The prestigious World Video Game Hall of Fame, housed within The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, has announced its 2026 inductees: Angry Birds, Dragon Quest, FIFA International Soccer, and Silent Hill. This distinguished quartet rose above a competitive field of nominees, which included celebrated titles such as Frogger, Galaga, League of Legends, Mega Man, PaRappa the Rapper, RuneScape, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Tokimeki Memorial.
As Dragon Quest celebrates its 40th anniversary, it is widely revered as the bedrock of the Japanese role-playing game genre, celebrated for its immersive storytelling, iconic score, and sense of grand adventure. “It is difficult to conceive of the modern RPG landscape without Dragon Quest. While its domestic success in Japan has always been unparalleled, its profound influence on the broader industry and countless other legendary role-playing titles is indisputable,” remarked Lindsey Kurano, curator of electronic games at The Strong.
Since its 2009 debut, Angry Birds served as a gateway to touch-based mobile gaming for tens of millions of early smartphone users. “What originated as a game built on deceptively simple mechanics and instantly recognizable art has transcended its roots to conquer diverse media landscapes,” noted Ben Mattes, creative officer for Angry Birds. “Being enshrined in the World Video Game Hall of Fame places us alongside the absolute titans of the medium. It is an immense honor and a truly special milestone for us.”
Konami’s Silent Hill revolutionized the horror genre in 1999, leveraging atmospheric 3D graphics, a dynamic camera system, and a deeply psychological narrative. Following the success of recent projects like the Silent Hill 2 remake and the 2025 release Silent Hill f, the franchise is enjoying a major resurgence. Andrew Borman, director of digital preservation at The Strong, stated, “Beyond its clear commercial achievements, the lasting significance of Silent Hill lies in how it steered the horror genre into psychological territory, engaging the player’s emotions as acutely as their reflexes.”
EA Sports’ FIFA series stands as the most commercially successful sports game franchise in history, moving over 325 million units globally between its 1993 inception and 2023. “FIFA International Soccer was an immediate triumph. Despite debuting late in December 1993, it became the year’s best-selling title in Europe. Given the universal appeal of soccer, FIFA achieved a broader global footprint than virtually any other sports series,” remarked Jeremy Saucier, vice president for interpretation and electronic games at The Strong.
Last year, the Hall of Fame welcomed the arcade legend Defender, the groundbreaking Quake, Bandai’s cult classic Tamagotchi, and the seminal Nintendo 64 title GoldenEye 007. Established in 2015, the World Video Game Hall of Fame honors titles that have demonstrated enduring popularity while exerting a substantial impact on popular culture. While the public is invited to submit nominations, final selections are curated by a panel of historians, journalists, and industry veterans. Further details regarding the Hall of Fame can be found on The Strong’s official website.
Source: Polygon
