The Best Zombie Games From The 2000s

Key Takeaways

Zombies ruled the early 2000s media landscape, with games like Left 4 Dead creating new co-op gaming experiences.
House of the Dead Overkill brought classic arcade zombie shooting to consoles, revitalizing the genre.
Resident Evil 1 HD Remaster GameCube updated a genre-defining classic, providing a terrifying experience with revamped graphics.

As a long-time gamer and survivor of countless nights spent huddled under the covers, my heart skips a beat every time I delve into the world of zombies and horror games. And oh boy, have these games taken me on a rollercoaster ride!

During the early 2000s, zombies dominated global media, not physically but in a figurative sense. They were everywhere, from “Shaun of the Dead” to “Zombieland,” and the “Resident Evil” movie series – it seemed like everyone’s mind was filled with zombies.

In those days, the same trend was noticeable in the video games as well. With the advancement of graphics on modern consoles, survival horror games could delve deeper into gory details and instill fear in players. Many zombie games from 2000 to 2010 became instant hits and have significantly impacted future video games. Whether it’s decapitating a zombie with a shotgun or mowing them down with a lawnmower, the noughties made zombie slaying enjoyable.

10 Left 4 Dead

Friends Forged On The Battlefield

Left 4 Dead made a significant impact in the realm of cooperative online gaming. Players could band together with friends, venture out, and eliminate hordes of zombies – all within an online setting. In 2008, this was quite novel, and the game served as a model that influenced the design of numerous future online shooters.

The enjoyment derived from playing “Left 4 Dead” stemmed not only from the typical shambling zombies, but also from the diverse array of zombie varieties that could be eliminated. These included, but were not limited to:

The Smoker.
The Boomer.
The Hunter.
The Tank
The Witch

9 The House of the Dead Overkill

Arcade Classics In Your Own Home

The “House of the Dead” series was a beloved staple in arcades, where countless players spent hours engaged in shooting zombies to smithereens using mock plastic firearms on the screen.

Before the Nintendo Wii, there were numerous light gun peripherals available for consoles. However, the Wii simplified the gameplay for on-rail shooters, leading to a surge of these games. Notably, “House of the Dead 2+3” made its way onto the Wii, rekindling interest in the series. In 2009, “House of the Dead: Overkill” was released and provided an exceptional on-rails zombie shooting experience for all players.

8 Resident Evil Zero

A Prequel To An Iconic Game

It’s been curious among many gamers what transpired at the Spencer Mansions before Jill, Chris, and the S.T.A.R.S team arrived. The game Resident Evil 0 actually reveals this backstory in classic Resident Evil style, featuring an exaggerated plot complete with massive monsters, a wickedly evil antagonist, and of course, hordes of zombies.

In this game, players can switch between two characters, each bringing unique abilities, to cooperate effectively as a team. Additionally, you’ll encounter significantly more undead foes to annihilate in Zero compared to RE1. Moreover, the GameCube’s enhanced graphics made the zombies appear even more fearsome than before.

7 Left 4 Dead 2

New Weapons, New Environments, New Zombies

In the second installment of this series, they expanded upon everything from the initial game, making it grander, improved, and featuring even more targets to eliminate. Left 4 Dead 2, similar to its predecessor, offers a multiplayer shooting experience online, with all the creatures it had before plus three new, horrifying zombies for you and your comrades to annihilate together.

The Charger.
The Spitter.
The Jockey.

In addition to fresh faces and different settings, the sequel offers a deeper narrative experience compared to its predecessor. Moreover, an intriguing aspect for players is the ability to assume the role of a zombie in one of the multiplayer options – a feature that was highly appreciated by fans.

6 Resident Evil: Code Veronica

A Popular Resident Evil Side Story

For decades, there’s been a clamor among gamers for a revamped version of this classic game due to its compelling narrative and intricate puzzles being regarded as some of the finest in the series.

In 2000, this game marked the debut of the first entirely 3D “Resident Evil” installment, causing a global sensation on the Dreamcast. The chilling experience was amplified as zombies were now rendered in three dimensions, making them all the more terrifying. Furthermore, fans delighted in witnessing the interactions between Claire and Chris, which added depth to their relationship.

5 Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare

Cowboys + Zombies = Yeehaw

Upon its release, the mind-blowing expansion known as “Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare” was considered a massive addition to the original “Red Dead Redemption.” In fact, it was often regarded as a standalone game in its own right.

The concept of incorporating zombies into the “Red Dead” universe was brilliantly executed, making it exhilarating to engage in zombie battles as John Marston, even alongside the undead version of John Marston himself. The game, titled “Undead Nightmare“, successfully combined humor and suspense, offering a delightful mix of amusing moments and genuinely terrifying scenes.

4 Call of Duty: World at War – Zombies

What’s Worse Than Zombies? Nazi Zombies

Fans of Call of Duty have adored the zombie games within the series, and it all started with Call of Duty: World at War introducing its Nazi Zombies mode. This mode gained such popularity that it led to a standalone iOS game called Call of Duty: World at War – Zombies in November 2009.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say that this mobile game was something else. It offered cooperative multiplayer through Wi-Fi, showcasing what mobile gaming could truly be capable of. In it, my friends and I would band together to fend off waves of zombies in a bunker. We’d barricade entrances to keep them out and upgrade our weapons for a better fighting chance. The graphics were beyond expectations, making the zombies look downright terrifying.

3 Dead Rising

Great For Anger Management Therapy

1. “This game is incredibly enjoyable because the main character, Frank West, is fantastic and I always look forward to using him to crush waves upon waves of slow-moving zombies.”

In the game Dead Rising, players are encouraged to creatively utilize an array of objects found within the mall to eliminate zombies in a thrilling and engaging manner! Players can run over the undead with lawnmowers, cut through them with a chainsaw, or employ wrestling techniques on them as they assist Frank in addressing his lingering anger issues against these reanimated corpses.

2 Plants Vs Zombies

An Iconic Tower Defence With Fun Art

Released: May 5, 2009
Developers: PopCap Games
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PS Vita, Android, iOS, Nintendo DS, and many other older platforms

For countless individuals, the game “Plants vs. Zombies” became an engrossing pastime. Launched on Windows and Mac systems in 2009, it swiftly found its way onto mobile devices, maintaining a significant player base and consistent support ever since.

The unique artistry is what truly sets the game apart, and it’s the diverse range of plants and zombies, each with charming design elements, that keeps players engaged, eagerly anticipating the next entertaining character reveal. From zombies boogying on the dance floor to those bouncing on pogo sticks, to others in an unusual pose holding a newspaper, there is an abundance of quirky characters to discover.

1 Resident Evil 1 HD Remaster GameCube

A Beautiful Coat Of Paint Over The Definitive Survival Horror Game

On the original PlayStation, Resident Evil 1 was a groundbreaking title that has served as the blueprint for numerous survival-horror games since its debut. The haunting Spencer Mansion, serving as the game’s backdrop, offers an unparalleled environment for a horror experience, with every corner brimming with elements intended to frighten the player.

The GameCube remake significantly enhanced an outstanding game, giving it a fresh, polished look. The entire art design was revamped, ensuring every aspect of the game was carefully and accurately recreated to produce a remarkable video game masterpiece. This overhaul also included updating the zombie characters, making them more detailed and terrifying than ever before. As a result, many gamers still regard the GameCube remake as the finest iteration of Resident Evil available today.

2024-08-28 07:04