15 Best Years In Video Game History

Notable Releases - Half-Life 2, GTA: San Andreas, Metal Gear Solid 3, World of Warcraft

In 2004, all eyes were on PC. After a gruelling wait, Half-Life 2 landed on the scene, picking up every gaming award you could imagine. The sequel was so immaculate, you'd think it would keep owners happy for months.

But PC gamer were spoilt for choice, since World of Warcraft was released one week later! Simply put, this open-world title from Blizzard changed MMORPGs forever. Its focus on character progression and team-based raids helped Wow become one of the most addictive games ever. (Seriously, people died playing it.)

If you weren't a PC gamer, you didn't have to worry. Back in 2004, there was something for everybody. Trigger-happy games had shooters like Doom 3, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Far Cry, Unreal Tournament 2004, and Counter Strike: Source.

Lovers of The Legend of Zelda or Metal Gear Solid had two titles each to choose from.

If handhelds were your bread and butter, you could play Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen on the newly released DS.

Before the Batman: Arkham series, Spider-Man 2 stood uncontested as the best superhero game ever.

Racing fans got Burnout 3 and Need for Speed Underground 2.

Want something quirky? Well, they don't get zanier than Katamari Damacy.

If you were up for playing online on your console, pick up Halo 2 or Final Fantasy XI.

And if none of those choices were your cup of tea, you couldn't go wrong with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.