a recent Q&A session hosted by the BAFTA Games Awards, Todd Howard, the acclaimed director behind Bethesda Game Studios’ blockbuster titles like Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, shared his picks for the most influential video games of all time. The industry veteran singled out Super Mario Bros. and Doom as the two titles that have left an indelible mark on gaming history, while also highlighting Tetris and Pac-Man as the “most important” games for their broad impact on the medium.
Howard’s comments came as part of a broader discussion ahead of the upcoming BAFTA Games Awards ceremony, set to take place next month. When asked to name the most influential game of all time, Howard opted for a dual selection, explaining that both Super Mario Bros. and Doom have had a profound and lasting influence on modern game design. “Two games where if you trace things games are doing today, you can trace so much of that back to those games,” Howard said, emphasizing their enduring legacy. Bethesda’s Todd Howard Names Super Mario Bros
Released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Mario Bros. revolutionized platforming and established many of the conventions still seen in video games today. Its intuitive design and widespread popularity helped cement Nintendo’s place in the industry and made it one of the best-selling games of all time. Meanwhile, Doom, launched in 1993 by id Software, redefined the first-person shooter genre with its fast-paced action, innovative technology, and modding community, influencing countless titles that followed.
Howard didn’t stop there. He also took a moment to distinguish between influence and importance, naming Tetris and Pac-Man as the “two most important games of all time” for their role in bringing gaming to the masses. “First I think, the two most important games of all time are Tetris and Pac-Man for what they do for gaming overall and [for] bringing so many people to it,” Howard explained. These arcade classics, with their simple yet addictive gameplay, broadened the appeal of video games and laid the groundwork for the industry’s explosive growth.
The Bethesda head’s selections sparked lively discussion among fans and industry watchers alike. Posts on X reflected a mix of agreement and debate, with many praising Howard’s nod to foundational titles while others championed more recent contenders. The timing of his remarks aligns with a renewed spotlight on Howard and Bethesda, following the recent release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, where he served as executive producer alongside a high-profile appearance with Harrison Ford at The Game Awards in December 2024.
Howard’s picks underscore his deep appreciation for gaming’s history, a perspective shaped by his decades-long career crafting expansive RPGs that have themselves become influential in their own right. As Bethesda continues to develop highly anticipated projects like The Elder Scrolls VI and future Fallout titles, Howard’s reflections offer a glimpse into the creative mind behind some of the industry’s most beloved franchises.
With the BAFTA Games Awards approaching, Howard’s comments have also fueled speculation about whether Bethesda’s recent or upcoming works might be in contention for honors. For now, though, his spotlight on Super Mario Bros. and Doom serves as a reminder of the timeless titles that continue to shape the games we play today.
