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Best Action games of 2003

The 9 best Action games released in 2003, ranked from 2,007 critic and player ratings.

The best Action game of 2003 is WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, with a critic score of 89/100 — updated November 2026.

How this ranking is built
  • Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
  • A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
  • Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
  • Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
  • Release window covered: 2003.
  • 9 games are listed on this page, carrying 2,007 ratings between them.
  • Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 13 November 2026.

Top 9

Played them? Give your tier with the + next to each game. No account needed to try — create one to keep your tiers.

01 WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! 2003 · 113 ratings Frantic action! Prepare for lightning-quick game play as you blaze through over 200 bizarre microgames designed by a crazy crew of Wario's cronies! There are even two-player contests that can be played on a single Game Boy Advance! Pick up and play! Ultra-simple controls make each game easy to get into...until the games start coming faster... and faster...and FASTER! 89 /100
02 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2003 · 279 ratings The video game adaption of the acclaimed film of the same name. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a follow up the well received adaption of the first two films in the trilogy. The game expands on what The Two Towers accomplished, with the action and adventure sequel introducing three separate story lines from the movie: one following Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, as The Two Towers did, another following Gandalf, and a third following Frodo and Sam, with Merry, Pippin, and Faramir serving as unlockable characters. Gameplay features were also expanded upon, including multiplayer. 82 /100
03 Manhunt Manhunt 2003 · 246 ratings · finished by 17% Manhunt is a third-person stealth horror game. The game consists of twenty levels, and four bonus levels that can be unlocked; the levels are referred to as "scenes". Players survive the Scenes by dispatching enemy gang members known as "Hunters", occasionally with firearms but primarily by stealthily executing them in gruesome, over-the-top ways. The player is rated at the end of each level, primarily dependent on the gruesomeness of the killings and the speed of completion, from one (unimpressive) to five (extremely competent) stars. Executions are preferred in order to gain a higher score, thus encouraging players to play as viscerally as possible. The game's locales are full of "dark spots" and shadows where the player can hide while being chased by the Hunters; hiding in these dark areas makes the player invisible to opponents. 75 /100
04 True Crime: Streets of LA True Crime: Streets of LA 2003 · 111 ratings True Crime: Streets of LA is a free-roaming driving and action game similar in concept to Grand Theft Auto III. The game's structure is mission-based; most of the missions are dictated by the story and initiate following a cutscene that advances it. Failing a mission still allows the player to continue playing through the chapter and undertake subsequent missions; in some cases this will lead to branching paths and optional missions. However, in order to complete the whole chapter the player must eventually succeed in all the main missions. 74 /100
05 The Simpsons: Hit & Run The Simpsons: Hit & Run 2003 · 331 ratings Strange wasp-shaped spy cameras, shady black vans lingering about, and a brand new flavor of Buzz Cola that everyone seems a bit too excited about. What could it all mean? Find out as you take to the streets as America's most beloved dysfunctional animated family: The Simpsons! In this timeless action-adventure game, you can work to uncover the conspiracy taking place in Springfield while playing as these beloved characters. As you progress through the game, you'll explore 3 unique areas of Springfield made up of many locations from the show. You can ride around in style with a memorable array of vehicles from the show or take a walk around on foot. You'll stumble into adrenaline-pumping story missions, take part in some fast paced street races and help out some of the townsfolk in bonus missions. Around every corner there's pesky wasps to be destroyed, collector cards to find and secret gags to uncover. 73 /100
06 Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Jedi Academy Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Jedi Academy 2003 · 423 ratings · finished by 17% Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, of the highly acclaimed Jedi Knight series, allows players to take on the role of a new student eager to learn the ways of the Force from Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. Interact with famous Star Wars characters in many classic Star Wars locations as you face the ultimate choice: fight for good and freedom on the light side, or follow the path of power and evil to the dark side. 69 /100
07 Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness 2003 · 114 ratings · finished by 5% Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness is the sixth game in the Tomb Raider series, and is the sequel to Tomb Raider: Chronicles. Angel of Darkness introduces new stealth and close-combat moves - ducking, sneaking and hug-the-walls walking. Lara must build her skills by performing action sequences. You'll have her running, dodging, performing flying leaps and platform jumps, shimming along walls and cables, as well as moving boxes and other obstacles around. Advancements are achieved with strategically placed power-ups. Collect weapons and ammunition, artifacts and money. 62 /100
08 Enter the Matrix Enter the Matrix 2003 · 156 ratings Enter the Matrix is the first video game based on The Matrix series of films. Its story was concurrent with that of The Matrix Reloaded, and featured over an hour of original footage, directed by The Wachowskis and starring the cast of the film trilogy, produced exclusively for the game. It sold one million copies in its first eighteen days of release, 2.5 million over the first six weeks, and ultimately 5 million copies. First released in May 2003, the same month as The Matrix Reloaded, Enter the Matrix was simultaneously produced with The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. It was developed by Shiny Entertainment, published by Atari and distributed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for the GameCube, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2 and Xbox. 56 /100
09 Devil May Cry 2 Devil May Cry 2 2003 · 234 ratings Devil May Cry 2 is the sequel to Devil May Cry. From the start of the game, the player controls Dante or his new partner Lucia through various levels as they battle waves of demons. This game features an Amulet system, with different parts being acquired throughout the levels that can be equipped by accessing the pause menu. The different parts of the amulet can be equipped to change aspects of the characters Devil Triggers form like elemental moves, time stop abilities, faster movement, flight abilities, etc. 50 /100
Browse all Action games

Other years

Best Action games of 2026Best Action games of 2025Best Action games of 2024Best Action games of 2023Best Action games of 2022Best Action games of 2021Best Action games of 2020Best Action games of 2019Best Action games of 2018Best Action games of 2017Best Action games of 2016Best Action games of 2015

Same year, other platforms

Best PC games of 2003Best PlayStation 2 games of 2003Best GameCube games of 2003Best Xbox games of 2003Best Mac games of 2003Best Game Boy Advance games of 2003

Nearby rankings

Best Action games of 2002Best Action games of 2004Best Adventure games of 2003Best Arcade games of 2003

Catalog statistics

Most abandoned gamesMost completed games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Action game of 2003?

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! currently tops the ranking with a score of 89/100 across 113 ratings. Ranking updated November 2026.

How is this ranking built?

Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.