Ah, 2003! What a golden year for video gaming, right? A time when our joysticks worked overtime, our disc drives whirred like caffeinated hamsters, and our screen-glued eyes blinked as infrequently as a disciplined Royal Guard. So, dust off your old game consoles and grab a cuppa, as we rewind time to revisit some of the best games of 2003.
We’ll spin tales of heroic quests and devilish mysteries, of high-octane warfare and time-bending exploits. Let’s pull back the curtain on the legendary top five games that injected our gaming veins with pure, unadulterated joy.
Related: Best Games of 2001: Max Payne, DMC and More
Best Games of 2003
Before we catapult you into our grand rundown, let’s cast a spotlight on some other memorable best games of 2003. They might just include your secret favourite. The sports gaming spree that took off in the early noughties is still going strong, and yes, we’ve included RoN – one of the most criminally overlooked real-time strategy games of its time:
- Madden NFL 2004 – Metacritic Score: 94 (User score 8.2)
- SSX 3 – Metacritic Score: 93 (User score 8.8)
- SoulCalibur 2 – Metacritic Score: 93 (User score 8.9)
- Tony Hawk’s Underground – Metacritic Score: 90 (User score 8.7)
- Rise of Nations – Metacritic Score: 89 (User score 8.7)
- Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne – Metacritic Score: 88 (User score 9.2)
Now, all you Warcraft III lovers, don’t get angry. We fully acknowledge that Frozen Throne is an expansion pack that has left its frosty mark in the annals of gaming history. However, we couldn’t bring ourselves to confine its glory to just 2003. If the fact that Sodapoppin is still getting his game on with it isn’t proof enough of its timeless appeal, we don’t know what is.
Related: Best Games of 2000: Diablo II, Deus Ex and More
5. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Do you recall when The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker landed on our GameCubes? The world gasped at the candy-coloured visuals, more expressive than a unicorn. Eschewing the typical fantasy get-up, Wind Waker offered us a seafaring odyssey wrapped up in a cell-shaded wonder.
And it wasn’t just a joy to behold, it was an absolute blast to play. Remember the thrill of charting a course to a distant island, just a tiny speck on the horizon? Or the sense of accomplishment when solving a tricky dungeon puzzle? Wind Waker captured that magic of discovery and adventure, putting the wind back in our gaming sails. It’s one of the best games of 2003 for sure.
Developer: Nintendo
Metacritic Score: 96 (User score 9.0)
Related: All 18 The Legend of Zelda Games in Order
4. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
2003 brought us Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and with it, a refreshing blast from gaming’s past. Here was a game that blended platforming, puzzling, and hack ‘n’ slash so seamlessly, we almost forgot to take tea breaks.
But the most important thing was the time-bending mechanic. With a simple press of a button, we could rewind our missteps and transform fatal falls into triumphant leaps. Coupled with a storyline that was as captivating as a desert mirage, Sands of Time made us feel like the ultimate time-defying hero. No DeLorean needed.
Developer: Ubisoft
Metacritic Score: 92 (User score 8.8)
Related: Assassin’s Creed Mirage Launches October 12
3. Call of Duty
In 2003, Call of Duty dropped into our lives like a well-primed grenade. It was war as we’d never seen it – intense, visceral, and uncompromisingly realistic. Remember how our hearts raced as we stormed the beaches of Normandy?
But it wasn’t all about the bullets and the bravery. Call of Duty treated us to an emotional journey too, providing glimpses of humanity amid the chaos of war. From camaraderie between soldiers to the harsh realities of combat, it was not only one of the best games of 2003, it was a game that honoured history while offering an unforgettable interactive experience. War games would never be the same again.
Developer: Infinity Ward
Metacritic Score: 91 (User score 8.4)
Related: Can You Still Play Warzone 1 in 2023?
2. Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne swaggered onto our screens in 2003, steeped in grit and film noir stylings. With a narrative that was as murky as the bottom of a spent coffee cup, the sequel had us hooked from the get-go.
And let’s not forget the game’s trademark bullet time – it was like The Matrix with a noir twist. We spent countless hours perfecting our slow-motion dives and dodging bullets like we were auditioning for a ballet-meets-action-flick. With Payne’s relentless one-liners and the game’s unflinching style, we were served a heaping helping of noir coolness.
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Metacritic Score: 86 (User score 8.9)
Related: Alan Wake 2 Coming October 17
1. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
And finally, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. KOTOR wasn’t just a game, it was a love letter to Star Wars fans. Rush of exploring distant planets, encountering strange species, and shaping our very own Star Wars story was a delightful journey.
The Force wasn’t just with us, it was inside us in this game. We made critical decisions that decided our path towards the light or dark side. From lightsaber duels to philosophical debates with our trusty droid companion HK-47, KOTOR was a Star Wars fan’s dream come true, wrapped in a top-notch RPG package. It’s okay if it’s not one of the best games of 2003 for you, because even all Sith lords admit it.
Developer: BioWare
Metacritic Score: 93 (User score 9.0)
Related: Will Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Be on PS4?
Special Prize: Beyond Good and Evil
Our hat-tip has to go to Beyond Good and Evil – the most brilliant game many people never played in 2003. This unsung hero masterfully melded action, puzzle-solving, and stealth, all set within a vividly imagined world. The cherry on top? An unforgettable storyline that felt both personal and epic.
Beyond its gameplay, it was the heart and charm that won us over. From the protagonist Jade’s relentless pursuit of truth to the camaraderie among her diverse crew, it was a game that evoked a genuine emotional response. And in our books, that’s what sets apart a good game from a truly great one. Speaking of the first game, where is Beyond Good and Evil 2?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Max Payne 1 or 2 Better?
Max Payne 2 is a superior game to the original, both technically and in terms of narrative. Don’t forget, as well, that Remedy has truly mastered the art and fine-tuned bullet-time. For this reason, even though Max Payne 3 is a solid game, it frequently falls short of the second instalment. The first Max Payne is undeniably one of the best games of 2001, but its successor manages to surpass it.
Why Is There No Prince of Persia 2 Movie?
The reason Prince of Persia didn’t secure a sequel is because the inaugural film flopped. When the players who adored the series visited the cinema, they were confronted with a classic Hollywood action film. This disappointment was mirrored in the film’s ratings. As a consequence, the first Prince of Persia film didn’t rake in sufficient profit and the studio did not greenlight the second film. Perhaps we’ll see it in the forthcoming years, who can tell?
Is Zelda: Wind Waker Dark?
Yes, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker holds one of the darkest narratives in the franchise. There’s a lore that Hyrule is entirely decimated, thus Link can’t be the hero. This may seem as if it contradicts the style of traditional Zelda games. Quite right — that’s precisely why it’s one of the standout games in the series.
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- My journey into the world of video games began at four, when I was first introduced to arcade machines in 1996. Over the past decades, I've been fortunate enough to witness the incredible evolution of gaming, as it has grown from a niche hobby to a thriving art. Today, I'm dedicated to creating content that celebrates all genres of games. We will talk about them at Player.me.
