Summary
The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York has announced a dozen finalists for the World Video Game Hall of Fame Class of 2025, which includes games likeAngry Birds,Quake, andCall of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Fans ofAngry Birdsand other games on the list now have until March 13 to cast a daily player’s choice poll, and the top three picks will be submitted as a collective Hall of Fame ballot.
Established in 1969 and opened to the public in 1982, The Strong National Museum of Play was inspired by the personal toy collection of Rochester native Margaret Woodbury Strong, for whom the museum is named. One of the main exhibits of The Strong’s collection is the World Video Game Hall of Fame, which was established in 2015. Eligibility for the World Video Game Hall of Fame is determined by a game meeting four criteria: icon status, influence, longevity, and geographic reach. The2024 inductions into the Video Game Hall of FamewereResident Evil,Myst,Asteroids,SimCity, andUltima.
On March 6, The Strong shared news that 12 more iconic video games will have an opportunity to be immortalized in the museum’s exhibit. The Strong posted on Twitter that the nominees for induction into the World Video Game Hall of Fame areAge of Empires,Angry Birds,Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare,Defender,GoldenEye 007,Golden Tee Golf,Harvest Moon,Mattel Football,NBA 2K,Quake, andTamagotchi. This isGoldenEye’s andAngry Birds' third appearance on the Video Game Hall of Fame finalists' roster.Rovio’s influential mobile titlewas also nominated in 2015, the Hall of Fame’s inaugural year, and again in 2023.
The 2025 World Video Game Hall of Fame Finalists
By comparison,GoldenEye 007has been nominated three times since 2020. Players can vote daily for a finalist, and the three games with the most votes will be submitted as a ballot to the selection committee. Ergo, public voters will collectively count as one selection committee member. The 2025 inductees will be revealed on Thursday, May 8, and will joiniconic games likeThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Timein The Strong’s gaming exhibit.
Along withAngry BirdsandGoldenEye, 2023 World Video Game Hall of Fame nomineesAge of Empires,Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare,NBA 2K, andQuakeare back on the finalist ballot. Given that three of this year’s nominees areinfluential first-person shooters, it remains to be seen which ones will be chosen by the committee and by fans.
