Every Game In The Video Game Hall Of Fame

Since 2015, Rochester, New York's Strong National Museum of Play has inducted games into its own World Video Game Hall of Fame. The list currently includes some of the best and most beloved titles of all time, including many of the obvious ones--like Super Mario Bros., Pac-Man, Pong, and The Sims--as well as some you might have overlooked like Barbie Fashion Designer and Colossal Cave Adventure. But what does it take to make it into the World Video Game Hall of Fame? The Strong Museum says its inductees have "enjoyed popularity over a sustained period" and have exerted their influence on the video game industry or on popular culture and society in general. The winners are voted on by a panel of experts from the video game field. Here is every title in the Video Game Hall Of Fame, organized by decade. 1960s Spacewar Initial release1962Platform(s)PDP-1Developer(s)Steve RussellInducted in2018 Designed during the space race between the US and the Soviet Union, Spacewar was created by Steve Russell at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on a DEC PDP-1 computer. It was revolutionary at the time and helped lay the groundwork for pretty much every game to come. 1970s Computer Space Initial release1971Platform(s)ArcadeDeveloper(s)Nolan BushnellTed DabneyInducted in2023 Before there was even much of a video game industry, Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney created Computer Space, a futuristic-looking fiberglass arcade cabinet that had players guiding a spaceship against enemy saucers. Players got points for every enemy hit, and if the player had a higher score than the enemy saucers after 99 seconds, they got a free game. The Oregon Trail Initial release1971Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)Don RawitschBil HeinemannPaul DillenbergerInducted in2016 The first installment of The Oregon Trail was an educational text-based game, and the series would go on to spawn numerous sequels and many eager trips to the school library. Pong Initial release1972Platform(s)ArcadeDeveloper(s)AtariInducted in2015 One of the earliest games ever, Pong involves bouncing a ball back and forth. It may sound dull by today's standards, but at the time it was mind blowing. Colossal Cave Adventure Initial release1976Platform(s)PDP-10Developer(s)William CrowtherDon WoodsInducted in2019 The text-based adventure game Colossal Cave Adventure had players typing prompts into the command console on a PDP-10 to see how their adventure might play out. William Crowther made the game to help connect with his daughter, and it was expanded upon in 1977 by Don Woods. Also of note, Crowther made the game working at Bolt, Beranek, and Newman, a company that created ARPANET, the predecessor to the internet. Space Invaders Initial release1978Platform(s)ArcadeDeveloper(s)TaitoInducted in2016 An iconic arcade game from Taito and Atari, Space Invaders sees players blasting oncoming alien enemies before they eat you up. Like other arcade games of the time, it was easy to understand but challenging enough to swallow all your quarters. Asteroids Initial release1979Platform(s)ArcadeDeveloper(s)Taito/MidwayInducted in2024 One of the most iconic and recognizable video games ever, Asteroids, was initially released in 1979 in arcades. It became Atari's most successful coin-operated game at the time, and was later ported to numerous other consoles and devices, including the home version for Atari 2600. 1980s Pac-Man Initial release1980Platform(s)ArcadeDeveloper(s)NamcoInducted in2015 Who hasn't heard of Pac-Man? An impossibly popular and recognizable game, Pac-Man involves a yellow chomper eating little ghosts on a grid. Centipede Initial release1981Platform(s)ArcadeDeveloper(s)AtariInducted in2020 Ed Logg and Dona Bailey created Centipedia in 1981 for arcade machines. Players have a simple goal: shoot a cannon at a centipede that's zig-zagging around. A sequel, Millipede, came out in 1982 and was successful as well. Defender Initial release1981Platform(s)ArcadeDeveloper(s)Williams ElectronicsInducted in2025 Released at the peak of the arcade craze, Defender is a horizontally scrolling space shooter designed by Eugene Jarvis. The game was an enormous success and spawned numerous ports for home consoles. Donkey Kong Initial release1981Platform(s)ArcadeDeveloper(s)NintendoInducted in2016 1981's Donkey Kong not only introduced the world to a chest-beating gorilla who is not a donkey at all, but it also featured Mario in his first mainstream gaming appearance in this iconic arcade game. Donkey Kong is also partially responsible for the arcade boom. Ultima Initial release1981Platform(s)Apple IIDeveloper(s)Richard GarriottInducted in2024 Ultima, a pioneering early RPG, was designed by Richard Garriott and made its debut all the way back in 1981. It spawned numerous sequels and is often cited by modern-day designers as an influence for them. Strong Museum's Andrew Borman said, "The game, and the series it spawned, are legendary among role-playing game fans and game developers around the world." Microsoft Flight Simulator Initial release1982Platform(s)IBM PCDeveloper(s)SublogicInducted in2021 In the first Microsoft Flight Simulator game, designed by developer Sublogic, players control a Cessna 182 and can fly across places like Los Angeles, NYC, Chicago, and Seattle. The game was hugely successful and paved the way for sequels leading up to the 2020 installment that allowed players to fly across the entire globe. Ms. Pac-Man Initial release1982Platform(s)ArcadeDeveloper(s)General Computer CorporationInducted in2022 The second Pac-Man game in the World Video Game Hall of Fame, Ms. Pac-Man is a sequel to 1980's Pac-Man for arcade. Players control Pac-Man's wife and must eat the dots and ghosts in their way. This sequel introduced more complexity to elements like the behavior of the ghosts, as well as the level design. King's Quest Initial release1984Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)SierraInducted in2020 An early adventure game, King's Quest debuted in 1984 and had players taking on the role of a knight who must save a kingdom and ultimately become the king. It was notable in part for its more interactive levels than other games of the time. Super Mario Bros. Initial release1985Platform(s)NESDeveloper(s)NintendoInducted in2015 Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. obviously is deserving of a place in the World Video Game Hall of Fame. 1985's first entry was the one that started it all, establishing many of the norms of the platformer genre that continue to this day. Tetris Initial release1985Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)Alexey PajitnovInducted in2015 Easily one of the most recognizable games ever, Tetris was developed by Alexey Pajitnov and first released in 1985. The game involves slotting differently shaped pieces into a grid. It's remarkably simple to understand and endlessly replayable. It's not surprising, then, that Tetris is by far the best-selling video game of all time, next to Minecraft. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego Initial release1985Platform(s)Apple IIDeveloper(s)BroderbundInducted in2021 An educational title from Broderbund, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego had players utilizing an almanac to find her enemies scattered around the world. Its future installments leaned further into the education game space, and many millennials probably have strong recollections of this game from their youth. The Legend of Zelda Initial release1986Platform(s)Famicom/NESDeveloper(s)NintendoInducted in2016 Nintendo's iconic RPG series dates back to the '80s, with the first installment arriving in 1986 before coming to the West in 1987. The RPG introduced the world to Link, Zelda, and Ganon, all of whom have remained mainstays in the series for nearly 30 years. SimCity Initial release1989Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)MaxisInducted in2024 Before The Sims, there was SimCity. Developer Maxis released SimCity back in 1989 and the city-building simulator was a huge hit. Who ever would have thought designing a city in a game could be so fun? SimCity spawned many sequels and later Maxis released The Sims, also to great success. 1990s John Madden Football Initial release1990Platform(s)Sega GenesisDeveloper(s)Park Place ProductionsInducted in2018 EA's first Madden game, 1988's John Madden Football for Apple II didn't launch the franchise into the stratosphere of success it's known for today, and many might have wondered if the series would continue. It did, and 1990's John Madden Football helped properly launch the franchise that continues to be a top-seller to this day. Microsoft Solitaire Initial release1990Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)Wes CherryInducted in2019 The solitaire card game had been popular for hundreds of years, but in 1990, Wes Cherry programmed it for PC as a pack-in title for Windows 3.0. Needlessly to say, Microsoft Solitaire is iconic and has enjoyed a long life with many updates and new installments over the years. It was one of the first computer games that regular adults played, and they played it a lot. Sid Meier's Civilization Initial release1991Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)Sid MeierBruce ShelleyMicroProseInducted in2022 Sid Meier's Civilization series debuted in 1991 and the 4X turn-based strategy game was a quick success. Sid Meier and Bruce Shelley designed the game, which involves leading a human civilization through the ages, at MicroProse. Sonic the Hedgehog Initial release1991Platform(s)Sega GenesisDeveloper(s)SEGAInducted in2016 Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most recognizable brands in gaming today, and the blue blur first started collecting rings and running very fast in 1991. Sonic is also remembered for being the catalyst for the original "console wars," and, for a time, made people question Nintendo's dominance. Sonic was an essential brand for Sega that helped the company thrive. Street Fighter II Initial release1991Platform(s)ArcadeDeveloper(s)CapcomInducted in2017 Released in 1991, Street Fighter II helped propel arcade fighting games to new heights and set the stage for many more to come, like Mortal Kombat in 1992, Virtua Fighter in 1993, Tekken in 1994, and Super Smash Bros. in 1999. Mortal Kombat Initial release1992Platform(s)ArcadeDeveloper(s)MidwayInducted in2019 Few games are more iconic and influential than 1992's Mortal Kombat, which debuted in arcades and has since spread to console, TV, and the big screens in the decades that followed. The game was known for its violence that prompted political action and was one of the key games that led to the formation of the ESRB. Super Mario Kart Initial release1992Platform(s)SNESDeveloper(s)NintendoInducted in2019 1992's Super Mario Kart for the SNES was the very first Mario Kart game, and while its roster of characters, tracks, and items might seem paltry by today's standards, it was monumental at the time. The Mario Kart franchise has only grown in popularity over the years, with countless imitators also popping up over the last three-plus decades. Myst Initial release1993Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)Robyn MillerRand MillerInducted in2024 Myst is a memorable puzzle game with fantastic visuals (for the time) that is fondly remembered to this day. It was a top-seller on PC, racking up more than 6 million sales over its lifetime. Strong Museum's Kristy Hisert said of the game, "Few other games can match Myst's ability to open imaginative worlds. It was a work of artistic genius that captured the imagination of an entire generation of computer game players, and its influence can be seen in many of today's open-world games." Barbie Fashion Designer Initial release1996Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)Digital DomainInducted in2023 Barbie had a big year in 2023! The Margot Robbie movie dominated the box office and the 1996 game Barbie Fashion Designer was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame. In the game, players can design outfits and dress their dolls up--and then use those in real-life via a printer function. The game is remembered for being one of the first extremely successful games marketed directly toward young girls, as the industry of the time largely focused on men and boys. Pokémon Red and Green Initial release1996Platform(s)Game BoyDeveloper(s)Game FreakInducted in2017 The very first Pokémon games, Red and Green, debuted in 1996 and few could have imagined the monster-catching game from Japan would become the sensation and commercial juggernaut it is today. Beyond the games, the Pokémon series has expanded into film and TV, and a mountain of merchandise. Quake Initial release1996Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)id SoftwareInducted in2025 Building off the success of Doom, id Software's Quake was released in 1996 for PC, before coming to consoles in the following years. The game's popular multiplayer mode, in particular, helped Quake truly take off just as home internet access was ramping up. Resident Evil Initial release1996Platform(s)PlayStationDeveloper(s)CapcomInducted in2024 Resident Evil, known as Biohazard in Japan, debuted in 1996 from game director Shinji Mikami and publisher Capcom. The series is now enormously successful and sprawling, spanning video games, film, and other transmedia extensions. Strong Museum curator Lindsey Kurano said, "Resident Evil's combination of cheesy B-movie dialogue, engrossing gameplay, and chilling suspense made it a favorite of gamers searching for more mature video games, and it helped establish one of gaming’s most enduring franchises." Tamagotchi Initial release1996Platform(s)[proprietary device]Developer(s)NamcoInducted in2025 Released in 1996, Bandai Namco's Tamagotchi is based on the idea that a toy can come to life. Tamagotchi devices were simple, featuring just three buttons and a small LCD screen. Users had to care for pets from hatching to adulthood. Tomb Raider Initial release1996Platform(s)PCPlayStationSega SaturnDeveloper(s)Core DesignInducted in2018 Core Design's 1996 action-adventure game Tomb Raider introduced the world to Lara Croft with a game involving puzzle-solving and platforming. It was inspired by Raisers of the Lost Ark and the game Prince of Persia but is best known as an early example of a female protagonist-led action game. Final Fantasy VII Initial release1997Platform(s)PlayStationDeveloper(s)Square EnixInducted in2018 Regarded as one of the best RPGs of all time, Final Fantasy VII first came on the scene in 1997 and influenced games forever. Despite being just one entry in a long-running franchise, it's seen numerous spin-offs, an animated movie, and is in the process of being remade into a trilogy of games, the first two of which--Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth--have both received much critical acclaim. GoldenEye 007 Initial release1997Platform(s)Nintendo 64Developer(s)RareInducted in2025 One of the most iconic video games ever, GoldenEye 007 was released in 1997 for the Nintendo 64. Read more: The Best James Bond Games Of All Time Based on the 1995 movie GoldenEye, the video game featured a memorable story mode and split-screen multiplayer for up to four players. It was said to be the No. 3 best-selling N64 game ever, only behind Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Initial release1997Platform(s)Nintendo 64Developer(s)NintendoInducted in2022 The first 3D Zelda game, Ocarina of Time is regarded by many to be the best Zelda game ever for its gameplay, story, and music. This game brought Link's adventure to literally a new dimension, and the series has only grown in popularity and prominence since. Dance Dance Revolution Initial release1998Platform(s)ArcadeDeveloper(s)BemaniInducted in2022 Bemani and Konami's dance game Dance Dance Revolution debuted in Japanese arcades in 1998 and became a quick sensation. Players dance on a pressure-controlled mat and need to match their movements to prompts on the screen. The game remains popular in arcades but also has home releases featuring mats players lay down in their living rooms. StarCraft Initial release1998Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)Blizzard EntertainmentInducted in2021 Blizzard's real-time strategy game StarCraft series debuted in 1998. It wasn't the company's first RTS game, following the Warcraft series, but it advanced the formula by thrusting the action into the future where Terrans and Zergs are battling for supremacy. It's considered by many to be the standard by which RTS games are judged, and its multiplayer support became massively popular, particularly in South Korea, where it stood out as an esport. In addition to its PC release, StarCraft was ported to Nintendo 64 in 2000. 2000s Animal Crossing Initial release2000Platform(s)GameCubeDeveloper(s)NintendoInducted in2021 Nintendo's Animal Crossing series enjoyed breakout success with 2020's Animal Cross: New Horizons, but the game that started it all (in the West at least; a Japan-only version launched earlier) was 2000's Animal Crossing for GameCube. You're a villager living on an island with anthropomorphic animals, and it's very cozy and zen. The Sims Initial release1989Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)MaxisInducted in2024 Before The Sims, there was SimCity. Developer Maxis released SimCity back in 1989 and the city-building simulator was a huge hit. Who ever would have thought designing a city in a game could be so fun? SimCity spawned many sequels and later Maxis released The Sims, also to great success. Bejeweled Initial release2001Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)PopCapInducted in2020 The web-based Flash game Bejeweled came onto the scene in 2001 and pioneered the "match-three" puzzle genre that is now extremely popular on mobile devices. Grand Theft Auto III Initial release2001Platform(s)PS2Developer(s)Rockstar GamesInducted in2016 GTA 3 was a big moment for the crime series, as it took the franchise into the 3D era. Few could have predicted just how much of a success the series would go on to become, not to mention the way in which it popularized open-world action games. Halo: Combat Evolved Initial release2001Platform(s)XboxDeveloper(s)BungieInducted in2017 FPS games on consoles are all the rage today, but that wasn't always the case. Following the success of games like GoldenEye, a little team called Bungie brought Halo: Combat Evolved to the original Xbox as a launch title in 2001, and the rest is history. World of Warcraft Initial release2004Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)Blizzard EntertainmentInducted in2015 One of the first mainstream MMOs, Blizzard's World of Warcraft first released in 2004 on PC and has remained popular and lucrative for Blizzard to this day. Wii Sports Initial release2006Platform(s)WiiDeveloper(s)NintendoInducted in2023 A pack-in game for the Wii in 2006, Wii Sports was the first introduction for many to the Wii's revolutionary motion controls. Players could swing their hand to replicate a tennis racket, thrust their hand forward to roll a bowling ball down an alley, or swing the Wii Remote like a golf club to smash a drive or putt the ball into the hole. The controls felt like magic and no doubt helped to catapult the Wii to its massive success. 2010s Minecraft Initial release2011Platform(s)PCDeveloper(s)MojangInducted in2020 An open-ended sandbox game created by Marks "Notch" Persson, Minecraft was officially released in 2011 (following a more limited release years earlier) and became a quick success. Minecraft was also one of the first examples of the "early access" release mode that is now very prominent in gaming. The game allows players to do pretty much anything they want, and this open endedness is part of the appeal. Microsoft bought the franchise and developer Mojang in 2014 for $2.5 billion. The Last of Us Initial release2013Platform(s)PS4Developer(s)Naughty DogInducted in2023 Naughty Dog's post-apocalyptic The Last of Us series debuted in 2013 with a game regarded by many to be a masterpiece and an instant classic. Written and directed by Neil Druckmann, The Last of Us follows the story of Joel and Ellie trying to survive in an inhospitable world. The game was praised for its story, and in particular is remembered for its gripping opening sequence.

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