BAFTA Reveals Most Influential Video Game Ever: Surprising Choice

BAFTA, the UK's esteemed independent arts charity renowned for celebrating excellence in film, games, and TV, has unveiled what they've determined to be the most influential video game of all time. The announcement might come as a surprise to many, as the game that topped the list isn't one of the usual suspects like GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, or Half-Life 2. Instead, the British public has voted Shenmue as the most influential game.

Released in 1999 for the Dreamcast, Shenmue is an action-adventure game that follows protagonist Ryo Hazuki on a quest to avenge his father's murder. Set against the backdrop of a meticulously crafted open world, the game captures the essence of Yokosuka in the 1980s, which BAFTA praises for its pioneering approach to immersive game environments.

Coming in second place is the "pioneering first-person shooter" Doom, with the iconic 1985 game Super Mario Bros. taking third place. The list continues with Half-Life and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time rounding out the top five spots.

Interestingly, notable titles such as Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite did not make the cut, which adds to the uniqueness of the list.

Yu Suzuki, the visionary behind the Shenmue series, expressed his gratitude and honor at the game's recognition. "I am deeply honored and grateful that Shenmue has been selected as the Most Influential Video Game of All Time," Suzuki stated. He reflected on the game's inception, emphasizing the team's ambition to push the boundaries of realism in gaming and to create a world and story unparalleled in scale and detail. Suzuki acknowledged the enduring impact of Shenmue and thanked the global fanbase for their unwavering support and passion, hinting at more to come from the series.

Below is the complete list of the top 21 most influential games of all time, 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. Other notable contenders include Thank Goodness You're Here! with seven nominations, Black Myth: Wukong with six, and Helldivers 2 with five.

Reflecting on the past year, the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards winners included Baldur's Gate 3, which triumphed with five awards, including Best Game. Other notable winners were Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.