I think we all can agree that gaming in the 2000s looked a lot different than it does now. Before we had games on our phones, we had games on Wii systems, Nintendo DS systems, computers, and online websites. This decade brought us some of the most memorable games that shaped many childhoods. Whether you were arguing with your brother over who won Mario Kart Wii or taking care of your Webkinz, games were a big part of growing up in the 2000s.
The Wii Took Over the Living Room
One of the most influential gaming systems was the Nintendo Wii. Mario Kart Wii was a fan favorite, especially when you were playing against your family and friends. Nothing compares to beating your little brother to the finish line. Wii Sports also had a huge impact on most people’s childhoods. You could play anything from tennis, golf, bowling, and boxing, and make it a group activity. This turned almost every family function into a competition.
The Wii was also one of those systems that almost anyone could play; it was so easy. You never needed to be a “gamer” to understand how to play Wii golf or tennis. Since it was very easy to use, it turned into more of an activity rather than a game because parents, family, and friends could use it.
Gaming on the Road
The Nintendo DS was another game-changing addition to the 2000s. With games like Pokémon, Mario Kart DS, and Cooking Mama, the Nintendo DS gave people a way to play their favorite games anywhere.
The DS made handheld gaming very easy and popular during this time period. There were so many little things that made having a DS a memorable experience growing up. From losing your stylus 24/7 to playing Mario Kart with friends, the DS became a huge part of growing up during this time.
Logging Onto the Family Computer
At the same time, kids were discovering completely different types of gaming. Sometimes you didn’t even need a gaming system or console. All you needed was a computer and the internet.
This is when online gaming came into play. Games like Club Penguin, Poptropica, and CoolMathGames gave us completely different ways to play. You could create your own penguin, take care of your virtual pet, or spend wayyy too much time on CoolMath games.
For most kids, coming home from school and logging into the family computer was part of their everyday routine. These websites may seem simple, but they shaped most of this generation’s childhood by keeping them entertained.
When Online Gaming “Grew Up”
While games like Wii Sports and CoolMath games were popular, another side of gaming was growing popular too. The Xbox and PlayStation brought many games into the spotlight, like Grand Theft Auto(GTA) and Call of Duty(COD).
Online gaming started becoming heavily popular with the new idea of competing with “multiplayers”. Now, instead of going against just your little brother, you get to compete against people online as well.
By the end of the 2000s, gaming was starting to look a lot more like what we’re used to today.
Why We Still Remember 2000s Games
By the end of the decade, online games, handheld games, and console games had all left their mark. The way people play games is always changing, but the 2000s gave us some unforgettable gaming trends along the way.
The games we have now definitely aren’t the same as the ones we had during the 2000s. However, that’s what made them so much fun! Whether you were yelling at your sister to move over while playing Mario Kart or beating your best friend in Wii Tennis, there was always something for everyone.
Gaming looks completely different today, but I think most of us would agree that we would love to go back and play those games one more time.
Which 2000s game would you choose to play again?
