BAFTA, the UK's esteemed independent arts charity known for celebrating excellence in film, games, and television, has recently unveiled what they consider to be the most influential video game of all time. The announcement might surprise many, as the game topping the list, determined by public votes, is not one of the usual suspects like GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, or Half-Life 2. Instead, the honor goes to the action-adventure game Shenmue.
Released in 1999 for the Dreamcast, Shenmue follows protagonist Ryo Hazuki on his quest for vengeance following his father's murder. BAFTA praises the game for its "detailed open-world setting that truly captures the essence of Yokosuka in the '80s." The game's innovative approach to storytelling and world-building has earned it the top spot.
Following closely behind Shenmue, the "pioneering first-person shooter" Doom took the second spot, while the iconic 1985 platformer Super Mario Bros. claimed the third position. Rounding out the top five are Half-Life and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, respectively.
Surprisingly, notable titles such as Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite did not make the cut. Yu Suzuki, the creator of the Shenmue franchise, expressed his gratitude and honor upon receiving this recognition. "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 said. "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 worldwide, acknowledging their passion and support. "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's the full 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. Thank Goodness You're Here! also garnered seven nominations, while Black Myth: Wukong received six, and Helldivers 2 is in the running for five awards.
Reflecting on the past, the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards winners included Baldur's Gate 3, which clinched five awards, including Best Game. Other notable winners from 2024 were Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.
