BAFTA, the UK's independent arts charity dedicated to celebrating excellence in film, games, and television, has recently unveiled what it considers the most influential video game of all time. The revelation might surprise many, as the British public's vote placed Shenmue at the top of the list, surpassing well-known titles like GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, and Half-Life 2.
Released in 1999 for the Dreamcast, Shenmue is an action-adventure game that follows Ryo Hazuki's journey to avenge his father's death. BAFTA praised the game for its detailed open-world setting, which authentically recreates the essence of Yokosuka in the 1980s. The game's creator, Yu Suzuki, expressed his deep honor and gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the game's pioneering ambition to push the boundaries of realism in video games.
*Doom*, the pioneering first-person shooter from 1993, came in second place, while *Super Mario Bros.* from 1985 secured the third spot. *Half-Life* and *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time*, both released in 1998, rounded out the top five.Interestingly, notable games such as Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite did not make the list. Suzuki highlighted the continued support and passion from fans worldwide, crediting them for the ongoing journey of the Shenmue series and promising more to come.
Here's the complete list of the top 21 most influential games, as voted by the public:
- Shenmue (1999)
- Doom (1993)
- Super Mario Bros. (1985)
- Half-Life (1998)
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
- Minecraft (2011)
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (2025)
- Super Mario 64 (1996)
- Half-Life 2 (2004)
- The Sims (2000)
- Tetris (1984)
- Tomb Raider (1996)
- Pong (1972)
- Metal Gear Solid (1998)
- World of Warcraft (2004)
- Baldur's Gate 3 (2023)
- Final Fantasy VII (1997)
- Dark Souls (2011)
- Grand Theft Auto 3 (2001)
- Skyrim (2011)
- Grand Theft Auto (1997)
Looking ahead, the 2025 BAFTA Game Awards are scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Leading the nominations are Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Astro Bot, and Still Wakes the Deep with 11, eight, and eight nominations respectively. Thank Goodness You're Here! received seven nominations, Black Myth: Wukong six, and Helldivers 2 is up for five awards.
In 2024, Baldur's Gate 3 was a standout winner at the BAFTA Game Awards, securing five wins, including Best Game. Other notable winners included Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.
