The very first video game, Tennis for Two, came out in 1958, but it’s not as famous as later games. Spacewar! from 1962 was also important for the growth of the industry, though mainly known by those who study gaming history. We decided to highlight ten of the most influential video games ever made, focusing on how much they impacted the industry and helped shape its future. We’ve presented them in order of release date, as there are many more great games than we could cover.
1) Computer Space (1971)
Released in 1971, Computer Space was inspired by the earlier game Spacewar! and is considered the first commercially available arcade video game. Housed in a unique, futuristic fiberglass cabinet, it even made a cameo in the 1973 film Soylent Green due to its advanced appearance. Although not a massive hit, Computer Space demonstrated that video games could be a profitable business, paving the way for the modern gaming industry.
2) Pong (1972)
As a huge fan of early video games, it’s amazing to look back at how it all started! Everyone thinks Pong was the very first video game, but actually Computer Space came first and showed there was money to be made. Still, Pong was the first game to really take off commercially. I heard it was a smash hit anywhere they put one of those arcade cabinets – even before arcades were really a thing! It wasn’t long before everyone wanted a piece of the action, and a ton of similar games popped up. Computer Space showed people would pay to play, but Pong really proved just how much money could be made from video games.
3) Pac-Man (1980)
Growing up, I heard so much about the early days of arcade games, and the 70s had some classics, for sure. But then came Pac-Man in 1980, and everything changed! It seems so simple now – just a maze game – but it was seriously addictive. I remember arcades packed with people, all feeding in quarters trying to get the highest score. It wasn’t just a hit, it made money – it’s the most profitable arcade game of all time! But what really makes Pac-Man special isn’t the cash, it’s what it did for gaming. Before Pac-Man, video games were still pretty niche. This game truly brought them to everyone, all over the world, in a way no game had before. That’s why I think it’s one of the most important video games ever made.
4) Super Mario Bros. (1985)
In 1983, the video game industry in North America nearly collapsed, and many thought it was just a passing trend. However, a small Japanese company called Nintendo saved it by releasing its home console in the West. The Nintendo Entertainment System revitalized the market, largely thanks to the included game, Super Mario Bros. It’s no exaggeration to say that Super Mario Bros. is one of the most influential platform games ever made, as it helped establish a lasting home console market and proved video games were here to stay. The continued popularity of the Mario series confirms this impact.
5) Tetris (1989)
Originally created in 1984, Tetris didn’t reach Western audiences until 1989, and its debut on the Nintendo Game Boy was a major factor in the console’s popularity. The game quickly became a sensation, and it essentially established the modern puzzle game format. Tetris proved that a simple, black-and-white game could be more appealing than games with more advanced color graphics, thanks to its excellent design. While easy to understand, Tetris is surprisingly difficult and remains one of the most important and recognizable video games of all time.
6) Street Fighter II (1991)
While fighting games already existed, Capcom’s Street Fighter II completely revolutionized the genre when it came out. It took what worked in earlier games and greatly improved upon it, establishing many of the core gameplay elements still used in fighting games today—over 35 years later! Street Fighter II wasn’t just a hit with fighting game fans; it became one of the best-selling and most beloved games ever made. It sparked the competitive tournament scene, received numerous updated versions, and remains a landmark title from the 16-bit gaming era.
7) Doom (1993)
If you enjoy first-person shooter games, you owe a debt of gratitude to Doom – and especially to its creators, John Carmack, John Romero, and Dave Taylor. While first-person shooters existed before 1993, Doom revolutionized the genre and became one of the most important video games ever made. Considering how popular and diverse FPS games are today, Doom’s impact is undeniable. The series continued to be innovative in later installments, but the original Doom remains a landmark achievement in game development.
8) Half-Life (1998)
Valve is now famous for its Steam platform, but the company first made a name for itself with the game Half-Life. Although Half-Life was a first-person shooter – a common genre at the time – it showed that FPS games could have compelling stories. Unlike many shooters of the late 1990s, Half-Life featured a detailed and immersive narrative, proving that the genre could be more than just simple action. It created a rich game world and a story that kept players engaged, and its influence is clear in many story-driven games that followed.
9) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
The Legend of Zelda series has many fantastic games, and Ocarina of Time is often considered one of the very best. While that’s worth noting, the reason it’s so important in video game history is its incredible design and lasting impact. Released long ago, Ocarina of Time essentially set the standard for all 3D action-adventure games that followed, innovating gameplay mechanics and becoming a blueprint for how to create a successful game. Few titles have come close to matching its quality and influence.
10) Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
It’s always been enjoyable to play the villain in video games, and the Grand Theft Auto series really perfected this idea. Grand Theft Auto III was a groundbreaking game that made it popular to have complete freedom in a virtual world, with few limitations. While some people worried this could negatively influence young players, others argued it was healthier to act out fantasies in a game than in real life. Grand Theft Auto III sparked a lot of debate, but it proved that video games weren’t just for kids – there was a large audience of adult players too.
It’s important to acknowledge that many other excellent games could have been included, and I don’t want to leave anyone out. I also considered titles like Dark Souls, Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy VII, World of Warcraft, Metal Gear, Metal Gear Solid, Tomb Raider, The Sims, Half-Life 2, Mortal Kombat, Super Mario 64, Minecraft, Everquest, Pokémon Red and Green, and The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong – the list goes on and on!
What game do you believe is the most important ever made? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-03-03 18:17