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.[ 6] 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.[ 7]
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 [ 8]
USA
Europe
Worldwide
Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire
GBA
Nintendo
1,704,458
2,200,000+[ 9]
1,500,000+[ 10]
6,120,000[ 11]
Mario Kart: Double Dash
GameCube
Nintendo
567,849
1,000,000+[ 12]
Unknown
3,580,000[ 11]
Final Fantasy X-2
PS2
Square Enix
2,000,000+[ 13]
1,000,000[ 14]
Unknown
3,400,000[ 14]
Pro Evolution Soccer 3 (World Soccer Winning Eleven 7 )
PS2
Konami
1,160,000[ 15]
—
1,550,000[ 15]
2,710,000[ 15]
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3
GBA
Nintendo
457,095
1,100,000+[ 16] [ 9]
Unknown
2,590,000[ 11]
Madden NFL 2004
PS2
EA Sports
—
2,300,000+[ 17]
Unknown
2,300,000+
Mario Party 5
GameCube
Nintendo
481,053
Unknown
Unknown
1,640,000[ 11]
Enter the Matrix
PS2
Infogrames
92,459[ 18]
1,000,000+[ 19]
300,000+[ 20] [ 21]
1,392,459+
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
GameCube
Nintendo
252,064
1,100,000+[ 9]
Unknown
1,352,064+
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
PS2
Rockstar
—
1,000,000+[ 16] [ 12]
300,000+[ 20] [ 21]
1,300,000+
Japan
Best-selling video games in Japan [ 8]
Rank
Game
Platform
Publisher
Genre
Sales
Ref
1
Final Fantasy X-2
PS2
Square Enix
Role-playing
2,000,000+
[ 13]
2
Pocket Monsters: Ruby / Sapphire (Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire)
GBA
The Pokémon Company
Role-playing
1,704,458
[ 8]
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
[ 15]
5
Minna no Golf 4 (Everybody's Golf 4 )
PS2
Sony
Sports
875,252
[ 8]
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 [ 16] [ 22]
Rank
Game
Platform
Publisher
Genre
Sales
Ref
1
Madden NFL 2004
PS2
EA Sports
Sports
2,300,000+
[ 17]
2
Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire
GBA
Nintendo
Role-playing
2,200,000+
[ 9]
3
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3
GBA
Nintendo
Platformer
1,100,000+
[ 16] [ 9]
4
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
GameCube
Nintendo
Action-adventure
1,100,000+
[ 9]
5
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
PS2
Rockstar Games
Action-adventure
1,000,000+
[ 16] [ 12]
6
Mario Kart: Double Dash
GameCube
Nintendo
Kart racing
1,000,000+
[ 12]
7
Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga
GBA
Nintendo
Role-playing
1,000,000+
[ 16] [ 19]
8
Enter the Matrix
PS2
Infogrames
Action-adventure
1,000,000+
[ 19]
9
Medal of Honor: Rising Sun
PS2
Electronic Arts
First-person shooter
1,000,000+
[ 22] [ 14]
10
NCAA Football 2004
PS2
EA Sports
Sports
1,000,000+
[ 22] [ 14]
PAL regions
Best-selling video games in PAL regions
Rank
Australia [ 23]
United Kingdom [ 20]
Game
Platform
Game
Platform(s)
Sales[ 21] [ 24]
1
EyeToy: Play
PS2
FIFA Football 2004
Multi-platform
700,000+[ 25]
2
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
PS2
Need for Speed: Underground
Multi-platform
700,000[ 25]
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
2003 games and expansions scoring at least 88/100 (MC) or 87.5% (GR)[ 26] [ 27]
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[ 28]
93.33%[ 29]
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[ 28]
92.97%[ 29]
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%
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.[ 30]
Critically panned games
2003 games and expansions scoring lower than 37/100 (MC) or 37.5% (GR)[ 31] [ 32]
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%[ 33]
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%[ 34]
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%[ 35]
RoboCop
Titus Interactive
July 24, 2003
Xbox
30/100
40.75%[ 36]
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 [ 37]
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 [ 38]
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 [ 39]
Windows
PS2 , Xbox
June 20
Neighbours from Hell
Windows
June 20
Star Trek: Elite Force II [ 40]
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 [ 41]
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 14
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 [ 42]
Windows
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
Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy
—
GCN , PS2 , Xbox
—
—
November 11
Beyond Good & Evil
—
PS2
—
—
November 11
Looney Tunes: Back in Action
—
—
GBA
—
November 11
Mario Party 5
—
GCN
—
—
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 [ 43]
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 28
SpellForce: The Order of Dawn [ 44]
Windows
November 30
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Windows
—
—
—
December 1
1080° Avalanche
—
GCN
—
—
December 2
Armed and Dangerous
Windows
Xbox
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 .
^ McIntosh, Neil (October 23, 2003). "Game, set and match" . The Guardian . ISSN 0261-3077 . Retrieved January 25, 2025 .
^ Ward, Mark (September 8, 2003). "Is this Britain's best chance of gold this year?" . BBC News . Retrieved January 25, 2025 .
^ "Video Game Awards" . IGN . Retrieved January 25, 2025 .
^ 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 .
^ "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 .
^ "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 - Page 10" . Metacritic . Red Ventures . Archived from the original on November 21, 2020. 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 .
^ "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 Review - PC Review at IGN" . July 25, 2012. Archived from the original on July 25, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2025 .
^ Krause, Staci (November 25, 2003). "Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon Review" . IGN . Retrieved July 2, 2024 .
^ Aihoshi - 'Jonric', Richard (March 3, 2004). "SpellForce - The Order of Dawn Review" . IGN . Retrieved December 20, 2024 .
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