It is officially 2024, and a new year comes with a new start for video games! As we eagerly await new releases, it’s also a time to celebrate milestones. This year, we’re looking back at 2004, a landmark year for gaming. Let’s dive into some video games turning 20 years old this year!
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Rockstar North began developing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in late 2002, right after releasing Vice City. The team faced intense work hours during development, sometimes up to 17 hours daily. It was Rockstar North’s most expensive game at the time, costing 10 million dollars. The developers worked hard to create a world that mirrored actual events and culture. Rockstar North did extensive research, including road trips to photograph real locations. Its vast, detailed world and compelling story set a new standard. Inspired by actual events and culture, it was a game-changer.
When Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas came out, people loved it. Critics loved its freedom and depth. The game was famous for its big world and good story. It sold over 2 million copies in the U.S. in six days. By March 2005, it sold 12 million copies, the most for PS2. By 2011, it sold 27.5 million copies worldwide. Fans hope Grand Theft Auto VI captures this magic again. Can it reach such heights? We’re hopeful!
Half-Life 2
Valve revealed Half-Life 2 at E3 2003, and it impressed many. The game’s development began in mid-1999, after the first Half-Life release. Eighty-two people worked on it, reaching 100 with voice actors. Valve’s boss, Gabe Newell, aimed to make a groundbreaking FPS game. Moreover, he said it would disappoint the team if it weren’t the best PC game ever. As a result, Newell didn’t set a deadline and offered unlimited money for the project.
Half-Life 2 scored 96/100 on Metacritic, with many perfect and near-perfect reviews. It was praised for graphics and physics. In the U.S., it sold 680,000 copies, earning $34.3 million by 2006. It was the 17th best-selling PC game from 2000 to 2006. It even ended up selling 12 million copies worldwide by 2011. The game won dozens of awards and is considered one of the greatest video games ever. Fans have waited eagerly for Half-Life 3. Will it ever come? We dream it will match its predecessor’s greatness.
World of Warcraft
Blizzard first showed World of Warcraft in September 2001. It took 4-5 years to make and came out in 2004. The game’s 3D graphics were built on the Warcraft III engine. It’s an open world where players can choose what to do. Quests are optional but help with character growth. To this day, the development goal is to provide much post-release content and expansions.
World of Warcraft got great reviews when it came out. It made some new changes to role-playing games that people liked. For example, dying in the game wasn’t as bad as in others. Players could get back to fighting fast with not much delay. The game was easy for all players, even those who played a little. The quests, characters, and story developments were praised. The game world looked terrific, and you could travel without loading screens. It won many awards for being a top role-playing and online game. It sold a lot, had over 10 million players, and made over $9 billion. Could World of Warcraft 2 be in the future? Gamers hope to see its legacy continue in a new game.
Halo 2
One of the biggest video games turning 20 years old this year is Halo 2. Originally, Halo: Combat Evolved was not planned as a trilogy. However, its success led to Halo 2. The team at Bungie wanted to expand on ideas from the first game. As a result, they rebuilt the game engine and increased their ambitions. Halo 2 aimed to improve multiplayer with Xbox Live, focusing on better player modes. The story grew from unused elements of the first game, with new perspectives like the Covenants.
Halo 2 was highly praised when it came out. It was seen as a great follow-up to Combat Evolved and scored high by many critics. In particular, critics liked how it built on the first game, especially its multiplayer, which was the best on Xbox Live. It has over 38 awards and is the best-selling first-generation Xbox game. It sold more than Combat Evolved and achieved 8 million copies sold worldwide. Indeed, if you have not experienced this game in the past, you missed out on a beautiful online experience.
Spider-Man 2
The development of the video game Spider-Man 2 started at Treyarch after the first game did well. Jamie Fristrom, who worked on the first game, wanted a better web-swinging system for the sequel. Creating this new system was tough. They had to add many points in the game for web-swinging, but Fristrom and programmer Andrei Pokrovsky found a way to do it more easily. Also, the developers used the movie’s script but added more characters not in the film, like Mysterio.
The Spider-Man 2 game got good reviews overall. Players loved the natural Manhattan setting and Spider-Man’s powers. The best part was web-swinging between buildings. It inspired future Spider-Man titles, such as Insomniac’s Spider-Man games. Insomniac evolved the web-slinging from the Treyarch games, which is fascinating.
This game sets a high bar. It’s regarded as one of the best Spider-Man games of all time, if not the best, by some fans. Additionally, it did great in terms of sales! Over 2 million units sold in North America for the PS2 version. By 2005, it had made $110 million in U.S. sales. This is not surprising, as it felt that everyone had this game in their household. Fans remember it fondly.
Super Mario 64 DS
That’s right! Super Mario 64 DS is one of the video games turning 20 years old this year! It is a remake of the original Super Mario 64, for those unaware. The 3D engine is similar to the original game. But it has better graphics and updated character models. Coins changed from 2D to 3D, looking better. The music from the first game was kept, with new music added.
Super Mario 64 DS got great reviews and won awards. Players liked the game’s recreation of the original and new features. The extra stars and minigames added flavor to an already fantastic game. It’s regarded as the best Nintendo DS game of 2004, which is great for a DS launch title. Moreover, sales-wise, it did well. It sold millions of copies worldwide and was a top seller on Amazon. By 2018, it sold over 11 million copies globally. This game was a must-have for DS owners. Super Mario 64 DS holds a special place in fans’ hearts. Above all, it’s a timeless classic.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was first planned for the PlayStation 3 but was moved to PlayStation 2 due to delays. The game’s director, Hideo Kojima, wanted a new setting. He chose a jungle, which fans and his team liked. However, creating a jungle was challenging because of the weather, landscape, and wildlife. Players start far from the enemy base, making it more realistic. Creating an outdoor environment was challenging. Earlier games were indoors because consoles couldn’t handle a jungle. The uneven jungle terrain meant a new collision engine was needed. Fans wanted a 3D camera, but Kojima kept the old style for consistency.
Snake Eater was a hit, selling millions of copies worldwide. It sold $2.38 million in Asia and America by December 2004 and $3.6 million globally by August 2005. Critics loved the game, calling it cinematic and an outstanding achievement. Fans liked the new hero, Naked Snake, who reminded them of Solid Snake. Additionally, the cutscenes were visually impressive, and the story was groundbreaking. As a remake looms, expectations are high. Can it surpass the original? We’re optimistic and excited!
Ninja Gaiden
In 1999, Team Ninja began the “Next-Generation Ninja Gaiden Project”. They first worked on the Sega NAOMI arcade system. Plans to shift to the Dreamcast were dropped when Sega ended its line in 2001. Then, Tecmo planned to release it for the PlayStation 2 in the U.S. However, Team Ninja leader Itagaki preferred the Xbox and shifted development there. This surprise was revealed at E3 2002.
Ninja Gaiden was a big hit, praised for its challenging gameplay and innovation. The game’s difficulty was glorified, appealing to gamers who like challenges. Additionally, it was acclaimed for balancing difficulty with rewards, making it a memorable experience. In the first month, Ninja Gaiden sold over 362,000 copies in the U.S. By August 2007, $1.5 million copies were sold, mainly in North America and Europe. Fans, including myself, eagerly await the announced Ninja Gaiden reboot. Could this reborn classic take the gaming world by storm again? We’re eager to see!
The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap
After making two Zelda games for Game Boy Color, Capcom started a new Zelda game for Game Boy Advance. In 2003, Nintendo announced that The Minish Cap was in progress. The game launched in 2004, with a cartoon style like The Wind Waker, set in a fairy tale world. Link’s shrinking made the town seem like a dungeon. The Minish Cap was first released in Europe as a Christmas promotion for Nintendo DS.
The Minish Cap was a hit in Japan, selling 97,000 copies in its first week and becoming the 62nd best-selling game of 2004. In North America, it also did well, selling 217,000 copies in its debut month, January 2005. It stayed among the top five best-selling games for the next two months. By March 2005, worldwide sales reached 1 million units; in the U.S., it sold 680,000 copies, earning $21 million by August 2006.
Players loved the game, praising its classic Zelda gameplay. The graphical style, music, and puzzles made The Minish Cap stand out. It warms my heart to see that The Minish Cap is one of the video games turning 20 years old this year.
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Dragon Quest VIII is also on the list of video games that are turning 20 this year. Directed by Yuji Hori, this game was launched in Japan on November 27, 2004, and celebrated at a Tokyo Starbucks. Before its U.S. release, a mall tour in the U.S. featured demos and giveaways. It was released in North America on November 15, 2005, with a Final Fantasy XII demo. The North American version added voice acting, new animations, and enhanced features. Also, it was the first game in the series called Dragon Quest in North America. It was changed from Dragon Warrior due to trademark issues resolved by Square Enix in 2003.
This game sold over 2 million units in two days, becoming Japan’s fastest-selling PS2 title. By 2008. it shipped 4.9 million copies worldwide, with 430,000 in North America. It’s the best-selling PS2 game in Japan and scored really well by critics. Players loved its 3D visuals and simple gameplay. The voice acting, humor, story, and detailed world map were all notable strengths of the game. The game’s success demonstrated the series’ lasting appeal and influence.
These games, now turning 20, remind us of the industry’s evolution. They set benchmarks and hold special places in our hearts. Here’s to celebrating these classics and hoping for future remakes and sequels that honor their legacy. Happy gaming in 2024!
