Overview
- The 2025 inductees—Defender, GoldenEye 007, Quake, and Tamagotchi—were announced on May 8 during a ceremony at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.
- Defender, released in 1981 by Williams Electronics, elevated arcade gaming with its challenging gameplay and complex controls, selling over 55,000 units.
- GoldenEye 007, launched in 1997 for the Nintendo 64, set a benchmark for console first-person shooters and multiplayer gaming, influencing future titles like Halo.
- Quake, introduced by id Software in 1996, revolutionized gaming with its 3D engine, fostering the rise of esports and leaving a lasting legacy in game development.
- Tamagotchi, the 1996 handheld digital pet by Bandai, popularized the pet simulation genre and inspired future games such as Neopets and Nintendogs.