Meet the 2025 Video Game Hall of Fame Finalists!
The World Video Game Hall of Fame, a special place in The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, has just revealed its 2025 finalists! These games are like the superstars of the gaming world, chosen for being really famous, influential, and loved by people all over the globe[1][5]. Let’s meet this year’s amazing lineup!
Our Diverse Finalists
The 2025 finalists are a super diverse group, showing just how much video games have changed and influenced our world:
- Age of Empires: This strategy game has been a PC gaming classic since 1997, letting players build and conquer like it’s the Middle Ages[1].
- Angry Birds: A mobile game that took the world by storm in 2009, with billions of people playing and loving those angry birds[1][5].
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: This first-person shooter changed the game in 2007 with its awesome storytelling and multiplayer action[1][5].
- Defender: An arcade classic from 1981, Defender is famous for its challenging gameplay and inspiring other games[1].
- Frogger: Another 1981 arcade hit, Frogger has become a pop culture icon, even showing up in TV shows like “Seinfeld”[1].
- GoldenEye 007: This 1997 Nintendo 64 game was a big deal for its split-screen multiplayer action[1][5].
- Golden Tee Golf: Since 1989, this arcade golf game has been a favorite in bars and arcades[1].
- Harvest Moon: This peaceful farming game offered a calm alternative to action games when it came out in 1996[1].
- Mattel Football: The first big hit in handheld electronic gaming, released in 1977, it paved the way for portable gaming[1].
- NBA 2K: This sports game series has been a big deal in esports, with professional leagues[1].
- Quake: A first-person shooter that changed 3D gaming and esports in the late 1990s[1][5].
- Tamagotchi: This digital pet from 1996 was a fun mix of toys and video games[1].
Your Vote Matters!
You can vote for your favorite games until March 13, and the top three picks will be part of the selection committee’s ballot[5]. The winners will be announced on May 8, 2025, and will join other legendary games in the Hall of Fame[1][5].
Celebrating Gaming History
The 2025 finalists are like a cool mix of old and new, showing how far video games have come. Each game has made a big impact on the gaming world, shaping our experiences and bringing us together. As we wait for this year’s inductees, let’s celebrate these amazing games and the fun they bring to our lives!
Sources: ABC News, American Go Association, Eruditorum Press, Hollywood Professional Association, Gamerant