Gaming is an industry where the fast pace of technological innovation and consumers’ ever-growing demands fuel continuous transformation. Over the years, we’ve seen many new elements enter the gaming landscape and change the way people play and perceive games, or how they are developed, marketed, and monetized. The latest additions include cloud gaming and subscriptions, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), and even the emergence of crypto games, which led many players to take an interest in crypto airdrop news.

With all the newness happening in this sector, you’d think that people are quick to forget past achievements and move on to the next big thing. But even though many things have changed since the early days of the industry, and many of the games people play today look vastly different from their predecessors, there are some titles that will never be forgotten, as they have shaped the industry and left an indelible mark in gamers’ hearts and memories.

These are the games that players will always come back to, not because they have the best graphics or the most innovative features (although certain titles may check these boxes), but because they have had a profound impact on the evolution of this now highly popular form of entertainment. Some elicit a sense of nostalgia, while others are contemporary creations that perfectly capture the spirit of gaming today.

This has prompted us to compile this list that is neither exhaustive nor intended as an inventory of the best video games in history, since there is no consensus in this respect anyway. Rather, look at it as a collection of iconic games that have brought their fair share of contributions to gaming and entertainment, and are worth checking out, if only for educational purposes. Here are our picks, in no particular order.

Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto remains to this day one of the most popular franchises in gaming, having its first title released in 1997. Unsurprisingly, deciding which game in the series is the best is a matter of debate among players, but that’s not what makes GTA special. The appeal lies in the complex narratives these games bring forth, the varied perspectives they present, and the incredibly compelling, true-to-life experiences they offer, which have also given rise to lots of controversies. For example, GTA has popularized the concept of playing the villain, which marked a turning point in the gaming space.

The Sims

Released in 2000, The Sims took the sandbox game genre to a new level and turned into a social phenomenon that captured the imagination of generations of players. What makes Sims different from other similar games is the amount of details the creators have put into it and the fact that players have the ability to control everything that happens in the worlds they create and basically build intricate virtual lives. Its fame may have faded in recent years, but Sims is a classic that will always have a special place in players’ hearts, especially for those who love feel-good games.

Minecraft

With over 350 million copies sold since its launch in 2011, Minecraft has been declared the best-selling video game of all time. But Minecraft is not just a game; it’s a pop culture staple. It comprises an entire universe, made of pixelated building blocks, that has so many dimensions that one can easily get lost in it. Thanks to its versatility, the variety of features and experiences it includes, and the freedom players enjoy, Minecraft has transcended gaming, serving as a creative outlet with applications in different domains, such as education and urban planning.

The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda is a series that debuted in 1986 and successfully transitioned from 2D to 3D games, mirroring the very evolution of gaming technology. This means that many have grown up playing the games included in the franchise and witnessed this progress in real time, from early titles like A Link to the Past (1991) or Ocarina of Time (1998) to more recent releases such as Breath of the Wild (2017) or Echoes of Wisdom (2024). The games in the series will get anyone hooked with their fascinating storylines and open-world explorations.

World of Warcraft

One can’t discuss massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) without mentioning World of Warcraft. Apart from the vast and detailed interconnected worlds and the immersive experiences they provide, WoW stands out through its social dimension. Players become part of a community where they can form friendships, join groups, and together contribute to a digital economy. It’s the type of game that users treat as a long-term endeavor rather than a one-time thing. Perhaps it’s this blend of creative gameplay and social interaction that has kept WoW at the top of players’ preferences for more than two decades and counting.

Fortnite

Battle royale games are a dime a dozen, but Fortnite is one of a kind. Far from being a traditional video game, Fortine offers a combination of thrilling battles, catchy art style, complex yet intuitive mechanics, and a generous dose of social interaction, all of which are free for everyone to access. Fortnite has fostered a distinct culture that isn’t limited to gaming and has ultimately come to define an entire generation.

Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO introduced a new paradigm in gaming with its use of augmented reality (AR), which blurred the lines between the virtual and physical worlds. At its peak, the craze that the game started was impossible to ignore as everyone was out on the streets, trying to catch virtual creatures. By encouraging exploration and real-world interaction, Pokémon GO proved that games can be enjoyed outside the confines of a screen and can actually have a positive effect on people.

Roblox

In the gaming space, Roblox has many merits, starting with the fact that it provides a platform where players can learn about game development, economics, and entrepreneurship in a fun way. Users can become developers and create all sorts of games, but they can also sell virtual items and earn Robux, the platform’s currency. What Roblox offers is virtually a marketplace with its own economy that can inspire kids to use their skills and pursue different career paths.

There are countless other influential titles that have marked the history of gaming in different ways, so you have plenty to explore and enjoy if you’re interested in discovering gaming gems.