Key Highlights:
- Shenmue tops BAFTA’s public vote ahead of Doom and Super Mario Bros.
- Recognised for its pioneering open-world systems and cinematic storytelling.
- Full list includes genre-defining titles from the last five decades.
Quick Links:
SEGA’s Shenmue has been named the Most Influential Video Game of All Time in a major public poll conducted by BAFTA, ahead of its 21st Games Awards on April 8th.
The 1999 Dreamcast title beat out iconic games such as Doom, Super Mario Bros., and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in a ranking shaped entirely by player votes.
While Shenmue initially underperformed commercially upon release, its long-term legacy has been monumental.
It is widely regarded as the foundation for modern open-world design, introducing real-time day-night cycles, dynamic weather systems, and NPCs with individual daily routines – features that would later become standard across the industry.
The game also popularised Quick Time Events (QTEs) and placed a heavy emphasis on cinematic narrative, creating a level of immersion that was unprecedented at the time.
Speaking about the recognition, Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki said:
“At its inception, we set out to explore the question, ‘How real can a game become?’… This distinction serves as a powerful reminder that the challenge we embraced continues to resonate with and inspire so many people even today.”
Suzuki also hinted at the franchise’s future, suggesting that Shenmue’s story “is not over yet.”
Landing just behind Shenmue was id Software’s Doom (1993), a title often credited with defining the first-person shooter genre.
Its use of 3D graphics and multiplayer deathmatch modes set a new standard for action games and helped establish PC gaming as a dominant force. Co-creator John Romero remarked on the game’s enduring impact:
“We made Doom to push boundaries and ignite imaginations… this recognition is a tribute to the community that’s kept it alive across generations.”
Rounding out the top three was Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. (1985), widely seen as the game that revitalised the North American games industry following the 1983 crash.
It introduced smooth side-scrolling platform mechanics, memorable level design, and one of gaming’s most iconic mascots.
Other notable entries include Half-Life, Minecraft, The Sims, and Tetris – each recognised for introducing systems, mechanics, or creative freedoms that redefined what games could be.
One surprise inclusion in the top 10 is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, a title that only launched in February 2025. While its detailed historical setting and systems-based gameplay have impressed critics and players alike, questions have been raised about whether such a recent release can truly be called “influential” so soon.
Still, its presence among long-established classics suggests that players value depth, realism, and grounded storytelling in modern RPGs, a direction the industry has increasingly embraced.
Full Top 10 – BAFTA’s Most Influential Video Games of All Time
- Shenmue (1999) – Dreamcast
- Doom (1993) – PC
- Super Mario Bros. (1985) – NES
- Half-Life (1998) – PC
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) – Nintendo 64
- Minecraft (2011) – PC
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (2025) – PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
- Super Mario 64 (1996) – Nintendo 64
- Half-Life 2 (2004) – PC
- The Sims (2000) – PC
BAFTA’s poll was launched to celebrate the cultural influence of video games in the lead-up to the 21st BAFTA Games Awards.
Last year, the organisation ran a similar vote, naming Lara Croft the most iconic video game character of all time.
This year’s awards ceremony, set for April 8, will also recognise contemporary achievements in game design, storytelling, and innovation.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II leads the nominations, with Black Myth: Wukong, Helldivers 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom competing for Best Game.
Whether remembered for innovation, storytelling, or cultural impact, the titles on BAFTA’s list stand as landmarks in gaming history, and Shenmue, once an underdog, now stands at the very top.