What was the computer game with figurines in the early 2000s?

The computer game with figurines in the early 2000s that you're likely referring to is "Skylanders". While it officially launched in 2011, it gained early recognition due to its groundbreaking use of physical figurines that could be placed on a "Portal of Power" to bring them into the video game world. The game combined physical toys with digital gameplay, introducing a new trend known as toys-to-life.

However, there were earlier games with figurine concepts, such as "Warhammer" and "HeroClix", which had physical miniatures used in tabletop strategy games, but these didn’t directly interact with video games at the time.

Let’s break down Skylanders:

Skylanders (2011)

• Game Description: Skylanders was an action-adventure video game series where players could use physical figurines to unlock characters and bring them into the game through a special portal. Each figurine represented a unique character with distinct abilities, and by placing them on the portal, players could switch characters in the game at will.

• Toys-to-Life Concept: Skylanders popularized the toys-to-life genre, where physical toys had digital counterparts in the game. The game was available on various platforms like consoles, PC, and even mobile, making it a huge success.

• Expansion: The series saw numerous sequels, like Skylanders: Giants and Skylanders: Trap Team, each expanding the universe and introducing new mechanics, including the ability to trap in-game enemies.

Other Similar Games

1. Disney Infinity (2013): This game followed the same toys-to-life model, with figurines of Disney and Pixar characters that players could place on a "Disney Infinity Base" to bring them into the game. It also had a strong focus on creating your own worlds and adventures.

2. Amiibo (2014): Nintendo's Amiibo figurines weren’t exactly a standalone game but were used to unlock content in several Nintendo titles, such as Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart 8.

Early 2000s Figurine Games

While Skylanders and similar titles were more prominent in the 2010s, earlier in the 2000s, video games didn’t quite merge physical toys with gameplay in the same way. However, there were many popular tabletop figurine-based games that crossed over into digital spaces later on:

• Warhammer: A hugely popular strategy game with detailed miniatures, though it was primarily a tabletop experience.
• HeroClix: A collectible miniatures game based on comic book characters, which didn't feature digital elements but was highly popular in the collectible figurine market.

In summary, Skylanders stands out as the key example of a computer game that used figurines in the early 2000s (with its rise in 2011) and shaped the toys-to-life genre.