BAFTA BAFTA Most Influential Video Game Of All Time News SEGA Shenmue Yu Suzuki

BAFTA Has Named Shenmue As The Most Influential Video Game of All Time

BAFTA has awarded Yu Suzuki’s 1999 epic Shenmue as its most influential video game of all time based on a poll, beating the likes of Grand Theft Auto, Tetris, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, DOOM, and Half-LIfe 2 to the accolade.

DOOM came in second place followed by Super Mario Bros., while Half-Life and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time hit fourth and fifth place, respectively. Noticeable absences including Grand Theft Auto VI, Halo, and Fortnite. Speaking on the accolade, Suzuki-san, who developed SEGA classics such as Hang-On and Virtua Fighter, commented:

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I am deeply honoured and grateful that Shenmue has been selected as the Most Influential Video Game of All Time. At its inception, we set out to explore the question, ‘How real can a game become?,’ aiming to portray a world and story unprecedented in scale and detail. This distinction serves as a powerful reminder that the challenge we embraced continues to resonate with and inspire so many people even today. It is truly the greatest of encouragement.

Above all, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the fans around the world who have continued to love and support Shenmue. Your passion and encouragement have guided this journey every step of the way. And the story is not over yet, there is more to come! Thank you very much!

Shenmue was released in Japan for the Dreamcast back in 1999, and at the time was the most expensive video game ever made. A UK and US release followed a year later. The game follows 18-year-old martial arts student Ryo Hazuki, as he witnesses his father’s murder at the hands of a mysterious Chinese killer, and embarks on a mission of revenge. Shenmue II arrived in 2001 and it would be nearly two decades before a successor saw the light of day.

You can see the full list below.

  1. Shenmue (1999)
  2. Doom (1993)
  3. Super Mario Bros. (1985)
  4. Half-Life (1998)
  5. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
  6. Minecraft (2011)
  7. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (2025)
  8. Super Mario 64 (1996)
  9. Half-Life 2 (2004)
  10. The Sims (2000)
  11. Tetris (1984)
  12. Tomb Raider (1996)
  13. Pong (1972)
  14. Metal Gear Solid (1998)
  15. World of Warcraft (2004)
  16. Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023)
  17. Final Fantasy VII (1997)
  18. Dark Souls (2011)
  19. Grand Theft Auto 3 (2001)
  20. Skyrim (2011)
  21. Grand Theft Auto (1997)

[Source – IGN]