Classic 2000s games that still hold up

Mother 3 2006 i Why it still holds upEvery fight asks for timed input and not only menu choices, and the story of a family and a changing village mixes humor and grief, which makes it worth the effort today.

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow 2003 i Why it still holds upIts castle opens up as you gain abilities and its soul system offers many ways to fight, which keeps it worth playing now.

Paper Mario 2000 i Why it still holds upPartner choice and timing keep every battle engaged in a streamlined role playing formula, and that is why it is worth playing now.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 2000 i Why it still holds upA focused score chase of two minute runs and chained tricks, with parks of your own to build, is still the reason to play it today.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted 2005 i Why it still holds upPursuits that keep escalating, and a Blacklist to climb, are the reason to play it now.

Perfect Dark 2000 i Why it still holds upMissions built on objectives, and a large multiplayer toolkit, still give it more depth than a straight shooter today.

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones 2004 i Why it still holds upToday it still offers polished mechanics, three difficulty levels and a branching route with choices between battles.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story 2009 i Why it still holds upTwo linked layers of play, Bowser outside and the brothers inside, each affecting the other, are the reason to play it now.

Demon's Souls 2009 i Why it still holds upLarge, distinct and believably connected areas, and careful stamina based fights with gradual improvement as the core loop, are the reason to play it now.

Metroid: Zero Mission 2004 i Why it still holds upIts map still reads clearly: areas linked by doors and elevators and opened by power ups, with statues pointing the way.

World of Warcraft 2004

God of War 2005 i Why it still holds upFluid combat, broken up by puzzles and platforming, still keeps it worth playing today.

Ico 2001 i Why it still holds upNo HUD, a distant camera and one relationship between two characters still make it feel unlike later, larger games.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap 2004 i Why it still holds upShrinking turns the same places into two scales, and that still makes its level design work today.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption 2007 i Why it still holds upAiming with a pointer rather than auto aim still puts the shooting in your own hands today.

Silent Hill 3 2003 i Why it still holds upA flashlight, a radio that crackles near monsters and an Otherworld that changes around Heather still make the horror a matter of sight and sound today.

Need for Speed: Underground 2 2004 i Why it still holds upAn open city to drive between races, and tuning deep enough to include a dyno, still give it a shape of its own today.

Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening 2005 i Why it still holds upFour combat styles and four weapons to switch between on the fly, paired with a style meter that climbs through combo ranks, still give the combat something to aim for today.

Banjo-Tooie 2000 i Why it still holds upJiggies unlock new worlds, so backtracking is a major part of the challenge, and a duo that can split up still makes that backtracking its main puzzle today.

Metroid Fusion 2002 i Why it still holds upA mission based layout with a pursuer always close still keeps its six hours moving today.

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes 2004 i Why it still holds upCrossing between two worlds, one of which wears her down away from safe zones, still makes every route a puzzle today.

Fire Emblem 2003 i Why it still holds upWith early chapters that introduce each idea alongside the story, and losses that are permanent, every move still matters today.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga 2003 i Why it still holds upBecause each brother has a button and presses are timed, every turn of battle still involves timing as well as choosing today.