Sly 2: Band of Thieves
Publisher: Sony
Developer: Sucker Punch
Platform: PS2

What seemed like a one-trick, cell-shaded pony of an action/adventure game grew into a wonderfully told story filled with likeable characters, reminding us why the platforming genre got so big in the first place. Pssst...Nintendo...hope you were taking notes.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
Publisher: Vivendi
Developer: Starbreeze
Platform: Xbox | PC

How to get around the Curse of the Movie License? Don't base your game on the movie. Butcher Bay tells a completely different story from the cinematic mess of anti-hero, Riddick. With a good story and creative exposition, this game escapes the curse...although we guarantee the movie won't win any awards.

Baten Kaitos
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Monolith Soft
Platform: GC

With a seamless blend of traditional gameplay and a smart, complex battle system based on collectable card games, this quirky Japanese RPG got quickly addictive. Join Kalas on his quest for vengeance, collect Magnus cards to defeat your foes, and have a ton of fun along the way. Original and deep, Baten Kaitos turns up a winner.