Jet Set Radio Future (2002)

Another game | have unfortunately yet to play, but one too iconic
to ignore. With one of the most striking art styles in gaming and
an incredibly eclectic soundtrack, Jet Set Radio set itself apart

from its competition. Set in a futuristic Tokyo, you play as a gang
of rocket-powered in-line skaters who need to tag over rival
gang's tags and fight back against an oppressive government,
which is out to take the public's freedom of expression. There's
also a head-to-head multiplayer mode for those looking to
test out their skating skills against their friends’. If you love
dystopian settings and interesting art, look out for this one.

 

 

 

Freedom Fighters (2003)

Freedom Fighters is a military shooter with an interesting conceit.
In the multiplayer there are two teams, Americans and Soviets,
and up to four players can split themselves among them. You
work against the other team to capture bunkers, and each
bunker comes with soldiers who you can recruit to work with
you to a maximum of eight and control with orders such as
follow, attack, and defend. For example, a soldier defending
at a bunker will use the turrets to shoot enemy soldiers, and
soldiers following you will attack by your side. The depth of
tactics make this a wholly unique competitive experience.

 

TimeSplitters: Future Perfect (2005)

TimeSplitters is by far my favourite shooter series, due to its
customizability and utter disinterest in taking itself too seriously.
There are 150 playable characters in Future Perfect, including

a wide cast of humans, the infamous monkeys, and a whole
pile of weirdos. With 19 multiplayer modes, fully customizable
weapon load out, up to 10 bots per match, and a frenetic
soundtrack, no match in this game will be the same. The
very funny story-mode is also co-op, so when you're in the
mood for something a little different you can fire it up. There's
also a deep single-player challenge mode and a map-
maker. If you like fun shooters, you should definitely buy it.

 

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Star Wars: Battlefront (2004)

The name of this classic shooter has of course been co-
opted for a much-maligned game, but luckily the original still
holds up. Init. two players are members of opposing factions,

dependent on which of the 16 maps you choose. You play
as one of five classes and act as part of a large army working
to steal the enemy's bases, and the first team to hold them
all wins. The levels have various vehicles you can pilot, and
Jedis even help you out. The game will bring you and your
friend hours of fun, especially if you're both Star Wars fans.

 

 

 

 

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Halo 2 (2004)

It's sometimes tough to choose a single game out of a series to
recommend, but that is not the case with Halo. Halo 2 introduces
the Covenant as a playable species, and why wouldn't you
play as them? You can also fully customize your characters’
colours, allowing you to blend in or be fabulous. The levels
are varied, although my favourites are tragically stuck on the
separate disc Multiplayer Map Pack, but there's always Zanzibar
with its hamster wheel. Halo 2 is a must-play and an exclusive.
With a two-player campaign and four-player arcade, there's
enough multiplayer content to keep you busy for a long time.

 

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Test Drive: Eve of Destruction (2004)

This hilarious multiplayer game is exactly what it sounds like. The
game's many competition modes are all held in an arena and
driven with a very different selection of vehicles than other racers,
including hearses and school buses—my personal favourite.
Some of the game's 23 modes are the Figure-8 Jump, Gauntlet,
Destruction Derby, Suicide, and Soccer (take that, Rocket
League). Wrecking your friends’ cars is hilarious, and the games
are quick and dirty. Each of you choose a nickname and vehicle
to start the “Eve.” Similar to Mario Kart, each Eve includes multiple
matches, and the person with the most points at the end wins!

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5

 

 

Midnight Club 2 (2003)

Have you ever wanted to jump the Louvre, or soar through Tokyo
alleys? This is the racer for you. The three maps—Los Angeles,
Paris, and Tokyo—are fully open-world and filled with landmarks
and jumps. You can choose to free-roam or compete in one of
the many races, but no matter what you choose, each city is
spectacular to drive through. You can unlock cars as you play
the game or use a cheat code to get them all immediately
(do that), Grab a friend and enjoy the views and amazing
soundtrack as you race and total each other's cars. It's great!

 

 

Dead or Alive Ultimate (2004)

A remastered compilation of Dead or Alive and Dead or Alive
2, this game is great for 3D fighter fans. There is a wide variety
of characters fo choose from, including the infamously large-
breasted female characters. Levels are destructible and large,
including fall damage. Fighting styles are meant to reflect
real life styles, and the gameplay itself is fluid and graceful.
Another bonus is the ability to unlock up to 20 costumes for
characters through the game's single player Arcade Mode,
which you would have to pay a few bucks each for in Dead

or Alive 5. ignore its reputation and take DoA for a spin.