BAFTA Crowns Shenmue the Most Influential Video Game of All Time

In a move that surprised many and delighted longtime fans, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has named Shenmue the most influential video game of all time. The announcement comes ahead of the 21st annual BAFTA Games Awards, set to take place on April 8.

Released in 1999 for the Sega Dreamcast, Shenmue managed to outpace genre-defining heavyweights like Doom, Super Mario Bros., and Minecraft in a public poll celebrating games that have shaped the industry, culture, and the way we play today.

The Surprising Champion

Created by legendary game designer Yu Suzuki, Shenmue follows Ryo Hazuki on a personal journey of revenge through a richly detailed re-creation of 1980s Yokosuka, Japan. It was a technical marvel in its time, introducing elements that are now staples in open-world design—like dynamic day-night cycles, real-time weather changes, and NPCs who followed daily routines.

BAFTA highlighted these innovations as key reasons for Shenmue‘s influential status. It also popularized Quick Time Events (QTEs), a mechanic that would go on to appear in countless action games throughout the 2000s.

“I am deeply honored and grateful that Shenmue has been selected as the Most Influential Video Game of All Time,” said Suzuki. “At its inception, we set out to explore the question, ‘How real can a game become?’ and aimed to portray a world and story unprecedented in scale and detail.”

While Shenmue wasn’t a runaway hit at launch, its legacy has endured. It cultivated a cult following and helped inspire major franchises like Yakuza and Grand Theft Auto, cementing its place in gaming history.

The Full Top 21 List

Here’s a closer look at the full list of BAFTA’s most influential games of all time, including a few surprise picks:

1. Shenmue (1999)
   Why it matters: Defined the open-world genre before it had a name, with immersive systems and QTEs that paved the way for modern narrative-driven games.

2. DOOM (1993)
   Why it matters: Revolutionized FPS gameplay and birthed the multiplayer deathmatch. A cornerstone for games like Halo and Call of Duty.

3. Super Mario Bros. (1985)
   Why it matters: Revived the video game industry and set the template for platformers. Mario became the face of gaming.

4. Half-Life (1998)
   Why it matters: Merged storytelling and gameplay like never before. No cutscenes—just seamless immersion.

5. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
   Why it matters: Set a gold standard for 3D adventure games with exploration, puzzles, and lock-on combat.

6. Minecraft (2011)
   Why it matters: Gave players the ultimate sandbox. Its cultural footprint spans education, YouTube, and beyond.

7. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (2025)
   Why it matters: A fresh release that’s sparked buzz for its realistic RPG systems. Its long-term impact? Too soon to say.

8. Super Mario 64 (1996)
   Why it matters: Showed how 3D platforming could actually work. A major leap for game design.

9. Half-Life 2 (2004)
   Why it matters: Introduced physics-based puzzles and a powerful game engine. Raised the bar for environmental storytelling.

10. The Sims (2000)
    Why it matters: Let players control digital lives. Opened the door to casual gaming and life simulations.

11. Tetris (1984)
    Why it matters: Simple, elegant, timeless. Tetris proved that addictive gameplay could transcend generations.

12. Tomb Raider (1996)
    Why it matters: Gave us Lara Croft and brought cinematic adventure to 3D. Inspired future explorers like Uncharted.

13. Pong (1972)
    Why it matters: The game that started it all. Pong proved people would pay to play digital games.

14. Metal Gear Solid (1998)
    Why it matters: Blended stealth gameplay with a gripping, cinematic narrative. Hideo Kojima changed how we think about storytelling in games.

15. World of Warcraft (2004)
    Why it matters: Defined the MMORPG genre and shaped online gaming culture for a generation.

16. Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023)
    Why it matters: A modern CRPG marvel that brought choice-driven storytelling back to the spotlight.

17. Final Fantasy VII (1997)
    Why it matters: Took JRPGs mainstream with emotional storytelling and cinematic presentation.

18. Dark Souls (2011)
    Why it matters: Popularized tough-but-fair design and interconnected world-building. The birth of the “Soulslike.”

19. Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
    Why it matters: Introduced fully 3D open-world mayhem. A blueprint for countless action games to come.

20. Skyrim (2011)
    Why it matters: Its massive world and modding support kept players hooked for over a decade. A fantasy RPG milestone.

21. Grand Theft Auto (1997)
    Why it matters: The top-down chaos that started a controversial yet wildly successful franchise.

Surprises and Snubs

While many of these picks are no-brainers, a few inclusions raised eyebrows—especially Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which only just launched in February 2025. Its appearance at #7 suggests either a passionate fan push or a dose of recency bias, as its lasting influence remains to be seen. Baldur’s Gate 3 also makes the list despite its relatively recent 2023 release.

On the flip side, some huge names didn’t make the cut at all. Grand Theft Auto V, Halo, and Fortnite—three juggernauts that defined entire eras—were notably absent. Even GTA III came in at a modest #19, while the original GTA just barely squeezed into the final slot.

Looking Ahead: BAFTA Games Awards 2025

While this list celebrates gaming’s biggest trailblazers, the 2025 BAFTA Games Awards will shine a spotlight on the current standouts. The ceremony, taking place on April 8, is set to be a major night for Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, which leads with 11 nominations.

Other frontrunners include Astro Bot and Still Wakes the Deep with 8 nods each, followed by Thank Goodness You’re Here! (7), Black Myth: Wukong (6), and Helldivers 2 (5).

For context, last year’s awards saw Baldur’s Gate 3 take home five trophies, including Best Game, alongside wins for Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and the inventive Viewfinder.