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.

List of years in video games
+...

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
MonthDayConsole
March21Game Boy Advance
September14GameCube
November15Xbox

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]

TitlePlatform(s)PublisherGenreScore (out of 40)
Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecPlayStation 2SonyRacing simulation39
Final Fantasy XPlayStation 2SquaresoftRole-playing39
Fushigi no Dungeon: Fūrai no Shiren GB2Game Boy ColorChunsoftRoguelike38
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyPlayStation 2KonamiStealth38
Culdcept SecondDreamcastMedia FactoryTurn-based strategy37
Dai Rantō Smash Brothers DX (Super Smash Bros. Melee)GameCubeNintendoFighting37
Dōbutsu no Mori + (Animal Crossing)GameCubeNintendoSocial simulation37
Dragon Quest Characters: Torneko no Daibōken 2 (The Last Hope)Game Boy AdvanceEnixRoguelike36
Madden NFL 2001PlayStation 2Square EASports35
Onimusha (Onimusha: Warlords)PlayStation 2CapcomHack and slash35
Kessen IIPlayStation 2KoeiReal-time tactics35
Crazy Taxi 2DreamcastSegaDriving35
Zeonic Front: Kidō Senshi Gundam 0079 (Mobile Suit Gundam)PlayStation 2BandaiStrategy35
Capcom vs. SNK 2: Millionaire Fighting 2001Dreamcast, PS2CapcomFighting35
Magical VacationGame Boy AdvanceNintendoRole-playing35
Battle Network Rockman EXE 2 (Mega Man Battle Network 2)Game Boy AdvanceCapcomTactical role-playing35

Metacritic and GameRankings

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]
GamePublisherRelease DatePlatform(s)MC scoreGR score
Halo: Combat EvolvedMicrosoft Game StudiosNovember 15, 2001Xbox97/10095.54%
Grand Theft Auto IIIRockstar GamesOctober 22, 2001PlayStation 297/10095.19%
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyKonamiNovember 13, 2001PlayStation 296/10095.09%
Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecSony Computer EntertainmentApril 28, 2001PlayStation 295/10094.54%
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3ActivisionOctober 30, 2001PlayStation 297/10093.43%
Devil May CryCapcomAugust 23, 2001PlayStation 294/10092.6%
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2ActivisionJune 11, 2001Game Boy Advance95/10089.88%
Madden NFL 2002EA SportsAugust 19, 2001PlayStation 294/10092.32%
NBA 2K2SegaOctober 24, 2001Dreamcast93/10092.82%
Mario Kart: Super CircuitNintendoJuly 21, 2001Game Boy Advance93/10091.54%
SSX TrickyEA SportsNovember 5, 2001PlayStation 292/10092.49%
Advance WarsNintendoSeptember 10, 2001Game Boy Advance92/10092.38%
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2NintendoDecember 14, 2001Game Boy Advance92/100[16]92.36%[17]
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of AgesNintendoFebruary 27, 2001Game Boy Color92.2%
Final Fantasy XSquareJuly 19, 2001PlayStation 292/10091.73%
Super Smash Bros. MeleeNintendoNovember 21, 2001GameCube92/10090.52%
Conker's Bad Fur DayRareMarch 5, 2001Nintendo 6492/10089.28%
NHL 2002EA SportsSeptember 24, 2001PlayStation 292/10088.84%
Pro Evolution SoccerKonamiMarch 15, 2001PlayStation 291.69%
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of SeasonsNintendoFebruary 27, 2001Game Boy Color91.37%
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3ActivisionNovember 18, 2001GameCube91/10091.12%
IL-2 Sturmovik1C CompanyNovember 18, 2001Windows91/10090.65%
Golden SunNintendoAugust 1, 2001Game Boy Advance91/10089.1%
Twisted Metal: BlackSony Computer EntertainmentJune 18, 2001PlayStation 291/10088.52%
Castlevania: Circle of the MoonKonamiMarch 21, 2001Game Boy Advance91/10088.11%
Klonoa 2: Lunatea's VeilNamcoMarch 22, 2001PlayStation 291/10084.76%
Madden NFL 2002EA SportsNovember 17, 2001GameCube89/10090.39%
IcoSony Computer EntertainmentSeptember 24, 2001PlayStation 290/10090.29%
NCAA Football 2002EA SportsJuly 23, 2001PlayStation 290/10090.25%
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor LegacySony Computer EntertainmentDecember 3, 2001PlayStation 290/10090.22%
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue LeaderLucasArtsNovember 18, 2001GameCube90/10090.04%
Black & WhiteElectronic ArtsMarch 30, 2001Windows90/10089.79%
NFL 2K2SegaSeptember 19, 2001Dreamcast90/10089.35%
Civilization IIIInfogramesOctober 30, 2001Windows90/10088.75%
Madden NFL 2002EA SportsOctober 31, 2001Xbox90/10088.72%
Unreal TournamentInfogramesMarch 13, 2001Dreamcast90/10087.8%
Virtua Tennis 2SegaOctober 24, 2001Dreamcast90/10087.22%
Dance Dance RevolutionKonamiMarch 6, 2001PlayStation90/10083.63%
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002MicrosoftOctober 16, 2001Windows90/10082.44%
Shenmue IISegaSeptember 6, 2001Dreamcast89.63%
Max PayneGathering of DevelopersJuly 23, 2001Windows89/10089.26%
NASCAR Racing 4Sierra EntertainmentFebruary 6, 2001Windows89/10088.5%
NBA StreetEA SportsJune 19, 2001PlayStation 289/10086.92%
PikminNintendoOctober 26, 2001GameCube89/10086.71%
Final Fantasy ChroniclesSquareJune 29, 2001PlayStation89/10086.7%
NHL 2002EA SportsDecember 10, 2001Xbox89/10086.33%
Ace Combat 04: Shattered SkiesNamcoSeptember 13, 2001PlayStation 289/10086.07%
Max PayneRockstar GamesDecember 12, 2001Xbox89/10085.95%
Silent Hill 2KonamiSeptember 24, 2001PlayStation 289/10085.82%
Sonic Adventure 2SegaJune 23, 2001Dreamcast89/10083.26%
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of BhaalInterplay EntertainmentJune 22, 2001Windows88/10088.73%
Super Monkey BallSegaSeptember 14, 2001GameCube87/10088.7%
Red FactionTHQMay 22, 2001PlayStation 288/10088.32%
Dark Age of CamelotVivendi Universal GamesOctober 10, 2001Windows88/10088.08%
Return to Castle WolfensteinActivisionNovember 19, 2001Windows88/10086.75%
SSX TrickyEA SportsDecember 10, 2001Xbox88/10086.6%
Wario Land 4NintendoAugust 21, 2001Game Boy Advance88/10085.34%
Madden NFL 2002EA SportsAugust 13, 2001PlayStation88/10085.08%
Tribes 2Sierra EntertainmentMarch 28, 2001Windows88/10084.85%
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of LodisNintendoJune 21, 2001Game Boy Advance88/100[16]83.62%[17]

Financial performance

Best-selling home video games

Best-selling home video games in Japan and the United States
RankTitlePlatform(s)PublisherSales
JapanUnited States[18]Combined
1Pokémon Gold / Silver / CrystalGame Boy ColorNintendo826,125[a]3,127,6593,953,784
2Final Fantasy XPlayStation 2Squaresoft2,434,015[19]746,632[20]3,180,647
3Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecPlayStation 2Sony1,656,959[19]1,172,3222,829,281
4Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyPlayStation 2Konami750,560[19]1,800,000+[21]2,550,560+
5Madden NFL 2002PS2, PlayStationEA Sports2,220,1122,220,112
6The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of AgesGame Boy ColorNintendo772,858[19]1,248,1912,021,049
7Grand Theft Auto IIIPlayStation 2Rockstar1,965,8321,965,832
8Super Mario AdvanceGame Boy AdvanceNintendo777,899[22]1,172,323+[23][18]1,950,222+
9Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StonePlayStation, PCEA83,954[22]1,628,744[18][24]1,712,698
10The SimsPCEA1,482,182[24]1,482,182
Highest-grossing home video games in the United States and Europe
RankTitlePlatform(s)Sales revenue
USA[18][23][25]Europe[26]CombinedInflation
1Pokémon Gold / Silver / CrystalGBC$91,038,324€221,000,000 ($198,000,000)$289,038,324$497,000,000
2Grand Theft Auto IIIPlayStation 2$98,940,325€54,000,000 ($48,000,000)$146,940,325$253,000,000
3Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneMulti-platform$55,148,445[18][23][24]€92,000,000 ($82,000,000)$137,148,445$236,000,000
4Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecPlayStation 2$58,264,403€64,000,000 ($57,000,000)$115,264,403$198,000,000
5Madden NFL 2002PS2, PS1$110,000,000Un­known$110,000,000+$190,000,000+
6Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3Multi-platform$81,000,000€24,000,000 ($21,000,000)$102,000,000$176,000,000
7Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyPlayStation 2$87,000,000+$87,000,000+$150,000,000+
8The SimsPC$60,499,079[24]€25,000,000 ($22,000,000)$82,499,079$142,000,000
9Super Mario AdvanceGBA$37,000,000+€23,000,000 ($21,000,000)$56,000,000+$96,000,000+
10FIFA Football 2002Multi-platformUn­known€52,000,000 ($47,000,000)$47,000,000+$81,000,000+

Japan

Best-selling home video games in Japan
RankTitlePlatformSalesSales revenueInflationRef
1Final Fantasy XPS22,434,015¥17,600,000,000+ ($145,000,000+)$250,000,000+[19][27]
2Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecPS21,656,959Un­known[19]
3Dragon Quest Monsters 2PlayStation1,138,756Un­known[22]
4Dragon Quest IV: Michibikareshi MonotachiPlayStation1,039,443Un­known[19]
5Onimusha (Onimusha: Warlords)PS21,000,000+Un­known[28][29]
6Minna no Golf 3 (Everybody's Golf 3)PS2871,167Un­known[19]
7Dai Rantō Smash Brothers DX (Smash Bros. Melee)GameCube838,237
8Pocket Monsters: Gold / Silver / Crystal (Pokémon)GBC826,125Un­known[a]
9Winning Eleven 5 (Pro Evolution Soccer)PS2789,515Un­known[19]
10Super Mario AdvanceGBA777,899Un­known[22]

United States

Best-selling home video games in the United States
RankTitlePlatform(s)SalesRevenueInflationRef
1Pokémon Gold / Silver / CrystalGame Boy Color3,127,659$91,038,324$157,000,000[18][23][25]
2Madden NFL 2002PlayStation 2, PlayStation2,220,112$110,000,000$190,000,000[23][18]
3Grand Theft Auto IIIPlayStation 21,965,832$98,940,325$170,000,000[23][18]
4Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyPlayStation 21,800,000+$87,000,000+$150,000,000+[21][23]
5Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3PlayStation 2, PlayStation1,693,037$81,000,000$139,000,000[23][18]
6Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's StonePlayStation, PC1,628,744$55,148,445$95,000,000[18][23][24]
7The SimsPC1,482,182$60,499,079$100,000,000[24]
8The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of AgesGame Boy Color1,248,191$39,000,000$67,000,000[23][18]
9Super Mario AdvanceGame Boy Advance1,172,323+$35,000,000+$60,000,000+[23][18]
10Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecPlayStation 21,172,322$58,264,403$100,000,000[23][18]

PAL regions

Highest-grossing home video games in Europe[26]
RankTitlePlatform(s)PublisherGenreSales revenueInflation
1Pokémon Gold / Silver / CrystalGame Boy ColorNintendoRole-playing€221,000,000 ($198,000,000)$341,000,000
2Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneMulti-platformElectronic ArtsAction-adventure€92,000,000 ($82,000,000)$140,000,000
3Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecPlayStation 2SonyRacing sim€64,000,000 ($57,000,000)$98,000,000
4Grand Theft Auto IIIPlayStation 2Rockstar GamesAction-adventure€54,000,000 ($48,000,000)$83,000,000
5FIFA Football 2002Multi-platformEA SportsSports€52,000,000 ($47,000,000)$81,000,000
6Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?Multi-platformEidos InteractiveQuiz€33,000,000 ($30,000,000)$52,000,000
7FIFA 2001Multi-platformEA SportsSports€31,000,000 ($28,000,000)$48,000,000
8Final Fantasy IXPlayStationSquaresoftRole-playing€30,000,000 ($27,000,000)$46,000,000
9Black & WhitePCElectronic ArtsGod game€28,000,000 ($25,000,000)$43,000,000
10The SimsPCElectronic ArtsLife simulation€25,000,000 ($22,000,000)$38,000,000
Best-selling home video games in Australia[30]
RankTitlePlatformDeveloperPublisherGenre
1Pokémon CrystalGame Boy ColorGame FreakNintendoRole-playing
2Pokémon Gold
3Pokémon Silver
4Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StonePlayStationArgonaut GamesElectronic ArtsAction-adventure
5Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneGame Boy ColorGriptonite GamesRole-playing
6Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecPlayStation 2Polyphony DigitalSonyRacing simulation
7Gran Turismo 2PlayStation
8Pokémon Stadium 2Nintendo 64Nintendo EADNintendoTurn-based strategy
9Super Mario AdvanceGame Boy AdvanceNintendo R&D2Platformer
10Crash Bandicoot 3: WarpedPlayStationNaughty DogSony

Highest-grossing arcade games in Japan

Highest-grossing arcade games in Japan[31]
RankTitleDeveloperManufacturerTypeGenrePoints
1Canvas Shot / Flash Shot / ChaopiOmronOmronOtherPurikura8712
2Derby Owners ClubSega AM3SegaDedicatedSimulation3837
3Battle Gear 2TaitoTaitoDedicatedRacing2601
4Tekken Tag TournamentNamcoNamcoSoftwareFighting2568
5Shakatto Tambourine (Samba de Amigo)SegaSegaDedicatedRhythm2523
6Time Crisis 2NamcoNamcoDedicatedLight gun shooter2400
7The King of Fighters 2000SNKSNKSoftwareFighting2382
8Virtua Striker 2 ver. 2000Sega AM2SegaSoftwareSports2345
9Street Snap EGHitachiHitachiOtherPurikura2291
10Kidō Senshi Gundam: Renpō vs. Zeon (Federation vs. Zeon)CapcomBanprestoSoftwareThird-person shooter2280

Major events

MonthDay(s)Event
January29Infogrames acquired Hasbro Interactive, including the Game.com division, the MicroProse and Atari labels, and a right to publish and develop games based on Hasbro properties. Paradigm Entertainment was also acquired.[32]
31Sega announced it would be departing from the console market[33] and discontinuing the Dreamcast, and develop and publish games for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.[34]

Events

Business

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

Video game platforms
DCDreamcast
GBAGame Boy Advance
GCNGameCube
N64Nintendo 64
PS1PlayStation
PS2PlayStation 2
WinWindows
XboxXbox
GBCGame Boy Color
Notable releases of the year 2001
ReleaseTitleWindows5th Gen6th GenHandheld
January 4RuneScapeWin
January 10Mega Man 64N64
January 16Mario TennisGBC
January 29OniWinPS2
January 29Phantasy Star OnlineDC
January 30Rayman 2: The Great EscapePS2
January 31Mega Man X5Win (2002)PS1
February 5Paper MarioN64
February 6Action Man: Search for Base XGBC
February 6Metal WalkerGBC
February 7Clive Barker's UndyingWin
February 16Final Fantasy IXPS1 (EU)
February 20Scooby-Doo! Classic Creep CapersGBC
February 27The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of AgesGBC (JP)
March 1Lego Island 2 The Brickster's RevengeWin'98PS1GBC, GBA
March 5Conker's Bad Fur DayN64
March 6The BouncerPS2
March 9Sonic ShuffleDC
March 12Star Wars: Episode I: Battle for NabooWin
March 13Onimusha: WarlordsPS2
March 13Unreal TournamentDC
March 14Aidyn Chronicles: The First MageN64
March 15SpongeBob SquarePants: Legend of the Lost SpatulaGBC
March 21Daytona USADC
March 21Tribes 2Win
March 21Serious Sam: The First EncounterWin
March 22Klonoa 2: Lunatea's VeilPS2
March 23Hostile Waters: Antaeus RisingWin
March 25Black & WhiteWin
March 26Pokémon Stadium 2N64
March 26The Simpsons: Night of the Living Treehouse of HorrorGBC
March 26Zone of the EndersPS2
March 27Rocket Power: Gettin' AirGBC
March 27Strikers 1945 IIPS1
March 30Indiana Jones and the Infernal MachineGBC
March 30Star Wars: Episode I: Battle for NabooN64 (EU)
April 6Snoopy TennisGBC
April 8Dr. Mario 64N64
April 11Kirby Tilt 'n' TumbleGBC
April 12The Simpsons WrestlingPS1
April 16IllbleedDC
April 16Batman: Chaos in GothamGBC
April 19Spider-ManDC
April 23Silpheed: The Lost PlanetPS2
April 30The Adventures of Cookie & CreamPS2
April 30Mars Matrix: Hyper Solid ShootingDC
May 7Mario Party 3N64
May 8Myst III: ExileWinPS2
May 14Crazy TaxiPS2
May 16Giga Wing 2DC
May 16Project JusticeDC
May 18Atlantis The Lost Empire: Trial by FireWin
May 21Cool BoardersPS2
May 22Red FactionPS2
May 28Crazy Taxi 2DC
May 29Shrek: Fairy Tale FreakdownGBC
May 30BejeweledWin
May 30Spider-Man 2: The Sinister SixGBC
May 30Max Steel: Covert MissionsDC
June 8Castlevania: Circle of the MoonGBA
June 11ChuChu Rocket!GBA
June 11Earthworm JimGBA
June 11F-Zero: Maximum VelocityGBA
June 11Konami Krazy RacersGBA
June 11Rayman AdvanceGBA
June 11Super Mario AdvanceGBA
June 14Atlantis: The Lost EmpirePS1
June 18Twisted Metal: BlackPS2
June 19Sonic Adventure 2DC
June 20Time Crisis: Project TitanPS1
June 21Baldur's Gate II: Throne of BhaalWin
June 22Operation Flashpoint: Cold War CrisisWin
June 27AnachronoxWin
June 29Bomberman TournamentGBA
June 29Final Fantasy ChroniclesPS1
July 1Tomb Raider: Curse of the SwordGBC
July 6Runaway: A Road AdventureWin
July 8Dark Angel: Vampire ApocalypsePS2
July 10Gran Turismo 3: A-SpecPS2
July 14Mega Man LegendsWin
July 16Jurassic Park III: The DNA FactorGBA
July 17City CrisisPS2
July 19Final Fantasy XPS2 (JP)
July 23ExterminationPS2
July 23Max PayneWin
July 28Rune: Viking WarlordPS2
July 29Pokémon Crystal (North America)GBC
July 30Tweety and the Magic GemsGBA
August 1Golden SunGBA
August 1Nancy Drew: Treasure in the Royal TowerWin
August 7WWF BetrayalGBA
August 8Shogun: Total War: Mongol InvasionWin
August 19Madden NFL 2002PS1PS2
August 20Armored Core 2: Another AgePS2
August 21Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick ObscuraWin
August 27Mario Kart: Super CircuitGBA
August 27Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2PS2
August 28ESPN Final Round Golf 2002GBA
August 29AlchemyWin
September 6Shenmue IIDC
September 10Advance WarsGBA
September 10Jurassic Park III: Park BuilderGBA
September 10Portal RunnerPS2
September 11The World Is Not EnoughGBC
September 13Heavy Metal: GeomatrixDC
September 13Ooga BoogaDC
September 15Power Rangers Time ForceGBA
September 15Klonoa: Empire of DreamsGBA
September 17Arctic ThunderPS2
September 21SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSpongePS1
September 24Monster Rancher 3PS2
September 24Phantasy Star Online Version 2DC
September 24Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth DrannorWin
September 24Silent Hill 2PS2
September 24SpyHunterPS2
September 24SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Krabby PattyWin
September 25X-Men: Reign of ApocalypseGBA
September 26Bass StrikePS2
September 26Dexter's Laboratory: Deesaster Strikes!GBA
September 26Final Fight OneGBA
September 26Kessen IIPS2
September 30IcoPS2
October 1NASCAR Thunder 2002PS1PS2, Xbox
October 1Scooby-Doo and the Cyber ChaseGBA
October 1Time Crisis IIPS2
October 1Yanya Caballista: City SkaterPS2
October 2Lego Island 2: The Brickster's RevengeGBA
October 3Lego BionicleGBA
October 4Scooby-Doo and the Cyber ChasePS1
October 5The Wild Thornberrys: Chimp ChaseGBA
October 8Castlevania ChroniclesPS1
October 10Dark Age of CamelotWin
October 12Phoenix Wright: Ace AttorneyGBA
October 15Lady SiaGBA
October 15Batman: VengeanceWinPS2, GCN, XboxGBA
October 17Devil May CryPS2
October 18E.T.: Digital CompanionGBC
October 21StrongholdWin
October 22Grand Theft Auto IIIPS2
October 24Virtua Tennis 2DC
October 28DoomGBA
October 28Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3PS1PS2, GCN
October 29Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of CortexPS2, Xbox, GCN
October 29Spyro: Season of IceGBA
October 30Aliens versus Predator 2Win
October 30Boxing FeverGBA
October 30Civilization IIIWin
October 30Mega Man Xtreme 2GBC
October 30Monsters, Inc. Scream TeamWinPS1PS2
October 30Super Street Fighter II Turbo RevivalGBA
October 31Soul Reaver 2PS2
October 31Mega Man Battle NetworkGBA
November 1Ace Combat 04: Shattered SkiesPS2
November 1BurnoutPS2
November 1Dragon Warrior VIIPS1
November 1FIFA Football 2002PS1PS2
November 1Nancy Drew: The Final SceneWin
November 3Rocket Power: Dream SchemeGBA
November 5SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSpongePS1GBA
November 5SSX TrickyPS2, GCN, Xbox
November 7Jackie Chan Adventures: Legend of the Dark HandGBA
November 9Project Gotham RacingXbox
November 11Golden SunGBA
November 12Empire EarthWin
November 12Gradius AdvanceGBA
November 12SurvivorWin
November 13007: Agent Under FirePS2
November 13Cubix - Robots for Everyone: Race 'N RobotsGBC
November 13Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyPS2
November 14Harvest Moon 3 GBCGBC
November 14ShrekXbox
November 15Cel DamageXbox, PS2, GCN
November 15Dead or Alive 3Xbox
November 15Halo: Combat EvolvedXbox
November 15Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneWinPS1GBC, GBA
November 15Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted MansionGBA
November 15Oddworld: Munch's OddyseeXbox
November 16HeadhunterDC
November 17NHL Hitz 2002GCN
November 17Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue LeaderGCN
November 18Crazy TaxiGCN
November 18Super Monkey BallGCN
November 18IL-2 SturmovikWin
November 18Luigi's Mansion GCN
November 18WWF Road to WrestlemaniaGBA
November 19Wario Land 4GBA
November 19WWF SmackDown! Just Bring ItPS2
November 20FrequencyPS2
November 20Return to Castle WolfensteinWin
November 20Frogger: The Great QuestPS2
November 21Ecks vs. SeverGBA
November 21Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power BattlesGBA
November 21Super Smash Bros. MeleeGCN (NTSC-J)
November 22Mr. Driller GPS1 (NTSC-J)
November 23GothicWin
November 24Frogger's Adventures: Temple of the FrogGBA
November 25Azurik: Rise of PerathiaXbox
November 26Jurassic Park III: Island AttackGBA
November 26Star Wars: StarfighterXbox
November 26Twisted Metal: Small BrawlPS1
November 27Extreme-G 3GCN
November 27Lego Racers 2GBA
November 28Cruis'n VelocityGBA
November 29Rampage Puzzle AttackGBA
November 30Dokapon: Monster HunterGBA
December 1Breath of FireGBA
December 1M&M's Blast!GBA
December 3Baldur's Gate: Dark AlliancePS2
December 3PikminGCN
December 3Super Smash Bros. MeleeGCN (NTSC-U)
December 3Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy PS2
December 4Mega Man X6PS1
December 5American Bass ChallengeGBA
December 7Cel DamageGCN
December 7Magical VacationGBA
December 7Evil Twin: Cyprien's Chronicles PS2 (PAL & EU)
December 9The Flintstones: Big Trouble in BedrockGBA
December 12Mortal Kombat AdvanceGBA
December 12Shadow HeartsPS2
December 17Dark Rift (North America)N64
December 18Universal Studios Theme Parks AdventureGCN
December 19Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken LandPS2
December 20Final Fantasy X PS2 (US)
December 20Giants: Citizen KabutoPS2
December 21Silent Hill 2: Director's CutXbox
December 21Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3GBA

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

References