Colossal Cave Adventure, Microsoft Solitaire, Mortal Kombat, and Super Mario Kart may span multiple decades and gaming platforms, but they all have one thing in common: They are new inductees to the World Video Game Hall of Fame.
Selected from a 12-game finalists pool, these four games were chosen because they “significantly affected the video game industry, popular culture, and society in general.”
Colossal Cave Adventure is a text-based game that debuted in 1976 and used basic technology to conjure an immersive, interactive fantasy world. It went on to inspire other important video games, including Adventureland and Zork.
Microsoft Solitaire may be simple, but it is a classic. It debuted in 1990 on the Windows 3.0 computing platform and is now played 35 billion times per year in more than 200 global markets and 65 languages.
Mortal Combat launched in 1992, bringing cutting-edge graphics and fighting styles to arcades. The game’s violent content also spurred international debate and Congressional hearings, ultimately leading to the creation of the Entertainment Software Rating Board.
Nintendo‘s Super Mario Kart also debuted in 1992, building on previous racing games and popularizing the go-kart sub-genre. The game has since generated a dozen other titles across multiple gaming platforms, which have sold more than 100 million units.
Following an induction ceremony today, these four games will be on permanent display at the Hall of Fame, which is housed at The Strong in Rochester, New York.
Photo: The Strong
