Shenmue Named Most Influential Video Game of All Time in BAFTA Poll
The BAFTA Game Awards, one of the most prestigious events in the gaming industry, is set to take place on April 8, 2025. Ahead of the ceremony, BAFTA conducted a poll to determine the most influential video game of all time, and the winner might surprise many.
While games like *Super Mario Bros.*, *Grand Theft Auto 3*, and *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* were strong contenders, the top spot went to *Shenmue*, a game initially released in 1999 on the Dreamcast. *Shenmue* is credited with pioneering cinematic storytelling, day-night and weather cycles, and dynamic NPCs, setting the foundation for many open-world games that followed.
The top 10 results of the poll included classic titles like *Doom*, *Half-Life*, *Super Mario Bros.*, and *Minecraft*. More recent entries, such as *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2* (2025), also made a strong impact, securing a spot in the top 10. Other notable games include *Tetris*, *Metal Gear Solid*, and *Dark Souls*.
Here’s the full list of the top 21 most influential games of all time:
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 7 (1997)
18. Dark Souls (2011)
19. Grand Theft Auto 3 (2001)
20. Skyrim (2011)
21. Grand Theft Auto (1997)
While some of the top games may not be a surprise, the poll highlights how *Shenmue*’s groundbreaking contributions to open-world design have left a lasting legacy on the gaming world. The BAFTA Game Awards ceremony on April 8th will reveal more winners and celebrate the best in gaming.
