From Asteroids to Guitar Hero, World Video Game Hall of Fame finalists draw from 4 decades

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — The 12 finalists for the World Video Game Hall of Fame this year draw from four decades of gaming, from Atari Asteroids, played on coin-fed consoles in arcades, to Guitar Hero, for living-room rockers who compete on a plastic guitar.

Asteroids, which debuted in 1979 and Guitar Hero, which arrived in 2005, are nominated alongside 1980s launches Elite, Metroid, SimCity and Ultima, and from the 1990s: Myst, Neopets, Resident Evil, Tokimeki Memorial, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and You Don’t Know Jack.

Fans are invited to vote online until March 21.

The Hall of Fame recognizes games for their longevity, geographic reach and influence on video game design and pop culture.