Overview

• The 2025 inductees—Defender, GoldenEye 007, Quake, and Tamagotchi—were announced on May 8 at a ceremony in Rochester, New York.
• Defender, a 1981 arcade game by Williams Electronics, set new standards for challenging gameplay, selling over 55,000 units and redefining arcade competition.
• GoldenEye 007, released for the Nintendo 64 in 1997, popularized console first-person shooters with its iconic four-player multiplayer mode.
• Quake, developed by id Software in 1996, introduced a groundbreaking 3D engine, fostered esports, and influenced game design with its enduring codebase.
• Tamagotchi, launched in 1996 by Bandai Namco, bridged toys and video games, sparking the pet simulation genre with its virtual pet concept.