In 2003, we were a couple of years into the console generation that included the PS2, GameCube, Xbox, and Game Boy Advance, all of which were homes to some of the most influential games ever made. It was also a year of franchises. We got a lot of sequels, prequels, and even the starts of properties that cemented the legacies of game dev behemoths still standing today.
This was a good time to be a kid, trust me. I spent hours watching my friends play countless future classics, waiting patiently for my turn to take the controller. Man, what a good year for gaming.
Call of Duty
Here’s a gaming juggernaut if there ever was one. October saw the release of the first ever Call of Duty, which received critical acclaim and several GOTY awards. Since this was the first, it wasn’t quite the money-maker we know it to be today – while it’s easily the top-selling game any year in the last ten years, it didn’t break the top ten in 2003.
The series is doing just dandy now, though, and if you were an early adopter, you would have wanted this under your tree. You could ask for Black Ops 6 this year to keep the tradition alive, but chances are you already played it on Game Pass.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
2003 mostly stands out because it was when KOTOR, one of my favourite games of all time, was released. It’s widely (and correctly) considered one of the best games ever made, and was so influential among fans that people are still mad that it’s not considered canon in the Star Wars universe. I blame Disney.
Personally, I’ve played it tens of times, and I’m still, foolishly, waiting for the highly anticipated remake that almost definitely will never materialise. At least we can still play the original. I got on the KOTOR train after 2003, but if I’d known how much of an impact this game would’ve had on me, I would’ve begged Santa for a copy.
Tony Hawk’s Underground
Tony Hawk’s Underground walking
Everybody loves Tony Hawk games, and Tony Hawk’s Underground was no exception. This was also the first game in the series to have a story mode, making it a fairly novel experience.
It was considered by many to be the best entry in the Tony Hawk canon at the time, and still is. Maybe you got it that Christmas and lived out your dream of working your way to becoming a pro skater. Or your older brother was obsessed with Jackass and was stoked to see Bam Margera eat it on the halfpipe.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Ah, a classic, and yet another game slated for a remake that never appeared (it’s currently projected to release in 2026, watch this space to see if that happens). This game revitalised the Prince of Persia series only for it to fall to the wayside again years later after a handful of great entries.
It was the progenitor for Assassin’s Creed, which, as we all know, is very popular despite being very mid. I remember watching my friend’s brothers playing it on their PS2. They never let me have a turn. I should’ve stolen the copy they got for Christmas out of spite, and their PS2 too at that.
Beyond Good & Evil
Since we’re on Ubisoft games, Beyond Good & Evil also came out this year. You probably didn’t ask for this one – it was a commercial failure at launch despite being critically lauded – but developed a cult following over time. A prequel was announced in 2017 at E3, but has faced many delays since. Maybe it’ll still come out eventually, and you can eventually buy that one for the kids in your family. Yes, we’re getting old, deal with it.
Postal 2
I doubt your parents bought this for you, considering how controversial it ended up being and the fact that it wasn’t actually very good, but, you know. It was an option.
A Bunch Of Mario Games
Mario fans were spoiled for choice this year. For the racers, there was Mario Kart: Double Dash. For the platformer fans, there was Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3. There was Mario Party 5 for people who played with friends. On the RPG side, there was Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. This was also when the first WarioWare game was released, and there was Wario World on top of that. I might have missed something out. There were a lot of Mario games.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
The Wind Waker technically released in 2002, but only launched outside of Japan in 2003, which means this was the Christmas you begged for it. Maybe you, like many players, spent the Christmas season starting to hate sailing around. Maybe you even got frustrated and decided to replay Ocarina of Time instead. Maybe you didn’t ask for it at all – The Wind Waker didn’t sell that well, despite critical acclaim. This one is hit or miss.
A Bunch Of Games From 2002
Actually, a lot of games that were released in 2002 were high on the bestsellers list in 2003, which means you might have gotten them for Christmas. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire were both big hits the year after they released.
I’m just saying, statistically, you probably got one of those. I don’t care if it’s in the spirit of the list or not, I’m just stating the facts. Santa probably had loads of old games left over anyways.
Devil May Cry 2
Sure, it was a production fraught with issues and got mixed reviews, to the point that it was largely regarded as one of the most disappointing games of the year, but it sold like a million copies within two months anyway. The fans want what they want.
Tomb Raider: The Angel Of Darkness
Okay, this one was a flop. Critics hated it so much that, despite selling millions of copies, the trilogy it was supposed to be the first game of was cancelled and the franchise was handed over to Crystal Dynamics. If you played this over Christmas, you were probably aghast.
The Simpsons: Hit & Run
This is the best Simpsons game. If you weren’t allowed to get GTA 3 because, you know, violence, this was a sneaky alternative.
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Also considered one of the greatest games ever made, this game sold awfully. You didn’t ask for this one, but you should have. Don’t worry, you’ll get another chance – Remedy’s making a remake of Max Payne and its sequel. I hope they release that one at Christmas time, too.
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What A Gamer Would Have Gotten For Christmas In 1879
Indubitably, it is the most peaceful of Yuletide. God bless Queen Victoria!