Collider ranks video games it considers most influential from the 20th century, focusing on titles that introduced major mechanics, technologies, design approaches or industry standards. The article argues that modern games owe much to these earlier releases, from arcade pioneers to narrative-led shooters and social handheld RPGs.

– 'Half-Life' (1998): credited with bringing stronger storytelling, physics and uninterrupted player control to first-person shooters.
– 'Pokémon Red' and 'Pokémon Blue' (1996): launched a global franchise while demonstrating deep handheld RPG design and social multiplayer play.
– 'Pong' (1972): highlighted as a simple but enduring early arcade game that helped bring video gaming to consumers.