Games Released in December 2002

523 new games debuted in December 2002, with PC being the most active platform. December 6 was the busiest day, with 32 releases. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was the most popular release of the month.

Which days had the most releases?

December 6 saw the most activity with 32 releases.

32 releases

December 6

28 releases

December 19

22 releases

December 12

20 releases

December 5

How did each week compare?

The first week of December was the busiest with 89 releases.

Week 1 (December 1–7)

89 releases

Most popular release in Week 1

Mega Man Battle Network 3 White

Using an RPG style, you must guide Mega Man through various levels defeating enemies along the way and collecting the various chips to upgrade Mega Man's weapons and other items. Exclusive to this, the White Version, are specialy developed chips (Giga Class chips) that only the White Version of Mega Man can use. You can also trade various chips between players using either Blue or White versions of BN3. Other differences include exclusive enemy bosses in areas and a unique battle style for each games version that Mega Man can use.

Week 2 (December 8–14)

68 releases

Most popular release in Week 2

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is the first Zelda game for the Nintendo GameCube and also the first in the series to employ cel-shading, a lighting and texturing technique that results in the game having a cartoon-like appearance. Like its predecessors, The Wind Waker is an action game with puzzle-solving and light role-playing elements. Basic gameplay mechanics are similar to those found in Ocarina of Time, but it differentiates itself with its massive Great Sea which must be explored using a boat named King of Red Lions.

Week 3 (December 15–21)

70 releases

Most popular release in Week 3

Space Rangers

Space Rangers is a space combat strategy game where you control your own ship and eventually a fleet of ships to fight the evil alien race, Klissans. You are put in an open world to play as you please to achieve your goal.

Week 4 (December 22–28)

36 releases

Most popular release in Week 4

Skies of Arcadia Legends

Skies of Arcadia Legends is an enhanced GameCube port of Skies of Arcadia. It follows the air pirate Vyse and his companions as they explore a world of floating continents and oppose the Valuan Empire, which seeks to awaken the ancient Gigas using six powerful Moon Stones. Players travel by airship, explore towns and dungeons, recruit crew members, discover hidden locations, and engage in turn-based character and ship battles. The GameCube version retains the original story and gameplay while adding new characters, side content, backstory, collectible items, music, and changes to the reputation and battle systems. Content previously distributed online for the Dreamcast version is also included within the game.

Week 5 (December 29–31)

22 releases

Most popular release in Week 5

Time Crisis 3

The third installment in Namco's light gun shooting franchise, Time Crisis 3 offers exciting, fast-paced shooting action by the world renowned VSSE agents as they fight to save an innocent nation from total annihilation. Choose from four weapons--machine gun, handgun, shotgun, and grenade-- to blast your way past enemies. Practice your sharpshooting skills in Sniper Combat and multiple gameplay modes. The game also includes multiple gameplay modes, a new playable character, and the original Time Crisis. It's time to warm up that trigger finger and step into the action.

Which platforms saw the most releases?

PC received 68 new titles in December 2002. The runner up was Game Boy Advance with 63 new titles.

PC68 releases

Game Boy Advance63 releases

PlayStation 256 releases

Nintendo GameCube31 releases

Xbox25 releases

PlayStation21 releases

Mac10 releases

Arcade7 releases

Web browser5 releases

Legacy Mobile Device3 releases

What genres were most popular?

Adventure was the dominant genre in December 2002 with 51 titles. Sport followed closely with 39.

Adventure51

Sport39

Role-playing34

Shooter32

Simulator30

Strategy28

Racing23

Platform22

Puzzle20

Arcade17

2002 Review

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