The 2000s were a golden era for first-person shooters—and not just because of Halo, Call of Duty, or Half-Life. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find dozens of wild, experimental, and seriously overlooked FPS games that made the era unforgettable.

Some were cult hits, others were commercial flops with die-hard fanbases. But all of them had one thing in common: they were classic shooters that deserve to be remembered.

So let’s crank up the nostalgia and dive into 25 classic FPS games from the 2000s you probably forgot existed.

1. Project: Snowblind (2005)

Platform: PS2, Xbox, PC
Originally intended as a Deus Ex spin-off, this fast-paced cyberpunk shooter mixed augmentations, squad combat, and mechs.

2. Black (2006)

Platform: PS2, Xbox
A visual powerhouse for its time. Black was all about style, explosions, and making every gunfight feel cinematic.

3. Area 51 (2005)

Platform: PS2, Xbox, PC
With voice acting by David Duchovny and Marilyn Manson (yes, really), this alien invasion shooter blended conspiracy and horror with some freaky moments.

4. TimeShift (2007)

Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Pause, rewind, and slow down time mid-fight? TimeShift had a killer mechanic that was way ahead of its time.

5. Pariah (2005)

Platform: Xbox, PC
A forgotten sci-fi shooter from the creators of Unreal Tournament. Solid combat, with a great map editor that no one talks about.

6. Red Faction II (2002)

Platform: PS2, Xbox, GameCube, PC
While the original had the Geo-Mod engine, the sequel delivered tighter shooting and a heavier focus on all-out warfare.

7. Cold Winter (2005)

Platform: PS2
One of the PS2’s most underrated shooters. Gritty spy action with a solid physics system and dark Cold War storytelling.

8. Vampire Rain (2007)

Platform: Xbox 360
Yes, it’s clunky—but a mix of stealth, horror, and bloodthirsty vampires made it memorable for those who endured it.

9. Conflict: Desert Storm II (2003)

Platform: PS2, Xbox, PC
Squad-based Gulf War action. The campaign was tough and tactical, offering a more realistic FPS experience before ARMA took the crown.

10. Urban Chaos: Riot Response (2006)

Platform: PS2, Xbox
Play as a riot cop battling chaos in a dystopian city. It was over-the-top and surprisingly tactical.

11. Land of the Dead: Road to Fiddler’s Green (2005)

Platform: Xbox, PC
Low budget? Yes. But if you wanted a cheesy zombie FPS based on Romero’s universe, this was your jam.

12. XIII (2003)

Platform: PS2, Xbox, PC, GameCube
A cel-shaded spy thriller with a comic book look and style. Ahead of its time visually, and unforgettable if you played it.

13. Project IGI: I’m Going In (2000)

Platform: PC
Long levels, no quick saves, and serious tactical vibes. Painfully difficult but extremely rewarding for patient players.

14. Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy (2004)

Platform: PS2, Xbox
Shoot enemies with guns or throw them across the room with your mind. Telekinetic powers never felt cooler.

15. Star Wars: Republic Commando (2005)

Platform: Xbox, PC
A tactical squad-based shooter set in the Clone Wars era. Dark, gritty, and still a fan favorite.

16. Turok: Evolution (2002)

Platform: PS2, Xbox, GameCube
Not as polished as earlier entries, but who doesn’t love shooting dinosaurs in a sci-fi jungle?

17. Rogue Trooper (2006)

Platform: Xbox, PS2, PC
Based on the British comic, this blue-skinned soldier’s tale was packed with squad tactics, stealth, and solid shooting.

18. Chaser (2003)

Platform: PC
A gritty cyberpunk FPS with a surprising amount of depth and length for a game most have never heard of.

19. Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death (2003)

Platform: PS2, Xbox, PC
You are the law. A campy, violent shooter with a cult following and a boatload of fan service for Dredd fans.

20. Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix (2002)

Platform: PC, Xbox
Infamous for its gore, SoF II offered gritty tactical combat and brutal realism. One of the more grounded shooters of its time.

21. WarPath (2006)

Platform: Xbox, PC
Fast-paced multiplayer FPS from the makers of Pariah, but with alien factions and chaotic energy weapons.

22. Chrome (2003)

Platform: PC
A Polish sci-fi shooter with giant environments, vehicles, and a cool armor/augment system that was totally slept on.

23. Delta Force: Black Hawk Down (2003)

Platform: Xbox, PC
Massive missions, open terrain, and tight tactical shooting based on real-world military operations.

24. Breakdown (2004)

Platform: Xbox
A first-person brawler-shooter hybrid. Eat a hamburger, throw hands with aliens, and uncover a mysterious conspiracy.

25. Painkiller (2004)

Platform: PC, later Xbox
A fast, old-school shooter in the Doom vein, with creative weapons and gothic horror vibes. It was flashy, intense, and wildly fun.

Final Thoughts: The Forgotten Gunslingers of the 2000s

The early 2000s were overflowing with FPS experimentation. Not every game stuck the landing, but these 25 titles showed how diverse and creative the genre was before modern multiplayer and battle royale took over.

Whether you’re looking to revisit some hidden gems or just enjoy a blast from the past, these shooters are worth another round in the chamber.

💬 Did We Miss a Classic FPS From the 2000s?

Tell us in the comments! What forgotten shooter defined your Xbox, PS2, or early PC gaming years? Let’s build the ultimate list together.