PlatformsNintendoFormer Nintendo veteran says Shigeru Miyamoto “doesn’t accept compromise” in game design: “This is what it takes to be number one at anything in the world"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
PlatformsNintendoFormer Nintendo veteran says Shigeru Miyamoto “doesn’t accept compromise” in game design: “This is what it takes to be number one at anything in the world"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Former Nintendo designer Takaya Imamura had a pretty legendary run at the publisher, contributing to the likes of Star Fox and F-Zero over the course of 32 years, but one of his most proud achievements is getting to work under Shigeru Miyamoto.
Miyamoto’s largely credited with creating never-ending, aways popular series such as Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, as well as contributing to countless other Nintendo projects that remain beloved. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Imamura thinks so fondly of their work together.
Speaking to Gamesradar during Gamescom 2024, Imamura said he was most proud to be able to “work under Shigeru Miyamoto-san for so long,” and that’s partly because of his approach to game design. “Generally speaking, he’s a really kind, hard working person,” Imamura explained, “but when it comes to game design, he doesn’t accept compromise. So my impression was, this is what it takes to be number one at anything in the world.”
Imamura carried that ethic on during his three decade tenure at the gaming powerhouse, leaving his mark on some enduring franchises and beloved consoles. He then left the company in 2021, and now, he says he’d quite like to leave some his history behind, and not be known solely as the guy who made Star Fox: “I wanted to get out. And if I was going to get out and leave, I wanted to make my own IP as soon as possible.”
Elsewhere, the legendary designer behind Star Fox and F-Zero nearly worked on Konami, before his mum encouraged him to say yes to Nintendo.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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