so if this was released june 2001, some notable games released within the previous 12 months (american releases):

• diablo 2 (june 2000)
• tony hawk pro skater 2 (september 2000)
• pokemon g/s (october 2000)
• zelda majoras mask (october 2000)
• timesplitters (october 2000)
• final fantasy 9 (november 2000)
• counter strike (november 2000)
• paper mario (february)
• black and white (march)
• zelda oracle of ages/seasons (may)

and upcoming games same year:

• sonic adventure 2 (june)
• max payne (july)
• devil may cry (august)
• silent hill 2 (september)
• gta 3 (october)
• first xbox w/ halo (november)
• burnout (november)
• metal gear solid 2 (november)
• smash bros melee (december)
• final fantasy 10 (december)

dont really see where the sucking is? and you could include at least two dozen more games here