Strong National Museum of Play Announces 2026 Video Game Hall of Fame Inductees
Posted on 2026‑05‑08 by Alex Mateo
2026 Induction Class
- Dragon Quest (1986) – Anime encyclopedia entry
- Silent Hill (1999)
- Angry Birds (2009)
- FIFA International Soccer (1993)
About the Hall of Fame
The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, created the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2015. The inaugural class honored six pioneering titles:
- Pong (1972)
- Pac‑Man (1980)
- Tetris (1984)
- Super Mario Bros. (1985)
- Doom (1993)
- World of Warcraft (2004)
Since then, the Hall has recognized a diverse range of games each year. Highlights from recent classes include:
| Year | Inductees |
|---|---|
| 2016 | The Legend of Zelda, Sonic the Hedgehog, Space Invaders, Grand Theft Auto III, The Oregon Trail, The Sims |
| 2017 | Donkey Kong, Halo: Combat Evolved, Pokémon Red & Green, Street Fighter II |
| 2018 | Spacewar!, John Madden Football, Tomb Raider, Final Fantasy VII |
| 2019 | Colossal Cave Adventure, Microsoft Windows Solitaire, Mortal Kombat, Super Mario Kart |
| 2020 | Bejeweled, Centipede, King’s Quest, Minecraft |
| 2021 | Animal Crossing, Microsoft Flight Simulator, StarCraft, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? |
| 2022 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Ms. Pac‑Man, Dance Dance Revolution, Sid Meier’s Civilization |
| 2023 | Wii Sports, Barbie Fashion Designer, Computer Space, The Last of Us |
| 2024 | Resident Evil, Ultima, SimCity, Myst, Asteroids |
| 2025 | Tamagotchi!, Defender, GoldenEye 007, Quake |
Selection Process
Anyone may nominate a game. Final selections are made with input from journalists, scholars, and other experts in video‑game history and culture.
The public can also cast a vote, with the collective public vote counting as one member of the selection committee.
Where to See the Hall of Fame
The museum’s International Center for the History of Electronic Games displays the Hall of Fame honorees within its eGameRevolution exhibit. The Strong also houses the Brian Sutton‑Smith Library and Archives of Play, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the Woodbury School, and the American Journal of Play.
