Games that Changed the World of Gaming
This is ordered by year of release. Comments/suggestions are welcomed, but doesn't guarantee an addition.
A game does not necessarily need to be good to change the world of gaming; it just has to be influential, which can either be negative or positive.
A game does not necessarily need to be good to change the world of gaming; it just has to be influential, which can either be negative or positive.
140 Games
The original dungeon crawling video game. It heavily influenced DND (1975), Colossal Cave Adventure (1976), Zork (1979), and Adventure (1980).
Popularized large-scale open world games in such a large way that it influenced the way games with completely different genres present their new games now (MGS, Zelda, etc.)
A game prepackaged with computers given to schools resulting in influencing an entire generation of children.
Helped define the visual novel genre, while also being the start to a lot of things we now are used to seeing in story heavy gaming. Examples include: nonlinear gameplay in addition to nonlinear storytelling (allows multiple ways to complete an objective), branching dialogue options, simple player-friendly action and dialogue text boxes/menus, and a fun twist ending! A very story heavy video game which we see went on to influence more games than I can count, including Horii’s own future works, like Dragon Quest. There’s more I can add to Portopia’s accomplishments, but I’ll leave that for a future review.
Laid down the foundation for future games involving discovering secrets and hidden items. Direct influence on Legend of Zelda and Ys, as two examples.
Large influence on dating simulators and adding dating aspects to future games. Influenced many future games on having players being penalized for saying the wrong thing to an NPC.
While her um, voluptuous chest definitely helped put her name out in the market, Lara Croft was one of the first significant female lead characters in gaming, most notably with advertising the game as having a female lead character without pulling a bait and switch on the player (sorry Samus) paving the way for other heroines in games. Also, one of the first successful third-person shooters.
Incredibly successful game that popularized skateboarding as a mainstream sport game category. While not a genre that’s very popular today, it was impossible to escape its grasp in the 2000’s, influencing uncountable series clones and even butting its way into games trying to cash in on the current popular gimmick (Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure comes to mind).
While standing on the shoulders of Batsugan, Touhou had started a whole series of Bullet Hell games as well as bringing the game to influence the genre to insane popularity over the following years.
In the 2000s, fan-made games catalyzed one of the most ridiculously large explosions of fanworks seen for any series of media, while all being completely approved to not only be made, but also be sold all with the original creator's approval! Imagine how much money he's losing from the gacha game alone lol...
In the 2000s, fan-made games catalyzed one of the most ridiculously large explosions of fanworks seen for any series of media, while all being completely approved to not only be made, but also be sold all with the original creator's approval! Imagine how much money he's losing from the gacha game alone lol...
Introduced the concept of button-mashing translating into speed. The faster you bash the buttons, the faster your character goes! Became a staple in a lot of competitive mini-games, especially sport ones.
One of the first definitive commercial computer RPGs, but more importantly, the first open-world computer game that you were able to actually see and interact with. Might be the first game to include a visible outdoor/indoor change in setting as you moved, as well as having the ability to have conversations with NPCs... will need to triple check.
The game that created the birth of the Unreal Engine; the engine that would eventually lead to other influential games that relied on the engine, such as Mass Effect and Borderlands. Additionally, Unreal Tournament raised the bar significantly in both quality and quantity for first person teamplay games, often being a big inspiration for future games in the same genre.
An RPG which helped create a crazy boom of popularity and solidify the creation of the genre - Along with Ultima, Yuuji Horii and Hironobu Sakaguchi both state that this is the game that influenced them to make RPGs for home consoles. The best selling computer RPG from 1981 to 1985. Additionally, it is the first CRPG to add a party system.
Often called the “Grandfather of 3D Shooters”, Wolfenstein 3D is the game that integrated first-person shooters into the mainstream video game market. It also established certain rules we’ve come to accept with the genre, such as high speed action and quick tactical thinking.
Most successful online game world ever. Insane effect on how video games were seen in general pop culture. Helped MMORPGs become a household name with it being referenced in The Simpsons, South Park, the Office, and multiple other mainstream visual media.
An insanely successful hit in Japan that influenced a significant amount of Japanese arcade games (Bubble Bobble creator Fukio Mitsuji references it as influencing his career).
Credited for being one of the first games in Japan to have a final boss, pre-rendered graphics, and an enticing storyline.
Credited for being one of the first games in Japan to have a final boss, pre-rendered graphics, and an enticing storyline.
The first fighting game to break away from the realism of competitive fighting (karate tournaments, etc) and focus on the crazy and impossible that action films often showed, a result of the game being directly inspired by Bruce Lee’s work. Yie Air also introduced the health bar system in place of the point system taken directly from karate. An important system that fighting games have followed ever since.
Not the first survival horror game, but one of the first 3D ones that appeared when personal home computers became a necessity. Influenced Resident Evil.
Started the popularity of casual PC puzzle gaming, influencing games such as Candy Crush and uncountable clones. I’m sure they used to completely cover your Facebook gaming page!
The game that created the FPS genre that we know of today. Introduced the concept of showing the player's hand/weapon while in first-person. The direct predecessor to Doom.
Helped create the launch of Steam.
Raised the standard for story-telling and heavy dialogue in gaming that we're seeing begin to influence new releases, even in games with not remotely similar messages or weirdest of all, gacha system games, like Honkai: Star Rail.
The game that made rhythm games popular in the West.
EA gains exclusive rights to use NFL teams, stadiums, and players in video games, creating a complete monopoly on real world American football games, killing competitors like NFL 2k.
Started the trend of military FPS games that took over the 2000s gaming market. Written by Steven Spielberg as he wanted to create a both educational and entertaining WWII game after directing Saving Private Ryan and watching his son play Goldeneye 007. Shut down the taboo of “turning real historical events into a game” by arguing it as “preserving and honoring history”, helping create the boom of the genre.
The game that started the congressional hearings on violence in video games. This and Night Trap (with hearings in the UK on the heavy sexualization) are the reason why we have age ratings on games today.
The first popular MMORPG. Ran for almost 10 years, and helped with the popularity of AOL.
Revived the idea of pet simulation in gaming, and finally made it successful in the West as well! Showed what the DS bottom screen was capable of, and in turn, helped sell the handheld like hotcakes.
Popularized sidescroll platformers. Miyamoto stated it was a very large influence for him when designing Super Mario Bros, though later denies it.
Insanely influential survival horror game with emphasis on its incredibly intelligent use of puzzle-solving, scarce resources, and exploration in a dangerous environment to truly thrill the player like never before. Absolutely a major factor in creating the boom in popularity for survival horror, which is still very popular and successful today.
Redefined the third-person shooter genre, and shifted survival horror towards more action horror ever since.
Started the trend of attaching physical items to interact/change something within the game. Popular examples include Nintendo’s Amiibos, and Disney’s Disney Infinity.
One of the earliest digital computer video games. Arguably the first arcade cabinet.
Game which created the now incredibly popular "mascot-themed" fighting game. While past fighting games all focused on unique characters for its own series, Smash took characters from multiple different non-fighting games and equally pit them against each other.
The original pong! The original idea of a ball flying across a screen - also the first game on the first home console, where it was eventually ported to the Magnavox Odyssey.
Revolutionized the game industry with the concept of a digital pet and blurred the boundaries of what a handheld game could be.
First ever computer game with controls.
The best selling PC game of all time. The "Mario of PC gaming." A household PC game popular amongst everyone regardless of gender or age amongst the very male-focused action PC games.
Game that's intense player size coined the term "Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game" over "MUD". Introduced players to 3D environments on a map so enormous it was never before seen. 61 unique creature models, 48 unique weapons, and hundreds of small items each modeled in 3D, all while supporting 2500+ people at once to explore a given world.
First 3D fighting-game.
23 Comments
Hi friend! Just finished the current list (still need to add notes for many but eh another day lol) - will definitely look into Xevious!
funny that all ocarina’s achievements were done before by mario 64
Resident Evil or Resident Evil 4
Hi friends - didn’t expect this to get so much attention. I’m still very much in the middle of working on this and adding games and all that. I put games i thought would fit and would rearrange and possibly take out later (hence the three elder scrolls - left them there to decide later which one to add, I go on Backloggd every now and then hence the WIP being left for a bit).
Mario 64 was one I was going to add after I wrote out notes I was happy about to explain why I added it. The very lovely passive aggressive comment I got about Ocarina of Time I do not understand as Mario 64 did NOT have a day-night cycle on the 3D graphics and was not open world in the way Zelda was, instead keeping you contained to the painting or castle you are currently in. But I know Mario 64 has a very… passionate.. fanbase so I will tread lightly with that, though I do find it influential.
Thank you for your comments - I work until 11pm EST and will continue adding notes and arranging things then. Thank you.
Mario 64 was one I was going to add after I wrote out notes I was happy about to explain why I added it. The very lovely passive aggressive comment I got about Ocarina of Time I do not understand as Mario 64 did NOT have a day-night cycle on the 3D graphics and was not open world in the way Zelda was, instead keeping you contained to the painting or castle you are currently in. But I know Mario 64 has a very… passionate.. fanbase so I will tread lightly with that, though I do find it influential.
Thank you for your comments - I work until 11pm EST and will continue adding notes and arranging things then. Thank you.
Small update of with descriptions added and a few more games added. Still massive WIP.
Super Mario 64, Halo, Devil May Cry, and Cave Story all seem to belong.
This is quite an ambitious list, let me give some suggestions:
- Ultima Online
This basically laid down the template for the RPG genre even before Dragon Warrior did it.
- Colossal Cave Adventure
First text-based adventure game.
- King's Quest
Popularized the adventure game genre.
- Half-Life
Basically laid out the blueprint for modern single player FPS games.
- Warcraft 3
It lead to both WoW and DOTA, the latter of which was the birth of the MOBA genre
- Fortnite
Whether we like it or not, Fortnite's monetization model has basically become the standard for every single live service game, not to mention it's one of the biggest factors in companies becoming more willing to let their properties crossover into other games.
- Ultima Online
This basically laid down the template for the RPG genre even before Dragon Warrior did it.
- Colossal Cave Adventure
First text-based adventure game.
- King's Quest
Popularized the adventure game genre.
- Half-Life
Basically laid out the blueprint for modern single player FPS games.
- Warcraft 3
It lead to both WoW and DOTA, the latter of which was the birth of the MOBA genre
- Fortnite
Whether we like it or not, Fortnite's monetization model has basically become the standard for every single live service game, not to mention it's one of the biggest factors in companies becoming more willing to let their properties crossover into other games.
8/16/23 updated - still WIP
List is officially off WIP! But I am still researching and looking at different thing to add, as there really is no limit to how many games influence the industry! I feel my list is very US-focused currently, so I'm looking into very influential Japanese and European games! Hope you enjoy - see you all around 👋
What about BioShock?
I know Catacombs 3-D and Doom are already included, but I believe Wolfenstein 3D is just as important, I consider it the first FPS that feels like the FPS genre we know today, and of course there would be no Doom without it. Also a little tid-bit for Medal of honor, it was influenced by Goldeneye as Speilberg saw his children playing Goldeneye and used ideas from it. I would also add GTAV to this list, an infinitely influential title. Team Fortress 2 should also be considered, it is THE hero shooter, as it popularized the genre and is still going strong after 16 years, Left for Dead was also a groundbreaking title in that horde shooter genre, idk what you'd call it, but I'm unsure if there was anything like it at the time. Assassin's Creed also laid out the blueprint that countless open world games have followed for the past 3 game generations. IDK that much about The Witcher 3 but I would also consider it, I believe it has influenced a lot of western open world games. Hotline Miami was also a big one, a small game made by 2 guys that exploded into the mainstream and catapulted Devolver Digital to success, Hotline Miami has influenced countless Indie and AA titles with its ultra-violence and aesthetics. I think that's all I can think of lol.
I feel like Tony Hawk 2 is worth a shot out for being the staple of skate games moving forward, even if the genre is dead nowadays.
Gonna chime in with suggestions for Devil May Cry, Batman Arkham Asylum and Final Fight.
11/12/23: Portopia Serial Murder Case, Ultima, Choplifter, Soko-Ban, I Robot, Lode Runner, Tapper, Track & Field, and Galaxian added with notes. Fixed a few past note details as well.
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Forget about Tales. Add Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu. One of the first action-RPGs, introduced the sword button that would be used in Zelda I, and Zelda II is pretty much a clone of it. As in, without it, we would have no Link
Some suggestions:
Ico - One of the first games to show the potential of the medium as an art form to many people around the world, and also raised the standard for artistic value in video games. Influenced many other directors, such as Hidetaka Miyazaki (Dark Souls), Neil Druckmann (Uncharted 3, The Last of Us), Eiji Aonuma (Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild), Yoko Taro (Nier), Josef Fares (Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons), and Guillermo del Toro (Movie director, Death Stranding).
Ace Attorney - Popularized the Japanese Adventure Game genre in the West, and murder mystery/detective games in the whole world. You could also argue that it has created its own subgenre, which Capcom calls "Courtroom Drama". (Please, note that Ace Attorney isn't a visual novel. Visual novels are a subgenre of JADV. Ace Attorney would be considered a Command Select ADV, like Portopia and Snatcher, not a visual novel).
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - Helped to create and popularize the Metroidvania genre.
Ico - One of the first games to show the potential of the medium as an art form to many people around the world, and also raised the standard for artistic value in video games. Influenced many other directors, such as Hidetaka Miyazaki (Dark Souls), Neil Druckmann (Uncharted 3, The Last of Us), Eiji Aonuma (Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild), Yoko Taro (Nier), Josef Fares (Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons), and Guillermo del Toro (Movie director, Death Stranding).
Ace Attorney - Popularized the Japanese Adventure Game genre in the West, and murder mystery/detective games in the whole world. You could also argue that it has created its own subgenre, which Capcom calls "Courtroom Drama". (Please, note that Ace Attorney isn't a visual novel. Visual novels are a subgenre of JADV. Ace Attorney would be considered a Command Select ADV, like Portopia and Snatcher, not a visual novel).
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - Helped to create and popularize the Metroidvania genre.
Not to mention MOTHER was quite possibly the first game to have a sympathetic villain.
4/9/24 Updated multiple descriptions while on a 5 hour bus trip - didn’t add any more games yet, but might do that on the bus ride back!
4/11/24 ALRIGHT - after yet another 5 hour bus ride, I feel very satisfied with what the games I have added and the descriptions I have changed, and how the list is overall! I have added the following games: Tony Hawk Pro Skater, MechWarrior, Galaga, Defender, Wolfenstein 3D, and Flappy Bird. There’s absolutely no question that I will change, add, delete, or whatever from this list some more in the future, especially after playing more games myself, but for now I’m very happy with this list in its entirety! If I did not add your game, it’s most likely because I found the game less so influential and more so just a really, really good game, couldn’t find enough information online without me playing it myself yet, or the game is famous for having a very impactful twist/story and I don’t want to spoil myself before playing (so with the latter two, I might add your suggestion later when I play it!). Please continue suggesting and throwing things my way - I’m more than happy to take a look at them! Thanks again 👋
Table Tennis inspired Pong, not just Tennis. Same cart, different ruleset
@Alena_03 thanks! I think I might replace Tennis with Table Tennis because it seems closer to Atari's pong cabinet, while Tennis relies on the cover sheet to know where the net is. Thanks again!
Funbil
1 year ago