The 2000s were a transformative decade for gaming. The era saw the jump from cartridges to discs, the rise of online multiplayer gaming, and the evolution of game consoles from simple game machines into full-blown entertainment hubs. Many of today’s biggest franchises, hardware standards, and gaming habits were shaped during the 2000s. Let’s take a nostalgic leap with our ranking of ten consoles that defined what it meant to play games in the 21st century.
1. Sony PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 stands as the most successful game console of all time, and for good reason. Its massive game library included genre-defining titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Final Fantasy X, Kingdom Hearts, and Metal Gear Solid 2. The system also doubled as a DVD player, making it an easy sell to early 2000s households transitioning into digital media. Its longevity, affordability, multiplayer capabilities, and sheer variety of games made it the dominant force of the decade. If you were one of the rare kids who did not own a PS2 in the 2000s, you definitely knew someone who did.
2. Nintendo DS
Nintendo took a bold risk with the DS, introducing dual screens and stylus/touch controls. What could have flopped instead became one of the best-selling consoles ever. Titles like Nintendogs, Brain Age, and Pokémon Diamond and Pearl brought in new audiences, while traditional franchises thrived with new innovative gameplay. The DS, which boasted a huge library of games, proved that experimentation could pay off in a big way and encouraged Nintendo to continue developing unique console ideas.
3. Microsoft Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 helped define modern online gaming. Xbox LIVE became the gold (no pun intended) standard for multiplayer console gaming, achievements, and digital storefronts. Exclusive games like Halo 3 and Gears of War shaped competitive and social gaming for years to come. Despite hardware issues early on, the 360 catapulted Microsoft back onto the same level as its rivals and became a cornerstone of mid-to-late 2000s gaming culture.
4. Nintendo Game Boy Advance
The Game Boy Advance was Nintendo’s final major handheld before fully embracing the dual-screen innovation of the DS and 3DS consoles. It offered near-console-quality experiences on the go, with classics like Metroid Fusion, Advance Wars, and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. Pokémon RPGs were taken to another level on the Game Boy Advance, and the clamshell “SP” version of the console looked amazing, to say the least. With a strong first-party lineup and backward compatibility with older Game Boy titles, the GBA remains a fan favorite.
5. Sony PlayStation
Although released in the 1990s, the original PlayStation’s influence carried heavily into the early 2000s, so it really would not feel right to leave it off of this list. The PS1 introduced millions of players to 3D gaming and cinematic storytelling. Franchises like Resident Evil, Gran Turismo, Spyro the Dragon, Crash Bandicoot, and Final Fantasy became household names during the PlayStation era, laying the groundwork for everything Sony would build afterward.
6. Nintendo GameCube
The GameCube often gets remembered as an underdog, but its game library was packed with quality and today it is appreciated as an excellent console. Super Smash Bros. Melee, Metroid Prime, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker remain beloved, nostalgic titles today. While it lagged behind competitors in sales, the GameCube excelled in first-party exclusives, superb graphics, and innovative features.
7. Sony PlayStation Portable
The PSP was ambitious, sleek, and in many ways groundbreaking for its time. Sony’s big entry in the mobile gaming market delivered console-like experiences in handheld form, supported multimedia playback, and introduced digital game downloads long before they were the industry standard. Boasting games like God of War: Chains of Olympus and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, the PSP showed what portable gaming could achieve.
8. Nintendo Wii
When the Wii came out in late 2006, it made a huge splash, to say the least. Motion controls brought families, casual players, and curious non-gamers into the fold. Wii Sports became cultural phenomena, while core games like Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Bros. Brawl proved innovation didn’t have to sacrifice depth or quality. The Wii’s success reshaped Nintendo’s identity and the industry as a whole, and we could easily understand if you rank it higher.
9. Sony PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 3 had a rocky start, but it finished its lifecycle strong. Blu-ray support, free online play, and powerful exclusives like The Last of Us and Uncharted 2 helped it age gracefully. Over time, the PS3 became a respected multimedia and gaming platform that pushed storytelling forward. Although we have it ranked below Microsoft’s competitor (Halo 3, anyone?), the PS3 ended up outselling the Xbox 360 in the long run with a strong global consumer-base.
10. Sega Dreamcast
Another 1990s-released console, the Sega Dreamcast was without-a-doubt ahead of its time. Featuring built-in online capabilities, 480p output, and arcade-perfect experiences, it introduced classics like Shenmue, Sonic Adventure, Jet Set Radio, and Crazy Taxi. Though its lifespan was short, the Dreamcast’s influence can still be felt in modern game design.
What do you think of our Top 10 Game Consoles of the 2000s? Comment with your list
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