Video Game Hall of Fame 2025 Inducts GoldenEye 007 Tamagotchi Quake Defender

The World Video Game Hall of Fame announced its 2025 inductees, celebrating four landmark titles that have significantly influenced gaming and culture: GoldenEye 007, Tamagotchi, Quake, and Defender. These games were chosen for their lasting impact, technological innovation, and role in shaping how people play games.

GoldenEye 007 (1997) revolutionized console first-person shooters by introducing a legendary four-player split-screen multiplayer mode. It helped establish local multiplayer as a console staple and became the third best-selling Nintendo 64 game, trailing only Mario classics.

Tamagotchi (1996) sparked the virtual pet craze with its handheld digital pet that players fed and cared for throughout the day. It blurred the lines between gaming and everyday life, especially engaging demographics often overlooked by the industry, such as younger children and girls.

Defender (1981) set a new standard for arcade difficulty with its complex controls and intense gameplay. It pioneered the side-scrolling shooter genre and demanded high skill levels, distinguishing casual players from hardcore gamers in the arcade era.

Quake (1996) advanced 3D gaming with fully real-time 3D graphics and immersive design. It transformed gameplay through groundbreaking online multiplayer and fostered a vibrant modding community that created new levels and games, influencing the evolution of player-driven content.

Housed at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, the Hall of Fame honors games that have shaped the industry and permeated pop culture. The 2025 inductees join legendary titles like Tetris, Pac-Man, Minecraft, and The Legend of Zelda, underscoring their enduring legacy.

These four games were selected from 12 finalists, including Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Frogger, and NBA 2K. Since 2015, the Hall of Fame has recognized nearly 50 titles that have defined gaming’s landscape and cultural significance.