The 10 Best Video Games from the 2000s
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateDirect Answer
The best 2000s video game to collect in 2027 is a sealed, Wata-graded Halo: Combat Evolved (2001, Xbox) — the launch title that defined a console and a genre, where a Wata 9.6 A realized $8,400 at Heritage and early-production black-label copies climb higher. For value, sealed Wii Sports (2006) is the smartest entry: the best-selling game of its generation, still affordable sealed and graded because so many were printed.
This list ranks genuine 2000s releases in sealed, factory-fresh, professionally graded condition (Wata or VGA), not loose discs you can buy for a few dollars. Every game below actually shipped in the 2000s, with 2027 comps drawn from Heritage Auctions, Goldin, and active Wata-graded marketplace sales.
The 2000s is the frontier of graded-game collecting: the hobby is young, populations are small, and a sealed copy of a console-defining title can still be had for a fraction of a sealed NES grail.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We scored each game on six weighted criteria using real auction and grading data:
- Cultural and historical significance (25%) — did the game define a console, genre, or era?
- Sealed-grade scarcity (20%) — how rare high Wata grades are, from Heritage lot histories and Wata population context.
- Auction track record (20%) — realized prices at Heritage Auctions and Goldin.
- First-print and variant premiums (15%) — black label, security-strip, made-in-USA, and recall variants that command more.
- Liquidity (10%) — how often sealed graded copies trade, per eBay sold listings.
- Franchise durability (10%) — whether the title still anchors a living franchise in 2027.
Prices below are 2027 ranges for sealed, Wata-graded copies at the noted grade. Loose-disc prices are a fraction of these and are not the subject of this list.
1. Halo: Combat Evolved (2001, Xbox) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Era/Set: 2001 Microsoft Xbox launch title | Typical price: ~$1,500 (Wata 9.0) to $8,400+ (Wata 9.6+) | Best for: the collector who wants the single most important console-launch game of the decade.
Halo: Combat Evolved launched the Xbox in 2001 and rewrote the rules for the console first-person shooter. A sealed Wata 9.6 A copy realized $8,400 at Heritage, and the most desirable retail black-label early-production examples in Wata 9.8 A+ sit at the top of the market.
Variant matters enormously here: black-label retail, Microsoft security-label, and not-for-resale pack-in copies all trade differently, and early-production seals command the steepest premiums. As the foundation of a multi-billion-dollar franchise, it is the blue-chip sealed game of the 2000s.
Pros:
- Console-defining launch title for the original Xbox
- $8,400 Heritage comp at Wata 9.6 A
- Black-label early-production variant commands top dollar
- Anchors a living, multi-billion-dollar franchise
Cons:
- Variant complexity makes pricing tricky for newcomers
- High-grade early-print seals are genuinely scarce and pricey
Verdict: The most important sealed game of the decade and the safest long-term hold on this list.
2. Halo 2 (2004, Xbox)
Era/Set: 2004 Microsoft Xbox | Typical price: ~$300 (Wata 9.0) to $1,500+ (Wata 9.6+) | Best for: the collector who wants the game that built Xbox Live multiplayer.
Halo 2 was the first in the series to feature Xbox Live online multiplayer, and it shattered launch records in 2004. Sealed Wata 9.2 B+ copies are the common high-grade tier, while higher grades climb sharply; a Wata 9.9 A++ import example has sold for $355.80, with domestic high grades worth more.
It is the connective tissue between the original Halo and the franchise's modern era, and a natural second pickup after Combat Evolved.
Pros:
- Defined Xbox Live online multiplayer
- Record-shattering 2004 launch baked into its lore
- Affordable mid-grade sealed entry near $300
- Direct sequel to the No. 1 pick for set-builders
Cons:
- Larger print run caps scarcity versus the original
- High grades jump in price quickly
Verdict: The multiplayer milestone of the decade and the obvious companion to Combat Evolved.
3. God of War (2005, PS2)
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Era/Set: 2005 Sony PlayStation 2 | Typical price: ~$800 (Wata 9.0) to $3,120+ (Wata 9.6+) | Best for: the collector who wants the PS2's signature action-adventure in sealed form.
God of War redefined the action-adventure genre on the PlayStation 2 in 2005. A standard-release Wata 9.6 A+ copy sold for $3,120 at a Heritage weekly auction, and the earliest Sony security-strip examples command the highest premiums because the strip marks the first production run.
With Wata 9.8 A++ copies sitting above that, it is one of the strongest sealed PS2 titles and the launch of a franchise that is still a PlayStation pillar.
Pros:
- Genre-defining PS2 action-adventure
- $3,120 Heritage comp at Wata 9.6 A+
- Security-strip first-print commands a premium
- Launched a still-flagship PlayStation franchise
Cons:
- First-print strip authentication requires care
- Strong demand makes high grades expensive
Verdict: The premier sealed PS2 title and a blue-chip 2000s action-adventure hold.
4. Metroid Prime (2002, GameCube)
Era/Set: 2002 Nintendo GameCube | Typical price: ~$400 (Wata 9.0) to $1,200+ (Wata 9.8) | Best for: the Nintendo collector who wants the boldest franchise reinvention of the decade.
Metroid Prime turned a 2D series into a first-person adventure on the GameCube in 2002 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest games ever made. Sealed copies graded Wata 9.8 A+ sit at the top of the market, and Made-in-Japan first-print examples in Wata 9.6 A carry collector premiums over later domestic runs.
As a critical darling with a small sealed population, it is one of the most respected GameCube grails of the era.
Pros:
- Bold first-person reinvention of a classic series
- Critically acclaimed as an all-time great
- Made-in-Japan first-print variant commands a premium
- Small sealed population for a major title
Cons:
- GameCube cases crack, hurting seal grades
- Thinner sealed supply makes comps less frequent
Verdict: The most respected sealed GameCube title of the decade for serious Nintendo collectors.
5. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006, GameCube)
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Era/Set: 2006 Nintendo GameCube | Typical price: ~$500 (Wata 9.0) to $2,000+ (Wata 9.8 A+) | Best for: the Zelda collector who wants the rarer GameCube version of a Wii-era classic.
Twilight Princess was the final major GameCube release in 2006, launched alongside the Wii version, which makes the GameCube copy the scarcer and more collectible of the two. Sealed Wata 9.8 A+ examples are the headline grade at Heritage, with Wata 9.6 A+ copies just below.
Because most buyers bought the Wii version, sealed GameCube copies in high grades are genuinely hard to find, giving this pick real scarcity within a beloved franchise.
Pros:
- Final major GameCube release of the era
- Scarcer than the Wii version that most buyers chose
- Wata 9.8 A+ comps at Heritage
- Beloved Zelda entry with durable demand
Cons:
- Easy to confuse with the cheaper Wii version
- High-grade GameCube seals are tough to source
Verdict: The scarcer, more collectible version of a Zelda classic and a standout sealed GameCube pick.
6. Grand Theft Auto III (2001, PS2)
Era/Set: 2001 Sony PlayStation 2 | Typical price: ~$200 (Wata 9.0) to $1,000+ (Wata 9.8) | Best for: the collector who wants the game that made open-world 3D the industry standard.
Grand Theft Auto III launched the modern open-world era on the PS2 in 2001 and remains one of the most influential games ever made. Sealed Wata 9.6 A+ first-print and Wata 9.8 A copies are the desirable tiers, with Made/Printed-in-USA, M-rating first prints commanding the most.
Sealed graded copies have traded from roughly $110-$130 at common grades, with top grades and first-print variants worth multiples of that. Its cultural footprint is hard to overstate.
Pros:
- Defined the modern open-world genre
- First-print Made-in-USA variant carries a premium
- Affordable entry at common sealed grades
- Massive cultural influence and name recognition
Cons:
- Huge print run keeps common grades cheap
- Mature-rating sticker placement affects grades
Verdict: The most culturally influential sealed PS2 game and an accessible first-print target.
7. Resident Evil 4 (2005, GameCube)
Era/Set: 2005 Nintendo GameCube (Capcom) | Typical price: ~$400 (Wata 9.0) to $1,500+ (Wata 9.8) | Best for: the collector who wants the genre-redefining horror game on its original platform.
Resident Evil 4 reinvented survival horror on the GameCube in 2005 with its over-the-shoulder camera, and it debuted on Nintendo's console before going multiplatform. Sealed Wata 9.6 A+ and Wata 9.8 A copies headline the market, while the GameStop Special Edition steelbook is notorious for denting, making clean graded steelbooks scarce.
Its franchise pedigree and first-platform status make the GameCube release the collector's choice.
Pros:
- Redefined survival horror with its camera
- GameCube was the debut platform before multiplatform
- Wata 9.6-9.8 comps at Heritage
- Scarce clean steelbook variant for specialists
Cons:
- Steelbook denting makes high grades rare
- Multiplatform later releases dilute exclusivity
Verdict: The definitive original-platform release of a horror landmark and a strong sealed GameCube hold.
8. LittleBigPlanet (2008, PS3) — Recalled First Print
Era/Set: 2008 Sony PlayStation 3 (recalled first print) | Typical price: ~$280 (Wata 9.4) and up for recall variant | Best for: the collector who wants a true rarity story from late in the decade.
LittleBigPlanet was recalled days before its 2008 launch because a background music track contained passages from the Qur'an, and the original discs were pulled and reprinted. That makes the recalled first-print copies a genuine rarity: a sealed Wata 9.4 A+ recalled UPC example has listed near $280, with clean high-grade recall copies worth meaningfully more.
It is one of the few 2000s games with a built-in scarcity event, which is exactly what graded-game collectors chase.
Pros:
- Genuine pre-launch recall created instant scarcity
- Recalled-UPC variant is the prize for specialists
- Late-decade PS3 representation on the list
- Distinct, collectible rarity story
Cons:
- Standard reprint copies are common and cheap
- Verifying the true recall variant takes diligence
Verdict: The best rarity-story pick of the decade — buy the recalled first print, not the common reprint.
9. World of Warcraft Collector's Edition (2004, PC)
Era/Set: 2004 Blizzard PC/Mac (Collector's Edition) | Typical price: ~$800 (VGA 85) to $3,000+ (VGA 90+) | Best for: the PC collector who wants the most culturally significant online game of the decade.
World of Warcraft launched in 2004 and became the defining MMORPG of its generation, peaking at over 12 million subscribers. The original Collector's Edition big box is the collectible version, graded by VGA at 90+ NM+/MT at Heritage, packed with a pet code, art book, and soundtrack that make sealed copies special.
As the rare PC entry on this list, it offers diversification away from console titles and carries enormous cultural weight.
Pros:
- Defining MMORPG of the decade
- Collector's Edition big box is the prized variant
- VGA 90+ Heritage grading documented
- Only PC title here for portfolio diversification
Cons:
- Big-box corners crush easily, hurting grades
- Mostly VGA-graded, with thinner Wata supply
Verdict: The most significant sealed PC game of the decade and a smart non-console pick.
10. Wii Sports (2006, Wii) 💎 BEST VALUE
Era/Set: 2006 Nintendo Wii | Typical price: ~$150 (Wata 9.0) to $600+ (Wata 9.6+) | Best for: the first-time graded-game collector who wants an icon without a four-figure outlay.
Wii Sports is the best-selling game of its generation and one of the best-selling of all time, bundled with most Wii consoles, which is why so many exist and why sealed standalone copies stay affordable. A Wata 9.4 A sealed copy with a deep-badge system pack-in is a desirable variant, and standalone retail seals are scarcer than the ubiquitous bundle copies.
No game here offers more cultural recognition per dollar.
Pros:
- Best-selling game of its generation
- Most affordable graded icon on this list
- Deep-badge pack-in variant for variant collectors
- Instant name recognition with broad demand
Cons:
- Enormous print run caps long-term scarcity
- Bundle copies dilute the standalone market
Verdict: The clear value pick — a culturally iconic sealed game with real upside and a low entry price.
Which One Is Right for You?
What to Look For
- Confirm the seal is original, not resealed. Resealing is the biggest fraud risk in graded games; buy Wata- or VGA-slabbed copies and study the factory shrink and seam patterns before trusting a loose "sealed" listing.
- Variant determines value far more than grade alone. Black-label vs. Security-label Halo, security-strip vs. Standard God of War, and recalled vs. Reprint LittleBigPlanet can swing price by multiples at the same numeric grade.
- Inspect the case and seam through the slab. GameCube and big-box PC titles crack and crush at the corners; an A-quality seal grade matters as much as the box-condition number.
- Match the print run to the platform. A game that shipped first on one console (Resident Evil 4 on GameCube, Twilight Princess on GameCube) is usually the scarcer, more collectible version than its later port.
- Buy slabbed for the grails, raw for the cheap icons. For Halo and God of War, insist on Wata/VGA; for Wii Sports and GTA III at common grades, the risk-adjusted move is buying clean and grading yourself.
What matters less than the hype: chasing the absolute top Wata number on a common title. A clean Wata 9.4 of a console-defining first print almost always outperforms a Wata 9.8 of a game that shipped tens of millions of copies.
FAQ
Are sealed 2000s games a good investment in 2027? Console-defining first prints like Halo, God of War, and Metroid Prime have real, documented auction demand. But graded-game collecting is young and volatile, so buy titles you genuinely care about and treat appreciation as a bonus, not a guarantee.
Why does the variant matter so much? Early-production seals — black label, security strip, made-in-USA, recall — mark the first run off the line and are far scarcer than later reprints. At the same Wata grade, a first-print variant can be worth several times a standard copy.
What is the best value 2000s game to collect? Sealed Wii Sports. As the best-selling game of its generation it stays affordable, yet it carries massive cultural recognition and the deep-badge pack-in variant offers upside.
How do I avoid resealed fakes? Buy copies already slabbed by Wata or VGA, which inspect the seal before grading. For raw "sealed" copies, study factory shrink, seam direction, and known authentic photos, and avoid private deals without returns.
Which 2000s game has the best rarity story? LittleBigPlanet. It was recalled days before its 2008 launch over a music-licensing issue, and the recalled first-print discs were pulled and reprinted, making sealed recall copies a genuine scarcity.
Should I grade games myself or buy pre-graded? For four-figure grails, buy pre-graded to avoid reseal fraud and crack-out risk. For cheaper icons at common grades, buying clean sealed copies and submitting them yourself can be the better-value path.
Bottom Line
A sealed, Wata-graded Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) is the best 2000s video game to collect in 2027 — the console-defining launch title with an $8,400 Heritage comp at Wata 9.6 A and a living, multi-billion-dollar franchise behind it. For value, sealed Wii Sports (2006) is unbeatable: the best-selling game of its generation at a fraction of the grails' price, with a deep-badge pack-in variant for upside.
Between them sit blue-chip sealed titles like God of War, Metroid Prime, and Twilight Princess, plus the standout recalled-first-print LittleBigPlanet. Buy slabbed for the grails, chase first-print variants, and verify every seal.
Sources
- Halo: Combat Evolved Wata 9.8 A+ Black Label — Heritage Auctions
- Halo 2 Wata 9.2 B+ Sealed — Heritage Auctions
- God of War Wata 9.6 A+ Sealed — Heritage Auctions
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Wata 9.8 A+ — Heritage Auctions
- Resident Evil 4 Wata 9.6 A+ Sealed — Heritage Auctions
- World of Warcraft VGA 90+ Collector's Edition — Heritage Auctions
- Wii Sports Wata 9.4 A Deep Badge — Grade Very Rare
*2000s video games review — 2000s video games reviews, ratings, best sealed 2000s video games to collect 2027, and a review of the top 2000s video game picks for collectors.*