BAFTA Reveals Most Influential Video Game Ever: A Surprising Choice

BAFTA, the UK's esteemed arts charity renowned for celebrating excellence in film, games, and television, has recently unveiled the public's choice for the most influential video game of all time. The announcement might surprise many, as it's not the usual suspects like GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, or Half-Life 2 that claimed the top spot, but rather the action-adventure game Shenmue.

Released in 1999 for the Dreamcast, Shenmue immerses players in the quest of Ryo Hazuki as he seeks to avenge his father's death. BAFTA highlights the game's "detailed open-world setting that truly captures the essence of Yokosuka in the ‘80s," a testament to its pioneering approach to game design.

Notably absent from the list are modern giants such as Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite, which speaks to the historical significance of the chosen games.

Yu Suzuki, the creator of the Shenmue franchise, expressed his gratitude and honor upon receiving the accolade. "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," Suzuki remarked. He emphasized the ongoing support from fans worldwide as a driving force behind the franchise's continued journey, hinting at more to come.

Here's the complete list of the top 21 most influential games of all time, as voted by the public:

1. Shenmue (1999)
2. Doom (1993)
3. Super Mario Bros. (1985)
4. Half-Life (1998)
5. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
6. Minecraft (2011)
7. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (2025)
8. Super Mario 64 (1996)
9. Half-Life 2 (2004)
10. The Sims (2000)
11. Tetris (1984)
12. Tomb Raider (1996)
13. Pong (1972)
14. Metal Gear Solid (1998)
15. World of Warcraft (2004)
16. Baldur's Gate 3 (2023)
17. Final Fantasy VII (1997)
18. Dark Souls (2011)
19. Grand Theft Auto 3 (2001)
20. Skyrim (2011)
21. Grand Theft Auto (1997)

The 2025 BAFTA Game Awards are scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025, with Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Astro Bot, and Still Wakes the Deep leading the nominations with 11, eight, and eight nominations, respectively. Thank Goodness You're Here! garnered seven nominations, Black Myth: Wukong six, and Helldivers 2 is up for five awards.

In 2024, the BAFTA Game Awards recognized Baldur's Gate 3 with five wins, including Best Game. Other notable winners included Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.