20 Years Ago: Games Released October 2003

October is a month that many gamers look forward to, as it usually brings some of the most anticipated titles of the year. But what was gaming like 20 years ago, in October 2003? Let’s take a look at some of the games that were released in that month and how they influenced the gaming industry and culture.

One of the most influential games of October 2003 was Call of Duty, the first installment in the now-famous franchise. Developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision, Call of Duty was a first-person shooter that simulated the combined arms warfare of World War II using a modified version of the id Tech 3 engine. The game featured multiple viewpoints staged in the American, British, and Soviet theaters of war, and introduced a new take on AI-controlled allies who supported the player during missions and reacted to situational changes during gameplay. This led to a greater emphasis on squad-based play as opposed to the “lone wolf” approach often portrayed in earlier first-person shooter games. Call of Duty received critical acclaim and won several Game of the Year awards from reviewers. It also spawned an expansion pack called Call of Duty: United Offensive, which was released in September 2004, and an enhanced port for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, titled Call of Duty: Classic, which was released in November 2009.

Another game that made its debut in October 2003 was Viewtiful Joe, a side-scrolling beat ’em up game developed by Clover Studio and published by Capcom. Viewtiful Joe was a stylish and innovative game that combined 2D graphics with 3D effects, and allowed the player to manipulate time and space using special abilities called “VFX Powers”. The game followed the adventures of Joe, an avid movie fan who gets sucked into a film world and becomes a superhero. Viewtiful Joe was praised for its unique art style, gameplay mechanics, humor, and soundtrack. It also received several awards and nominations, including Best Action Game at the Game Developers Choice Awards. Viewtiful Joe spawned three sequels: Viewtiful Joe 2 (2004), Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble (2005), and Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble (2005).

Other notable games that were released in October 2003 include Kirby Air Ride, a racing game featuring the pink puffball Kirby and his friends; Animal Crossing, a social simulation game that allowed the player to live in a village populated by anthropomorphic animals; Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, a remake of the classic NES platformer with added features such as e-Reader compatibility; and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, a cel-shaded adventure game that took place in a vast oceanic world.

These are just some of the games that were released in October 2003, a month that marked an important milestone in gaming history. These games not only entertained millions of players around the world, but also inspired many developers and creators to push the boundaries of gaming and create new experiences for future generations. What are some of your favorite games from October 2003? Let us know in the comments below!