Best Adventure games of 2004
The 35 best Adventure games released in 2004, ranked from 15,404 critic and player ratings.
The best Adventure game of 2004 is Pokémon FireRed Version, with a critic score of 100/100 — updated augusti 2026.
Pokémon FireRed Version
Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are a pair of core series Generation III games that are set in the Kanto region. They were released in Japan on January 29, 2004, in North America on September 9, 2004, in Australia on September 23, 2004 and in Europe on October 1, 2004. As the first remakes in the Pokémon franchise, the games revisit the original pair of Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Green Versions, and so feature all of the characters, plot elements, and challenges of them, but with several important upgrades to bring them up to speed with other Generation III games. The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter was initially included with the games when they were first released, eliminating the need for Game Link Cables when trading between the two games (and later Pokémon Emerald Version). In later copies, it was sold separately. FireRed and LeafGreen went on to become the second best-selling games of the Game Boy Advance, only behind Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions. They also received Nintendo's Player's Choice awards.
100
/100
02
Metroid: Zero Mission
The full story of Samus Aran's first mission finally unfolds... The first Metroid game just scratched the surface of the cataclysmic events on planet Zebes, and at long last the rest of the tale has come to light. Experience the first of Samus's legendary adventures through all-new cut-scenes and action sequences as the bounty hunter races through the deeps toward her showdown with the leader of the Space Pirates. But will the end of Mother Brain really mean the end of the story...? Completion of the game unlocks an emulated version of the original Metroid game. Zero Mission also allow players to unlock the Metroid Fusion picture gallery by linking between Zero Mission and Fusion cartridges via the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable.
95
/100
03
A
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Returning after his mother's murder to the semi-fictional city of Los Santos (based on Los Angeles), Carl Johnson, a former gang banger, must take back the streets for his family and friends by gaining respect and once again gaining control over the streets. However, a story filled with crime, lies and corruption will lead him to trudge the entire state of San Andreas (based on California and Nevada) to rebuild his life.
93
/100
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
92
/100
05
S
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is a top-down action adventure game that tells the origins of the evil Vaati from Four Swords. Like most other titles in the series, The Minish Cap features the fully explorable land of Hyrule, although it can be viewed from the eyes of a human or the eyes of a Minish, a race of tiny people and an alternate form that Link can transform into. Unlike the multiplayer focus of the other games in the series, The Minish Cap retains the original form of exploration and dungeons as seen in A Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons, and Oracle of Ages, as well as returning characters and game mechanics such as Malon and the Spin Attack. New features include fusing Kinstones and shrinking to the size of a Minish.
90
/100
06
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
90
/100
07
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
What sleeps behind the door? Time passes, the pages turn… and a new chapter unfolds in an unfamiliar land! Get ready for a two-dimensional role-playing adventure for the ages as Mario returns to paper form to discover a mystery that sleeps behind an ancient, legendary portal called the Thousand-Year Door. The quest is long, the dangers many, and this time, Mario will have to make full use of his papery qualities just to survive.
90
/100
08
Sid Meier's Pirates!
88
/100
09
Sly 2: Band of Thieves
88
/100
10
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) set in the Warcraft universe. Players assume the roles of Warcraft heroes as they explore, adventure, and quest across a vast world. Being "Massively Multiplayer," World of Warcraft allows thousands of players to interact within the same world. Whether adventuring together or fighting against each other in epic battles, players will form friendships, forge alliances, and compete with enemies for power and glory.
86
/100
11
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords
86
/100
12
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
86
/100
13
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords
85
/100
14
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
85
/100
15
Cave Story
83
/100
16
Sid Meier's Pirates!
83
/100
17
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney − Trials and Tribulations
81
/100
18
Syberia 2
80
/100
19
Gish
80
/100
20
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
80
/100
21
Hitman: Contracts
77
/100
22
Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
76
/100
23
Star Wars: Battlefront
73
/100
24
Silent Hill 4: The Room
72
/100
25
Sonic Advance 3
72
/100
26
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
72
/100
27
SIREN
72
/100
28
Neighbours from Hell Compilation
69
/100
29
Shark Tale
69
/100
30
Sherlock Holmes: The Silver Earring
68
/100
31
BloodRayne 2
64
/100
32
Obscure
63
/100
33
Pokémon Emerald Version
60
/100
34
Catwoman
46
/100
35
Spider-Man 2: The Game
42
/100
What is the best Adventure game of 2004?
Pokémon FireRed Version currently tops the ranking with a score of 100/100 across 547 ratings. Ranking updated augusti 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.