The Best Gaming Year in My Opinion

Hi there.
As a gamer since childhood, I've had a wonderful "gaming life". There have been some really good games since the nineties. I mostly follow 3 game series;

1. FIFA
2. Need For Speed and
3. Grand Theft Auto.

Well, over the years, these brands have produced outstanding games but one particular year in which all of these produced revolutionary games is 2003.

In 2003, Grand Theft Auto released their all time classic Vice City for PC.
Although Rockstar had already launched a 3D GTA game in 2001, the Grand Theft Auto III, it was Vice City that really became famous among gamers. It took the open world to the next level with improved options, improved graphics and more vehicles to choose from.

FIFA 2004:

I just LOVE the FIFA series by EA Sports. In 2003, FIFA released this wonderful game which I believe was slightly ahead of its time. It brought MUCH improved graphics, player animations and overall gameplay. For example, on the ball, players now sprinted more realistically, kicking the ball slightly ahead and then continuing with the sprint. It was no more like the ball was sticking to their feet like in previous FIFA titles.
The biggest addition, however, was the Career Mode. It was a first in FIFA. This mode took players on a 5 year journey as manager of their favourite club and included club transfers and player and team training. Training players was sooooo satisfying!

NEED FOR SPEED UNDERGROUND:

Ah! The revolutionary racing game which broight the import tuner scene. Inspired form the film, the Fast and The Furious, this game mad a huge leap in the racing genre. It was the first to include detailed visual AND perfomace customisation and the first to include a story mode. The graphics were superb and the gameplay was very different. Players could have the satisfaction of actually building their cars. It was wonderful!

Well, there it was. What do you guys think was the best gaming year of them all?

Picture courtesy: Wikipedia.