Best Games of 2002
Ranked by our critic's grades, best first.
Resident Evil (2002 Remake)The rare remake that beats the original at its own game and then quietly keeps going.Read the review
Metroid PrimeA first-person Metroid that refused to become a shooter, and got everything right on the first attempt.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind WakerThe best-looking Zelda ever made, wrapped around an ocean that runs out of ideas before it runs out of water.
The Elder Scrolls III: MorrowindAn alien island hands you a map, a rumor and no marker, then trusts you to find the rest of it yourself.
Kingdom HeartsA crossover that should not have worked, carried by the sincerity of a game that refuses to be a joke.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4Killing the two minute timer opens the parks up, and the series pays for that freedom with a difficulty curve that turns spiteful.
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosHeroes, creeps and a map editor generous enough that its users invented two entire genres inside it.
Soulcalibur IIThe series at its peak, and the rare sequel where the guest character was the best thing in it.
Ratchet & ClankThe blueprint arrives with the weapons and the worlds intact, and the aiming still needs another two games of work.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice CityThe best soundtrack and sharpest style in the series, wrapped around mechanics that have aged the worst.