BAFTA, the UK's esteemed independent arts charity renowned for celebrating excellence in film, games, and television, has recently unveiled what they consider to be the most influential video game of all time. Contrary to what many might expect, the winner isn't one of the usual suspects like Grand Theft Auto, Tetris, or World of Warcraft. Instead, the British public voted Shenmue to the top spot.
Released in 1999 for the Dreamcast, Shenmue is an action-adventure game that follows protagonist Ryo Hazuki on his quest for vengeance following his father's murder. BAFTA praised the game for its "detailed open-world setting that truly captures the essence of Yokosuka in the ‘80s."
In second place, the "pioneering first-person shooter" Doom took the runner-up position, while the iconic Super Mario Bros. from 1985 secured the bronze. The top five was rounded out by Half-Life and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Interestingly, some notable titles such as Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite did not make the list, highlighting the diverse tastes of the voting public.
Yu Suzuki, the creator of the Shenmue franchise, expressed his gratitude and honor at the game's recognition, saying, “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 further extended his appreciation to the fans, stating, “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's 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. Thank Goodness You're Here! garnered seven nominations, Black Myth: Wukong received six, and Helldivers 2 is up for five awards.
Reflecting on the previous year, the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards saw Baldur's Gate 3 triumph with five wins, including the prestigious Best Game award. Other notable winners included Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.
