Table of Contents >> Show >> Hide
- What “Forgotten” Means Here (So Nobody Throws a Controller)
- The Ranking
- #17 Folklore (2007, PS3)
- #16 WET (2009, PS3 / Xbox 360)
- #15 Battalion Wars (2005, GameCube)
- #14 War of the Monsters (2003, PS2)
- #13 The Movies (2005, PC)
- #12 Vexx (2003, PS2 / Xbox / GameCube)
- #11 Cold Fear (2005, PS2 / Xbox / PC)
- #10 Rogue Trooper (2006, PS2 / Xbox / PC and more)
- #9 Gladius (2003, PS2 / Xbox / GameCube)
- #8 Darkwatch (2005, PS2 / Xbox)
- #7 The Suffering (2004, PS2 / Xbox / PC)
- #6 Metal Arms: Glitch in the System (2003, PS2 / Xbox / GameCube)
- #5 Freedom Fighters (2003, PC / PS2 / Xbox / GameCube)
- #4 Second Sight (2004, PS2 / Xbox / GameCube / PC)
- #3 Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy (2004, PS2 / Xbox / PC)
- #2 The Saboteur (2009, PS3 / Xbox 360 / PC)
- #1 Project Eden (2001, PC / PS2)
- How to Rediscover Forgotten 2000s Games Without Turning It Into Homework
- 500 More Words of 2000s “Forgotten Game” Experiences (The Vibes Section)
- Conclusion: Your New Favorite Old Game Is Probably on This List
- SEO Tags
The 2000s were a magical time in video games: experimental AA budgets, weird risks from big publishers,
and enough new hardware launches to make your wallet develop a nervous tic. It was also the decade of
accidental invisibilitygreat games that slipped through the cracks because they launched next to
giants, got stuck on a single platform, or were just a little too strange for the marketing department
to explain in a 30-second TV spot.
This ranking is a love letter to those “Wait… that existed?!” titlesgames that deserved more attention
then and deserve a second look now. Some were critical darlings with modest sales. Some were messy but
memorable. All of them have at least one idea that still feels fresh today.
What “Forgotten” Means Here (So Nobody Throws a Controller)
“Forgotten” doesn’t mean “bad” or “nobody on Earth remembers it.” It means these games are
far less talked about today than their creativity, fun factor, or influence deserves.
Think: fewer memes, fewer remasters, fewer “Top 10” shoutouts, and a lot more “I rented that once and
then never saw it again.”
- 2000–2009 releases only (peak disc era, maximum weirdness).
- Not the usual “everyone remembers this” classics (sorry, cult legends with 14 remasters).
- High concept, big personality, or standout mechanics that still hold up in spirit.
- Forgotten for a reasontiming, platform lock, marketing, competition, or “too spicy for 2006.”
And yes: “forgotten” can also mean “hard to play legally today.” If a game is trapped on older hardware,
it’s basically living in the witness protection program.
The Ranking
We’re counting down from #17 to #1. The higher the rank, the more this game feels like it was swallowed
by the decade and quietly filed under “I swear I didn’t hallucinate this.”
#17 Folklore (2007, PS3)
Folklore is what happens when a dark fairy tale, Irish myth vibes, and early PS3 experimentation
all collide. It has two protagonists, a moody village mystery, and a creature-capture system that feels
like a cousin of monster-collecting RPGsexcept it’s wrapped in Celtic Otherworld energy and “launch-era
console weirdness.”
Why it got forgotten: Early PS3 was chaotic. Lots of players were still waiting for the
console’s must-have library, and niche exclusives could vanish fast if they didn’t become instant hits.
Why it’s worth remembering: Its tone is distinct, its art direction is eerie-pretty,
and it’s a reminder that “AAA” used to take stranger swings.
Modern-friendly tip: If you can access it through legitimate PS3 options, treat it like
a playable gothic novellights down, volume up.
#16 WET (2009, PS3 / Xbox 360)
WET is style-first action: wall runs, slides, dual pistols, swordplay, and slow-motion flair
that begs you to play like you’re auditioning for an over-the-top grindhouse trailer. It’s not perfect,
but it’s confidentand confidence goes a long way.
Why it got forgotten: 2009 was stacked, and mid-budget action games that weren’t
flawless could get steamrolled by bigger franchises.
Why it’s worth remembering: Few games of the era committed to “stylish chaos” this hard.
It’s the kind of title you play when you want fun, not homework.
Modern-friendly tip: It’s best in shorter sessionsplay a chapter, enjoy the soundtrack,
then go do something responsible like… keep playing another chapter.
#15 Battalion Wars (2005, GameCube)
Imagine the colorful world of the Wars series, but instead of turn-based tactics, you’re directly
controlling units in real timeinfantry, vehicles, aircraftwhile still juggling battlefield objectives.
Battalion Wars is action-strategy before hybrid genres became a marketing bullet point.
Why it got forgotten: It’s a spin-off on a single platform from an era where many players
associated Nintendo with very different styles of games.
Why it’s worth remembering: The missions are punchy, the pacing is brisk, and it scratches
a unique itch: tactical thinking with hands-on chaos.
Modern-friendly tip: If you like commanding squads in modern games, this is the
“proto-version” with a charmingly direct approach.
#14 War of the Monsters (2003, PS2)
A love letter to kaiju movies and 1950s sci-fi: giant monsters, city arenas, and the joyful urge to
turn a skyscraper into a blunt instrument. It’s a brawler where the environment is basically a
snack table for violence.
Why it got forgotten: Multiplayer party brawlers came and went fast in the PS2 era,
and without a modern sequel to keep it in the conversation, it faded into “rental shelf legend.”
Why it’s worth remembering: It’s pure, satisfying mayhem, and it nails that “toybox
destruction” feeling that modern games sometimes overcomplicate.
Modern-friendly tip: If you can play it legally via supported re-releases, it’s the
perfect “friends over” gameeven if your friends mostly want to throw buses.
#13 The Movies (2005, PC)
Running a Hollywood studio sim is already a great pitch. But The Movies goes further: you
actually make films inside the gamecasting actors, building sets, choosing scenes, and exporting
your creations like a tiny director-god with a spreadsheet addiction.
Why it got forgotten: It was a clever niche in a time when big PC sims fought for
attention, and its most exciting feature (movie-making) was hard to communicate before streaming and
social sharing became effortless.
Why it’s worth remembering: It’s half management sim, half creative sandbox, and it still
feels weirdly modernlike it predicted “content creation” culture before it was everywhere.
Modern-friendly tip: If you like simulation games with personality, this one’s a time capsule
of peak “PC games can be anything.”
#12 Vexx (2003, PS2 / Xbox / GameCube)
The early 2000s were packed with 3D platformers trying to stand out in a world dominated by bigger mascots.
Vexx went for darker fantasy vibes, tricky collectibles, and a “not kidding around” difficulty curve
that could humble even confident jumpers.
Why it got forgotten: Platformers were everywhere, and the market didn’t have patience
for “pretty good” when “legendary” was on the same shelf.
Why it’s worth remembering: It’s a reminder of an era when platformers weren’t afraid to
be moody and challengingnot every jump needed to be cute.
Modern-friendly tip: If you love precision platforming and don’t mind a little old-school
sting, it’s a surprisingly meaty ride.
#11 Cold Fear (2005, PS2 / Xbox / PC)
A survival horror game on a storm-tossed ship in the Bering Strait is already a mood. Cold Fear
adds dynamic movementyour aim and footing are affected by the ocean’s tantrumcreating tension that
feels physical, not just spooky.
Why it got forgotten: It released in the shadow of other massive horror titles, and it
didn’t get the long-term spotlight that keeps a game culturally “alive.”
Why it’s worth remembering: The setting is excellent, and the “environment fights you”
idea still feels underused.
Modern-friendly tip: It’s also a great example of preservation winswhen older games
return on modern storefronts, they get a second chance with new audiences.
#10 Rogue Trooper (2006, PS2 / Xbox / PC and more)
Based on a long-running comic universe, Rogue Trooper is a third-person shooter that leans into
its identity: a blue-skinned super-soldier on a poisoned planet with smart gear, tactical options, and
a gritty sci-fi war vibe.
Why it got forgotten: Licensed games often get dismissed as disposable, even when they’re
doing interesting stuffand 2006 had no shortage of loud competition.
Why it’s worth remembering: It’s competent, flavorful, and more thoughtful than its
“licensed shooter” label suggests.
Modern-friendly tip: If you like cover-based shooters and pulp sci-fi, this one’s a
solid deep cut.
#9 Gladius (2003, PS2 / Xbox / GameCube)
A tactical RPG about building a gladiator school sounds like a genre mash-upuntil you play it and realize
it’s basically a perfect excuse for satisfying turn-based combat, team building, and tournament drama.
Gladius has charm, pacing, and that “just one more match” energy.
Why it got forgotten: It wasn’t part of a long-running franchise, and tactical RPGs were
more niche on consoles then than they are now.
Why it’s worth remembering: The combat is approachable but strategic, and the setting
gives it a unique identity compared to standard fantasy fare.
Modern-friendly tip: If you enjoy squad tactics and progression systems, this is a sleeper
pick that still feels easy to recommend.
#8 Darkwatch (2005, PS2 / Xbox)
Western + horror + steampunk + vampire powers should be a chaotic disaster. Instead, Darkwatch
is an oddly compelling “we committed to the bit” shooter: you’re an outlaw-turned-vampire fighting
supernatural threats on the frontier. It’s pulpy in the best way.
Why it got forgotten: It never became a franchise, and it arrived in an era when many
console shooters were competing for the same attention.
Why it’s worth remembering: The setting is rare even today. Also, vampire shooter? Yes.
Cowboy vampire shooter? Absolutely yes.
Modern-friendly tip: Great for players who want something different from modern military
shooter palettes.
#7 The Suffering (2004, PS2 / Xbox / PC)
The Suffering is “action horror” with monster designs that feel genuinely nasty and a tone that
goes hard on dread. It blends shooting with psychological tension and gives players choices that shape
outcomes, which was a bigger deal in 2004 than it might sound now.
Why it got forgotten: Horror fans remember the giants, and this one often gets labeled
“that other scary game” from the era.
Why it’s worth remembering: Its mood is intense, and it shows how horror games can be
action-forward without losing their bite.
Modern-friendly tip: If you like horror games that don’t apologize for being loud,
this one belongs on your list.
#6 Metal Arms: Glitch in the System (2003, PS2 / Xbox / GameCube)
A snarky robot hero, creative weapons, and a surprisingly fun blend of platforming and shooting.
Metal Arms is one of those games that feels like it should have been a bigger dealespecially
because it’s packed with personality and mechanical variety.
Why it got forgotten: It landed in the crowded PS2/Xbox/GameCube era where good games
could still disappear if they weren’t mega-hits.
Why it’s worth remembering: It’s playful without being shallow. Also, robot comedy that
doesn’t feel cringe? A rare achievement.
Modern-friendly tip: If you miss “mid-budget games with big ideas,” this is basically a
poster child.
#5 Freedom Fighters (2003, PC / PS2 / Xbox / GameCube)
Alternate-history New York, squad-based third-person shooting, and a morale/leadership system that makes
you feel like a scrappy resistance icon. Freedom Fighters is the kind of action game that’s easy
to love because it understands one core truth: battles are more fun when you’re not alone.
Why it got forgotten: It didn’t become a long-running franchise, and without a modern
remaster cycle, it’s easy for newer players to miss.
Why it’s worth remembering: The squad commands are simple but effective, and the premise
is instantly cinematic.
Modern-friendly tip: If you like games that make you feel like a leader instead of a lone
superhero, this is a classic blueprint.
#4 Second Sight (2004, PS2 / Xbox / GameCube / PC)
Psychic powers, stealth, and a mystery structure that keeps pulling you forward. Second Sight
leans more “suspense thriller” than pure action spectacle, and it’s at its best when it lets you solve
problems creativelypossess someone here, distract someone there, and slip through situations that a
normal protagonist would absolutely not survive.
Why it got forgotten: It shares genre space with bigger names and came out during a time
when “mind powers” games weren’t easy to sell without a blockbuster brand.
Why it’s worth remembering: It’s smart, moody, and confident in slow-burn storytelling.
Modern-friendly tip: If you like stealth games with a supernatural edge, this is an
excellent forgotten pick.
#3 Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy (2004, PS2 / Xbox / PC)
Psi-Ops has one mission: make psychic powers feel fun. Telekinesis isn’t a little
gimmickit’s the whole identity. Throw enemies, manipulate objects, combine powers with gunplay, and
generally behave like the world’s most dangerous improv comedian.
Why it got forgotten: It didn’t get the sequel treatment that keeps a concept in the public
eye, and “physics-forward action” was still finding its mainstream footing.
Why it’s worth remembering: The combat sandbox is the star. Even now, plenty of games give
you powersbut fewer make you giggle while using them.
Modern-friendly tip: Perfect for players who love experimenting and making their own fun.
#2 The Saboteur (2009, PS3 / Xbox 360 / PC)
Open-world games were everywhere by 2009, which makes The Saboteur extra impressive: it found its
own visual identity with a noir-inspired style where oppressed areas feel drained of colorand liberation
literally brings the world to life. It’s part stealth, part chaos, part “I can’t believe they let this ship.”
Why it got forgotten: Late in the console generation, packed release calendar, and it didn’t
get the sequel momentum that turns “cool game” into “forever franchise.”
Why it’s worth remembering: Its artistic hook is still memorable, and the “world changes as
you fight back” concept lands emotionally as well as visually.
Modern-friendly tip: If you’re tired of open worlds that all feel the same, this is a palate
cleanser with real style.
#1 Project Eden (2001, PC / PS2)
Project Eden is the definition of “ahead of its time but not loud about it.” It’s a squad-based
action-adventure where teamwork is baked into the designswitch between four agents, solve environmental
puzzles, fight through tight spaces, and unravel a sci-fi mystery in a layered megacity.
Why it got forgotten: It didn’t have a megabrand name, it arrived early in the decade,
and its strengths (team switching, co-op-friendly structure, puzzle/action blend) weren’t the easiest to
market to the broadest audience.
Why it’s worth remembering: It captures a specific 2000s spirit: ambitious design, strong
atmosphere, and a willingness to mix genres without asking permission.
Modern-friendly tip: If you love the idea of a game that feels like a lost “missing link”
between action shooters and co-op puzzle adventures, Project Eden is the hidden gem to beat.
How to Rediscover Forgotten 2000s Games Without Turning It Into Homework
The easiest way to bounce off older games is to demand they behave like modern ones. Don’t do that.
Treat these like retro snacks, not a 100-hour lifestyle.
- Play in “chapters.” One mission/level a night keeps the charm high and the friction low.
- Pick one vibe. Horror week. Stylish action week. “Weird sim” weekend. Make it a theme.
- Accept old-school quirks. Cameras can be spicy. UI can be crusty. Your patience is the remaster.
- Use legal modern options when available. Preservation releases and backward compatibility are your best friends.
500 More Words of 2000s “Forgotten Game” Experiences (The Vibes Section)
If you were gaming in the 2000s, you probably remember the ritual more than the backlog:
walking into a rental store (or a big-box aisle that smelled like new plastic and questionable ambition),
judging a game’s entire personality by its box art, and making a decision that felt important in the way
only a weekend rental could. You didn’t have a hundred video essays telling you what to think. You had a
cover with explosions, a tagline that promised “REVOLUTIONARY GAMEPLAY,” and your friend saying,
“Dude, trust me.”
That environment was basically a forgotten-games factory. Mid-budget titles could take wild swings
because they weren’t obligated to be everything to everyone. A game like Psi-Ops could bet big on
physics-based psychic chaos. Second Sight could build a slower, moodier thriller that assumed you’d
be patient. The Movies could be half simulation, half creative toybox, and nobody demanded it also
include a battle pass, seasonal events, and a roadmap extending into the next geological era.
And then there’s the “I can’t believe this exists” categorythe games that feel like a dare.
Darkwatch is a cowboy vampire shooter with horror-steampunk energy. That pitch sounds like a joke you
make at 2 a.m. and immediately regret. But in the 2000s, sometimes those pitches became real products on real
shelves, because the industry was still figuring out its limits. Even War of the Monsters has that
specific party-game electricity: the moment somebody realizes they can pick up a car and suddenly everyone’s
social contract collapses.
The funniest part is how many of these games became “forgotten” not because they lacked quality, but because
they lacked momentum. A sequel never happened. A remaster never arrived. The studio closed.
The license got complicated. The console generation ended and the conversation moved on. Meanwhile, a game like
The Saboteur sat there with a bold visual identity and a genuinely cool liberation mechanic, quietly
waiting for the internet to rediscover itonly to be drowned out by the next wave of open-world giants.
Rediscovering these titles now is weirdly comforting. It reminds you that gaming history isn’t just the top
ten lists and the blockbuster franchisesit’s also the oddball experiments, the almost-famous gems, and the
games that did one or two things brilliantly even if everything else was a little wobbly. So if you play one
of these and it feels rough around the edges, that’s not a failure. That’s the 2000s saying hello. And if you
find yourself thinking, “Wait, why didn’t this become a series?”congratulations. You’ve just experienced the
defining emotion of retro game fans everywhere.
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Old Game Is Probably on This List
The 2000s produced an absurd number of games, and some truly excellent ones got lost in the noiseespecially
the experimental, mid-budget titles that didn’t become franchises. If you’re tired of safe design and familiar
formulas, “forgotten games of the 2000s” are a goldmine: bold premises, distinctive vibes, and mechanics that
still feel inventive.
Pick one game that matches your mood, give it a fair hour, and let it surprise you. Worst case, you’ll have
fun roasting old UI decisions. Best case, you’ll discover a new personal classicand start asking the most
dangerous question in gaming: “How did I miss this?”
