World Video Games Hall of Fame 2023 nominees announced

The Strong National Museum of Play has announced the 12 finalists that have been chosen to potentially enter the 2023 World Video Game Hall of Fame.

The finalists were revealed in a recent news post on the museum’s official website, where it was confirmed that the games under consideration were released as early as 1971 through to 2013.

The criteria for the selections is as follows: “The World Video Game Hall of Fame at the Strong recognises electronic games of all types that have enjoyed popularity over a sustained period and have exerted influence on the video game industry or on popular culture and society in general.”

There are two Nintendo titles on the list – 2006’s console launch title Wii Sports, and the Rare-developed 1997 N64 game GoldenEye 007.

They compete against Microsoft’s real-time strategy title Age of Empires; id Software’s influential shooter Quake; another highly influential shooter in the form of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare; EA’s FIFA series (which is now no longer known as FIFA); the pioneering mobile smash hit Angry Birds; 2K’s popular NBA series; the first commercial video game, dating to 1971, Computer Space; pioneering fantasy RPG Wizardry; 1996’s Barbie Fashion Designer on PC and Mac; and critical darling Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us.

A number of the games featured in the line-up are considered by players to be among the best of all time.

The Strong Museum is allowing the public to vote for their favourite finalist with the Player’s Choice Ballot. The voting is open from 15-22 March, and the three games that receive the most public votes will be submitted on one ballot and join the other top three submissions from members of the National Selection Advisory Committee.

The final round of inductees will be revealed on 4 May. The winning game will join iconic titles such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Minecraft.