This photo, provided by The Strong Museum in Rochester, N.Y., shows 'Defender', 'GoldenEye 007', 'Quake', and 'Tamagotchi', the newest inductees into the World Video Game Hall of Fame. (The Strong Museum via AP)
Four groundbreaking video games have officially entered the World Video Game Hall of Fame. The 2025 inductees are Defender, Tamagotchi, GoldenEye 007, and Quake. Each title left an undeniable mark on gaming history, shaping how players interact, compete, and connect.
Raising the Bar with Defender
Released in 1981, Defender became a staple of arcade culture. It was known for its intense difficulty and fast-paced action. Unlike simpler arcade games, it demanded both skill and commitment. Its horizontal-scrolling shooter format and complex controls redefined what gamers expected.
Jeremy Saucier, assistant vice president at The Strong National Museum of Play, noted its impact. “Defender raised the level of competition,” he said. “It clearly separated casual players from serious ones.”
Tamagotchi: The Pet That Lived in Your Pocket
In 1996, Tamagotchi introduced a new kind of gaming. The small, egg-shaped device gave players the responsibility of raising a virtual pet. Users fed, cleaned, and played with their digital companions. It brought a nurturing experience to gaming.
Kristy Hisert, the museum’s collections manager, praised the innovation. “Tamagotchi offered something unique—an emotional connection,” she said. Unlike action-packed games, it focused on care and customization. It also inspired later pet simulation games like Neopets and Nintendogs.
Bond Goes Multiplayer: The GoldenEye 007 Revolution
Based on the 1995 James Bond film, GoldenEye 007 launched in 1997 for the Nintendo 64. It quickly became the third best-selling title for the console. Its real legacy, however, lies in its multiplayer mode.
The four-player split-screen feature was a game-changer. It paved the way for the competitive multiplayer experiences we see in modern titles. The Hall of Fame team acknowledged its influence on the genre of first-person shooters.
Quake: The Game That Wrote the Rules
Also debuting in 1996, Quake introduced a powerful 3D engine that reshaped the industry. Developed by id Software, its game code became the foundation for many titles that followed.
Curator Lindsey Kurano highlighted its technical legacy. “Quake’s DNA still exists in modern games,” she said. “Its code is a lasting contribution to the industry.”
How the World Video Game Hall of Fame Chooses Its Legends
The World Video Game Hall of Fame, located at The Strong National Museum of Play, honors titles with cultural and industry influence. Games are selected across platforms—arcade, console, computer, handheld, and mobile. Each year, the public and experts nominate titles. From a shortlist of 12, the final inductees are chosen.
This year’s finalists also included Angry Birds, Age of Empires, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Frogger, and NBA 2K, among others. But only four games made the cut.
With every induction, the Hall of Fame continues to celebrate the power of play—and the games that changed it forever.
