World Video Game Hall of Fame Unveils New Inductees

On Thursday, the Strong National Museum of Play selected four iconic games to be inducted into its World Video Game Hall of Fame.

Similar to those preceding it, the institution’s Class of 2025 includes influential video games that have left their mark on popular culture and the gaming industry at large.

This year’s lineup includes four strikingly distinct games, yet each stands out as legendary within their respective categories.

The new (albeit
retro
) inductees are:

Tamagotchi

the 1990s portable pet simulation toy that acted as a family-oriented link connecting classic playthings with video games.

Defender

, Williams Electronics’ 1981 challenging (and, yes, sometimes maddening) arcade scrolling shooter.

Goldeneye 007

, Rare’s 1997 first-person shooter developed for Nintendo systems and inspired by the 1995 James Bond film
GoldenEye
.

Quake

, id Software’s groundbreaking and realistic three-dimensional
first-person shooter
, released in 1996.

The four victors were selected from among a dozen contenders, which comprised
Frogger
,
Golden Tee
,
Harvest Moon
, and other heavy-hitters.

The Strong’s World Video Game Hall of Fame, located in Rochester, New York, was established in 2015. This display is an integral part of The Strong National Museum of Play’s ongoing exhibition titled “ESL Digital Worlds: High Score.”

Every year, the
Hall of Fame
“recognizes individual electronic games of all types—arcade, console, computer, handheld, and mobile—that have enjoyed popularity over a sustained period and have exerted influence on the video game industry or on popular culture and society in general.”

The staff at the International Center for the History of Electronic Games (ICHEG) pinpoint influential video games based on four specific benchmarks: Iconic Standing, Enduring Popularity, Global Impact, and Pivotal Influence. After selecting potential candidates, members of an expert panel choose their top three choices from these nominees. These selections are compiled into final tallies to determine the victors. Furthermore, the institution conducts a public survey where participants’ responses contribute collectively toward the voting process. Individuals from the general audience have the opportunity to suggest their most cherished titles for inclusion in this selection process.

This year’s group of four adds to last year’s five recipients:
Here are three more paraphrased versions maintaining the original meaning and tone:
1. The quartet for this year complements last year’s lineup of five awardees.
2. This annual event now features another set; this time with a team of four, building upon last year’s total of five celebrated individuals.
3. Four new members join the previous count of five from last year among those honored.
Ultima
,
SimCity
,
Resident Evil
,
Myst
, and
Asteroids
.