Hey there, fellow gamers! Grab your favorite snack and settle in because the World Video Game Hall of Fame just dropped a bombshell worthy of our nostalgic hearts. The Strong National Museum of Play announced that four iconic titles have now officially earned their spot among gaming’s immortals. Say hello to Williams Electronics’ Defender, Rare’s legendary GoldenEye 007, id Software’s groundbreaking Quake, and Bandai’s quirky Tamagotchi!
A Nod to Game-Changing Classics These aren’t just any dusty relics from the arcade era—each of these games fundamentally changed the way we play. Out of a roster of nominees including heavy hitters like Age of Empires, Angry Birds, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and even NBA 2K, these four stood out. The museum’s selection was based on four key traits: icon status, longevity, geographical reach, and influence. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want a game that’s had a global impact and influenced generations of gamers?
Defender: The Arcade Trailblazer First up, Defender. Jeremy Saucier, assistant vice president for interpretation and electronic games, nailed it by calling it a game that really separated the die-hard players from the casual button-mashers. Defender wasn’t afraid to challenge conventional wisdom about what it meant to master an arcade game. This gem paved the way for more complex games at a time when simplicity was the norm, making it a true pioneer in gaming.
GoldenEye 007: The Console FPS Maestro Next on our hall of fame tour is GoldenEye 007. Hailed by digital preservation director Andrew Borman as “the premier example of a first-person shooter to succeed on a console,” this masterpiece isn’t just a nostalgic trip—it’s still remembered as one of the best multiplayer experiences to ever grace a Nintendo system. Yep, if you’ve ever had a blast blowing off steam with friends on your Nintendo 64, you’ve got GoldenEye 007 to thank for that epic bonding time.
Quake: The Fountainhead of Multiplayer Madness Quake is another monumental title getting its due recognition. Recognized for its immense influence on online gameplay, the game not only revolutionized how we play mods and customize our gaming experience but also set the stage for modern esports. Lindsey Kurano, an electronic games curator, pointed out that parts of Quake’s code are still reverberating in today’s titles—a wacky but totally awesome legacy to be proud of.
Tamagotchi: The Virtual Pet That Changed Play Last but certainly not least, there’s Tamagotchi. More than just a passing fad, these little digital pets introduced a completely fresh way of thinking about play. Collections manager Kristy Hisert explained that, unlike the high-octane world of fighting and competitive games, Tamagotchi gave us a taste of connection, caring, and true customization. It’s no surprise then that these charming gadgets paved the way for the pet simulation games you might be hosting on your smartphone or gaming console now.
A Storied Legacy Since 2015, the World Video Game Hall of Fame has inducted 49 games, and this year’s quartet joins a prestigious list of titles that have forever shaped our gaming landscape. If you missed last year’s inductees like Asteroids, Myst, Resident Evil, Ultima, and SimCity, this year’s celebration is just as epic. It’s a reminder of how these classics continue to define our culture, forging connections between past and present gamers everywhere.
So, here’s to Defender, GoldenEye 007, Quake, and Tamagotchi—living legends that have truly transformed the way we view and experience video games. Their induction is not only a nod to the influential power of games but also a huge reason to revisit these classics and relive the magic all over again.
Source: This article was inspired by content from Polygon . All images belong to their respective owners.