9 Great Games From 2001

2001 was a big year for the gaming industry as it saw the launch of both the GameCube and the original Xbox as the sixth generation of consoles really picked up speed. Sony didn't miss out on the fun, either, as the PS2 was released in the latter stages of the previous year, so 2001 was still a big year for the incredibly successful system.None of those consoles would've been very good if you didn't have games to play on them, though. And 2001 happened to be a banner year for games as several all-time classics hit the shelves. Some served as the beginning of iconic series, while others carried on their predecessors' greatness. This is a collection of some of the year's best.

9 Devil May Cry

The long history of the Devil May Cry series started in 2001. While this initial instalment doesn't quite have the depth of future entries, it's still very much a DMC game and clearly set the groundwork for the series.

For instance, the fast-paced and stylish combat that the series is now known for features heavily in this game. The title also introduces a few of the DMC's most significant characters, such as Dante and Trish, as they go on a mission to take down the demon lord Mundus.

8 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3

While there have been several amazing skateboarding games, few match the quality of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. Its core gameplay is pretty similar to its predecessors in that you skate around an open level pulling off tricks and racking up combos.

However, the developers built on the previous two titles to make the third game almost perfect. The physics, level design, and customization are all brilliant. And it even had online play, which was very rare for a console game in the early 2000s - the online capabilities are no longer available.

7 Max Payne

While movies like The Matrix popularized the concept of bullet time in general, Max Payne really made it big in the gaming world. Jumping in slow-motion and gunning down your enemies is a large part of the third-person shooter's gameplay. In fact, you should use the feature pretty much every time you find yourself in a combat situation.

The story is about the titular character trying to figure out who killed his family. Yet, things get more complicated as there is also an ongoing drug trafficking case as well as a lot of suspicious activity going on. As an NYPD detective, it's up to Max Payne to put all the pieces together.

6 Silent Hill 2

While Silent Hill games aren't as common these days, there was a time when it was among the biggest and most critically acclaimed horror series in gaming. The second title is a big reason for the series' prestige.

In it, you follow James Sunderland as he visits the dark town of Silent Hill to find his wife, who he previously thought was dead. Not many horror games have great stories, but Silent Hill 2's tale is a compelling one. The game's puzzles and exploration are equally interesting.

The second Metal Gear Solid game had a lot to live up to, as the first was an all-time classic. While it arguably doesn't quite match the quality of the original, it's still an exceptional game. Even looking back at this title from many years in the future, it's hard not to be impressed with its level of detail and some of its clever stealth mechanics.

Initially, MGS2 did get some backlash from fans for having Raidan replace Solid Snake as the main protagonist. While this version of the blond-haired future ninja isn't the best, it doesn't ruin the wild and complicated story. The politically heavy tale is a little hard to comprehend at times, but once you understand it, you realize how great it is.

4 Super Smash Bros. Melee

While very different from the likes of Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, Smash Bros is definitely among the biggest fighting series ever. And Melee is one of the main reasons why it's so popular. This is the second game in the series, and not only was it an improvement of the first, but it's better than most instalments since.

The Smash Bros signature style of fast-paced fighting where the target is to knock your opponents off the stage is already very well-polished in this title. Not to mention it has some excellent characters and brilliant stages.

3 Final Fantasy 10

Final Fantasy is one of the longest-running series ever, and it includes many great games. One of the best is Final Fantasy 10. The game is different from its predecessors in several ways.

For one, it introduced one of the best turn-based battle systems in the series. Plus, it also contains fully-voiced characters, which was a Final Fantasy first. That voice acting helps enhance an already incredible story about a group of adventurers attempting to stop a giant beast. The journey is filled with memorable and heartbreaking moments.

2 Halo: Combat Evolved

Halo is among the most beloved gaming series ever. It all started in 2001 with Combat Evolved. While the series has changed over the years, a lot of the foundations were placed in this title. From the style of gameplay to the look of the vehicles, it was all established in this game. And when it came out, it was completely different from every other shooter out there.

The most impressive thing about the game, though, is how well it holds up. You can still easily jump into Combat Evolved and fall back in love with the combat. The story is still good, too, as Master Chief and Cortana fight against Covenant forces as they learn more about the ring-shaped world they find themselves on.

1 Grand Theft Auto 3

Once upon a time, Grand Theft Auto was a 2D top-down game. However, the series changed forever with GTA3. It was the first instalment to implement 3D visuals, voice-acting (albeit not for the main character), and a truly open world. Not only was it far above its predecessors, but few games at the time had its sandbox-like world and realistic-looking (at the time) visuals.

The story can't match later GTA games, but it still provides a solid tale about a silent killer named Claude murdering his way through Liberty City in the hopes of getting his hands on his evil ex-girlfriend.

NEXT: Most Influential Video Games Of The 2000s