Alright, so let’s dive into this whirlwind of gaming nostalgia. Remember Defender? Yeah, the arcade game that ate quarters faster than an old vending machine. I don’t even know why it’s still stuck in my head, but hey, here it is getting a nod from the World Video Game Hall of Fame. And not just Defender, but the suave GoldenEye 007 — back when James Bond made you feel like an agent, targeting those pixelated foes.
Oh right, let’s not forget Quake — another gem from id Software. Man, those head-spinning graphics played tricks on my young eyes. Doom got in back in 2015, so I guess it makes sense its tough little brother is joining. And Tamagotchi! Remember that tiny critter you forgot to feed? Yeah, me too.
Here’s the twist: they emerged from a pile of potential inductees, like plucking the perfect apple from a tree. Some names on that list ring a bell, right? Age of Empires, Angry Birds (I mean, come on, who hasn’t flipped a bird?), Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Frogger, Golden Tee, Harvest Moon, Mattel Football, and NBA 2K. Whew, it’s like a hit parade of gaming chaos!
The Strong Museum does this thing every year where they judge games — kinda like how you rate pizza slices. It’s about icon status, longevity, where in the world the game reached, and that undeniable influence. Quake making the cut is like, okay, now it’s got that golden stamp of approval.
So there you have it. Four games that rocked our worlds and some judges finally said it: “Yup, these are the real MVPs of digital pastimes.” Sometimes I wonder if they sit around debating or if it’s just love at first play. Anyway — or was it then again? — these blasts from the past get their time in the Hall of Fame spotlight.
Oh, and since this Hall of Fame thing kicked off in 2015, they’ve let in 49 games. Last year, it was a vintage party welcoming Asteroids, Myst, Resident Evil, Ultima, and SimCity. Classic overload, I know, but that’s how these things roll.
