PixlBit

GameCube, GBA and Xbox were all released. Pokemon games won all sales awards across the board, again. Amongst the highest critically were: Halo, GTA III, Grand Turismo 3 and Final Fantasy X. Dreamcast was discontinued this year, which was probably when I got one on the cheap as GameStop started shipping them all back to their warehouses. I probably got a Xbox on the strength of Halo, Gamecube for the Rogue Squadron sequel, and a PS2 for the Red Faction port. Here's a bunch of games I played around that time, then alter, and then ones I'd like to play now. 

Played Then:

Burnout: First out on the PS2, I got a copy on Xbox a year later and was soon a huge fan. This was the true sequel to Destruction Derby 2 I was looking for. 

Halo: Combat Evolved: The killer app for the Xbox. My friend Mad Krammer and I played it co-op mainly on a set of five levels in the middle of the game over and over again via split screen. Pretty soon this motivated both of us to get seperate TVs and consoles so we could play it over a LAN instead. This is the setup we have today, except that all co-op gaming happens over the internet now. 

Pikmin: I don't know how I discovered this game, but I was quickly hooked on it. The variation on RTS gameplay had me looking for other games with this design. I found them later with the Overlord series and Goblin Commander. 

Red Faction: This was out first on PC, and I remember playing it there. I got a PS2 for its port and the port of Half-Life and played them again.  

Serious Sam and Serious Sam: First Encounter: Same with this series, I played it on PC first and then on Xbox. First Encounter, if I remember right, was a Gamecube exclusive, and I played it there when I got one, but not for that game but for the next one.

Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader: I was so excited for this being a fan of the N64 Rogue Squadron game. I had to get a Gamecube to play it too. I found it difficult though and could never really love it as much as the first one. 

Return to Castle Wolfenstein: As you can see, Mad Krammer and I played a lot of FPS games back then. This was a great return to the series by Raven Software. 

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance: It came out on PS2 first, and I think I didn't have one at the time. I gritted my teeth and waited a year before the Xbox version came out and Mad Krammer and I played the heck out of it co-op. It's on Xbox today but without online co-op, just local, BOO!

Insaniquarium: This was a Popcap game I played on my PC. Popcap put out some great stuff in the ensuing years which I am still a fan of. Too bad this hasn't been released on any consoles that I know of. I'd play it again for sure. 

Played Later: 

Advance Wars: I didn't get a GBA until I got a DS in '04 and got back into handhelds for the first time since the early 80s. I soon discovered Advance Wars and loved it, even though I could never beat it. Like many tactics games, I love the shorter, easier levels and get burned out as they get crazy complex and time consuming. 

Culdcept Second: This was released in Japan for the Dreamcast. I got a copy as some point and tried to play it, but it was too tricky trying to decipher all the kanji characters. Luckily this was rereleased as Culdcept Saga on Xbox 360 circa '08. 

Legend of Zelda Oracle of Seasons/Ages: As I retroactively got into GBA games, I also dabbled in the GBC. I got the Gameboy Player for Gamecube and played all the Game Boy games there for the most part. This is an interesting spinoff Zelda game that I've played but not finished. I'd like to do that. 

Klonoa 2: Not sure how I stumbled upon the Klonoa series, but I liked it, and I usually don't like platformers much. This and DKC are my gotos for platforming. 

Luigi's Mansion: Several different attempts at this later on before I finally beat it. I love this series so much. I sold my NGC copy though, so I might have to play it on 3DS these days. 

Wizardry: Tales of the Forsaken Land: I discovered this on one of my many travels to Gamestops during sales days. I had to try it and I did. But it's more difficult than even the first game in the series. I'll give it another go somtime soon though. 

Want to Play: 

Fatal Frame: Always was intrigued by this photography/horror game. I should maybe play the latest version because the original games are pricey. 

Golden Sun: I've had the GBA cart in my collection for a long time along with its sequel. Will I ever get to this gorgeous looking RPG? 

Civilization III: If they ever bring this to console, I'd like to try it. 

Silent Hill 2: Been meaning to get to this since I discovered how much I enjoyed the first game. I have the HD collection but need to get to it still. 

Baldur's Gate II: Probably a game too complex for my taste, but I'd still like to check it out. Finally they brought it to console recently with the first game. 

Tactics Ogre: Knight of Lodi: I have this GBA cart, but probably haven't played it yet. 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: This is a PS1 game from '01 I just picked up because I'm curious. I just reread the first book and rewatched the first movie, so I'd like to try this, I think, the very first Harry Potter game. I'll get to the recent Hogwarts Legacy too soon enough. 

Dragon Quest Monsters 2: An interesting spinoff, likely trying to make DQ into Pokemon. I can't blame them with Pokemon ruling the sales charts since '98. I have the first GBC game and may have tried it once. I need to revisit. 

Breath of Fire: I have this GBA cart. I may have dabbled in it, but I need to make a really good play sometime. 

And that's a 2001 look back. I think, most notably, I began this year to think "console" more than "PC" and made a vow to always own the major systems every generation. I think I did it through 2012 or so but after that it's been spotty. Time and cost has made it difficult to keep up. But since '01 I've always had that idea in mind.