The Strong National Museum of Play has revealed this year’s World Video Game Hall of Fame inductees, and as always, they are all deserving selections. Angry Birds, Silent Hill, Dragon Quest and FIFA International Soccer comprise the 2026 class.
Since its launch in 2009, Rovio’s Angry Birds franchise has delighted players with its unique mechanic of launching irate birds from a slingshot at pigs hiding within delicate structures. Ten years prior, Konami’s Silent Hill began its legacy of fear with a psychological horror title that established a lasting and highly successful series.
Released in 1986, Dragon Quest by Enix (now part of Square Enix) helped establish the blueprint for contemporary role-playing games. FIFA International Soccer, launched in 1993, served as the foundation for Electronic Arts’ blockbuster FIFA series. It remains the world’s leading sports gaming franchise, though EA no longer holds the FIFA license.
The other games that made this year’s shortlist were Frogger, Galaga, League of Legends, Mega Man, PaRappa the Rapper, RuneScape, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Tokimeki Memorial. This year’s inductees join 49 other influential games in The Strong’s World Video Game Hall of Fame, including last year’s additions of GoldenEye 007, Quake, Defender and Tamagotchi.