World Video Game Hall of Fame

In this April 21, 2016 photo provided by The Strong museum in Rochester, N.Y., the 2016 inductees to the World Video Game Hall of Fame are shown. From top left are "Grand Theft Auto III," "The Legend of Zelda," "The Oregon Trail," "The Sims," "Sonic the Hedgehog" and "Space Invaders." The hall was established last year to recognize electronic games across all platforms. (The Strong museum via AP)

(Bethany Mosher)

"The Oregon Trail," the only video game that lets you ford rivers, hunt bison and circle Chimney Rock several times before your character gives in to cholera, has achieved legendary status.

The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, inducted the frontier living simulator and several other video games into its hall of fame Thursday.

"Oregon Trail" -- along with fellow eventual winners "The Legend of Zelda," "Space Invaders" and "Grand Theft Auto III" -- was first announced as a finalist for the Hall of Fame in late March.

The game was developed in 1971 and re-released with shinier graphics and more user-friendly -- read: easier -- interfaces as the years went on. It's also inspired plenty of copycats and a loyal following among those who remember the game from their childhood. (Remember Vox's R-rated version?)

Wednesday's announcement was the second such celebration by the Strong National Museum. In 2015, the inaugural Video Game Hall of Fame included "Super Mario Bros." (duh), "Tetris" (of course) and "World of Warcraft" (wait, what?)

The museum is still accepting nominations for its 2017 class. Maybe "Final Fantasy" will luck out this time.

--Eder Campuzano

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@edercampuzano

ecampuzano@oregonian.com