Classic video games turning 20 in 2026

It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since 2006. The last two decades, marked by titillating technological advancements and major geopolitical and macroeconomic events, have fundamentally changed the human experience and our shared planet. Amid our chaotic day-to-day schedules, many of us are quick to cross out another day on our calendars. But right now —just for a moment — stop and sit with one very powerful, distinctly human emotion: nostalgia.

Gamers in 2006 were introduced to now-classic franchises, gameplay mechanics, aesthetics, narrative elements, and graphical changes. Whether you gamed on the go with your Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable (PSP), destroyed your plasma TV with your new Wiimote, or played your PlayStation 3 ’til it was hot enough to fry an egg, 2006 was an incredible year for video game fans worldwide. Now that we’ve all got a case of “remember when”-itis, check out some of 2006’s best releases:

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

RELEASE DATE: March 20, 2006

If you played The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion at launch, it might be time to schedule your first colonoscopy. With the game’s contemporary remaster released just last spring, a whole new generation of gamers can explore visual enhancements to the same stunning world we got lost in — with infamous bloopers and graphical artifacts intact.

Okami

RELEASE DATE: September 19, 2006

We’re nearly two decades removed from 2006’s Okami, but Capcom’s 2024 sequel announcement brings us a bit of solace. But now that we’ve got the Okami 2 reveal in our rearview, maybe we can celebrate the game’s 20th birthday with a release date announcement? Just a thought…

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2006

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess launched with the Nintendo Wii in 2006, and the rest is history. The console’s interactive motion sensor capabilities and robust launch library made it a must-have. Two decades (and many other releases) later, Twilight Princess remains the Zelda franchise’s fifth-bestselling game.

Guitar Hero II

RELEASE DATE: November 7, 2006

Peripheral rhythm games had a big moment in the mid-2000s; interactive hits like Guitar Hero II, Dance Dance Revolution, Rock Band, Taiko no Tatsujin: Taiko Drum Master, and Donkey Konga dominated home consoles. I was a teenager during the aughts; Guitar Hero‘s diverse track library introduced me to some rock hits I probably wouldn’t have heard otherwise. Between Guitar Hero tracks and to-the-minute Myspace music releases, my iPod Nano was FULL.

Final Fantasy XII

RELEASE DATE: March 16, 2006

PlayStation 2 release Final Fantasy XII may turn 20 this year, but the series’ continued success suggests this star isnt’t fading anytime soon. With more remakes and spinoffs releasing left and right — including this game’s 2017 remaster, The Zodiac Age — there’s likely another trip to Ivalice in your future.

Gears of War

RELEASE DATE: November 7, 2006

The Coalition, the Canadian game studio behind the Gears franchise since 2014, is ushering in the action franchise’s 20th anniversary with more E-Day news. In a new GamesRadar interview, The Coalition creative director Matt Searcy said Gears of War: E-Day will be the team’s “most ambitious game yet, entirely built from scratch in Unreal Engine 5.”

Half-Life 2: Episode One

RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2006

There’s a reason there’s been so much hype and anticipation about the possibility of Half-Life 2 news.

Back in 2006, Valve promised to follow up on 2005’s critically acclaimed FPS with short, episodic adventures worthy of the Half-Life franchise. To their credit, they’ve delivered on that two times over, starting with 2006’s Half-Life 2: Episode One. More Half-Life 2 is always a good thing, and Episode One does an excellent job of continuing the story and setting the stage for what should have been a trilogy of follow-up games.

Kingdom Hearts II

RELEASE DATE: March 28, 2006

2-0. 20. Twenty. TWENTY YEARS — since Hikaru Utada serenaded an entire generation in one TV commercial.

Kingdom Hearts II proved that the idea of a Disney RPG with Square Enix characters wasn’t a one-hit wonder. The same action RPG gameplay with iconic characters we know and love has arguably never been better. The games that came after this, however, the less said the better.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

RELEASE DATE: October 31, 2006

“Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories‘ 20th anniversary before GTA 6 is wild.”

We’ll soon (hopefully) be making our grand return to Vice City later this year, but this isn’t the first time we’ve ventured back to its sunny skies. 2006’s Vice City Stories proved that you can get a fully-fledged Grand Theft Auto experience in the palm of your hand on the PSP.

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