BAFTA Announces 'the Most Influential Video Game of All Time,' and It's a Real Head-Scratcher

BAFTA, the UK's independent arts charity, has recently announced the most influential video game of all time, and the result may surprise you. In a public poll, BAFTA identified Shenmue as the top game, outranking other iconic titles such as GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, and Half-Life 2.

Released in 1999 on the Dreamcast, Shenmue is an action-adventure game that follows protagonist Ryo Hazuki on his quest for vengeance following his father's murder. Set in a meticulously detailed open-world environment, the game captures the essence of 1980s Yokosuka, as described by BAFTA.

In the rankings, the pioneering first-person shooter Doom came in second place, while the classic 1985 platformer Super Mario Bros. secured the third spot. Rounding out the top five are Half-Life and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Notably, some modern favorites like Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite did not make the list. Yu Suzuki, the creator of Shenmue, expressed his gratitude for the game's recognition, emphasizing its pioneering ambition to push the boundaries of realism in video games. He thanked fans worldwide for their continued support and hinted at more to come in the Shenmue series.

The complete list of the top 21 most influential games, as voted by the public, includes:

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)

Looking ahead, 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. Other notable nominees include Thank Goodness You're Here!, Black Myth: Wukong, and Helldivers 2.

Reflecting on the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards, Baldur's Gate 3 emerged as a major winner, taking home five awards, including Best Game. Other winners included Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.