Most Nostalgic Games of the 2000s

It’s hard to resist the nostalgic pull of a good old classic game, even during our modern era of gaming, where shiny new titles launch left and right. According to ExpressVPN, 79% of gamers play retro games — the most popular choices being Super Mario Brothers, PAC-MAN, Tetris, and Mario Kart. Whether it be their simple gameplay, colourful art, or 8-bit music, these timeless titles from the 80s and 90s never fail to evoke comforting feelings and childhood memories. Even younger generations today are likely to grow up with these older games as their parents introduce them to their favourite retro titles. However, we can’t forget games from the 2000s (sometimes argued to be the golden era of gaming). The 2000s definitely left an everlasting mark on the gaming industry with titles that were ahead of their time and ultimately defined their genres. Here are some games you’ll surely remember.

The Sims 2

It’s undeniable that The Sims 2 was a groundbreaking game not only for The Sims franchise but also for the life sim genre in 2004. It came with better graphics, more flexibility for handling your Sims’ needs, and it was the first time you were able to follow multiple generations of your Sim families. Sims also had their own wants, fears, and aspirations, which made them feel especially real for game characters at that time.

Hitman: Codename 47

Hitman: Codename 47, released in 2000, places you in the shoes of Agent 47, an amnesiac hitman. When it comes to executing hits and hiding bodies, it’s up to you to figure out the best way to carry out a mission. Sure, it has clunky movement controls and not-so-great voice acting, but those drawbacks are also part of its charm and memorability. It also featured ragdoll physics, an ambitious accomplishment for game developers.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

From 2003 to today, KOTOR still holds up as a great game for RPG fans as well as Star Wars fans. You get to train as a Jedi and navigate the Star Wars universe. Your decisions ultimately affect whether your Jedi aligns with the dark side or light side of The Force, how your interactions play out with your companions, and the overall outcome of the story. The combination of memorable character arcs, turn-based combat, and exploration make KOTOR a unique experience that you can still enjoy today.

Fable

2004’s Fable is an RPG set in the world of Albion, starting your story as a young boy and growing into a hero of your own making. The humour and art style make this game especially charming. It’s also well-known for its ambitious gameplay mechanics, including its morality system that changed how your character looked to real-time combat and upgradeable abilities. The game even blended genres with sim-like elements, letting you buy a home and marry townsfolk. It captured a fairytale essence that would ultimately make this one of the most memorable titles of its time.