'I don't think of myself as a game designer', says Mario and Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto

Shigeru Miyamoto at a 2023 Nintendo Direct

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Shigeru Miyamoto, the father of Mario and Zelda, opened up about his history with video games and his current role in the industry in a new interview.

Speaking with The Guardian, Miyamoto said: "I don't think of myself as a game designer [these days]." In the 2020s, the industry legend is more concerned with "finding unique opportunities for Nintendo."

"We try to find our own new path. The movies, the amusement parks, I'm excited to see what kind of organic things result from those [...] I'm still very new to [the movie] industry and I'm still learning, but I'm trying to read a lot of scripts these days and learn how they are developed, to see how we can create uniquely Nintendo films."

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With The Super Mario Bros. Movie breaking box office records, it's no surprise that Miyamoto is keen to help Nintendo explore this new frontier of creativity. With the seasoned designer at the helm of the upcoming live-action Legend of Zelda movie alongside Morbius producer Avi Arad, it looks as though there will be plenty more chances for Miyamoto to flex his filmographic muscles.

However, this is not to say that the industry veteran has stepped back from game design wholesale. While he is "not involved in the minute details of development," Miyamoto "does oversee entire projects" in a more big-picture way.

Taking about his approach, Miyamoto said of himself: "If he says something's good, it's rare. He's actually a shy person; even when he thinks something is well done, he would often not say that to someone directly."

Reflecting on his roots, he added: "A lot of my classmates were going off to car manufacturers or electronics manufacturers, but I wanted to make something weird, something interesting, that's how I came upon Nintendo."

Though the likes of Mario and Link have left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape, Miyamoto has no intention of stopping. "More so than retiring, I'm thinking about the day I fall over [...] I do think about who I can pass things on to, in case something does happen. I'm really thankful that there is so much energy around things that I have worked on."

Want more Nintendo goodness? Check our lists of the best Nintendo Switch games and the best Super Mario games.

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An editor and freelance journalist, Cat Bussell has been writing about video games for more than four years and, frankly, she’s developed a taste for it. As seen on TechRadar, Technopedia, The Gamer, Wargamer, and SUPERJUMP, Cat’s reviews, features, and guides are lovingly curated for your reading pleasure.

A Cambridge graduate, recovering bartender, and Cloud Strife enjoyer, Cat’s foremost mission is to bring you the best coverage she can, whether that’s through helpful guides, even-handed reviews, or thought-provoking features. She’s interviewed indie darlings, triple-A greats, and legendary voice actors, all to help you get closer to the action. When she’s not writing, Cat can be found sticking her neck into a fresh RPG or running yet another Dungeons & Dragons game.