BAFTA, the UK's independent arts charity dedicated to celebrating excellence in film, games, and TV, has recently unveiled what it deems the most influential video game of all time, and the winner might surprise you. In a public poll conducted by BAFTA, the action-adventure game Shenmue emerged as the top choice, outranking other iconic titles such as GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, and Half-Life 2.
Shenmue, released in 1999 for the Dreamcast, invites players into the shoes of Ryo Hazuki on his quest for vengeance following his father's murder. BAFTA praised the game for its intricate open-world setting, which vividly recreates the essence of Yokosuka in the 1980s.
The "pioneering first-person shooter" *Doom* claimed the second spot, while the timeless classic *Super Mario Bros.* from 1985 secured third place. Rounding out the top five are *Half-Life* and *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time*.Notably absent from the top ranks are contemporary hits like Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite.
Yu Suzuki, the visionary behind the Shenmue franchise, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am deeply honoured and grateful that Shenmue has been selected as the Most Influential Video Game of All Time. At its inception, we set out to explore the question, 'How real can a game become?,' aiming to portray a world and story unprecedented in scale and detail. This distinction serves as a powerful reminder that the challenge we embraced continues to resonate with and inspire so many people even today. It is truly the greatest of encouragement."
Suzuki also extended his thanks to the fans, adding, “Above all, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the fans around the world who have continued to love and support Shenmue. Your passion and encouragement have guided this journey every step of the way. And the story is not over yet, there is more to come! Thank you very much!”
Here is 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! garnered seven nominations, while Black Myth: Wukong and Helldivers 2 are up for six and five awards, respectively.
In the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards, Baldur's Gate 3 triumphed, securing five wins, including the prestigious Best Game award. Other notable winners included Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.
