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine . No. 11. Future Publishing. pp. 49–50.
^ "First PlayStation 2 videogame to sell one million units" . Guinness World Records . February 2001. Retrieved November 15, 2021 .
^ Nicholson, Zy (September 2001). "Final Reality" (PDF) . Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine . No. 11. Future Publishing. pp. 49–50.
^ "Top 20 Console Games Ranked by Units Sold, 1998–2013" . Screen Australia . Australian Government . Retrieved October 22, 2021 .
^ Akagi, Masumi, ed. (January 15, 2002). " "Tekken TT", "DOC 2000" Top Game Charts" (PDF) . Game Machine . No. 650. Amusement Press, Inc. p. 18.
^ "Infogrames to Acquire Hasbro Interactive" . IGN . December 6, 2000. Archived from the original on November 19, 2001. Retrieved September 30, 2019 .
^ "CNN.com - Game over for Sega's Dreamcast - January 31, 2001" . www.cnn.com . Retrieved December 25, 2023 .
^ I. G. N. Staff (February 3, 2001). "Sega Goes Third-Party, Nintendo Ties Announced" . IGN . Retrieved December 25, 2023 .
^ "Attendance and Stats" . IGN. June 8, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2015 .
^ "Summoner Review" . GameSpot . Retrieved July 2, 2024 .
^ "Startopia | Eurogamer.net" . web.archive.org . July 6, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2024 .
^ "Red Faction Review" . GameSpot . Retrieved July 2, 2024 .
^ "Frank Herbert's Dune in November - IGN" . web.archive.org . May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024 .
^ Staff, I. G. N. (December 15, 2001). "Wizardry 8" . IGN . Retrieved July 2, 2024 .
^ Staff, I. G. N. (July 26, 2001). "Soul Reaver 2 to PC" . IGN . Retrieved July 6, 2024 .
^ John Chartier (May 18, 2001). "Sega's gaming gambit" . CNN. Retrieved July 5, 2020 .
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