Shigeru Miyamoto : le créateur de Mario

Shigeru Miyamoto: the creator of Mario

1424 mots | Temps de lecture : 7 minute(s)

Behind every Mario jump, every green pipe, and every " ?" block hides one man: Shigeru Miyamoto. Born in 1952 in rural Japan, this industrial design graduate joined Nintendo in 1977 as a mere artist, before becoming the most influential game designer in history. We owe him Mario, but also Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Star Fox, and Pikmin.

More than just a portrait, this article traces the journey and design philosophy of the man who made video games a universal pleasure. From his childhood memories in the hills of Sonobe to his current role in cinema and theme parks, discover the creative mind behind the entire Mario universe.

Summary

From Sonobe to Industrial Design: The Roots of a Creator

Shigeru Miyamoto was born on November 16, 1952, in Sonobe, a rural town in Kyoto Prefecture, surrounded by forests, rivers, and hills. As a child, he explored the surrounding woods without toys or screens: these expeditions, particularly the discovery of a cave he eventually explored with a lantern, left a lasting impression on his imagination. This taste for adventure and discovery would later become the heart of The Legend of Zelda series.

Passionate about drawing, manga, and DIY, he studied industrial design at the Kanazawa Municipal College of Industrial Arts, graduating in the early 1970s. This training, focused on functionality and ergonomics rather than pure art, would shape his vision: he would always design his games as products conceived for the user, not as abstract works.

1977: Joining Nintendo and the Donkey Kong Catalyst

In 1977, Miyamoto's father secured him an interview with Hiroshi Yamauchi, then president of Nintendo. Seduced by his toy ideas, Yamauchi hired him: Miyamoto became the company's first in-house artist, at a time when the company was still primarily known for its playing cards and toys.

His big turning point came in 1981. Nintendo was bogged down with thousands of unsold arcade cabinets of the game Radar Scope, a failure in the American market. Yamauchi entrusted Miyamoto, until then a novice, with the mission of creating a new game to install in these cabinets. The result was Donkey Kong: a mustachioed carpenter named "Jumpman" had to climb scaffolding while avoiding barrels thrown by a gorilla. This hero would become Mario. The game saved Nintendo in the United States and launched its designer's career.

An Architect of Worlds: Mario, Zelda, and Beyond

After Donkey Kong, Miyamoto continued with foundational creations. In 1985, Super Mario Bros. was released on NES, establishing the platformer genre and making Mario a global icon. In 1986, he created The Legend of Zelda, directly inspired by his childhood explorations: a vast open world to explore freely.

His creative signature extends far beyond the Mushroom Kingdom:

  • Star Fox (1993): the 3D rail-shooter;
  • F-Zero (1990): high-speed futuristic racing;
  • Pikmin (2001): strategy, born from his passion for gardening.

He also supervises as producer the series Mario Kart, Super Mario Galaxy, and Paper Mario. In total, more than a billion copies of games featuring his franchises have been sold worldwide.

His Philosophy: "The Joy of Playing Above All Else"

Miyamoto's fundamental principle is one idea: to design games that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age, gender, or experience. For him, gameplay, the sensation of playing, always takes precedence over graphics, story, or technical prowess. A famous maxim is attributed to him: "A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad."

True to his industrial designer training, he tests his games in real-world situations rather than in marketing focus groups. The late president Satoru Iwata recounted how Miyamoto would hand a controller to someone who knew nothing about the game, then observe them in silence, over their shoulder, to spot every hesitation. He often compares his creations to a "miniature garden" that the player explores at will.

The Sage of Nintendo: From Creator to Mentor and Film Producer

General Manager of Nintendo EAD studio from 1984 to 2015, then a figure in the EPD studio, Miyamoto is also an executive: he has been Representative Director of Nintendo since 2002. In 2015, he took on the title of Creative Fellow, an advisory role that takes him away from daily development to focus on new horizons.

Today, Miyamoto oversees the expansion of the Nintendo universe: he supervised the Super Nintendo World areas with Universal, and produced the Mario movies. After the worldwide success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), he is accompanying Super Mario Galaxy, the Movie, scheduled for 2026. Even retired from the field, he plays the first 30 minutes of each new Mario game to ensure it "really feels like Mario."

Shigeru Miyamoto in Brief

Full Name Shigeru Miyamoto (宮本 茂)
Born November 16, 1952, Sonobe (Kyoto, Japan)
Education Industrial Design, Kanazawa College of Arts
Joined Nintendo 1977, as the first in-house artist
First Major Game Donkey Kong (1981), creator of Mario
Franchises Created Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Star Fox, Pikmin
Current Role Creative Fellow and Representative Director of Nintendo

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FAQ

  • Who is Shigeru Miyamoto?
    Shigeru Miyamoto is a Japanese video game designer, director, and producer born on November 16, 1952. Employed by Nintendo since 1977, he is the creator of Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Star Fox, and Pikmin, making him one of the most influential figures in video game history.
  • Did Miyamoto really create Mario?
    Yes. Mario first appeared in 1981 in Donkey Kong, an arcade game designed and directed by Miyamoto. The hero, initially called "Jumpman," jumps over barrels to rescue a captive. Miyamoto then directed Super Mario Bros. in 1985, which made the plumber a global icon.
  • What other famous games did he create?
    Beyond Mario, Miyamoto created The Legend of Zelda (1986), Star Fox (1993), F-Zero (1990), and Pikmin (2001). He also produced major series like Mario Kart, Super Mario Galaxy, and Paper Mario. More than a billion games from his franchises have been sold.
  • What is his game design philosophy?
    Trained in industrial design, Miyamoto conceives his games as products designed for the player. His golden rule: the joy of playing takes precedence over graphics or story, and a game should be enjoyable for everyone, regardless of age or experience.
  • What does Miyamoto do at Nintendo today?
    Since 2015, he has held the position of Creative Fellow, an advisory role. He oversees the expanded Nintendo universe: the Super Nintendo World parks with Universal and the Mario movies, including Super Mario Galaxy, the Movie scheduled for 2026. He continues to test every new Mario game.
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