2026 Finalists2026 Finalists
Angry Birds
Launched by Rovio in 2009, Angry Birds became a breakout hit and introduced millions of people to mobile gaming. The conceptually simple game—hurling birds from a slingshot to knock over precariously balanced pigs—becomes increasingly difficult […]
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Dragon Quest
Released in 1986, Dragon Quest transformed more complicated Western-style computer roleplaying games into a player-friendly console version, setting the foundation for Japanese-style roleplaying games. The game combined beautiful music (despite limited technology), compelling narrative structures, […]
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FIFA International Soccer
FIFA International Soccer was not the first sports simulation video game—nor even the first one about soccer—but it is the most popular sports game franchise of all time, with sales continually bolstered by annual releases […]
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Frogger
Originally developed by Konami and later licensed by Sega/Gremlin, Frogger jumped into the arcade in 1981. The simple but increasingly challenging gameplay—navigating frogs across a five-lane highway—provided widespread appeal to players of all ages. The […]
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Galaga
Released in 1981 as a sequel to Namco’s 1979 hit Galaxian, Galaga raised the bar for arcade space shooters with its fast-paced, enthralling gameplay. An arcade bestseller ported to dozens of consoles, personal computers, and handhelds, Galaga is […]
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League of Legends
Riot Games’ League of Legends launched in 2009 as an unassuming attempt at a free-to-play online arena inspired by a Warcraft III fan map—but it quickly grew into a behemoth. League of Legends has become a flagship of esports, […]
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Mega Man
Capcom’s Mega Man debuted in 1986 on the Nintendo Entertainment System. The platform shooter became a massive bestseller and provided a large boost to NES sales. The character Mega Man, a cartoonish and benevolent robot, inspired […]
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PaRappa the Rapper
PaRappa the Rapper, a playfully rendered title for Sony’s PlayStation console, helped usher in the rhythm game genre after its launch in 1996. The game’s distinctive visuals, original songs, and accessible gameplay offered […]
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RuneScape
RuneScape began as an idea to create a game that was accessible to anyone with a computer and an Internet connection. For 25 years now, the game has stuck to that goal, making itself […]
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Silent Hill
Launched in 1999, Konami’s Silent Hill pushed the boundaries of the horror genre with innovative 3-D graphics, a dynamic camera, and an emphasis on psychological intensity.Silent Hill’s sold more than two million copies and sequels quickly followed […]
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The open-world game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim debuted in 2011 to critical acclaim, achieving perfect rating scores from many critics and earning several game-of-the-year awards. The sheer scale of the game’s open world, its beautiful […]
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Tokimeki Memorial
Konami’s Tokimeki Memorial brought a cohesive narrative, colorful graphics, unparalleled depth of choices, and engaging gameplay to the dating simulator genre after its launch in 1994. While it was never localized outside Japan, its impact on game design was widespread, paving […]
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Player’s Choice Ballot
Which video games do you think are most worthy of joining icons such as Pong, Super Mario Bros., and Legend of Zelda in the World Video Game Hall of Fame? Vote March 5–12, 2026 for the one you think best meets the criteria of icon-status, longevity, discovery, and innovation.
