10 Most Influential Games of all Time

Games are made by companies such as UBISOFT and BLIZZARD for posterity. And to set of a chain reaction amongst the other companies to create games on similar grounds. The game should have the capacity to do so, as well as the power to motivate others. BUT, influential games don’t necessarily have to be centered around the companies creating the games. I mean, hello! Gamers can be included too! The game should be so persuasive and prominent that the gamers decide to A) keep playing the game, and B) introduce these very same games to their kids, or friends or even non-gamers. (You’d be surprised at how well the word-of-mouth works.)So here goes a list of the 10 most influential games of all time, in no particular order.

#10 DOOM (1993)

Bloodshed, firearms, monsters and much, much more, is what makes up DOOM. This is the game that really established the fact that precarious evnironments can make or break games. With the amount of guns and gore that is there in this game, how can you not play it? It was one of the first games of the decade, that started off FPS games with monstorous brutes. And of course, having a game with this much action, how can a movie not be made on it? And so, Andrzej Bartkowiak saw and took the opportunity, and directed the movie DOOM.

#9 TOMB RAIDER (1996)

Now don’t think that only hormonal male teenagers are in love with Tomb Raider. A large percentage of the people who play this game are female! Of course, the success of this game can be attributed to the female aspect of the character. However, this game has also introduced females as main characters in the gaming world. It has even inspired the likes of Simon West to direct a movie based on the game.

#8 SUPER MARIO 64 (1996)

This franchise literally kicked off the 2D platform games and cartoon racing simulations. It was the platform for all other companies to start similar entertainment. Martin Hollis, the producer and director of GoldenEye 007, has actually gone on record to say that the inspiration for that game came from Super Mario 64. The Mario brothers even showed up at the Olympics! Talk about being famous!

#7 GRAND THEFT AUTO III (2001)

Liberal City is by far one of the most barbaric cities in GTA. But who doesn’t like that? That is the reason why the sales of the PS2 went through the roof! The game was a success and hence, so was the PS2. Another reason for it’s success? The unlimited number of respawns in the game. This means that a player can be off track for weeks, or even months, and still enjoy the game. GTA 3 was the inpiration behind Red Dead Redemption and Batman Arkham City. Keep the supremacy flowing, GTA.

#6 BIOSHOCK (2007)

This was one of the few games that brought about the “thinking” factor in gamers. But, this isn’t your normal, everyday game that goes off onto tangents. As tangential as BioShock may be, it always ended up connecting one scene to another, thereby utilising the “memory” and “thinking” factors of the gamers. Pre 2007, there isn’t a single game that actually touches upon these factor in the minds of the gamers. I dare you to find a game, like BioShock, (that induced these factos), before 2007.

#5 Road Rash (1991)

How can we not add one of the first racing games, to our list?! Road Rash has always been an all time favorite, and will continue to be, as well. It was one of the first racing games to have ordinary citizens as threats to the player/players. This game has even influenced a number of arcade games. Road Rash has also been an example of how technology has progressed over the years.

#4 HALO (2001)

A recharging shield, on-the-spot shooting, and a limited number of weapons that you can carry, and HALO is born. The respawning element in a game always irritates gamers. The recharging shield reduces the number of respawns that needs to be done, and the limited firearms that could be carried by the player made us think twice before keeping or throwing any weapon. The game sold like hot cakes! And so did it’s merchandise. HALO even contributed to the sales of the Xbox, and will be forever known as one of the first games of the Xbox.

#3 Resident Evil (1996)

With the right amount of blood and perfect camera angles, Resident Evil (1996) set it’s own course, with many to follow. Added to this is the ideally lit hallways and eerie sounds, music as well as maneuvers. In the present day, all everyone can see everywhere are blockbuster movies about zombies, or even board games about zombies! *influential, influential* Of course, how can we not mention the 20 games and 5 films that have been created in honour of Resident Evil? That set off the sparks for additional movies and games.

#2 Pokemon (1996)

This. Is. It. This is the game that changed EVERYONE’S lives. Everywhere. Even non-gamers knew about Pokemon. And people all over the world STILL know about it. This game started all the craze and maddness of having Pokemon on lunchboxes and cards. For heaven’s sake, movies and TV series were made after this game! How much more influential can you get than that? WAIT! I know! Pokemon set off a reaction with Digimon and even Monster Rancher starting their own trends. But, Pokemon will forever be etched in the minds of all gamers and non-gamers of the world.

#1 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

With a near flawless combination special effects, carnage and not to forget, GUNS, COD 4 has made sure that it grasped it’s audience well in advance of the launching of the game. Of course everyone knows that it is an RPG, but it’s one of those RPGs with an insanely good FPS option PLUS a multiplayer one. How often can you see that being well executed?! To add on to the excitement, COD has been rumoured to continue the franchise, and has a few more games underway. That’s right! Get in your queues, NOW.