BAFTA, the UK’s independent arts charity recognizing excellence in film, games, and television, has announced the most influential video game of all time, and the choice might surprise you.
A public poll conducted by BAFTA revealed that while titles like GTA, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Doom, and Half-Life 2 ranked highly, Shenmue claimed the top spot based on total votes.
The action-adventure game Shenmue, launched in 1999 on Dreamcast, follows Ryo Hazuki’s journey to avenge his father’s death in what BAFTA describes as "a richly detailed open-world that vividly recreates 1980s Yokosuka."
The pioneering first-person shooter Doom earned second place, while 1985’s Super Mario Bros. took third.
Half-Life and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time completed the top five.
Notably, popular titles like Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo, and Fortnite did not make the list.
“I am profoundly honored and thankful that Shenmue has been chosen as the Most Influential Video Game of All Time,” said Yu Suzuki, creator of the Shenmue series.
“From the start, our goal was to answer, ‘How immersive can a game be?’ by crafting a world and narrative with unmatched depth and scale. This recognition reaffirms that our vision continues to inspire and connect with audiences today. It’s incredibly motivating.
“Most importantly, we extend our deepest gratitude to fans worldwide who have cherished and supported Shenmue,” Suzuki continued. “Your enthusiasm has fueled this journey every step of the way. The story isn’t finished—there’s more to come! Thank you!”
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)The 2025 BAFTA Game Awards are scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Astro Bot, and Still Wakes the Deep lead with 11, eight, and eight nominations, respectively. Thank Goodness You're Here! earned seven nominations, Black Myth: Wukong six, and Helldivers 2 is nominated for five awards.
2024 BAFTA Game Awards winners included Baldur's Gate 3, which won five awards, including Best Game, alongside victories for Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.
