BAFTA Names Top Influential Video Game: Surprising Choice Revealed

BAFTA, the UK's esteemed arts charity dedicated to recognizing excellence in film, games, and TV, has recently unveiled what they've identified as the most influential video game of all time. The result might surprise you: it's not one of the usual suspects like GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, or Half-Life 2, but rather the 1999 action-adventure game Shenmue.

Released on the Dreamcast, Shenmue follows the protagonist Ryo Hazuki on his quest for vengeance in a meticulously crafted open-world environment, capturing the essence of Yokosuka during the 1980s. BAFTA highlighted the game's pioneering approach to realism and immersive storytelling.

In the voting, Doom, a groundbreaking first-person shooter from 1993, took the second spot, while the iconic 1985 platformer Super Mario Bros. claimed the third position. Half-Life and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, both from 1998, completed the top five.

Interestingly, some notable games like Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite did not make the list.

Yu Suzuki, the visionary behind Shenmue, expressed his deep honor and gratitude for the game's recognition. He emphasized the game's original ambition to push the boundaries of realism and storytelling, and acknowledged the ongoing support and passion of fans worldwide. Suzuki also teased that the Shenmue saga is far from over, promising more to come.

Here's the complete ranking of the top 21 most influential games, 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)

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, each with multiple nods. Other notable contenders include Thank Goodness You're Here!, Black Myth: Wukong, and Helldivers 2.

Reflecting on the past, the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards saw Baldur's Gate 3 dominating with five wins, including the coveted Best Game award. Other winners included Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.