BAFTA Reveals All-Time Influential Game: Surprising Pick

BAFTA, the UK's premier independent arts charity dedicated to recognizing excellence in film, games, and television, has recently unveiled the results of a public poll identifying the most influential video game of all time. The winner, which might come as a surprise to many, is none other than the 1999 action-adventure game Shenmue.

Developed for the Dreamcast, Shenmue follows protagonist Ryo Hazuki on his quest for vengeance in a meticulously crafted open-world environment that vividly recreates Yokosuka in the 1980s. BAFTA praised the game for its groundbreaking approach to setting and narrative depth.

In the poll, Shenmue outshone other iconic titles such as GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, and Half-Life 2, which also made the list but ranked lower. The "pioneering first-person shooter" Doom came in second, while the classic Super Mario Bros. from 1985 secured third place. Rounding out the top five were Half-Life and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Notably absent from the list were modern hits like Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite.

Yu Suzuki, the creator of the Shenmue series, expressed his gratitude and pride upon learning of the game's recognition. "I am deeply honored and grateful that Shenmue has been selected as the Most Influential Video Game of All Time," he said. Suzuki highlighted the game's pioneering ambition to blur the lines between reality and virtual worlds, emphasizing the enduring impact of Shenmue on gamers and developers alike. He also thanked the global fanbase for their unwavering support and hinted at more to come in the Shenmue saga.

The full 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 recent achievements, the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards saw Baldur's Gate 3 dominating with five wins, including the prestigious Best Game award. Other winners included Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.