The world of gaming has seen countless titles over the years, but some have had an impact that resonates throughout the industry. Get ready to pay homage to the games that have had the biggest impact on gaming, the trailblazers that shaped the way we play and appreciate the art form. From groundbreaking titles to innovative pioneers, these are the games that raised the bar and changed the landscape for generations to come.
Join us as we celebrate these influential gems and reminisce on how they carved their niches in gaming history. From inspiring countless clones to spawning entire new genres, these revolutionary games are the epitome of “game-changers.” Here’s to the ones that pushed the limits, captured our imaginations, and transformed the world of gaming forever.
Tetris (1984)
A simple yet addictive puzzle game, Tetris has been ported to virtually every gaming platform and has sold over 495 million copies worldwide. Its success helped establish the puzzle game genre and set the standard for future games in the genre.
Half-Life (1998)
A first-person shooter that introduced many innovations, such as scripted events and a deep and engaging story, Half-Life helped establish Valve Corporation as a major player in the gaming industry. Its success led to numerous sequels and spinoffs, as well as a dedicated modding community.
Minecraft (2011)
A sandbox game that allows players to explore and build in a procedurally generated world, Minecraft has become one of the best-selling and most popular games of all time. Its success has led to numerous spinoffs and merchandise, as well as a dedicated modding community.
Doom (1993)
A seminal first-person shooter, Doom popularized the genre and introduced many innovations, such as 3D graphics and multiplayer modes. Its success led to numerous sequels and spinoffs, as well as a dedicated fanbase and modding community.
Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
A groundbreaking open-world game, Grand Theft Auto III allowed players to explore a vast city and engage in a variety of criminal activities. Its success helped establish the open-world genre and paved the way for numerous other games, such as the Saints Row and Just Cause series.
The Legend of Zelda (1986)
A beloved adventure game, The Legend of Zelda introduced many now-familiar mechanics of the action-adventure genre, such as non-linear exploration, puzzle-solving, and item collection. Its success spawned numerous sequels and spinoffs, as well as a dedicated fanbase.
Pokémon Red and Blue (1996)
A beloved RPG that introduced the concept of catching, training, and battling monsters, Pokémon Red and Blue have become cultural icons and a worldwide phenomenon. Their success led to numerous sequels and spinoffs, as well as a dedicated fanbase and merchandise.
Street Fighter II (1991)
A seminal fighting game, Street Fighter II popularized the one-on-one fighting game genre and established many of the conventions of the genre that are still used today. Its success led to numerous sequels and spinoffs, as well as a dedicated competitive community.
World of Warcraft (2004)
An immensely popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft has had a profound impact on the gaming industry and popular culture. Its success helped establish the MMORPG genre and set the standard for future games in the genre.
Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential video games of all time, Super Mario Bros. introduced many now-familiar mechanics of the platformer genre, such as jumping, power-ups, and level progression. Its success helped establish Nintendo as a major player in the gaming industry and set the standard for future platformers.
