BAFTA, the UK's independent arts charity renowned for celebrating excellence in film, games, and television, has unveiled the most influential video game of all time according to a public poll. The winner might surprise you: it's not the blockbuster titles like *GTA* or *Minecraft* that took the crown, but rather *Shenmue*.
Released in 1999 on the Dreamcast, *Shenmue* is an action-adventure game that follows protagonist Ryo Hazuki on his quest for vengeance. Set in a meticulously crafted open world, the game captures the essence of Yokosuka during the 1980s, earning praise for its detailed setting and immersive storytelling.
Taking the second spot is the "pioneering first-person shooter" *Doom*, followed by the iconic 1985 platformer *Super Mario Bros.* in third place. Rounding out the top five are *Half-Life* and *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time*.
Notably absent from the list are modern heavyweights like *Grand Theft Auto 5*, *Halo*, and *Fortnite*. The full list of the top 21 most influential games, as voted by the British public, includes:
- 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)
Yu Suzuki, the visionary behind *Shenmue*, expressed his gratitude for the accolade, stating, "I am deeply honored 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 also extended his thanks to the global fanbase, saying, "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!”
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!* has seven nominations, *Black Myth: Wukong* six, and *Helldivers 2* is up for five awards.
Reflecting on the previous year, the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards saw *Baldur's Gate 3* take home five wins, including Best Game. Other notable winners included *Alan Wake 2*, *Super Mario Bros. Wonder*, and *Viewfinder*.
