“Angry Birds” has officially been inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.
According to Variety, the long running franchise joins this year’s class alongside “Dragon Quest,” “FIFA International Soccer” and “Silent Hill,” marking another milestone for one of the most commercially successful mobile games ever released.
‘Angry Birds’ Joins Gaming’s Most Influential Titles
Created by Finnish studio Rovio Entertainment and first released in 2009, “Angry Birds” arrived at a moment when smartphones were rapidly reshaping how audiences interacted with games. Its simple touch controls and physics based gameplay helped introduce millions of casual users to mobile gaming.
The World Video Game Hall of Fame considers several factors when selecting inductees, including cultural impact, longevity, international recognition and influence on the gaming industry. Since launching in 2015, the Hall has honored titles viewed as defining works within the medium, with final selections determined through votes from journalists, scholars and industry experts alongside public input.
“Angry Birds” had previously been nominated multiple times before finally securing induction this year. Over time, the franchise evolved into a broader entertainment brand that included merchandise, animated series, theme park attractions and theatrical films. “The Angry Birds Movie” debuted in 2016, followed by a sequel in 2019, while a third installment is scheduled for release later this year.
The original game also played a major role in Rovio’s rise within the gaming industry. Its breakout success transformed the company into a major player in mobile entertainment and helped establish smartphone gaming as a dominant force in mainstream culture during the early 2010s.