BAFTA — the UK’s unbiased arts charity celebrating excellence in movie, video games, and TV — has simply revealed probably the most influential online game of all time… and it is most likely not what you assume it’s.
BAFTA polled the British public to find that whereas video games like GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, and Half-Life 2 do make the checklist, the highest as ranked by the variety of votes obtained is Shenmue.
Motion-adventure sport Shenmue launched in 1999 on Dreamcast. It follows Ryo Hazuki’s quest to avenge his father’s loss of life in what BAFTA calls “an in depth open-world setting that actually captures the essence of Yokosuka within the ‘80s.”
“Pioneering first-person shooter” Doom secured the runner-up prize, while 1985’s Tremendous Mario Bros. took the bronze.
Half-Life and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time spherical out the remainder of the highest 5, respectively.
Curiously, video games like Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite are conspicuously absent.
“I’m deeply honoured and grateful that Shenmue has been chosen because the Most Influential Video Sport of All Time,” mentioned Yu Suzuki, creator of the Shenmue franchise.
“At its inception, we got down to discover the query, ‘How actual can a sport turn out to be?,’ aiming to painting a world and story unprecedented in scale and element. This distinction serves as a strong reminder that the problem we embraced continues to resonate with and encourage so many individuals even as we speak. It’s actually the best of encouragement.
“Above all, we wish to specific our heartfelt due to the followers all over the world who’ve continued to like and help Shenmue,” Suzuki added. “Your ardour and encouragement have guided this journey each step of the best way. And the story is just not over but, there may be extra to return! Thanks very a lot!”
Here is the complete checklist of the highest 21 most influential video games of all time, as voted by the general public:
Shenmue (1999)Doom (1993)Tremendous Mario Bros. (1985)Half-Life (1998)The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)Minecraft (2011)Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (2025)Tremendous Mario 64 (1996)Half-Life 2 (2004)The Sims (2000)Tetris (1984)Tomb Raider (1996)Pong (1972)Steel Gear Stable (1998)World of Warcraft (2004)Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023)Ultimate Fantasy VII (1997)Darkish Souls (2011)Grand Theft Auto 3 (2001)Skyrim (2011)Grand Theft Auto (1997)
The 2025 BAFTA Sport Awards are set to happen on Tuesday April 8, 2025. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Astro Bot, and Nonetheless Wakes the Deep lead the nominations with 11, eight, and eight nominations respectively. Thank Goodness You are Right here! additionally obtained seven nominations, Black Delusion: Wukong six, and Helldivers 2 is up for 5 awards.
2024 BAFTA Sport Awards winners included Baldur’s Gate 3, which secured 5 wins, together with Greatest Sport, with different wins for Alan Wake 2, Tremendous Mario Bros. Marvel, and Viewfinder.
Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and advisor. She’s additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually Excessive Chaos. Discover her at BlueSky.
