2003 in video games
Overview of the events of 2003 in video games
2003 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as Tony Hawk's Underground , Madden NFL 2004 , NBA Live 2004 , ESPN NBA Basketball , Saya no Uta: The Song of Saya , Final Fantasy X-2 , Mario Kart: Double Dash , Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga , Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time , Sonic Heroes , Postal 2 , Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic , Uru: Ages Beyond Myst , and WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain . New intellectual properties included Beyond Good & Evil , Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand , Call of Duty , Disgaea , Drakengard , Manhunt , PlanetSide , TrackMania , True Crime: Streets of LA , and Viewtiful Joe . The year's best-selling video game worldwide was Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire , the fifth time a Pokémon games was the annual worldwide top-seller (since 1998 ).
Events
Business
Hardware
Nokia N-Gage
Discontinued
Trends
Computer games continue to lose ground to console video games with a US sales drop of 14% in 2003.[ 3] Total 2003 entertainment software sales in the United States grew slightly to US$7 billion; console sales increased to $5.8 billion and computer games accounted for the remaining $1.2 billion.[ 4]
Video game consoles
The dominant video game consoles in 2003 were:
Handheld game systems
The dominant handheld systems in 2003 were:
Additionally, two new handheld consoles were introduced in 2003, the Game Boy Advance SP (an enhanced GBA ) and Nokia 's N-Gage .
Best-selling video games
Best-selling video games worldwide in 2003
Game
Platform
Publisher
Sales
Japan [ 5]
USA
Europe
Worldwide
Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire
GBA
Nintendo
1,704,458
2,200,000+[ 6]
1,500,000+[ 7]
6,120,000[ 8]
Mario Kart: Double Dash
GameCube
Nintendo
567,849
1,000,000+[ 9]
Unknown
3,580,000[ 8]
Final Fantasy X-2
PS2
Square Enix
2,000,000+[ 10]
1,000,000[ 11]
Unknown
3,400,000[ 11]
Pro Evolution Soccer 3 (World Soccer Winning Eleven 7 )
PS2
Konami
1,160,000[ 12]
—
1,550,000[ 12]
2,710,000[ 12]
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3
GBA
Nintendo
457,095
1,100,000+[ 13] [ 6]
Unknown
2,590,000[ 8]
Madden NFL 2004
PS2
EA Sports
—
2,300,000+[ 14]
Unknown
2,300,000+
Mario Party 5
GameCube
Nintendo
481,053
Unknown
Unknown
1,640,000[ 8]
Enter the Matrix
PS2
Infogrames
92,459[ 15]
1,000,000+[ 16]
300,000+[ 17] [ 18]
1,392,459+
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
GameCube
Nintendo
252,064
1,100,000+[ 6]
Unknown
1,352,064+
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
PS2
Rockstar
—
1,000,000+[ 13] [ 9]
300,000+[ 17] [ 18]
1,300,000+
Japan
Best-selling video games in Japan [ 5]
Rank
Game
Platform
Publisher
Genre
Sales
Ref
1
Final Fantasy X-2
PS2
Square Enix
Role-playing
2,000,000+
[ 10]
2
Pocket Monsters: Ruby / Sapphire (Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire)
GBA
The Pokémon Company
Role-playing
1,704,458
[ 5]
3
Shin Sangokumusou 3 (Dynasty Warriors 4 )
PS2
Koei
Hack and slash
1,178,455
4
World Soccer Winning Eleven 7 (Pro Evolution Soccer 3 )
PS2
Konami
Sports
1,160,000
[ 12]
5
Minna no Golf 4 (Everybody's Golf 4 )
PS2
Sony
Sports
875,252
[ 5]
6
Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart
GBA
Square Enix
Role-playing
593,458
7
Mobile Suit Gundam: Meguriai Sora
PS2
Bandai
Third-person shooter
577,972
8
Mario Kart: Double Dash
GameCube
Nintendo
Kart racing
567,849
9
Made in Wario
GBA
Nintendo
Party
556,806
10
Dragon Ball Z (Dragon Ball Z: Budokai )
PS2
Bandai
Fighting
543,312
United States
Best-selling video games in the United States [ 13] [ 19]
Rank
Game
Platform
Publisher
Genre
Sales
Ref
1
Madden NFL 2004
PS2
EA Sports
Sports
2,300,000+
[ 14]
2
Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire
GBA
Nintendo
Role-playing
2,200,000+
[ 6]
3
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3
GBA
Nintendo
Platformer
1,100,000+
[ 13] [ 6]
4
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
GameCube
Nintendo
Action-adventure
1,100,000+
[ 6]
5
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
PS2
Rockstar Games
Action-adventure
1,000,000+
[ 13] [ 9]
6
Mario Kart: Double Dash
GameCube
Nintendo
Kart racing
1,000,000+
[ 9]
7
Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga
GBA
Nintendo
Role-playing
1,000,000+
[ 13] [ 16]
8
Enter the Matrix
PS2
Infogrames
Action-adventure
1,000,000+
[ 16]
9
Medal of Honor: Rising Sun
PS2
Electronic Arts
First-person shooter
1,000,000+
[ 19] [ 11]
10
NCAA Football 2004
PS2
EA Sports
Sports
1,000,000+
[ 19] [ 11]
PAL regions
Best-selling video games in PAL regions
Rank
Australia [ 20]
United Kingdom [ 17]
Game
Platform
Game
Platform(s)
Sales[ 18] [ 21]
1
EyeToy: Play
PS2
FIFA Football 2004
Multi-platform
700,000+[ 22]
2
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
PS2
Need for Speed: Underground
Multi-platform
700,000[ 22]
3
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
PS2
Medal of Honor: Rising Sun
Multi-platform
300,000+
4
V8 Supercars
PS2
The Sims
Multi-platform
300,000+
5
Pokémon Ruby
GBA
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Multi-platform
300,000+
6
Pokémon Sapphire
GBA
Enter the Matrix
Multi-platform
300,000+
7
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
PS2
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Multi-platform
300,000+
8
Need for Speed: Underground
PS2
EyeToy: Play
PS2
300,000+
9
Rugby League
PS2
The Simpsons: Hit & Run
Multi-platform
300,000+
10
Enter the Matrix
PS2
FIFA Football 2003
Multi-platform
300,000+
Games with notable critical reception
Metacritic (MC) and GameRankings (GR) are aggregators of video game journalism reviews.
Critically acclaimed games
Famitsu
The following video game releases in 2002 entered Famitsu magazine's "Platinum Hall of Fame" and received Famitsu scores of at least 36 out of 40.[ 23]
2003 games and expansions scoring at least 88/100 (MC) or 87.5% (GR)[ 24] [ 25]
Game
Publisher
Release Date
Platform(s)
MC score
GR score
Grand Theft Auto Double Pack
Rockstar Games
November 4, 2003
Xbox
96/100
94.6%
The Legend of Zelda Collector's Edition
Nintendo
November 17, 2003
GameCube
95/100
92.17%
Championship Manager 4
Eidos Interactive
March 28, 2003
Microsoft Windows
N/A
95%
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Rockstar Games
May 12, 2003
Microsoft Windows
94/100
94.39%
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
LucasArts
July 15, 2003
Xbox
94/100
94.21%
NCAA Football 2004
EA Sports
July 16, 2003
PlayStation 2
94/100
93.27%
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
Nintendo
October 21, 2003
Game Boy Advance
94/100
92.25%
Madden NFL 2004
EA Sports
August 12, 2003
PlayStation 2
94/100
91.77%
Madden NFL 2004
EA Sports
August 12, 2003
GameCube
94/100
91.54%
Pro Evolution Soccer 3
Konami
October 17, 2003
Microsoft Windows
92/100[ 26]
93.33%[ 27]
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
LucasArts
November 19, 2003
Microsoft Windows
93/100
93.19%
Project Gotham Racing 2
Microsoft Game Studios
November 18, 2003
Xbox
90/100
93.16%
Pro Evolution Soccer 3
Konami
August 7, 2003
PlayStation 2
93/100[ 26]
92.97%[ 27]
SSX 3
EA Sports
October 20, 2003
PlayStation 2
93/100
92.28%
Soulcalibur II
Namco
March 27, 2003
GameCube
93/100
92.23%
Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution
Sega
March 13, 2003
PlayStation 2
93/100
91.59%
Viewtiful Joe
Capcom
June 26, 2003
GameCube
93/100
91.19%
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Ubisoft
November 18, 2003
Xbox
92/100
92.67%
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Ubisoft
November 18, 2003
GameCube
92/100
92.12%
SSX 3
EA Sports
October 20, 2003
GameCube
92/100
92%
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Ubisoft
November 10, 2003
PlayStation 2
92/100
91.94%
Soulcalibur II
Namco
March 27, 2003
Xbox
92/100
91.62%
Soulcalibur II
Namco
March 27, 2003
PlayStation 2
92/100
91.47%
SSX 3
EA Sports
October 20, 2003
Xbox
92/100
89.93%
Madden NFL 2004
EA Sports
August 12, 2003
Xbox
92/100
89.24%
Call of Duty
Activision
October 29, 2003
Microsoft Windows
91/100
91.52%
NCAA Football 2004
EA Sports
July 16, 2003
Xbox
88/100
91.33%
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Ubisoft
February 19, 2003
Microsoft Windows
91/100
90.16%
ESPN NFL Football
Sega
September 3, 2003
Xbox
91/100
89.27%
Madden NFL 2004
EA Sports
August 12, 2003
Microsoft Windows
91/100
88.4%
ESPN NFL Football
Sega
September 3, 2003
PlayStation 2
91/100
88.12%
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Konami
May 6, 2003
Game Boy Advance
91/100
87.9%
F1 Challenge '99–'02
EA Sports
June 24, 2003
Microsoft Windows
91/100
85.29%
Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
Blizzard Entertainment
July 1, 2003
Microsoft Windows
88/100
90.98%
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
Sony Computer Entertainment
November 11, 2003
PlayStation 2
90/100
90.64%
Tony Hawk's Underground
Activision
October 27, 2003
PlayStation 2
90/100
90.58%
NCAA Football 2004
EA Sports
July 16, 2003
GameCube
89/100
90.42%
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Nintendo
November 17, 2003
Game Boy Advance
90/100
90.41%
NBA Street Vol. 2
EA Sports
April 29, 2003
PlayStation 2
90/100
90.16%
Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising
Nintendo
June 24, 2003
Game Boy Advance
89/100
90.16%
ESPN NHL Hockey
Sega
September 9, 2003
PlayStation 2
90/100
86.42%
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind – Game of the Year Edition
Bethesda Softworks
October 31, 2003
Xbox
88/100
89.9%
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004
EA Sports
September 22, 2003
PlayStation 2
89/100
89.78%
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004
EA Sports
September 22, 2003
GameCube
89/100
89.54%
Burnout 2: Point of Impact
Acclaim Entertainment
April 9, 2003
GameCube
89/100
89.43%
NBA Street Vol. 2
EA Sports
April 29, 2003
GameCube
88/100
89.36%
Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
Microsoft Game Studios
October 21, 2003
Xbox
88/100
89.26%
NASCAR Racing 2003 Season
Sierra Entertainment
February 13, 2003
Microsoft Windows
89/100
89.25%
Rise of Nations
Microsoft Game Studios
May 20, 2003
Microsoft Windows
89/100
89.17%
World Series Baseball 2K3
Sega
March 10, 2003
Xbox
89/100
89.12%
F-Zero GX
Nintendo
July 25, 2003
GameCube
89/100
89.03%
NBA Street Vol. 2
EA Sports
April 29, 2003
Xbox
89/100
88.91%
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!
Nintendo
March 21, 2003
Game Boy Advance
89/100
88.83%
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Ubisoft
November 10, 2003
Microsoft Windows
89/100
88.59%
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Ubisoft
March 28, 2003
PlayStation 2
89/100
88.07%
Top Spin
Microsoft Game Studios
October 28, 2003
Xbox
89/100
88.05%
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004
EA Sports
September 22, 2003
Xbox
89/100
87.23%
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Ubisoft
April 10, 2003
GameCube
89/100
86.82%
Tony Hawk's Underground
Activision
October 27, 2003
GameCube
89/100
86.18%
ESPN NBA Basketball
Sega
October 21, 2003
PlayStation 2
89/100
86.13%
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
Nintendo
April 25, 2003
Game Boy Advance
88/100
88.83%
Beyond Good & Evil
Ubisoft
December 2, 2003
Xbox
87/100
88.61%
Burnout 2: Point of Impact
Acclaim Entertainment
May 1, 2003
Xbox
88/100
88.55%
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Rockstar Games
October 14, 2003
Microsoft Windows
86/100
88.52%
Beyond Good & Evil
Ubisoft
December 11, 2003
GameCube
87/100
88.14%
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3
Ubisoft
October 28, 2003
Xbox
86/100
88.06%
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Activision
August 27, 2003
Microsoft Windows
88/100
87.64%
ESPN NHL Hockey
Sega
September 9, 2003
Xbox
88/100
87.27%
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight
Microsoft
July 29, 2003
Microsoft Windows
88/100
87.07%
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004
EA Sports
September 22, 2003
Microsoft Windows
88/100
86.77%
NASCAR Thunder 2004
EA Sports
September 16, 2003
PlayStation 2
88/100
86.72%
Jak II
Sony Computer Entertainment
October 14, 2003
PlayStation 2
87/100
87.93%
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Square
February 14, 2003
Game Boy Advance
87/100
87.64%
Critically panned games
2003 games and expansions scoring lower than 37/100 (MC) or 37.5% (GR)[ 28] [ 29]
Game
Publisher
Release Date
Platform(s)
MC score
GR score
Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing
GameMill Publishing
November 20, 2003
Microsoft Windows
8/100
3.83%
Navy SEALs: Weapons of Mass Destruction
ValuSoft
July 18, 2003
Microsoft Windows
18/100
18.83%
Gods and Generals
Activision
March 1, 2003
Microsoft Windows
19/100
25.5%[ 30]
Drake of the 99 Dragons
Majesco Entertainment
November 3, 2003
Xbox
22/100
20.48%
Charlie's Angels
Ubisoft
July 8, 2003
GameCube
23/100
23.74%
Pulse Racer
Jaleco
January 2, 2003
Xbox
24/100
27.75%
Batman: Dark Tomorrow
Kemco
March 18, 2003
Xbox
25/100
24.06%
Terminator 3: War of the Machines
Atari
November, 2003
Microsoft Windows
25/100
27.67%
Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis
TDK Mediactive
July 23, 2003
GameCube
27/100
25.1%
Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis
TDK Mediactive
July 30, 2003
Xbox
26/100
30.87%
Mucha Lucha! Mascaritas of the Lost Code
Ubisoft
November 18, 2003
Game Boy Advance
26/100
26.08%
Charlie's Angels: Angel X
Sony Online Entertainment
June 20, 2003
Microsoft Windows
38/100
43.07&
Stake: Fortune Fighters
Metro3D, Inc.
May 5, 2003
Xbox
26/100
31%
Ultimate Demolition Derby
Global Star Software
September 16, 2003
Microsoft Windows
27/100
32.33%[ 31]
Celebrity Deathmatch
Gotham Games
October 14, 2003
Microsoft Windows
30/100
27.42%
Batman: Dark Tomorrow
Kemco
March 21, 2003
GameCube
29/100
27.83%
Mistmare
Strategy First
June 30, 2003
Microsoft Windows
33/100
28.14%
Puzzle Bobble VS
Taito
October 6, 2003
N-Gage
N/A
28.73%
Interstellar Trader 2
Shrapnel Games
March 21, 2003
Microsoft Windows
31/100
29%[ 32]
RoboCop
Titus Interactive
July 24, 2003
Xbox
30/100
40.75%[ 33]
Airport Tycoon 2
Global Star Software
February 26, 2003
Microsoft Windows
32/100
31%
Ring II: Twilight of Gods
Global Star Software
September 16, 2003
Microsoft Windows
31/100
35%
Celebrity Deathmatch
Gotham Games
October 14, 2003
PlayStation 2
32/100
36.76%
Yu Yu Hakusho: Spirit Detective
Atari
December 9, 2003
Game Boy Advance
33/100
39.67%
American Idol
Codemasters
November 7, 2003
Microsoft Windows
39/100
33.17%
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Atari
November 11, 2003
Xbox
35/100
41.06%
Fugitive Hunter: War on Terror
Encore, Inc.
November 18, 2003
PlayStation 2
35/100
42.71%
Celebrity Deathmatch
Gotham Games
October 14, 2003
Xbox
36/100
35.83%
MotoGP
THQ
November 14, 2003
N-Gage
N/A
35.85%
Ozzy & Drix
Midway Games
December 16, 2003
Game Boy Advance
36/100
45.6%
Dragon Ball Z: Taiketsu
Atari
November 24, 2003
Game Boy Advance
40/100
37.4%
Notable releases
Notable releases of the year 2003
Release
Game
Windows
6th Gen
Handheld
5th Gen
January 3
Super Bubble Pop
—
GCN
GBA
—
January 7
Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced
—
—
GBA
—
January 11
Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends
—
PS2
—
—
January 12
Panzer Dragoon Orta
—
Xbox
—
—
January 14
SimCity 4
Windows
—
—
—
January 19
The Getaway
—
PS2
—
—
January 20
Battle Engine Aquila
—
PS2 , Xbox
—
—
January 22
Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball
—
Xbox
—
—
January 25
Devil May Cry 2
—
PS2
—
—
January 26
Black & Bruised
—
GCN , PS2
—
—
January 26
HSX: Hypersonic.Xtreme
—
PS2
—
—
February 3
Unreal II: The Awakening
Windows
February 6
GT Advance 3: Pro Concept Racing
—
—
GBA
—
February 7
Shadow of Memories (EU)
Windows
February 10
Command & Conquer: Generals
Windows
—
—
—
February 10
.hack//Infection Part 1
—
PS2
—
—
February 11
Capcom vs. SNK EO
—
Xbox
—
—
February 12
Knight Rider: The Game
Windows
PS2
—
—
February 12
Yu-Gi-Oh! Dungeon Dice Monsters
—
—
—
GBA
February 13
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Windows
—
—
—
February 15
Disaster Report
—
PS2
—
—
February 15
Space Station 13 [ 34]
Windows
February 16
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Duelists of the Roses
—
PS2
—
—
February 17
Dark Cloud 2
—
PS2
—
—
February 20
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
—
PS2
—
—
February 21
I.G.I.-2: Covert Strike
Windows
—
—
—
February 21
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc
—
GCN
GBA
—
February 24
Everblue 2
—
PS2
—
—
February 24
Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb
—
Xbox
—
—
February 25
EverQuest: The Legacy of Ykesha
Windows
—
—
—
February 25
Master of Orion III
Windows
—
—
—
February 26
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
—
PS2
—
—
February 27
Men in Black II: Alien Escape
—
GCN
—
—
February 28
Praetorians
Windows
—
—
—
March 3
Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
—
PS2
—
—
March 4
Murakumo: Renegade Mech Pursuit
—
Xbox
—
—
March 4
Freelancer
Windows
—
—
—
March 9
Sonic Advance 2
—
—
GBA
—
March 10
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis
Windows
—
—
—
March 10
MLB 2004
—
PS2
—
—
March 10
World Series Baseball 2K3
—
PS2 , Xbox
—
—
March 10
Zone of the Enders: The Second Runner
—
PS2
—
—
March 11
Mega Man & Bass
—
—
GBA
—
March 11
Piglet's Big Game
—
—
GBA
—
March 14
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc
—
PS2, Xbox
—
—
March 14
Tom and Jerry in Infurnal Escape
—
—
GBA
—
March 19
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (North America)
—
—
GBA
—
March 17
WWE Crush Hour
—
GCN , PS2
—
—
March 18
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc
Windows
—
—
—
March 19
Bloody Roar 3
—
GCN
—
—
March 19
Mobile Light Force 2
—
PS2
—
—
March 19
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield
Windows
—
—
—
March 20
Pride FC: Fighting Championships
—
PS2
—
—
March 24
Amplitude
—
PS2
—
—
March 24
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
—
GCN (US)
—
—
March 25
Batman: Dark Tomorrow
—
GCN
—
—
March 25
Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22
—
—
—
PS1
March 25
Dynasty Warriors 4
—
PS2
—
—
March 25
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis
—
PS2
—
—
March 25
Primal
—
PS2
—
—
March 25
Samurai Jack: The Amulet of Time
—
—
—
GBA
March 25
Ed, Edd n Eddy: Jawbreakers!
—
—
—
GBA
March 26
Galactic Civilizations
Windows
—
—
—
March 26
Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb [ 35]
Windows
March 26
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis
—
Xbox
—
—
March 26
Superman: Countdown to Apokolips
—
—
—
GBA
March 27
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance
Windows
March 30
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
—
Xbox
—
—
April 8
Midnight Club II
Windows
PS2
—
—
April 9
Burnout 2: Point of Impact
—
GCN
—
—
April 9
Crazy Taxi: Catch a Ride
—
—
GBA
—
April 9
Evil Dead: Hail to the King
Windows
Dreamcast
—
PS1
April 14
Postal 2
Windows
—
—
—
April 14
Golden Sun: The Lost Age
—
—
GBA
—
April 15
Ikaruga
—
GCN
—
—
April 16
Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee
—
Xbox
—
—
April 17
Final Fantasy XI: Rise of the Zilart
Win (JAP)
PS2 (JAP)
—
—
April 17
Pinobee: Wings of Adventure
—
—
—
PS1
April 20
Siren
—
PS2
—
—
April 22
Ninja Five-O
—
—
GBA
—
April 30
RoboCop
Windows
April 30
MLB 2004
—
—
—
PS1
May 1
Burnout 2: Point of Impact
—
Xbox
—
—
May 6
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
—
—
GBA
—
May 6
Day of Defeat
Windows
May 6
Eve Online
Win (JAP)
—
—
—
May 12
Finding Nemo
—
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
GBA
—
May 12
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Windows
—
—
—
May 12
Iridion II
—
—
GBA
—
May 12
The Sims: Superstar
Windows
—
—
—
May 14
Enter The Matrix
Windows
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
—
—
May 20
Inside Pitch 2003
—
Xbox
—
—
May 20
Rise of Nations
Windows
—
—
—
May 20
PlanetSide
Windows
—
—
—
May 23
Silent Hill 3
—
PS2
—
—
May 21
WarioWare Inc.: Mega Microgame$
—
—
GBA
—
May 23
Ghost Master
Windows
May 27
Brute Force
—
Xbox
—
—
May 28
Hulk
Windows
PS2, GCN, Xbox
—
—
May 28
The Incredible Hulk
—
—
GBA
—
June 1
Sonic Pinball Party
—
—
GBA
—
June 2
Toontown Online
Windows
—
—
—
June 3
Midnight Club II
—
Xbox
—
—
June 9
Donkey Kong Country
—
—
—
GBA
June 17
Mega Man Network Transmission
—
GCN
—
—
June 17
Space Channel 5: Ulala's Cosmic Attack
—
—
—
GBA
June 17
Unlimited Saga
—
PS2
—
—
June 18
Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut
—
GCN
—
—
June 19
Drome Racers
—
—
—
GBA
June 19
Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter [ 36]
Windows
PS2 , Xbox
June 20
Neighbours from Hell
Windows
June 20
Star Trek: Elite Force II [ 37]
Windows
June 20
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness
—
PS2
—
—
June 23
Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising
—
—
—
GBA
June 23
Rock 'N Roll Racing
—
—
—
GBA
June 24
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Wrath of the Darkhul King
—
—
—
GBA
June 24
Magic Pengel: The Quest for Color
—
PS2
—
—
June 24
Mega Man Battle Network 3
—
—
—
GBA
June 24
Stuntman
—
—
—
GBA
June 24
Wario World
—
GCN
—
—
June 25
Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits
—
PS2
—
—
June 26
Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb [ 38]
PS2
June 30
Ape Escape 2
—
PS2
—
—
June 30
The Simpsons: Road Rage
—
—
—
GBA
July 1
Pirates of the Caribbean
—
Xbox
—
—
July 1
Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
Windows
—
—
—
July 1
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness
Windows
—
—
—
July 9
Charlie's Angels
—
GCN , PS2
—
—
July 9
Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided
Windows
—
—
—
July 16
NCAA Football 2004
—
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
—
—
July 17
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
—
Xbox
—
—
July 17
The Italian Job
—
GCN
—
—
July 23
Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis
—
GCN
—
—
July 23
Dinotopia: The Sunstone Odyssey
—
Xbox
—
—
July 23
The Great Escape
Windows
PS2 , Xbox
—
—
July 24
RoboCop
—
Xbox
—
—
July 28
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
—
GCN
—
—
July 30
Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis
—
Xbox
—
—
July 30
Shrek: Reekin' Havoc
—
—
—
GBA
July 31
Butt-Ugly Martians: Zoom or Doom
—
PS2
—
—
August 5
Chaos Legion
Windows
PS2
—
—
August 5
Freaky Flyers
—
PS2, Xbox
—
—
August 6
SplashDown: Rides Gone Wild
—
PS2
—
—
August 8
Freaky Flyers
—
GCN
—
—
August 12
Futurama
—
PS2 , Xbox
—
—
August 13
Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution
—
PS2
—
—
August 15
Pirates of the Caribbean
Windows
August 19
Alter Echo
—
PS2 , Xbox
—
—
August 22
Nancy Drew: The Haunted Carousel
Windows
—
—
—
August 25
F-Zero GX
—
GCN
—
—
August 27
Bombastic
—
PS2
—
—
August 27
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds
—
PS2 , Xbox
—
—
August 27
Otogi: Myth of Demons
—
Xbox
—
—
August 27
Rescue Heroes: Billy Blazes
—
—
—
GBA
August 27
Soul Calibur II
—
PS2, Xbox, GCN
—
—
August 28
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds
—
GCN
—
—
September 4
Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII
Windows
—
—
—
September 5
Power Rangers: Ninja Storm
—
—
—
GBA
September 8
Anarchy Online: The Shadowlands
Windows
—
—
—
September 8
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
—
—
—
GBA
September 8
WWE WrestleMania XIX
—
GCN
—
—
September 9
Counter-Strike (Steam and Retail)
Windows
—
—
—
September 9
EverQuest: Lost Dungeons of Norrath
Windows
—
—
—
September 9
P.N.03
—
GCN
—
—
September 10
Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge
—
—
GBA
—
September 11
Road Rash: Jailbreak
—
—
GBA
—
September 12
Starsky & Hutch
—
—
GBA
—
September 14
Asterix & Obelix: Kick Buttix
—
PS2
—
—
September 16
Boktai: The Sun Is in Your Hand
—
—
GBA
—
September 16
Dino Crisis 3
—
Xbox
—
—
September 16
Homeworld 2
Windows
—
—
—
September 16
NASCAR Thunder 2004
Windows
PS1 , PS2 , Xbox
—
September 16
The Simpsons: Hit & Run
—
PS2, Xbox, GCN
—
—
September 17
Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes
—
Xbox
—
—
September 17
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
Windows
—
—
—
September 22
Command & Conquer: Generals – Zero Hour
Windows
—
—
—
September 22
NHL 2004
Windows
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
—
—
September 22
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004
Windows
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
—
—
September 23
DDRMAX2: Dance Dance Revolution
—
PS2 ,
—
—
September 24
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius: Jet Fusion
—
—
GBA
—
September 24
Digimon Battle Spirit 2
—
—
GBA
—
September 24
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee
—
—
GBA
—
October 1
Etherlords II
Windows
October 1
Freedom Fighters
Windows
PS2, Xbox, GCN
—
—
October 3
Nancy Drew: Danger on Deception Island
Windows
—
—
—
October 6
DemiKids: Light Version
—
—
GBA
—
October 7
Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This at Home
—
PS2
—
—
October 7
DemiKids: Dark Version
—
—
GBA
—
October 7
Sonic Advance
—
—
N-Gage
—
October 7
Viewtiful Joe
—
GCN
—
—
October 13
Kirby Air Ride
—
GCN
—
—
October 14
Cyber Troopers Virtual-On MARZ
—
PS2
—
—
October 14
Jak II
—
PS2
—
—
October 14
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Windows
—
—
—
October 14
Mega Man X7
—
PS2
—
—
October 14
Mega Man Zero 2
—
—
GBA
—
October 14
The Haunted Mansion
—
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
—
—
October 15
Tak and the Power of Juju
—
GCN , PS2
GBA
—
October 17
Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death
Windows (EU)
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
October 20
SSX 3
—
Xbox, GCN
—
—
October 21
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
—
PS2
—
—
October 21
Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
—
Xbox
—
—
October 21
ESPN NBA Basketball
—
PS2 , Xbox
—
—
October 21
SSX 3
—
PS2
—
—
October 21
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Windows
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
—
—
October 21
Time Crisis 3
—
PS2
—
—
October 22
SeaWorld Adventure Parks Tycoon
Windows
—
—
—
October 24
The Hobbit
—
—
GBA
—
October 26
Super Duper Sumos
—
—
GBA
—
October 26
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
—
—
GBA
—
October 27
Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs
—
—
GBA
—
October 27
Tony Hawk's Underground
—
PS2, Xbox, GCN
GBA
—
October 27
WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain
—
PS2
—
—
October 28
Amped 2
—
Xbox
—
—
October 28
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai
—
GCN
—
—
October 28
Final Fantasy XI
Win (US )
—
—
—
October 28
Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup
Windows
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
GBA
—
October 28
SWAT: Global Strike Team
—
PS2 , Xbox
—
—
October 28
Top Spin
—
Xbox
—
—
October 29
Call of Duty
Windows
—
—
—
October 29
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom
Windows
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
—
GBA
October 31
Grand Theft Auto III
—
Xbox
—
—
October 31
Silent Hill 3
Windows
—
—
—
November 3
Drake of the 99 Dragons
—
Xbox
—
—
November 3
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
—
—
GBA
—
November 3
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Windows
—
—
—
November 3
True Crime: Streets of LA
—
PS2, Xbox, GCN
—
—
November 4
Civilization III: Conquests
Windows
—
—
—
November 4
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
—
PS2
—
—
November 4
SOCOM II U.S. Navy SEALs
—
PS2
—
—
November 4
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004
—
—
—
GBA
November 4
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Falsebound Kingdom
—
GCN
—
—
November 5
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
—
GCN , Xbox
—
GBA
November 6
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
—
PS2
—
—
November 10
Mario Party 5
—
GCN
—
—
November 10
Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy
—
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
—
—
November 11
Beyond Good & Evil
—
PS2
—
—
November 11
Looney Tunes: Back in Action
—
—
GBA
—
November 11
Medal of Honor: Rising Sun
—
PS2 , Xbox , GCN
—
—
November 11
Muppets Party Cruise
—
GCN
—
—
November 11
Onimusha Tactics
—
—
GBA
—
November 11
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
—
PS2
—
—
November 11
SSX 3
—
—
GBA
—
November 11
The Hobbit
Windows
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
—
—
November 11
Uru: Ages Beyond Myst
Windows
—
—
—
November 11
Legacy of Kain: Defiance
Windows
PS2, Xbox
—
—
November 12
Disney's Magical Quest 2 Starring Mickey & Minnie
—
—
GBA
—
November 12
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
—
Xbox
—
—
November 12
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield
—
Xbox
—
—
November 13
Double Dragon Advance
—
—
GBA
—
November 13
Monster Rancher 4
—
PS2
—
—
November 13
Muppets Party Cruise
—
PS2
—
—
November 13
The Simpsons: Hit & Run
Windows
—
—
—
November 14
Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon [ 39]
Windows
PS2 , Xbox
November 15
Crash Nitro Kart
—
PS2, Xbox, GCN
GBA, N-Gage
—
November 17
Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
—
—
GBA
—
November 17
The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition
—
GCN
—
—
November 17
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
—
—
GBA
—
November 17
Mario Kart: Double Dash
—
GCN
—
—
November 17
Need for Speed: Underground (North America)
Windows
GCN, PS2, Xbox
November 18
America's 10 Most Wanted
Windows
PS2
—
—
November 18
American Idol
—
—
GBA
—
November 18
Counter-Strike
—
Xbox
—
—
November 18
Go! Go! Hypergrind
—
GCN
—
—
November 18
Kya: Dark Lineage
—
PS2
—
—
November 18
Final Fantasy X-2
—
PS2
—
—
November 18
Manhunt
—
PS2
—
—
November 18
Metal Arms: Glitch in the System
—
PS2, Xbox
—
—
November 18
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
—
GCN
—
—
November 18
Space Channel 5 Special Edition
—
PS2
—
—
November 18
Spy Muppets: License to Croak
—
—
GBA
—
November 18
Star Wars: Flight of the Falcon
—
—
GBA
—
November 18
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Windows
—
—
—
November 18
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
—
—
GBA
—
November 18
The Fairly OddParents: Breakin' da Rules
Windows
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
GBA
—
November 18
Tonka: Rescue Patrol
—
GCN
—
—
November 18
Victoria: An Empire Under the Sun
Windows
—
—
—
November 18
Whiplash
—
PS2 , Xbox
—
—
November 18
XIII
Windows
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
—
—
November 19
Beyond Good & Evil
Windows
—
—
—
November 19
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
—
Xbox
—
—
November 20
Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing
Windows
—
—
—
November 24
Dragon Ball Z: Taiketsu
—
—
GBA
—
November 25
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
—
Xbox
—
—
November 25
Mysterious Journey II
Windows
November 26
BlowOut
—
GCN , Xbox
—
—
November 30
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Windows
—
—
—
December 1
1080° Avalanche
—
GCN
—
—
December 2
Beyond Good & Evil
—
Xbox
—
—
December 2
Deus Ex: Invisible War
Windows
Xbox
—
—
December 2
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
—
PS2
—
—
December 2
Mission: Impossible – Operation Surma
—
Xbox
GBA
—
December 2
Pac-Man Vs.
—
GCN
—
—
December 2
The Sims Bustin' Out
—
—
GBA
—
December 3
Gotcha Force
—
GCN
—
—
December 5
Counter-Strike (EU)
—
Xbox
—
—
December 8
Mission: Impossible – Operation Surma
—
PS2
—
—
December 9
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
—
Xbox
—
—
December 9
Yu Yu Hakusho: Spirit Detective
—
—
GBA
—
December 10
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly
—
PS2
—
—
December 11
Beyond Good & Evil
—
GCN
—
—
December 14
Medabots Infinity
—
GCN
—
—
December 30
Sonic Heroes
—
PS2, Xbox, GCN
—
—
See also
References
^ "Attendance and Stats" . IGN. June 8, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2015 .
^ Niizumi, Hirohiko (May 30, 2003). "Nintendo to end Famicom and Super Famicom production" . GameSpot . Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2024 .
^ "The NPD Group Reports Overall Decrease in PC Software Sales for 2003" (Press release). NEW YORK: The NPD Group . February 5, 2004. Archived from the original on February 14, 2004. Retrieved June 23, 2020 .
^ "Essential Facts" (PDF) . Entertainment Software Association (ESA) . 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 1, 2005. Retrieved November 8, 2021 .
^ a b c d "2003 Top 100 Best Selling Japanese Console Games" . The Magic Box . Retrieved November 5, 2021 .
^ a b c d e f "Nintendo Makes Money" . IGN . News Corporation . April 4, 2003. Archived from the original on June 18, 2004. Retrieved July 17, 2008 .
^ Harris, Craig (October 27, 2003). "Pokemon Super Packs" . IGN . Retrieved November 5, 2021 .
^ a b c d Gantayat, Anoop (May 31, 2004), "Mario Very Popular" , IGN , retrieved November 8, 2021
^ a b c d Chad Phelps, January 14, 2004 Nintendo Shows Strong Sales Growth in 2003 Itprotoday.com
^ a b "Square Enix U.S.A. announces details for FINAL FANTASY X-2 and greatest hits version of FINAL FANTASY X" . Square Enix . September 2, 2003. Retrieved November 7, 2021 .
^ a b c d Calvert, Justin (January 20, 2004). "Final Fantasy X-2 Sells a Million" . GameSpot . Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2006 .
^ a b c d "Non-Consolidated Financial Results for the Third Quarter Ended December 31, 2003" (PDF) . Konami . January 29, 2004. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2007. Retrieved January 8, 2008 .
^ a b c d e f "Annual 2003 Video Game Best-Selling Titles and Console Accessories" . NPD World . The NPD Group . Archived from the original on April 11, 2004. Retrieved November 5, 2021 .
^ a b "PlayStation 2 Vs. Xbox" . Forbes . December 22, 2003. Archived from the original on April 4, 2004. Retrieved November 5, 2021 .
^ "2003 Top 300" . Game Data Library . Famitsu . Retrieved November 5, 2021 .
^ a b c Andrew, Burnes (June 3, 2003), "Enter The Matrix Sells 1 Million In US, Becomes Biggest Selling Atari Game Ever" , IGN , retrieved November 5, 2021
^ a b c Hebblethwaite, Luke (April 9, 2020). "UK Top Selling Games 2003" . Ukie . The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment . Retrieved October 25, 2021 .
^ a b c Yeung, Karlie (January 8, 2004). "2003 UK Game Sales Highest Ever" . Nintendo World Report . Retrieved November 7, 2021 .
^ a b c "Arts and Media (Top-Selling Video Games, 2003)" . The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2005 . New York: World Almanac Books , St. Martin's Press . 2005. pp. 300–301 (300). ISBN 978-0-88687-939-6 – via Internet Archive .
^ "Top 20 Console Games Ranked by Units Sold, 1998–2013" . Screen Australia . Australian Government . Retrieved October 22, 2021 .
^ "Big year for computer game sales" . BBC News . January 11, 2004. Retrieved November 9, 2021 .
^ a b Reed, Kristan (January 20, 2004). "UK Charts: A month in the top spot for Need for Speed" . GamesIndustry.biz . Retrieved November 9, 2021 .
^ "週刊ファミ通クロスレビュープラチナ殿堂入りソフト一覧" [Weekly Famitsu Cross Review Platinum Hall of Fame Software List]. Geimin (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 27, 2008. Retrieved February 24, 2021 .
^ "Best Video Games for 2003" . Metacritic . Retrieved August 12, 2019 .
^ "Highest-Ranking Games of 2003 (with at least 10 reviews)" . GameRankings . Retrieved August 12, 2019 .
^ a b "Best Video Games for 2004" . Metacritic . Retrieved September 6, 2019 .
^ a b "Highest-Ranking Games of 2004 (with at least 5 reviews)" . GameRankings . Retrieved September 6, 2019 .
^ "Worst Video Games for 2003" . Metacritic . Retrieved August 12, 2019 .
^ "Lowest-Ranking Games of 2003 (with at least 5 reviews)" . GameRankings . Retrieved August 12, 2019 .
^ "Gods and Generals for PC" . GameRankings . Retrieved August 12, 2019 .
^ "Ultimate Demolition Derby for PC" . GameRankings . Retrieved August 12, 2019 .
^ "Interstellar Trader 2 for PC" . GameRankings . Retrieved August 12, 2019 .
^ "RoboCop for Xbox" . GameRankings . Retrieved August 12, 2019 .
^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (November 29, 2017). "The curse of Space Station 13" . Eurogamer.net . Retrieved August 30, 2024 .
^ "Indiana Jones and The Emperor's Tomb | Eurogamer.net" . Eurogamer . July 6, 2022. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2024 .
^ "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter Review" . GameSpot . Retrieved August 13, 2024 .
^ "Star Trek: Elite Force II" . Eurogamer.net . June 24, 2003. Retrieved May 9, 2024 .
^ "Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb Review - GameSpot" . July 31, 2016. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2024 .
^ Krause, Staci (November 25, 2003). "Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon Review" . IGN . Retrieved July 2, 2024 .
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