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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThere is no objective list of games every person must play. But if “bucket list” means games that reveal an important shift in video-game design—or offer a distinctive experience worth trying—these titles make a strong starting point. BAFTA’s 2025 public poll of the most influential games offers one useful historical lens, while the recommendations below focus on what each game can show a player and who might enjoy it.
What makes a video game bucket-list worthy?
Influence is one useful criterion: a game may introduce ideas that later become genre conventions, or leave a clear mark on how players think about a kind of game. Personal fit matters too. A historically important game is not automatically the right choice for every player, so each pick below pairs its contribution with the kind of experience it offers.
BAFTA published a ranked top 21 from a public poll on 3 April 2025. The ranking reflects votes in that poll, not a universal consensus; BAFTA did not state a total vote count in its announcement. Its results range from early games such as Pong and Tetris to newer entries including Baldur’s Gate 3 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. BAFTA’s announcement and full poll list provide useful context, but a poll position is not a measure of what you personally should enjoy.
Bucket-list games to try, and what they offer
Shenmue — an early open-world landmark
BAFTA’s poll placed Shenmue first. The organization credits it with helping establish open-world gameplay. It is a worthwhile pick for players curious about how games began making a world itself—not just a sequence of levels—the focus of play. Its first-place position is the result of this particular public vote, not proof that every player will find it the most influential or enjoyable.
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Doom — the first-person shooter’s foundations
BAFTA placed Doom second and credits it with popularizing both the first-person shooter and deathmatch. Try it if you want to see the roots of a genre built around fast movement, aiming, and combat, or if you are interested in the multiplayer ideas that grew around competitive shooters.
Super Mario Bros. — side-scrolling platforming made popular
Ranked third in BAFTA’s poll, Super Mario Bros. helped popularize the side-scrolling platformer. It belongs on a list for players who want to explore the appeal of navigating a scrolling world through movement, timing, and obstacles—and to understand a major turning point in platform games.
Rank #2
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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — ideas that shaped 3D adventure games
BAFTA placed Ocarina of Time fifth. Its announcement points to context-sensitive actions and Z-targeting as design ideas that were widely adopted. It is a natural choice for anyone curious about how 3D adventures made interaction and targeting work in a three-dimensional space.
Minecraft — a different kind of creative play
Minecraft ranked sixth in the poll. BAFTA’s list identifies PC as a platform, but does not establish which editions or platforms are currently available in each region. It is a useful pick for players drawn to open-ended creation and for anyone interested in a game whose experience is not defined solely by completing a fixed series of levels. Check the current edition and platform listing for your region before buying.
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Super Mario 64 — a landmark to consider alongside its predecessor
BAFTA ranked Super Mario 64 eighth. The poll includes it alongside Super Mario Bros., making the pair a useful two-game route through platforming history: one is associated with popularizing side-scrolling play, while the other gives you a separate entry from a later era to explore. The poll announcement does not provide a detailed account of Super Mario 64’s specific influence.
More picks for a broad tour of games
For a wider sampler beyond the games with specific design contributions described above, BAFTA’s poll also includes these titles. Treat the positions as results of the 2025 vote, not as a definitive order of what to play:
Rank #4
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| BAFTA poll position | Game |
|---|---|
| 4 | Half-Life |
| 7 | Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 |
| 9 | Half-Life 2 |
| 10 | The Sims |
| 11 | Tetris |
| 12 | Tomb Raider |
| 13 | Pong |
| 14 | Metal Gear Solid |
| 15 | World of Warcraft |
| 16 | Baldur’s Gate 3 |
| 17 | Final Fantasy VII |
| 18 | Dark Souls |
| 19 | Grand Theft Auto 3 |
| 20 | Skyrim |
| 21 | Grand Theft Auto |
How to choose your first game
Start with the experience you want, rather than the highest poll position. If you are curious about genre history, pick a game BAFTA explicitly connects to a design contribution: Doom for first-person shooters and deathmatch, Super Mario Bros. for side-scrolling platforming, or Ocarina of Time for influential interaction and targeting ideas. If you would rather explore a world, consider Shenmue; if you want open-ended creation, consider Minecraft.
Before purchasing, check the game’s current edition, platform compatibility, and regional availability. BAFTA’s poll is a record of influence votes, not a present-day store or compatibility guide, so its platform references do not confirm what you can buy or play now.
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