Games Released in 2001

2,138 new games debuted in 2001 across 10 platforms, with PC seeing 639 releases. November was the busiest month, with 326 releases. Silent Hill 2 was the most popular release of the year.

Which days had the most releases?

December 20 was the busiest single day of 2001 with 36 releases.

36 releases

December 20

35 releases

November 15

32 releases

November 30

29 releases

December 14

Which month had the most releases?

The busiest release month of 2001 was November, totaling 326 titles.

How did each season compare?

Q4 was the busiest quarter of 2001 with 759 releases.

Q1 (Jan–Mar)

536 releases

Most popular release in Q1

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages is one of two Zelda titles released for the Game Boy Color, the other being Oracle of Seasons. The game retain many gameplay elements from Link's Awakening such as the graphics, audio and top-view perspective. It also features eight dungeons and a large overworld to explore like in the previous games. Oracle of Ages is said to be more puzzle-oriented than its counterpart being more action-oriented. After completing one of the two games, both can be linked to form a single linear plot with an alternate ending. Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons were often credited as being two of the top games for the Game Boy Color.

Q2 (Apr–Jun)

480 releases

Most popular release in Q2

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

More than two years in the making, Gran Turismo 3 A-spec features over 150 detailed cars -- each composed of more than 4,000 polygons -- 60 beginner, amateur and professional championship races, as well as ten endurance races and ten rally races. In addition to all-new special effects, such as sun glare, heat distortion and reflections, Gran Turismo 3 A-spec also offers up a soundtrack of more than 20 licensed tracks, and an even better replay mode with TV-style camera views. Two players can go head-to-head via split-screen and up to six can duke it out by linking multiple systems together via i.LINK. Released worldwide in 2001, Gran Turismo 3 a-Spec was designed by Polyphony Digital.

Q3 (Jul–Sep)

517 releases

Most popular release in Q3

Silent Hill 2

The second entry in the Silent Hill franchise, Silent Hill 2 is a narrative-focused third-person psychological survival horror game with emphasis on combat, exploration and puzzle-solving elements which follows James Sunderland, a man who receives a letter, seemingly sent by his three-years-deceased wife Mary, in which he is beckoned to the fog-ridden town of Silent Hill at the same time as numerous other people troubled by their past.

Q4 (Oct–Dec)

759 releases

Most popular release in Q4

Super Smash Bros. Melee

A crossover platform fighting game featuring characters from Nintendo franchises including Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Star Fox, Pokémon, and Fire Emblem. Unlike traditional fighters, the goal is to knock opponents off the stage rather than deplete a health bar. Damage accumulates as a percentage, increasing the distance a character is launched when hit. Players use simple one-button inputs combined with joystick directions to execute moves. The game supports up to four players simultaneously and includes various single-player modes alongside its multiplayer focus. Its fast-paced, aggressive gameplay fostered a long-running competitive esports scene that persisted well beyond the game's original lifespan.

Which platforms saw the most releases?

PC received 639 new titles in 2001, holding the most releases. The runner up was PlayStation with 360 new titles.

PC639 releases

PlayStation360 releases

PlayStation 2300 releases

Game Boy Color252 releases

Game Boy Advance194 releases

Dreamcast145 releases

Mac65 releases

Arcade51 releases

WonderSwan Color48 releases

Xbox38 releases

What genres were most popular?

Adventure was the dominant genre in 2001 with 409 titles. Sport followed closely with 280.

Adventure409

Sport280

Simulator266

Role-playing248

Strategy231

Puzzle214

Shooter200

Racing184

Platform166

Arcade143

2000 2002

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