World Video Game Hall of Fame inducts Angry Birds, FIFA for 2026 class
The World Video Game Hall of Fame’s 2026 class was inducted at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, featuring four groundbreaking titles: Angry Birds, Dragon Quest, FIFA International Soccer, and Silent Hill. These selections represent diverse genres and cultural impacts across gaming history.
Dragon Quest, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is highlighted as a foundational series for Japanese role-playing games. The franchise established the template for modern JRPGs through its compelling narratives, distinctive music, and epic adventure gameplay. While Dragon Quest has maintained stronger popularity in Japan than internationally, its influence on contemporary role-playing game design is considered fundamental and difficult to overstate.
The 2026 inductees were selected from a competitive field of finalists including other iconic titles: Frogger, Galaga, League of Legends, Mega Man, PaRappa the Rapper, RuneScape, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Tokimeki Memorial. The diversity of this year’s selections reflects the breadth of gaming history being recognized, from arcade classics to modern digital games and mobile phenomena. The Hall of Fame continues to serve as a cultural institution dedicated to preserving and acknowledging games that have left lasting impacts on the medium.