As a gamer, I’ve noticed open world games are huge right now – they’re almost their own thing! But it’s funny to think back, because not that long ago, games with really big, explorable worlds were pretty rare. They definitely weren’t the standard like they are today.
Games like the Grand Theft Auto series were groundbreaking, stretching the limits of older consoles and computers while still delivering compelling stories and fun gameplay.
While some older games have been updated or made playable on newer consoles through backwards compatibility, the games we’re discussing are mostly stuck on their original systems and are very hard, or even impossible, to play on modern consoles.
8. GTA: Chinatown Wars
Topview Camera Returns
GTA: Chinatown Wars is a unique game and a departure from the rest of the Grand Theft Auto series. Unlike most GTA titles, it features a top-down perspective and focuses heavily on storytelling. It didn’t receive as much attention as other games, possibly because it was released around the same time as the very popular Grand Theft Auto 4.
This game is set in Liberty City and follows Huang Lee, a member of the Triad, as he seeks revenge against competing gangs. While the gameplay is a bit different from other Grand Theft Auto titles, it maintains the same high quality of story and fun. However, it’s currently only playable on older consoles like the PSP and Nintendo DS.
7. Driver 3
Three Cities, One Game
It might be surprising now, but the Driver series used to compete directly with Grand Theft Auto. Driver 3, in particular, stood out with its captivating story, open-world environments, and a lot of freedom for players – it even offered three different cities to explore.
I remember first playing this game in Miami, and it took me all over the world – Nice, France, Istanbul, Turkey… it was a really cool experience! Looking back, it definitely doesn’t hold up as well as games like GTA or even Saints Row these days. But honestly, it’s still fun to revisit for the nostalgia. It’s just a shame it’s so hard to play now. It’s stuck on the PS2 and original Xbox, and there’s no easy way to get it on PC – it’s not on Steam or any of the big platforms, which is a bummer.
6. Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
Setting The Bar High
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a surprisingly good game that really captures the feel of being at Hogwarts with Harry. Even though I’m not a massive Harry Potter fan, growing up in Britain meant I’ve seen all the films and thoroughly enjoyed this immersive game in the series.
Okay, so the game pretty much retells the story of the movie, but honestly, that doesn’t even begin to cover how much there is to do. It’s a really complete experience – you can explore everywhere, play tons of little minigames, and the story is actually really well done. It actually raised the bar so high that some fans ended up being disappointed with Hogwarts Legacy! Looking back, the animations are a bit rough and the characters don’t exactly look realistic, but you have to remember this game was made for PS2! Even on PC, it’s hard to find a working copy these days – you’re probably better off hunting down an old disc.
5. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
GTA For Kids, Sort Of…
Many players first experienced open-world gameplay with The Simpsons: Hit & Run, often as a younger alternative to Grand Theft Auto. Despite its cartoon setting, the game was incredibly chaotic and did a fantastic job of bringing the familiar world of Springfield to life. Beyond story missions involving driving, players could freely explore, causing mischief like harassing townspeople, setting off explosions, and evading the police.
The driving wasn’t amazing for an open-world game, but it’s tough to be overly critical when you remember how good this game was when it first came out. It’s a shame we can’t really judge it by today’s standards, though, since it’s still limited by the PlayStation 2.
4. Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble
Japan’s Answer To “Bully”
Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble is a lot like the game Bully, but set in Japan. If you’re imagining a funny, exciting, and surprisingly heartfelt school adventure, you’re right on the money. The game follows Takashi Sakamoto, a laid-back and somewhat annoyed student, during a class trip to Kyoto.
Your school is going on a trip to Kyoto, but so is every other school in Japan! This sets the stage for a huge, competitive brawl where you have to defeat the leaders (Banchos) from other districts to become the top school in the country. The game lets you improve your martial arts skills, use weapons, and unlock special abilities. Plus, it has a surprisingly funny and well-written story told in a style similar to a visual novel. Unfortunately, it’s only available on the PSP and PS Vita, which means it’s become a bit of a hidden gem.
3. Test Drive Unlimited
Forever Replicated, Never Replaced
| Developer | Eden Games |
|---|---|
| Platforms | PSP, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows |
| Release Date | 5 September 2006 |
There are tons of open-world racing games now, but back in 2006, this one was a total game-changer. I still think about it as one of the best from that time – mostly because you could tweak everything about your cars, and it wasn’t just about winning races. It was about the whole lifestyle – cruising around, exploring, and just having fun with your ride.
Although newer games like Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown have tried to bring the series back, none have quite recaptured the appeal of the first game. This is especially disappointing for Xbox fans, as the original remains unavailable on current consoles and is limited to the Xbox 360 for now.
2. GTA: Vice City Stories
The Forgotten Chapters
GTA: Vice City Stories is a classic game that got a lot of players interested in the Grand Theft Auto series. It stood out from other games at the time with its wild freedom, funny stories, and huge range of vehicles, weapons, and exciting missions. It really set a new standard for the genre.
Although Vice City Stories and Liberty City Stories were originally side stories, they’re both excellent games that deserve recognition as standalone titles. Vice City Stories is often seen as the stronger of the two, likely because the 1980s Miami-inspired Vice City is a more engaging setting than the first Liberty City. Sadly, both games remain exclusive to the PlayStation 3 and PSP.
1. Midnight Club: Los Angeles
A Very Popular Pastime
Midnight Club: LA is a beloved racing game from the late 2000s, often considered one of the best of its time. It perfectly blended fast-paced racing with a huge, open world and impressive graphics, offering a compelling alternative to popular series like Need for Speed and DiRT.
Unfortunately, most players are still limited to playing this beloved game on the PlayStation 3. Xbox players can access the original version through backwards compatibility, but PC players need an emulator to play it. The Midnight Club series hasn’t seen a new release in a while, and fans are eager for a modern installment.
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2026-04-05 15:40