Four games have joined the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s 2026 class, with Angry Birds, Dragon Quest, FIFA International Soccer, and Silent Hill earning induction at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.
The 2026 class covers several different eras of gaming. It includes a mobile game that helped change smartphone entertainment, a role-playing game that helped define Japanese RPGs, a sports title that helped grow one of gaming’s biggest franchises, and a horror game that shaped psychological storytelling in video games.
The four inductees were chosen from a finalist group that also included Frogger, Galaga, League of Legends, Mega Man, PaRappa the Rapper, RuneScape, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Tokimeki Memorial. The Hall of Fame considers games based on icon status, longevity, geographical reach, and influence on game design, entertainment, pop culture, or society.
The World Video Game Hall of Fame launched in 2015 and has inducted games from across arcade, console, PC, mobile, and online gaming history. The 2026 class shows how wide that history has become, from early role-playing and sports games to mobile hits and horror titles that continue to influence developers today.
Angry Birds
Angry Birds was inducted after becoming one of the most recognizable mobile games in the world. Released by Rovio in 2009, the game turned a simple slingshot mechanic into a global phenomenon. The Strong National Museum of Play said the game reached more than two billion downloads and helped prove that mobile games could become major entertainment properties.
Dragon Quest
Dragon Quest was also inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 class. First released in Japan in 1986, the game brought together scenario writer Yuji Horii, artist Akira Toriyama, and composer Koichi Sugiyama. Its structure, storytelling, music, and turn-based design helped shape the role-playing games that followed.
FIFA International Soccer
FIFA International Soccer was inducted for its lasting role in sports gaming. Released in 1993, the game helped launch what became one of the most successful sports video game franchises ever. While it was not the first soccer video game, its presentation, accessibility, and worldwide appeal helped push soccer games into a new level of mainstream popularity.
Silent Hill
Silent Hill earned its place for its impact on horror games. The series became known for its unsettling atmosphere, psychological tension, and use of storytelling to create fear beyond jump scares. Its induction recognizes how the game helped expand what horror could look and feel like in interactive entertainment.
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