Over the centuries, there have been many forms of entertainment—from books to black-and-white movies to video games. The latter has gone through its own evolution over the years. What began with arcade classics like Pong and Pac-Man has grown into console experiences with almost lifelike graphics.
Although video games have been around for over half a century now, I’d argue that millennials were the first generation to really dive deep into them. They experienced console, computer, and handheld gaming in real time—and speaking from experience, it was pretty epic to be part of. It was an era where games transformed from simple 2D distractions into fully immersive 3D worlds where players could actually interact with each other.
But millennials were just the beginning. With Gen Z, gaming morphed into something even bigger. They grew up alongside consoles like the Wii, where you could physically move your body to play sports or dance games. They were also the first generation to experience gaming on cell phones, making it more accessible than ever before.
Both generations grew up in a world where video games played a massive role in entertainment. But out of the thousands of games each group experienced, which ones truly helped define their generation?
Millennials
Super Mario 64
Mario, the lovable little plumber, predates the millennial generation. However, he still played a huge role in defining what video games were for them. Before this game was released alongside the Nintendo 64, games were primarily played in 2D. That all changed when Mario made his first appearance in 3D, shifting the gaming landscape in a way that hadn’t been seen before.
Even the millennials who weren’t fans of Mario likely found themselves drawn in to this new form of gaming and spent a few hours trying to reach that flag at the end of each level.
Halo: Combat Evolved
Years after millennials were introduced to 3D worlds—where characters could move freely, and players could truly immerse themselves—this shooter changed the game again.
Before Halo was released on the Xbox in 2001, most shooter games were computer-based. The few attempts at bringing shooters to consoles had pretty much failed, mostly because the controls felt clunky and aiming was impossible. Then Halo pulled it off.
Not only did it smooth out gameplay mechanics, but it also helped introduce the multiplayer gaming experience. And honestly, that might have been one of the biggest shifts in gaming thus far.
With split-screen co-op, up to four players could play on a single console. Suddenly, millennials were throwing LAN parties, linking consoles together in one room so everyone could face each other in this futuristic world. Gaming went from a solo form of entertainment to a shared social experience that everyone could enjoy.
In addition, Halo was one of the first to merge cinema with gaming, adding dramatic cutscenes and an epic soundtrack. The game managed to blend the intricate storytelling from films with the interactivity of games, allowing the player to step inside and play as Master Chief.
World of Warcraft
Three years after the release of the first Halo game, another multiplayer game arrived—but this one had a very different kind of impact.
World of Warcraft, often shortened to WoW, was one of the first games to let players enter a world and, if they chose, never leave it. Instead of playing matches that eventually ended, players could explore a massive open world with their friends, with what felt like a never-ending number of adventures to embark on.
This game took millennials from simply playing together to existing together in a shared space. They weren’t just controlling a miniature plumber or a space chief—they were designing characters that represented them. WoW became its own kind of society, where people from all over the world could connect and be a part of it together. Real friendships and even relationships were formed within this immersive fantasy world, and it was a game that changed millennials forever.
Gen Z
Minecraft
This blocky game was released in the early 2010s, right in the middle of Gen Z’s childhood. Before its release, Gen Z already had a plethora of games to choose from—from shooters to MMOs to RPGs. While each offered something different, most still followed a similar formula built around completing tasks and missions. Minecraft was one of the first games to break away from that, offering something entirely different. Instead of focusing on objectives, it offered a world where you could create whatever you wanted.
Similar to the impact Halo had on millennials, Minecraft became a shared social experience where friends could log on and just exist together. But instead of a competitive, high-pressure environment, players entered a world made for creativity. With its peaceful music and only mildly terrifying baby zombies to defeat, it offered Gen Z a space to socialize without everything revolving around winning or losing.
It became a learning experience for many, forcing players to collaborate and problem-solve, while also opening the door for players to explore things like modding and even coding. Talk about gaming evolution. Decades ago, we were trying to fit different-colored falling blocks together—and now we’re creating worlds within other 3D worlds.
Fortnite
On an entirely different, but equally impactful, side of the spectrum is this battle royale game that became a worldwide phenomenon practically overnight.
On the surface, it’s a competitive game where players enter an arena and fight until only one remains and wins the gold crown. But underneath that, it’s so much more than that. It is a place where Gen Z (and many other generations) can express themselves through constantly evolving skins and iconic dances that became real-world trends.
Fortnite also helped set the standard for “seasons” in modern gaming. With maps and characters constantly evolving alongside each new season, the game has never had a real chance at becoming stagnant. Add in the fact that the game sometimes includes live events—including full in-game concerts(the Marshmello one being my personal favorite)—and it’s easy to see why it held its spot at the top of the gaming world for a very long time.
Roblox
While Minecraft allows players to enter a virtual world and create within it, Roblox allows players to create entire worlds of their own. This has led to a giant digital playground filled with never-ending creations that players can explore with their friends.
For Gen Z—it is a place to hang out, explore, and create. A space where they can share their digital creations with friends or even stream them for the world to enjoy.
Roblox is one of the best examples of just how far gaming has come. We went from playing solo games in two-dimensional worlds to building and sharing interactive three-dimensional ones. Gen Z is the first generation to fully embrace this new era of gaming and has helped turn platforms like Roblox into global sensations.
Millennials and Gen Z both grew up in the age of video games, but each generation had its own unique experience with the titles that helped define them.
And the most exciting part? This is just the beginning. With virtual reality already re-shaping the world of gaming and opening up the possibilities of an even more immersive experience, it’s hard not to think about what might come next. All I know is that I can’t wait to see how games evolve and impact future generations of gamers.
