If You Miss Old School Gaming Start
With These 10 Games From 2000
Sometimes you do not miss a specific console. You miss a feeling. Booting up a game and instantly knowing you are about to lose an hour without trying. No endless tutorials. No busywork disguised as content. Just vibes, challenge, and that simple click of fun. That is why old school gaming nostalgia keeps pulling people back.
And if you want a perfect entry point, 2000 in video games is a surprisingly stacked year. It hit that sweet spot where studios were getting ambitious, but games still respected your time.
A lot of the best games of 2000 still feel playable today, even if you have been away from retro games for years.
Why 2000 still feels like home?
A big reason this year stands out is variety. In the same year you could jump from stealth to skating to life simulation to deep RPGs without the experiences blending into one.
That mix is why lists of the top games of 2000 are still shared and searched constantly, and why “games released in 2000” is such a reliable SEO phrase. Also, many of these are not just “old.” They are foundational classic video games that shaped what came next. So even if you never played them, you would recognise their DNA in modern titles.
Game 10: Thief II The Metal Age
Released in 2000, Thief II is a stealth game that trusts you. It is about patience, listening, and moving like a shadow, not about being a superhero. If modern stealth feels too loud, this is a clean throwback that proves why old school gaming still has a grip on people.
Game 9: The Sims
The Sims launched in 2000 and became a cultural phenomenon fast. It is a sandbox where you can play cozy, chaotic, or both. If you miss classic video games that were not afraid to be weirdly personal, this one is a perfect reminder of how creative games released in 2000 could be.
Game 8: Diablo II
Diablo II was released in 2000 and basically wrote the book on loot obsession for a generation. The loop is simple and addictive, and it still feels good because the core design is so clean. This is one of those retro games that can still steal your weekend if you let it.
Game 7: Deus Ex
Released for PC in 2000, Deus Ex is famous for letting you solve problems your way. Sneak, talk, hack, or fight. It rewards curiosity and makes you feel clever without holding your hand. If you want a smarter side of 2000 in video games, this is a must.
Game 6: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
This one is pure flow. You can pick it up and have fun in seconds, but still spend months mastering lines. The game was released in 2000 and helped define what a perfect arcade sports game feels like. It also belongs in any conversation about the best games of 2000.
Game 5: Jet Set Radio
A Dreamcast original from 2000 with a style that still looks like a poster. Inline skating, graffiti, and a soundtrack that is basically a personality. If old school gaming to you means bold creativity, this is one of the most joyful classic video games you can pick.
Game 4: Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IX launched in 2000 and is often described as a return to classic fantasy roots for the series. It is charming, emotional, and still easy to recommend to anyone chasing that PS1 era magic of retro games.
Game 3: Baldur’s Gate II Shadows of Amn
If you like deep story RPGs, this is an all timer. It shipped in 2000 and became a benchmark for party based role playing, choices, and writing. When people search top games of 2000, this one almost always shows up.
Game 2: The Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask
This is the Zelda game with a mood. A time loop, a strange world, and a story that feels personal and unsettling without being edgy for no reason. Released in 2000, it is often the game people return to when they miss classic video games that feel different.
Game 1: Perfect Dark
If you want pure N64 adrenaline with a smarter edge, start here. Rare built a full campaign plus multiplayer options that kept people playing for years. It is one of the best games of 2000 for a reason, and it still screams old school gaming in the best way.
A simple play order so you do not burn out
If you want the smoothest ride, start with something instantly fun like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, then switch to a story adventure like Majora’s Mask. After that, go deep with Baldur’s Gate II or Final Fantasy IX. Save Deus Ex and Thief II for when you are in the mood for slower, smarter play. This way, you experience the range of the top games of 2000 without feeling like you are doing homework.