Today’s news came as a shock to all of us. Satoru Iwata, CEO and President of Nintendo, is no longer alive. He died at age 55 due to a bile duct growth. We’ve lost a great man today but his legacy will forever live one in the gorgeous things he brought us. It’s time to say farewell to a legend, it’s time to say thank you for everything he has achieved over the years.
The young years
Iwata grew up in Japan and got his computer science degree later on. Not long after his graduation, he worked for HAL Laboratory, an important development studio owned by Nintendo. In here, Iwata helped in creating some of the most memorable Nintendo franchises. The most important game he helped to develop back in that day was Earthbound. Without the input of Iwata, Earthbound wouldn’t be the game it is today.
More than 15 years later, his hard work got rewarded. Iwata became President of Nintendo back in 2002, following Hiroshi Yamauchi’s departure. As President of Nintendo, Iwata devoted his life in guiding the company towards new highs. His leadership brought us a lot to love and remember.
Thank you for the Nintendo Wii and DS
It was under the command of Iwata that Nintendo managed to produce two of its most popular consoles ever created. The Nintendo Wii and DS both were a tremendous success. A success that would never happen if Iwata didn’t push hard for innovation. He truly was a visionary; he wanted to bring innovation to the gaming world. Although not all of his ideas were great, there’s no denying that without Iwata, the Wii and DS wouldn’t be the success they are today. It’s thanks to him and his team that we got to enjoy two of Nintendo’s best hardware pieces.
He spoke to the world, creating a friendly face for the company
The biggest innovation didn’t come with technology however. Iwata changed the way Nintendo was communicating with gamers. The focus of a silent company shifted to a company that was open for dialogue with its fans and developers. The brilliant Iwata Asks series gave us a look into the world of game development. It introduced us to the developers so we all know who was working on the game. Iwata was a very friendly and patient man. It’s this that made the Iwata Asks series into such a success. Not only this but thanks to the Iwata Asks series we’ve learned thing that we never thought of. I remember the part where he explained Mario couldn’t jump at first.
It’s a shame we’ll have to miss these brilliant conversations. whoever takes over his role; it will never be the same as with Iwata. It’s thanks to Iwata that we, the gamers, were allowed to enter the ‘behind closed door’ areas of the company.
The Nintendo Directs
This brings us to the last and probably most successful idea Iwata had the last days, the Nintendo Direct shows. Iwata often made an appearance on these great shows and he never took thing too seriously. He showed us that a company as big as Nintendo isn’t all about gaining money, it’s about having fun. There’re some unforgettable Nintendo Direct moments we would like to share with you here:
The battle with Reggie to promote Smash:
Iwata introduced a new way of communicating with the fans using the Nintendo Directs and it always worked. Nintendo fans always looked forward to see the Direct. Not only for the games but also for Iwata. One thing is for sure; the Nintendo Directs will never be the same again.
Rest in peace, you’ve earned it
It is believed that one of the meanings of the name ‘Nintendo’ is leave luck to heaven. As for now, we truly hope Iwata will find his luck, regardless of the place or time. We truly are shocked that a strong mind like his passed away but we are very grateful for everything he has done for Nintendo and its fans. He will forever live on in the legacy he left behind.
While in most of these he’s only in the credits, that’s where is got to know him from and that’s where I want to see him again for the last time. Good night you wonderfull man.
NES Open Tournament Golf(technichaly his first game), EarthBound, Pokémon Red and Blue, Super Smash Bros., Pokémon Stadium(apparently he made the combat system in less than a week. What a pimp.) ,Pokémon Snap, Pokémon Gold and Silver(I never knew this but it’s thanks to this dude that we got to go back to kanto. That’s amazing), Pokémon Stadium 2, Pokémon Crystal, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Hamtaro: Ham-Hams Unite!(Holy crap I din’t know he worked on this. This was the first game my sister owned and I helped her out quite a bit. It’s a good game if I remember it correctly.), Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3, Super Mario Sunshine, Star Fox Adventures, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Metroid Prime, Metroid Fusion, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, Pokémon Colosseum, Pokémon Channel, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario Kart: Double Dash‼, Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Pokémon Emerald, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Mario vs. Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Kirby & the Amazing Mirror, Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, Super Mario Strikers,
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Animal Crossing: Wild World, Big Brain Academy, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime Hunters, Mother 3, New Super Mario Bros., Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Pokémon Ranger, Star Fox Command, WarioWare: Smooth Moves, Wii Play, Wii Sports, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Mario Party 8, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Mario Strikers Charged, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Paper Mario, Wario: Master of Disguise, Wii Fit, Mario Kart Wii, Pokémon Platinum, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Punch-Out!!, Wii Sports Resort, Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid: Other M, Kirby’s Epic Yarn, Pokedex 3D, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition, Super Mario 3D Land, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Mario Kart 7, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Xenoblade Chronicles, New Super Mario Bros. 2, The Last Story, Nintendo Land and New Super Mario Bros. U
I just wanted to add my two cents. This post will be split up in three parts due to lenght.
Iwata was a wonderfull man who everyone in the industry knew and respected.
The man was an inspiration to all and one of the most charming faces the industry has/had and probably ever will. His Direct were funny and showed us a lot of what’s to come. And it’s no doubt Nintendo will never be the same again.
Here are some games he worked on that I played and would want to thank him for: