Games Released in 2002

2,196 new games debuted in 2002 across 10 platforms, with PC seeing 610 releases. November was the busiest month, with 332 releases. Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos was the most popular release of the year.

Which days had the most releases?

March 28 was the busiest single day of 2002 with 39 releases.

39 releases

March 28

34 releases

November 29

33 releases

October 25

32 releases

December 6

Which month had the most releases?

The busiest release month of 2002 was November, totaling 332 titles.

How did each season compare?

Q4 was the busiest quarter of 2002 with 812 releases.

Q1 (Jan–Mar)

541 releases

Most popular release in Q1

Resident Evil

Resident Evil is the 2002 remake of the original 1996 video game of the same name featuring various improvements and gameplay overhaul. The game features all-new graphics and sound, and also incorporates gameplay elements from the earlier installments. While the overall plot remained mostly unchanged, several new areas and rooms were added to the game. This remake also features many additional modes, secrets and various endings over the original.

Q2 (Apr–Jun)

494 releases

Most popular release in Q2

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is an open-world first-person role-playing game and the third main entry in The Elder Scrolls series. Set on the island of Vvardenfell in the province of Morrowind, the player arrives as a released prisoner and becomes involved in the political and religious conflicts of the Dunmer people. Gameplay combines freeform exploration, real-time combat, and character customization across a vast landscape of ashlands, swamps, and volcanic terrain, with a main quest centered on an ancient prophecy.

Q3 (Jul–Sep)

591 releases

Most popular release in Q3

Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos

Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos is a real-time strategy game set in the high fantasy world of Azeroth. Players control one of four factions, the Human Alliance, Orcish Horde, Night Elves, or Undead Scourge, each with unique units, structures, and hero characters that gain experience and abilities through combat. The single-player campaign follows a sequential narrative across four faction-specific chapters. Multiplayer is supported through Battle.net with ranked matchmaking. The game includes a World Editor that allows players to create custom maps and scenarios, which gave rise to influential community creations including the mod Defense of the Ancients.

Q4 (Oct–Dec)

812 releases

Most popular release in Q4

Metroid Prime

A 3D exploration-focused metroidvania with first-person shooting mechanics and the first 3D entry in the Metroid series, Metroid Prime follows Samus Aran after the events of Metroid (1986) as she boards a Space Pirate frigate, then chases her escaping archrival Ridley into the intricately structured Tallon IV, a planet full of deadly wildlife and former home to the advanced and ancient Chozo race.

Which platforms saw the most releases?

PC received 610 new titles in 2002, holding the most releases. The runner up was PlayStation 2 with 501 new titles.

PC610 releases

PlayStation 2501 releases

Game Boy Advance420 releases

PlayStation233 releases

Xbox209 releases

Nintendo GameCube182 releases

Mac69 releases

Web browser49 releases

Dreamcast46 releases

Game Boy Color39 releases

What genres were most popular?

Adventure was the dominant genre in 2002 with 440 titles. Sport followed closely with 351.

Adventure440

Sport351

Simulator254

Role-playing242

Shooter239

Strategy219

Racing190

Platform185

Puzzle162

Arcade150

2001 2003

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