Many will remember Satoru Iwata as the late president of Nintendo, and particularly as the warm and gentle face of some fantastic Nintendo Direct moments but, of course, he is also well known for his time at Kirby developer HAL Laboratory. While technically being an independent studio, HAL has always been very closely linked with Nintendo, going on to create the Kirby, Earthbound, and Super Smash Bros. series.
HAL's current president, Satoshi Mitsuhara, recently sat down with Forbes to talk about his career, the company, and his close friendship with Iwata-san. He first mentions Iwata as being the man who brought HAL and Nintendo together after expressing a desire to work on the Famicom.
“Satoru Iwata, who had worked for HAL Laboratory back then, expressed that he wants to make Famicom games to Nintendo. That was the beginning of our relationship with Nintendo. The differentiating point between us and our competitors was that we made games before the Famicom was released. That meant we had the know-how."
Iwata was much more than a businessman and a game developer, however, often being described as someone who was truly loved by those around him. The case is no different for Mitsuhara, who reminisced over some slightly more personal qualities and memories shared between them.
“Satoru Iwata was a very straight person. Never tried to cheat or have any kind of intent to do that at all. Even when other people were cheating or doing something underhand, he never used that as a reason to do likewise. At work, he was also a very serious and honest person, that sincerity and honesty made the company very pleasant. He also had a big capacity for things, he could take on a lot. We were very close friends.
“One time, when we were extremely busy on Mother 2 (EarthBound) for Super Famicom we often went out together for dinner after work. On our way home from dinner, we used to go to the arcades and play Daytona USA exactly twice. Always twice and leave. I reckoned we did that every week. It was really like work hard and play hard.”
If you want to read the full interview with Mitsuhara, you can check that out here.
In the meantime, though, feel free to share any thoughts or memories of Iwata-san you might have in the comments below.
[source forbes.com]
Comments 26
What a strangely specific hobby, go play your competitor's arcade racing game twice a day after work!
@RupeeClock The Splatoon devs mentioned they play Battlefield so...
@Knuckles-Fajita This feels different, it was an era where Nintendo and Sega were quite fierce rivals, or at least the target demographic internationally thought of them as such.
Time for a remix
"Do-do-roo-do-do-do-do-too-doorooooo!!! DAYTONA, PLAY TWICE A DAY!! DAYTONAHH-UH-UH-UH!!"
My goodness, Iwata Sama will stay the most iconic person in the industry for me.
I have infinite respect for him.
@RupeeClock It is not that strange. Remember when Shuhei Yoshida of Sony said he owned two Wii Us. One for himself and one for his kids. These are people after all and they play games to have fun and sometimes playing your own product reminds you of work. Hideki Kamiya does not even really play video games in his off-time because of that reason.
That and Daytona USA was just a very fun game at the time!
@Folkloner LOL
Ahh, that picture.....such wonderful memories
@Knuckles-Fajita @RupeeClock So you're saying Sega and Nintendo had an Unprecedented Partnership (TM) before EA and Nintendo did?
@Wexter Was it Hirai or SIE president Yoshida?
@NEStalgia At least SEGA still gives a toss.
@Knuckles-Fajita SEGA does what EA carefully watches and evaluates?
Sega cares but has no ability. EA has ability but doesn't give a toss.
The fact that HAL is technically an independent studio is something that the ‘Nintendo should just buy some third party studios’ should take note of. You don’t have to buy a third party. You just need a strong, close, mutually beneficial relationship.
Iwata was a tremendous businessman who imbued Nintendo with much of his own personality. Even before he technically worked there...
@NEStalgia I honestly cannot remember. I could have sworn it was Hirai, but I will need to double check
Your right it was Shuhei Yoshida. I get them mixed up in my head sometimes. I do know that Xbox head Phil Spencer owns a Switch.
Source: https://mynintendonews.com/2017/06/13/xboxs-phill-spencer-talks-about-his-switch-and-his-admiration-of-nintendo/
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-06-13-were-years-away-from-mainstream-gaming-vr
Man, this hits right in the feels.
@Wexter It gets confusing due to the musical chairs at Sony. Yoshida replaced Hirai as head of SIE after Hirai was promoted to coprporate, but Hirai was still identifying himself closely with the PS brand, so during that time period it was hard to remember who was in what role Both are long time gamers and really helped PS escape from the corporate drudgery that consumed it earlier. With Kaz leaving Sony, I do wonder if it will revert.
The '94 Daytona USA arcade game was mindblowing science fiction at the time. High resolution, super smooth framerate, vivid colors and detailed textures.
Sounds like the two had a good time together winding down after their long days.
Every time I see an article or video mentioning Iwata, I always get a bittersweet feeling. He was a figure that brought so much joy to so many Nintendo fans. I can fervently remember the Wii and WiiU eras with him as president. The Nintendo Directs used to make me so excited. I'll never forget the bygone Nintendo eras. IGN used to actually be good. E3 was every gamers delight and the games were sooo good. Truly Rest in Peace Iwata-San. You deserve it for bringing happiness to so many people.
@NEStalgia It would be very humorous for Kaz to go back to leading SIE again. Iove Kaz as an individual so I'd love to see him work at the Big N working with 3rd parties. But, Kaz bleeds Sony so I don't see him leaving the company until he retires. He is the reason why the Playstation brand is not part of the dustbin of history like the CDI or 3DO.
Iwata seems impossible not to like.
Iwata was a great man. He impacted my programming career immensely.
Rip Satoru Iwata you will be missed dearly and Loved by the gaming world and community us,you made gaming and Nintendo what it is today a Global stature and Amazing,Awesome platform and Art I will say. "Sheds Tear" :,)
Aww. This brought a smile to my face.
Such a great read. I love HAL Labs and Iwata.
Anyone who has not tried out Part Time UFO should give it a shot: https://www.halegg.jp/eng/ufo/
@Wexter nah Kaz is leaving (or already left)... That was announced back in winter, and i think the new guy is kind of a pure money man like olden Sony. Shu is still leading SIE though, while Layden runs SWS.
Kaz leaving the president role is a big blow i think to Sony fans, even if investors are drooling.
What he was saying: After Iwata died, Nintendo has no honesty left and the company is cheating and misleading people that's why the shares are dropping like bird's poop.
@NEStalgia Really he left Sony itself? Everything I read said he was just stepping down and joining the board of directors. That is a huge blow to Sony.
@Wexter You know, I'm glad we had this conversation, you're right! Early reports I'd read got it wrong. In fact he's chairman now Well that's a pleasant surprise!
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