In 1999, the action game titled "Shenmue" was proclaimed as the most impactful video game ever on a Thursday after a poll conducted by BAFTA, an organization based in Britain known for recognizing achievements in film, TV, and video games.
The series, crafted by Japanese designer Yu Suzuki, follows a young Ryo Hazuki as he pursues vengeance for his father’s murder, which was committed by an enigmatic master of martial arts.
The game consists of three parts (Shenmue I, II, and III) and when the first part came out, it had the highest production costs ever for a video game up until that point.
Although the third installment could be played on PlayStation 4 and PC, the initial pair set the stage for the short-lived history of the Dreamcast console. This system marked one of the earliest entries in what became known as the sixth generation of consoles when it was launched by Japanese company Sega back in 1998.
As a cult favorite amongst numerous players, "Shenmue" stands out as an innovator in the realm of open-world gaming and introduced the widely recognized "quick time event." This gameplay element challenges the player to execute particular actions within a set timeframe.
"Games represent an incredibly inventive power, and it’s fantastic to acknowledge those titles that have genuinely influenced the direction of our industry," stated Luke Hebblethwaite, who leads the BAFTA video games department.
Yu Suzuki expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude for seeing "Shenmue" rank first in the poll. He extended his thanks to fans worldwide for their ongoing love and support of the game.
The series "Doom," which played a significant role in popularizing first-person shooter games and achieved remarkable commercial success, ranked second in the poll conducted among numerous players.
Created by id Software for PCs and launched in 1993, this game places you as a soldier battling demons in a setting that merges sci-fi with horror elements.
In third place was "Super Mario Bros", the famous platform game developed by Nintendo in 1985, in which the red-suited plumber Mario navigates various levels to save Princess Peach.
Unanimously acclaimed upon its release, it remains one of the best-selling games of all time, with over 40 million copies sold worldwide.
Also part of the top 10 list are "Half-Life" (1998), "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (1998), "Minecraft" (2011), "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2" (2025), and "Super Mario 64" (1996).
The yearly Bafta Game Awards will be held during a ceremony in London on April 8th.