Cool Games, Big Impact!
The world of video games is super exciting, with lots of amazing games that have made a big difference. The Strong National Museum of Play just chose some finalists for the 2025 World Video Game Hall of Fame. These games are like the superstars of the gaming world!
Meet the Finalists!
The games that made it to the final list are really diverse, from old arcade games to new mobile ones. Here they are:
- Age of Empires: This game is like a history lesson, but way more fun! It’s been a favorite on computers since 1997[3][5].
- Angry Birds: You’ve probably heard of this one! It’s a mobile game that’s been downloaded billions of times and became a big deal in pop culture[3][5].
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: This first-person shooter game changed the game (pun intended) when it came out[3][5].
- Defender: This arcade game from 1981 was super challenging and lots of fun[5].
- Frogger: Another arcade classic from 1981, Frogger is still popular today[5].
- GoldenEye 007: This game brought first-person shooters to consoles in a big way when it came out in 1997[3][5].
- Golden Tee Golf: This arcade golf game has been a hit in bars and arcades for a long time[5].
- Harvest Moon: This game offered a peaceful farming experience that was different from all the action games out there[5].
- Mattel Football: This was the first successful handheld electronic game, way back in 1977[5].
- NBA 2K: This series has had a big influence on esports[5].
- Quake: This first-person shooter game became a big deal in esports[3][5].
- Tamagotchi: This digital pet bridged the gap between toys and video games[5].
These games were chosen because they’re really famous, they’ve influenced other games, they’ve been around for a long time, and lots of people play them all over the world[3][5].
How They Were Chosen
The people at The Strong National Museum of Play look at thousands of nominations every year and pick the finalists based on how much they’ve impacted the gaming industry and pop culture[5]. But here’s the cool part: the public gets to vote too! The top three games with the most votes count as one ballot in the final selection[3][5].
You Can Vote Too!
You can vote for your favorite games until March 13. The top three games with the most votes will be submitted as one ballot to the selection committee[3]. So, go ahead and have your say!
Celebrating Gaming History
The World Video Game Hall of Fame is like a big party for all the amazing games that have made gaming what it is today. The 2025 finalists represent different kinds of games and eras, each making their own special mark on gaming history.
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