Best games
Best games of 2000
The 46 best games released in 2000, ranked from 15,893 critic and player ratings.
The best game of 2000 is Perfect Dark, with a critic score of 97/100 — updated September 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.
- 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: 2000.
- 46 games are listed on this page, carrying 15,893 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 46
01
Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark is an action video game developed by Rare and released for the Game Boy Color handheld console in 2000. As a prequel to its Nintendo 64 counterpart, the game follows agent Joanna Dark as she completes her training at the Carrington Institute research centre and uncovers information against rival corporation dataDyne. The gameplay revolves around shooting opponents and completing objectives such as rescuing hostages or recovering items. The game also includes a multiplayer mode where two players may compete against each other in several deathmatch modes.
97
/100
02
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
95
/100
03
Jet Set Radio
94
/100
Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark is an action video game developed by Rare and released for the Game Boy Color handheld console in 2000. As a prequel to its Nintendo 64 counterpart, the game follows agent Joanna Dark as she completes her training at the Carrington Institute research centre and uncovers information against rival corporation dataDyne. The gameplay revolves around shooting opponents and completing objectives such as rescuing hostages or recovering items. The game also includes a multiplayer mode where two players may compete against each other in several deathmatch modes.
97
/100
02
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
95
/100
03
Jet Set Radio
94
/100
04
Paper Mario (2000)
Paper Mario, a turn-based JRPG entry in the Mario franchise with a paper-based aesthetic and platforming elements, sees the titular character working his way through the Mushroom Kingdom's diverse locales and biomes, meeting its inhabitants, fighthing unruly enemies and recruiting an array of companions in order to once again save Princess Peach from the clutches of the evil Koopa King Bowser.
93
/100
05
Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year Edition
92
/100
06
Spyro: Year of the Dragon
Spyro: Year of the Dragon is the third installment in the Spyro series and the last Spyro game Insomniac developed. In this 3D adventure, Spyro have to retrieve 150 eggs that the evil Sorceress has stolen from Dragonworld. To survive, he will have to utilize all of his signature moves along with several he's recently picked up, like the ability to control vehicles like tanks, submarines, and speedboats. As an extra bonus, you have the option to choose from a wacky cast of characters: Sheila the kangaroo, Sergeant Byrd the flying penguin, Bentley the Yeti and Agent 9 the space monkey.
91
/100
07
Deus Ex
A philosophical first-person WRPG set in a dystopian 2052 in which JC Denton, a nano-augmented agent for the anti-terrorist organization UNATCO, is tasked with stopping the invasion of Liberty Island by the terrorist group NSF. As events unfold, Denton finds that he plays a large part in a world-spanning conspiracy which forces him to ponder his allegiances, beliefs, morality, and view of right and wrong.
90
/100
08
Diablo II
Like its predecessor, Diablo II is an action role-playing game with dark fantasy and horror themes. The player controls a new hero attempting to stop the destruction unleashed by Diablo's return. The game's 4 acts feature a variety of locations and settings to explore and battle in, as well as an increased cast of characters to play as and interact with. Diablo II had become one of the most popular online games of all time. Major factors that contributed to Diablo II's success include what fans found to be addictive hack-and-slash gameplay and free access to Battle.net.
90
/100
09
S
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time, it utilizes the same engine and visual style as its predecessor. The game retains the traditional elements of Zelda games as well as those introduced in Ocarina of Time, such as active blocking with a shield, various throwing items, and the usage of melodies played on the ocarina to solve puzzles. Compared to the previous Zelda games, this installment is more oriented towards interaction with NPCs and has a larger variety of items, optional quests, and mini-games. It also includes a time system that spans three days, and this cycle must be reset periodically to progress through the game.
90
/100
10
Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition
90
/100
11
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
90
/100
12
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
90
/100
13
Thief II: The Metal Age
90
/100
14
Soldier of Fortune
90
/100
15
Banjo-Tooie
90
/100
16
Counter-Strike
88
/100
17
Diablo II
88
/100
18
Spider-Man (2000)
87
/100
19
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
87
/100
20
Dino Crisis 2
86
/100
21
Medal of Honor: Underground
86
/100
22
The Sims
85
/100
23
Pokémon Crystal Version
85
/100
24
American McGee's Alice
85
/100
25
Final Fantasy IX
84
/100
26
MDK 2
83
/100
27
Metal Slug 3
82
/100
28
Colin McRae Rally 2.0
82
/100
29
Jet Grind Radio
80
/100
30
Breath of Fire IV
80
/100
31
The Operative: No One Lives Forever
79
/100
32
Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed
78
/100
33
Mario Tennis
77
/100
34
Rune
76
/100
35
Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption
74
/100
36
Cossacks: European Wars
74
/100
37
Hogs of War
74
/100
38
Hitman: Codename 47
73
/100
39
Crash Bash
72
/100
40
Perfect Dark
70
/100
41
Project I.G.I.: I’m Going In
70
/100
42
Driver 2
62
/100
43
Tomb Raider V: Chronicles
60
/100
44
Mega Man X5
50
/100
45
Carmageddon TDR 2000
48
/100
46
Spider-Man
35
/100
Paper Mario (2000)
Paper Mario, a turn-based JRPG entry in the Mario franchise with a paper-based aesthetic and platforming elements, sees the titular character working his way through the Mushroom Kingdom's diverse locales and biomes, meeting its inhabitants, fighthing unruly enemies and recruiting an array of companions in order to once again save Princess Peach from the clutches of the evil Koopa King Bowser.
93
/100
05
Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year Edition
92
/100
06
Spyro: Year of the Dragon
Spyro: Year of the Dragon is the third installment in the Spyro series and the last Spyro game Insomniac developed. In this 3D adventure, Spyro have to retrieve 150 eggs that the evil Sorceress has stolen from Dragonworld. To survive, he will have to utilize all of his signature moves along with several he's recently picked up, like the ability to control vehicles like tanks, submarines, and speedboats. As an extra bonus, you have the option to choose from a wacky cast of characters: Sheila the kangaroo, Sergeant Byrd the flying penguin, Bentley the Yeti and Agent 9 the space monkey.
91
/100
07
Deus Ex
A philosophical first-person WRPG set in a dystopian 2052 in which JC Denton, a nano-augmented agent for the anti-terrorist organization UNATCO, is tasked with stopping the invasion of Liberty Island by the terrorist group NSF. As events unfold, Denton finds that he plays a large part in a world-spanning conspiracy which forces him to ponder his allegiances, beliefs, morality, and view of right and wrong.
90
/100
08
Diablo II
Like its predecessor, Diablo II is an action role-playing game with dark fantasy and horror themes. The player controls a new hero attempting to stop the destruction unleashed by Diablo's return. The game's 4 acts feature a variety of locations and settings to explore and battle in, as well as an increased cast of characters to play as and interact with. Diablo II had become one of the most popular online games of all time. Major factors that contributed to Diablo II's success include what fans found to be addictive hack-and-slash gameplay and free access to Battle.net.
90
/100
09
S
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time, it utilizes the same engine and visual style as its predecessor. The game retains the traditional elements of Zelda games as well as those introduced in Ocarina of Time, such as active blocking with a shield, various throwing items, and the usage of melodies played on the ocarina to solve puzzles. Compared to the previous Zelda games, this installment is more oriented towards interaction with NPCs and has a larger variety of items, optional quests, and mini-games. It also includes a time system that spans three days, and this cycle must be reset periodically to progress through the game.
90
/100
10
Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition
90
/100
11
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
90
/100
12
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
90
/100
13
Thief II: The Metal Age
90
/100
14
Soldier of Fortune
90
/100
15
Banjo-Tooie
90
/100
16
Counter-Strike
88
/100
17
Diablo II
88
/100
18
Spider-Man (2000)
87
/100
19
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
87
/100
20
Dino Crisis 2
86
/100
21
Medal of Honor: Underground
86
/100
22
The Sims
85
/100
23
Pokémon Crystal Version
85
/100
24
American McGee's Alice
85
/100
25
Final Fantasy IX
84
/100
26
MDK 2
83
/100
27
Metal Slug 3
82
/100
28
Colin McRae Rally 2.0
82
/100
29
Jet Grind Radio
80
/100
30
Breath of Fire IV
80
/100
31
The Operative: No One Lives Forever
79
/100
32
Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed
78
/100
33
Mario Tennis
77
/100
34
Rune
76
/100
35
Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption
74
/100
36
Cossacks: European Wars
74
/100
37
Hogs of War
74
/100
38
Hitman: Codename 47
73
/100
39
Crash Bash
72
/100
40
Perfect Dark
70
/100
41
Project I.G.I.: I’m Going In
70
/100
42
Driver 2
62
/100
43
Tomb Raider V: Chronicles
60
/100
44
Mega Man X5
50
/100
45
Carmageddon TDR 2000
48
/100
46
Spider-Man
35
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best game of 2000?
Perfect Dark currently tops the ranking with a score of 97/100 across 176 ratings. Ranking updated September 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.