14 games that shaped trends in the game industry

The game industry is constantly evolving, driven by titles that break technical barriers, narratives or gameplay and end up creating (or consolidating) trends that shape the market to the following generations.

Each of these titles not only innovated in its release, but also opened doors for new ideas, genres and audiences. As we celebrate these trends, we recognize the power of entertainment and creating experiences that go far beyond control in the hands.

Super Mario Bros. (1985)

Super Mario Bros. Introduced a smooth sidecolling system that created the feeling of a continuous world. This has allowed longer phases, more fluid explorations and challenges created with scenario transitions, something essential to involving the player from start to finish.

Decades later, mechanics and super Mario Bros design principles. remain alive in modern productions. Titles like Super Mario World, New Super Mario Bros. And even indie games honor their implicit breakfasts, themed worlds and the feeling of fluidity that only a good sidecoller can offer.

SimCity (1989)

Simcity is one of the precursors of the construction and management simulation genre. The title introduced system equilibrium concepts. Simcity was used in classrooms to illustrate concepts of geography, economy and sustainability. The title proved that video games could have pedagogical value.

From Rollercoaster Tycoon to Anno, from Cities: Skylines to Frostpunk, virtually all great urban management simulators and civilization carry Simcity’s inheritance. It has consolidated the public’s taste for titles that mix construction, strategy and creativity, generating one of the most solid market lines to this day.

Super Metroid (1994)

Super Metroid is often cited as the definitive prototype of the “Metroidvania” style and a true 2D exploration design class. He influenced games like Dark Souls and Hollow Knight, showing that narratives can be told through the environment and exploration.

Its model of progression by skills and interconnected world is still considered absolute reference for those seeking to create rich and rewarding exploration experiences.

Pokémon Red & Blue (1996)

Until then, RPGs were long experiences focused on a unique story. Pokémon brought a lean, portable and social model: you walked around the world capturing creatures and customizing your team. His global success showed the potential of games to create communities and franchises.

Pokémon Red & Blue inspired a whole subgenre of collection games + exchanges and influenced mechanics in mobile titles. The title has established a franchise that transcends games, including cards, animations and movies.

Doom (1993)

Although it was not the first in this proposal, Doom took the feeling of rapid and fluid movement to a new level. The combination of tight runners, secrets hidden on walls, and enemies arising from unexpected angles created a pattern that other developers came to search.

Practically all FPS standard mechanics have roots in doom. In addition, the success of the game paved the way for classics such as Quake, Half -Life and a whole generation of shooters that prioritize arcade and competitive. The Doom franchise is still alive today.

Final Fantasy VII (1997)

Final Fantasy VII was a milestone in RPGs with its epic story, memorable characters and use of 3D charts on a 32 -bit console. His film narrative raised the patterns of how stories are told in games, plunging the player into the plot.

It was RPG that, more than any other before him, catapulted the genre to the western market. With aggressive quality and marketing translations, it showed the great developers that there was a huge demand for deep narrative experiences.

Gran Turismo (1997)

Gran Turismo has established the standard for running simulations with his realistic physics and licensed cars collection, in 1997. For the first time on a large scale, a game offered such a clear handling physics that it was almost virtual training for motor racing enthusiasts.

Gran Turismo’s success encouraged the emergence of new franchises, such as Forza Motorsport and Project Cars, and thus propelled SIM Racing Ae -Sports, with official championships supported by car manufacturers and accessories. More than a racing game, it was the starting point for SIM RACING to become a respected segment.

Metal Gear Solid (1998)

Metal Gear Solid raised the concept of avoiding combating a deep strategic experience. The use of shadows to hide, the sound of the enemy’s footsteps, and the need for planning paved the way for an entire stealth school.

The popularization of the genus Stealth has boosted games like God ex, Deshonored and even certain missions of action franchises. In addition, the nonlinear narrative (with various forms of phase approach) and emphasis on smaller choices (using silencers, engaging or avoiding guards) anticipated game mechanics as a tool of expression we see in modern titles.

Grand Theft Auto III (2001)

Grand Theft Auto III stands out for being the first true open world in 3D to deliver an unprecedented combination of freedom, narrative and immersion. Unlike linear scenarios, he showed that design doesn’t have to hold the player to corridors: you defined your own way, which has inspired countless titles.

Virtually all modern Open Worlds owe something to GTA III by Assassin’s Creed a Watch Dogs. Its formula for combining free exploitation, varied missions and fragmented narrative has become standard, and continues to evolve into generation after generation of consoles and PCs.

Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)

Halo: Combat Evolved was a watershed not only for Xbox, but for the entire first -person shooter in consoles. Before halo, accurately shooting using only an analog directional was seen as inferior to the mouse and keyboard. Halo: CE proved the opposite by delivering fluid, responsive and balanced target aim for joystick, making consoles viable platforms for competitive shooters.

Halo: CE inspired a whole generation of FPS on consoles, from their own successors to franchises such as Destiny, Titanfall and even some calls of Call of Duty. The design pillars he has established (regenerative shield, weapon limit, vehicle integration and epic narrative) continue to this day as a reference in shooting games.

World Of Warcraft (2004)

World of Warcraft has consolidated MMORPG as a game as a service and shaped the way virtual communities organize and interact. The title was designed with intuitive interface and light tutorials. Thus, he won casual and hardcore players, winning millions of subscribers, something hitherto unthinkable for an online game.

From fighting for positions on a boss raid to negotiating rare auction items, virtually every modern MMO social and technical element, from Elder Scrolls online to Final Fantasy XIV, owes something to Wow’s design. Its success also encouraged studios to invest heavily in infrastructure and post -launch support.

Resident Evil 4 (2005)

Resident Evil 4 is a watershed that reconfigured both the genre of Survival horror and third -person shooting standards. When positioning the camera just behind Leon S. Kennedy, Resident Evil 4 offered a clear field of view and allowed a precise target system without complicated menus. This scheme was adopted by virtually all the following third -Person Shooters from Gears of War to Uncharted.

After Resident Evil 4, developers from around the world began to invest in dynamic cameras, head -focused head -on, mixed tension and action rhythms, and Quick Times at critical times. To this day, many consider Resident Evil 4 the model to be overcome when it comes to third -person action horror.

Demon’s Souls (2009)

Demon’s Souls was the starting point for one of the most influential movements of recent years, generating the souls -like genre and redefining as difficulty and atmosphere can walk together in an action RPG. Unlike traditional RPGs, Demon’s Souls did not spare the player: powerful enemies, intimidatingly large heads, and few safe areas made each step an achievement.

In this, a legion of souls -like titles was born, such as several developed by FROM, such as: Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro and Elden Ring. Demon’s souls showed that there are audiences for games that treat failure as a fun part of the journey and made room for much more mature and atmospheric narrative experiences.

Minecraft (2011)

Minecraft is an instant classic that has consolidated various trends and paved the way for new ways to play and create. It has popularized the procedurally generated world made of cubic blocks, where everything can be destroyed or freely built. This concept of infinite world has become a reference for games that seek to offer full creativity to the player.

Today we see Minecraft echoes in hundreds of games, from clones and survival to projects focused exclusively on free creation. Its game model as a creation platform remains so influential that, more than a decade later, it continues to attract new players and inspire generations of developers.

Which of these games do you think the industry has changed the most? Tell us in the comments!