The World Video Game Hall of Fame is in the process of electing finalists, including Angry Birds, Frogger, and others

Each year, the World Video Game Hall of Fame celebrates titles that have left a lasting impact on the gaming industry and popular culture. The 2025 lineup of finalists features influential games from various eras, including pioneering esports titles, iconic portable gaming experiences, and even an arcade classic made famous by an episode of Seinfeld in 1998.

Announced on Thursday, the 12 finalists are now subject to a public vote, with the official induction set for May 8 at the Hall’s new location inside The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester. This year’s contenders include Age of Empires, Angry Birds, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Defender, Frogger, Golden Eye, Golden Tee, Harvest Moon, Mattel Football, Quake, NBA 2K, and Tamagotchi. Jon-Paul C. Dyson, director of The Strong’s International Center for the History of Electronic Games, highlighted how these selections span multiple generations of gaming history, from arcade hits to mobile gaming sensations, all of which have shaped the industry or pop culture in significant ways.

Among these, Mattel Football, released in 1977, stands out as a trailblazer in handheld electronic gaming, laying the groundwork for later innovations like the Game Boy and modern mobile gaming. Decades later, Angry Birds became a global mobile phenomenon following its 2009 release, amassing billions of downloads and spawning a franchise that includes films and merchandise. The list also acknowledges influential esports titles, such as Golden Tee: Fore!, which debuted in arcades in 1989 and later introduced competitive tournament play in 1995. The basketball title NBA 2K, introduced in 1999, evolved into an industry staple and eventually inspired a professional esports league. Meanwhile, Quake played a crucial role in shaping the competitive gaming landscape with its groundbreaking 3D engine and influence on first-person shooters.

The inclusion of Tamagotchi recognizes its innovative role in bridging digital toys and gaming when it debuted in 1996, before resurfacing as an app in 2013. Classic arcade games also feature prominently in this year’s selection, with Defender from 1981 pushing the boundaries of gameplay complexity, and Frogger achieving widespread cultural recognition, particularly after its unforgettable Seinfeld moment where George Costanza attempts to maneuver an arcade machine across a busy street just like the game’s amphibious protagonist.

Microsoft’s Age of Empires, first released in 1997, became the company’s best-selling PC title at the time and remains widely played worldwide. Harvest Moon, which emerged in 1996, offered a gentler alternative to the industry’s action-heavy focus by immersing players in farming life. Meanwhile, the first-person shooter genre is well represented by GoldenEye 007, released in 1997 by Rare and Nintendo, and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the 2007 installment in Activision’s globally dominant franchise.

The Hall of Fame, which considers thousands of public nominations annually across different gaming platforms, selects its finalists based on longevity, global influence, and impact on game design and culture. The ultimate inductees are determined by an international panel of gaming experts.