Overview
- The 2025 inductees—Defender, GoldenEye 007, Quake, and Tamagotchi—were enshrined on May 8 at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.
- Defender, a 1981 arcade classic, revolutionized gameplay with its high difficulty and complex controls, proving players would embrace more challenging experiences.
- GoldenEye 007, released in 1997 for the Nintendo 64, set a new standard for console first-person shooters with its story-driven campaign and iconic multiplayer mode.
- Quake, launched in 1996 by id Software, introduced a groundbreaking 3-D engine, popularized online multiplayer, and laid the foundation for esports and modding communities.
- Tamagotchi, Bandai’s 1996 handheld digital pet, pioneered the pet simulation genre, offering a unique blend of nurturing gameplay and emotional engagement.