# The best video games of 2004

The 25 best-reviewed games released in 2004 according to Metacritic's critic scores (all platforms). No DLC, expansions or compilations.

- 31 votes · 26 items
- Jul 10, 2023 · Rodrigo Monteiro
- https://even.best/en/l/936/the-best-video-games-of-2004

## Top 20

1. **Half-Life 2** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — Released November 2004. Metascore: 96.
2. **Halo 2** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Released November 2004. Metascore: 95.
3. **World of Warcraft** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Released November 2004. Metascore: 93.
4. **ESPN NFL 2K5** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Released July 2004. Metascore: 92.
5. **NCAA Football 2005** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Released July 2004. Metascore: 88.
6. **Burnout 3: Takedown** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Released September 2004. Metascore: 94.
7. **Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Released March 2004. Metascore: 93.
8. **Rome: Total War** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Released September 2004. Metascore: 92.
9. **Madden NFL 2005** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Released August 2004. Metascore: 91.
10. **The Sims 2** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Released September 2004. Metascore: 90.
11. **Metroid: Zero Mission** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Released February 2004. Metascore: 89.
12. **Worldwide Soccer Manager 2005** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Released December 2004. Metascore: 89.
13. **Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Released September 2004. Metascore: 88.
14. **Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Released October 2004. Metascore: 95.
15. **Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Released November 2004. Metascore: 91.
16. **Ninja Gaiden** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Released March 2004. Metascore: 91.
17. **Sly 2: Band of Thieves** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Released September 2004. Metascore: 88.
18. **Unreal Tournament 2004** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Released March 2004. Metascore: 93.
19. **World Soccer Winning Eleven 7 International** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Released February 2004. Metascore: 93.
20. **MVP Baseball 2004** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Released March 2004. Metascore: 90.
21. **Pikmin 2** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Released August 2004. Metascore: 90.
22. **The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Released June 2004. Metascore: 89.
23. **Katamari Damacy** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Namco game (2004) in which you roll a ball that sticks everything in its path.
24. **Metroid Prime 2: Echoes** (-1 · ▲0 ▼1) — Released November 2004. Metascore: 92.
25. **Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater** (-1 · ▲0 ▼1) — Released November 2004. Metascore: 91.
26. **Far Cry** (-1 · ▲0 ▼1) — Released March 2004. Metascore: 89.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.