New York’s The Strong museum announced four new titles to join its Video Game Hall of Fame on Thursday. Ms. Pac-Man, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeDance Dance Revolution and Sid Meier’s Civilization have been inducted, joining legendary games such as Super Mario KartThe Sims and Donkey Kong.
Ms. Pac-Mancreated in 1981 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) student initiative, the first game to be announced at an event streamed online on Thursday.
The female version of the mythical Pac-Man arcade game, which capitalized on the success of its predecessor launched in 1980, joins its older brother, who took office in 2015. Of the 125,000 arcade cabinets sold in the five years of Its release, it is one of the top five hits for an arcade game.
This sequel features more sophisticated mazes, smarter opponents, and new challengeswe mentioned in a blog post on The Strong’s site.
It’s also a symbolic game for players, as the character makes it possible to recognize that Video games are not just for boys, but for everyonesaid Julia Novakovic, senior archivist at The Strong museum.
” By showcasing the video game’s first widely recognized female character, Ms. Pac-Man is a change in the cultural conversation about the place of women in arcades and in society in general. “
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Timethe first 3D game in Nintendo’s popular series, has in turn received its place in the Hall of Fame, added to the original Link character title, which has been registered since 2016.
” Even today, developers around the world believe that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time influenced their way of creating games. “
The game’s vast 3D universe, fluid combat, intricate puzzles, and evolving story come together to inspire gamers with an amazing feel they’ll never forget.added the museum curator.
The first game in Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) series was a small revolution for musical games, and it got its third induction in 2022. More than 100 versions of the game have been released since 1998, paving the way for others music titles, such as the popular Guitar Hero and Rock Band series.
[DDR] took over Japanese arcades in 1998, challenging players to use their balance and dexterity to march to the beat of popular music, says The Strong museum. This game quickly spread to arcades around the world and at home, with a version with a mat released the following year.
” Music has been an integral part of human life since ancient times, so it’s no surprise that DDR has enjoyed a unique popularity spanning age, gender, and region. “
Finally, it’s the series of simulation and strategy games Sid Meier’s Civilization, which has garnered millions of players since 1991, earning fourth place available in the Hall of Fame for 2022. The original title has also been crowned the best video game of all. in 1996 by American magazine World of Computer Gaming.
The series invites players to build their own empire over centuries. It has sold over 50 million copies. The Strong estimates that over a billion hours have been spent playing Civilization games since it began.
The classics have to wait their turn
Among the 12 video games running for induction is Assassin’s Creed, candy Crush Saga, mine removerResident Evil, Snape and NBA Jam.
In 2021, the Microsoft Flight Simulator, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego ?, StarCraft, and Animal Crossing game series were implemented.
Fans have until March 24 to hear their voices, along with members of the jury. The final choices were made on the advice of journalists, academics and others familiar with the history of video games and their role in society, according to The Strong.
Since 2015, the Video Game Hall of Fame has rewarded arcade, console, computer and smartphone titles whose popularity and influence has been maintained over time.
Source: Radio-Canada
