Mario doing what he does best - jumping

Nintendo's regular "Iwata Asks" Q&A sessions have thrown up some interesting points and the latest one - featuring Shigeru Miyamoto - is no exception.

Miyamoto: After Mario Bros., there were a fair few jumping-style games released by various companies and I felt that this kind of jumping game had been our idea.

Iwata: Donkey Kong involved jumping, as did Mario Bros., so you felt that Nintendo were the real originators of this kind of game.

Miyamoto: I did. I went as far as thinking that jumping is an original idea and that it should be patented! Anyway, I thought: "Right, I'm not going to let those other games top us!" (laughs)

The comment is obviously made in jest but stranger things have happened in the video game industry. Just imagine if Nintendo had patented the ability to jump in platform games...chances are, the gaming landscape would be a lot different to how it is now!

Be sure to check out the rest of the interview for some interesting points regarding the development of the Mario series.

[source us.wii.com]