BAFTA, the renowned UK arts charity that honors achievements in film, games, and television, has recently announced the results of a public poll identifying the most influential video game of all time. The winner might come as a surprise to many: it's Shenmue, an action-adventure game that first hit the shelves in 1999 for the Dreamcast. The game, which follows protagonist Ryo Hazuki on his quest for vengeance in a meticulously crafted open-world setting, encapsulates the essence of 1980s Yokosuka, according to BAFTA.
Coming in second place is the "pioneering first-person shooter" Doom, released in 1993, while the iconic Super Mario Bros. from 1985 secured the third spot. Half-Life and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, both from 1998, complete the top five most influential games as voted by the British public.
Notably, other influential titles such as GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, and Half-Life 2 also featured on the list. However, some modern giants like Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite were noticeably absent.
Yu Suzuki, the visionary behind the Shenmue franchise, expressed his deep honor and gratitude for the game's selection. He highlighted the original aim of the game to explore the limits of realism in gaming, creating an unprecedented world and story. Suzuki also acknowledged the continuous support from fans worldwide, noting that their passion has been a guiding force and that the story of Shenmue is far from over.
The full list of the top 21 most influential games, as voted by the public, includes:
- 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. Other notable nominees include Thank Goodness You're Here! with seven nominations, Black Myth: Wukong with six, and Helldivers 2 vying for five awards.
Reflecting on the previous year, the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards saw Baldur's Gate 3 clinch five awards, including Best Game. Other winners included Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.
