Summary

• To celebrate 20 years of Screen Rant, the Screen Rant Gaming editorial team has taken a look back at the last 20 years of video games.
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, World of Warcraft, and Guitar Hero are just a few of the memorable and influential video game releases.
• Each game listed, such as Halo 3 and GTA 4, had a significant impact on their respective genres and set new standards for future releases.

In celebration of Screen Rant's 20th anniversary, the SR Gaming editor team has taken a deep look at how gaming has evolved since 2003, picking the best game of each year for the last two decades. From Guitar Hero to Elden Ring, here are the most memorable and industry-shaking video game releases since Screen Rant's inception.

Video games are an ever-changing and ever-growing medium, with each console generation and technological leap providing new ways to approach and enjoy gaming. In the last 20 years, gaming has seen the release of the PlayStation 3, 4, and 5, while Xbox has launched the 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Nintendo continues to pave the way for innovative console releases with the Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, and plenty of handhelds too, while VR continues to gain traction. The next 20 years will inevitably bring about a host of technical improvements and marvels, but while the future remains a mystery, video gaming's past is ripe for dissection.

Best Game Of 2003: Star Wars KOTOR

RPG

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is widely considered one of the best Star Wars games of all time. Its release came at a perfect time for movie fans, launching during the prequel trilogy era between Attack of the Clones (2002), and Revenge of the Sith (2005). The game quickly turned developer BioWare into a household name and paved the way for an entire Knights of the Old Republic series. A remake of the original game was announced in 2021, though little has been heard on its development since.

Best Game Of 2004: World of Warcraft

MMORPG

World of Warcraft has managed to stay relevant in the nearly 20 years since its release, consistently drawing in new players thanks to its expansions and updates, while still remaining true to the original experience its most dedicated fans have come to expect. WoW appeals to a range of playstyles (offering both PvE and PvP gameplay), and is the perfect option for both experienced and new MMORPG players due to its leveling system. With a whole episode of South Park devoted to it, it's hard to deny the cultural impact WoW has had on video games.

Best Game Of 2005: Guitar Hero

Rhythm

Gaming peripherals and add-ons were a lot more commonplace in the early 2000s, and wielding a large plastic guitar in order to play the latest AAA hit was no big ask in 2005. Guitar Hero took the world by storm, quickly becoming a fan-favorite rhythm game even for those who weren't too interested in video games as a whole. The title spawned multiple sequels, as well as spin-offs in both Rock Band and DJ Hero. A Guitar Hero reboot may well be launching in the future, as teased by Activision's Bobby Kotick.

Best Game Of 2006: Wii Sports

Party

The Wii is Nintendo's second best-selling home console of all time, sured only by the Switch. This meant that - as the game included with all new Nintendo Wii consoles - Wii Sports quickly gained a huge following. Designed to show off what the Wii's motion controls were really capable of, Wii Sports became more than just a tech demo and still serves as a reminder of one of the best party games ever released, providing competitive family fun across a variety of sports.

Best Game Of 2007: Halo 3

First-Person Shooter

Perhaps the pinnacle of the Halo, 2007's Halo 3 set a new standard for the series and is still considered one of the best releases in the franchise to date. With the introduction of new modes like Forge, new vehicles and weapons, and unforgettable campaigns like The Ark and The Covenant, Halo 3 was the perfect finale to the original trilogy. Halo hasn't quite met the same lofty heights since then, with 2021's Halo Infinite marred in controversy.

Best Game Of 2008: GTA 4

Action/Adventure

Rockstar Games is known for its immersive releases, and Grand Theft Auto 4 is no exception. GTA 5 might be the game synonymous with the developer, but its predecessor laid the foundations for a lot of what made 5 so successful. GTA 4 has less of the over-the-top action, but much more of the heart, with memorable characters and what's generally accepted as the best storyline in the GTA franchise. It's rumored that a remaster was canceled to pour more resources into GTA 6.

Best Game Of 2009: Batman Arkham Asylum

Action/Adventure

The Batman: Arkham series revolutionized combat with its fluid and adaptive movements, and its influences can still be seen in new releases even more than a decade on. Arkham Asylum stands as one of the best superhero games of all time, spawning multiple sequels and even a VR title. Developer Rocksteady is once again returning to the world of Batman with 2024's Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, which will hopefully live up to the games that came before it.

Best Game Of 2010: Red Dead Redemption

Action/Adventure

Red Dead Redemption 2 is often a front-runner when it comes to Best Games of All Time lists and polls, but its 2010 predecessor Red Dead Redemption is just as important a release. Following the character of John Marston, RDR truly embraced the Wild West in its design, themes, and music. While its sequel went on to perfect everything RDR set out to do, the first Redemption game raised the bar for Rockstar. Now available on Nintendo Switch, there's never been a better time to play it.

Best Game Of 2011: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

RPG

There's little to be said about The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim that hasn't been said before, but that doesn't stop it from being one of the best games of the last 20 years. While it's become a meme just how many times Bethesda has re-released Skyrim in the years since its 2011 launch, there's good reason for it, as the game has amassed millions of adoring fans. With its massive and densely-populated world, it's possible to spend hundreds of hours in Skyrim and still have lots to explore, making it one of the most impressive sandbox games ever.

Best Game Of 2012: Journey

Adventure

Thatgamecompany's Journey is a short but beautifully sweet story that follows a nameless protagonist traveling through various harsh and empty landscapes to reach a distant mountain. Playable solo or with random online encounters, Journey's heart lies in its ability to forge friendships with others - despite only being able to communicate in singular musical notes. Perhaps the most beautiful game of the early 2010s and with an unforgettable score from Austin Wintory, Journey is well-deserving of its high praise.