1. Getting Started

Hi, I’m Satoru Iwata of Nintendo. Three games that Shigeru Miyamoto worked on are being released in a row at the end of 2011, so three old acquaintances gathered to talk. Rather than our conversation focusing on what the games are about, our theme shifted to the way we approach creativity. The conversation rhythmically progressed quickly, and our session started to get further away from the “Iwata Asks” format, and became more of an “Iwata Silently Listens”. It’s been a while since his last participation, but we have asked Nagata-san from “Almost Daily Itoi News” to edit our session. It turned out to be a full, broad and rich conversation, so Nagata-san has broken it down into short sections. You can read them in order if you like, but since this has become quite a lengthy conversation, I think you’ll also enjoy beginning with the articles with titles that interest you. (Editor’s Note: Shigesato Itoi is a Japanese copywriter, author and game designer. He is most well know for his simple yet striking works in copywriting, and his works have greatly influenced modern Japanese culture as it is known today. His website “Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun” (Almost Daily Itoi News) receives over 1.5 million page views per day, and hosts a series of interviews with many cultural icons including Satoru Iwata and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo. Among gaming enthusiasts in the West he is most well-known as the creator of Nintendo’s Mother series (known as EarthBound outside Japan).

Thank you for this chance to talk.

Not at all. It’s my pleasure.

First, I’d like to explain what led to the three of us talking today. This year is a special year for Miyamoto-san. For one thing, it is the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda.

And last year it was the 25th anniversary for Super Mario.

Yes, that’s right. Miyamoto-san practically made the original Super Mario and Legend of Zelda games for the Famicom (Nintendo Entertainment System) simultaneously. Not even half a year separated their release dates.

Wow.

(laughs)

Thinking about it now, the two games proceeded at an impossible pace and came together at almost the same time - making last year the 25th anniversary for Super Mario and this year for the Legend of Zelda. This year, Nintendo’s major titles are piling up at the end of the year.

Yeah.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is coming out for the Wii console.

The new game.

Yes. It’s the first new Legend of Zelda game for a home console in five years.

Oh.

SUPER MARIO 3D LAND was released as a new action game for the Nintendo 3DS system, and Mario Kart 7 will go on sale for the Nintendo 3DS system as well.

Uh-huh.

Here at the end of the year, these three games will come out in rapid succession in a period of less than 30 days. Miyamoto-san, you have just finished polishing them up.

Yeah. (laughs)

He’s crossed the finish line.

Yeah, just a bit ago. (laughs)

Whew!

You seriously just heaved a sigh!

I really am relieved now.

(laughs)

I can understand why!

I figured that if Miyamoto-san, having just crossed the finish line, and Itoi-san met, the conversation would be really interesting.

Yes, I know what you mean. (laughs)

And I figured that the two of us might be able to ask some things that I couldn’t on my own.

Since you two talk all the time, you want to hear something different.

Yes.

All right, I’m ready!