Shigeru Miyamoto has been selected to receive Japan’s Order of Culture. That makes him the first person from the video game industry to get the honor.
This is a big deal. The Order of Culture is one of the highest honors Japan can give. It’s never before gone to someone from games.
Japan created the award in 1937. It honors people who have made major contributions to Japanese culture, in fields such as the arts and sciences.
It isn’t a gaming award, and it isn’t about sales numbers. The emperor presents it. The ceremony traditionally takes place at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Culture Day, November 3.
Past recipients include famous writers, painters, scientists, and filmmakers. Now a man who made a plumber jump over barrels is about to join them.
Nearly 50 years of hits
Miyamoto joined Nintendo in 1977. His first big breakthrough came in 1981 with the arcade game Donkey Kong. It introduced the character who later became Mario.
In 1985, he and Takashi Tezuka helped create Super Mario Bros. A year later, the pair co-created The Legend of Zelda. It traded tight platforming for exploration and discovery.
He led the jump to 3D as director of Super Mario 64 in 1996. He then took a major producing role on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in 1998. Star Fox and Pikmin are also on his list.
Over time, his job shifted from directing to producing, supervising, and guiding younger teams. He’s never been Nintendo’s president, even though many fans think he runs the place.
His recent work goes beyond consoles. Super Nintendo World opened at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka in March 2021. In 2023, he was a producer on The Super Mario Bros. Movie, made with Illumination.
He already had a full trophy shelf. In 1998, he became the first person inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. BAFTA gave him its Fellowship in 2010.
