The World Video Game Hall of Fame has added five new games to its prestigious honor rolls, recognizing titles that have had a major cultural or industry impact. The newly inducted games include Asteroids, Myst, Resident Evil, SimCity, and Ultima.
Asteroids, originally published in 1979 by Atari, became a cultural icon with its simple gameplay and graphics. It started in arcades and eventually made its way into millions of homes, captivating audiences of all ages.
Ultima, a fantasy role-playing game launched in 1981, was a pioneer in the PC gaming space and has since inspired the development of modern titles like Final Fantasy. Its legacy continues with eight sequels that have captured the imagination of gamers worldwide.
SimCity, released in 1989, challenged players to build and manage a city’s infrastructure in the face of various threats. It was widely accessible to those who were just getting their first in-home computers, making it a beloved classic in the simulation genre.
Myst, a mystery adventure game from 1993, took advantage of the CD-ROM medium to deliver immersive environments that set it apart from other PC games of its time. And Resident Evil, launched in 1996, introduced a more mature horror experience for older audiences and spawned a successful franchise that includes films.
These games were selected for their significant contributions to the video game industry and their lasting impact on players of all ages. Other finalists for this year’s honors included Elite, Guitar Hero, Metroid, Neopets, Tokimeki Memorial, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and You Don’t Know Jack.