List of years in video games
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2003 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as Tony Hawk's Underground, Madden NFL 2004, NBA Live 2004, ESPN NBA Basketball, Final Fantasy X-2, Mario Kart: Double Dash, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Sonic Heroes, 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). The year's most critically acclaimed games were Grand Theft Auto Double Pack (compilation of Grand Theft Auto III and Vice City from previous years) and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (North American release of 2002 game).

Events

Business

Hardware

Nokia N-Gage
Month Day System
February 14 Game Boy Advance SPJP
October 7 N-Gage

Discontinued

Trends

Computer games continue to lose ground to console video games with a US sales drop of 14% in 2003.[2] 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.[3]

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[4] USA Europe Worldwide
Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire GBA Nintendo 1,704,458 2,200,000+[5] 1,500,000+[6] 6,120,000[7]
Mario Kart: Double Dash GameCube Nintendo 567,849 1,000,000+[8] Un­known 3,580,000[7]
Final Fantasy X-2 PS2 Square Enix 2,000,000+[9] 1,000,000[10] Un­known 3,400,000[10]
Pro Evolution Soccer 3 (World Soccer Winning Eleven 7) PS2 Konami 1,160,000[11] — 1,550,000[11] 2,710,000[11]
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 GBA Nintendo 457,095 1,100,000+[12][5] Un­known 2,590,000[7]
Madden NFL 2004 PS2 EA Sports — 2,300,000+[13] Un­known 2,300,000+
Mario Party 5 GameCube Nintendo 481,053 Un­known Un­known 1,640,000[7]
Enter the Matrix PS2 Infogrames 92,459[14] 1,000,000+[15] 300,000+[16][17] 1,392,459+
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker GameCube Nintendo 252,064 1,100,000+[5] Un­known 1,352,064+
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City PS2 Rockstar — 1,000,000+[12][8] 300,000+[16][17] 1,300,000+

Japan

Best-selling video games in Japan[4]
Rank Game Platform Publisher Genre Sales Ref
1 Final Fantasy X-2 PS2 Square Enix Role-playing 2,000,000+ [9]
2 Pocket Monsters: Ruby / Sapphire (Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire) GBA The Pokémon Company Role-playing 1,704,458 [4]
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 [11]
5 Minna no Golf 4 (Everybody's Golf 4) PS2 Sony Sports 875,252 [4]
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[12][18]
Rank Game Platform Publisher Genre Sales Ref
1 Madden NFL 2004 PS2 EA Sports Sports 2,300,000+ [13]
2 Pokémon Ruby / Sapphire GBA Nintendo Role-playing 2,200,000+ [5]
3 Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 GBA Nintendo Platformer 1,100,000+ [12][5]
4 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker GameCube Nintendo Action-adventure 1,100,000+ [5]
5 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City PS2 Rockstar Games Action-adventure 1,000,000+ [12][8]
6 Mario Kart: Double Dash GameCube Nintendo Kart racing 1,000,000+ [8]
7 Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga GBA Nintendo Role-playing 1,000,000+ [12][15]
8 Enter the Matrix PS2 Infogrames Action-adventure 1,000,000+ [15]
9 Medal of Honor: Rising Sun PS2 Electronic Arts First-person shooter 1,000,000+ [18][10]
10 NCAA Football 2004 PS2 EA Sports Sports 1,000,000+ [18][10]

PAL regions

Best-selling video games in PAL regions
Rank Australia[19] United Kingdom[16]
Game Platform Game Platform(s) Sales[17][20]
1 EyeToy: Play PS2 FIFA Football 2004 Multi-platform 700,000+[21]
2 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City PS2 Need for Speed: Underground Multi-platform 700,000[21]
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.[22]

Title Platform Developer Publisher Genre Score (out of 40)
Operator's Side (Lifeline) PlayStation 2 Sony Computer Entertainment Sony Computer Entertainment Survival horror 37
Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution PlayStation 2 Sega AM2 Sega Fighting 37
Mario & Luigi RPG (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga) GBA AlphaDream Nintendo RPG 37
Ikaruga GameCube Treasure Atari Shoot 'em up 36
Shin Sangoku Musou 3 (Dynasty Warriors 3) PlayStation 2 Omega Force Koei Hack and slash 36
Castlevania: Akatsuki no Enbukyoku (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow) Game Boy Advance Konami Tokyo Konami Action RPG 36
Minna no GOLF Online PlayStation 2 Clap Hanz Sony Computer Entertainment Sports 36
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 10 GameCube Pawapuro Production Konami Sports 36
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 10 PlayStation 2 Pawapuro Production Konami Sports 36
Bokura no Taiyou (Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand) Game Boy Advance Konami Tokyo Konami Action RPG 36
World Soccer: Winning Eleven 7 (Pro Evolution Soccer 3) PlayStation 2 Konami Computer Entertainment Japan Konami Sports 36
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! GameCube Nintendo EAD Nintendo Racing 36
Minna no GOLF 4 (Hot Shots Golf Fore!) PlayStation 2 Clap Hanz Sony Computer Entertainment Sports 36
Biohazard Outbreak (Resident Evil Outbreak) PlayStation 2 Capcom Production Studio 1 Capcom Survival horror 36
2003 games and expansions scoring at least 88/100 (MC) or 87.5% (GR)[23][24]
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: The Wind Waker Nintendo March 24, 2003 GameCube 96/100 94.43%
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[25] 93.33%[26]
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[25] 92.97%[26]
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)[27][28]
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%[29]
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%[30]
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%[31]
RoboCop Titus Interactive July 24, 2003 Xbox 30/100 40.75%[32]
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

Video game platforms
GBA Game Boy Advance
GCN GameCube
PS1 PlayStation
PS2 PlayStation 2
Win Windows
Xbox Xbox
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 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 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 20 Neighbours from Hell 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 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 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

  1. ^ "Attendance and Stats". IGN. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "Essential Facts" (PDF). Entertainment Software Association (ESA). 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 1, 2005. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "2003 Top 100 Best Selling Japanese Console Games". The Magic Box. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
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  13. ^ a b "PlayStation 2 Vs. Xbox". Forbes. December 22, 2003. Archived from the original on April 4, 2004. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
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  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ "Best Video Games for 2003". Metacritic. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
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  25. ^ a b "Best Video Games for 2004". Metacritic. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  26. ^ a b "Highest-Ranking Games of 2004 (with at least 5 reviews)". GameRankings. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  27. ^ "Worst Video Games for 2003". Metacritic. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  28. ^ "Lowest-Ranking Games of 2003 (with at least 5 reviews)". GameRankings. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  29. ^ "Gods and Generals for PC". GameRankings. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  30. ^ "Ultimate Demolition Derby for PC". GameRankings. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  31. ^ "Interstellar Trader 2 for PC". GameRankings. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  32. ^ "RoboCop for Xbox". GameRankings. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
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