Video Game Hall of Fame: which six games made the first cut?
Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros and World of Warcraft among titles destined for video game immortality
Tetris, Pac-Man and Super Mario Bros are among the first games to be inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame, established by The Strong museum in New York.
The Hall of Fame class of 2015 was selected by a panel of judges comprised of journalists, scholars and other experts on the history and impact of video games, reports The Guardian.
The museum is known for its preservation of historical toys and artefacts and already houses the [2]International Centre for the History of Electronic Games.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Here are the six titles the judges chose for video game immortality:
Pong
If there was one certainty for the Hall of Fame, it was Pong. Helping to launch the video game industry, the 1972 title pitted two players against each other, batting back and forth a virtual white ball with white paddles. Its simple yet satisfying gameplay is said to have marked the beginning of the coin-operated video arcade era.
Pac-Man
If Pong helped invent the video game industry, Pac-Man turned it into a cultural phenomenon. The incredibly addictive maze game coupled with psychedelic visuals meant Pac-Man became the video game industry's global ambassador. Despite being released in 1980, Pac-Man had a Super Bowl advert this year, proving its enduring legacy.
Tetris
The Tetris theme song pervaded the global public consciousness when it was released on PC in 1987 – but the game is more than just a catchy tune. With simple shape-fitting gameplay and fiendishly difficult higher levels, it has become a timeless game in almost every corner of the world.
Super Mario Bros
Italian plumber Mario is one of the most memorable video game characters of all time. With 260 million games sold worldwide, the video game franchise has become the most popular of all time and the scrolling platformer Super Mario Bros remains a classic title.
Doom
Before Grand Theft Auto, there was Doom. On release in 1993, the game garnered controversy and acclaim in equal measure. Following the Columbine High School shootings it was found that the gunmen had played Doom and questions were raised about the violent content in video games. Doom is widely seen as the first mass-market "first person shooter" game and has spawned a number of incredibly successful titles since.
World of Warcraft
The online multiplayer game that is played by millions of people every day has revolutionised online gaming. Players work together to complete tasks and move higher up the ranks. In 2010 the game had 12 million subscribers, and it has been referenced multiple times in popular culture from T-Shirts to television, with South Park dedicating a whole episode to the franchise.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Lego Super Mario: a toy every (big) kid will want this year
Speed Read Nintendo’s iconic character is recreated in a new world of bricks
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Best new games for 2017: PlayStation and Nintendo exclusives on the way
In Depth From Gravity Rush 2 to Super Mario Odyssey, here are this year's most hotly anticipated titles
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
The birth of Super Mario – plus nine more Nintendo milestones
In Depth Nintendo marks 30 years of the world's favourite plumber – but how did he get his name?
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Mario Golf World Tour – reviews of 'addictive' game
The Week Recommends You don't have to be a hardcore golf fan to get hooked on this charming new Mario game, say reviewers
By The Week Staff Published