In a recent conversation with The Washington Post, brought by the journalist Gene Park, Miyamoto took a reflective look back at his beginnings. He recalled an imaginative project from his college days —a toy designed to help children learn counting through playful, tangible pieces on a table. What made the project extraordinary was his bold leap: transforming a static toy into a dynamic, immersive environment that people could physically step into. This early spark of creativity, he explained, is strikingly similar to his current work. “Fast forward to now, looking at the 8-bit game and seeing this world that we’ve been able to branch out, I really see a little bit of synchronicity in that experience. I find myself thinking that I’m doing the same thing… I really feel my interests are still fundamentally the same” Miyamoto shared with characteristic modesty and wonder.
The interview comes on the heels of the grand opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Orlando —a living testament to his long-held passion for interactivity and play. Miyamoto’s vision for the theme park was not merely to recreate the nostalgia of classic video game imagery but to offer an experience where guests can engage with Nintendo characters in a multisensory, full-body manner. “I created this theme park with the hope that people will be able to experience Nintendo characters with their entire body. There was a time where I was thinking, ‘I wish we could create an interactive experience where people can roll around and hang out’” he remarked, hinting at the depth of his ideas that blur the lines between digital wonder and physical amusement.
Throughout the interview, Miyamoto touched on the magic of multi-generational experiences. Recalling the early days of Mario, he noted how parents once fretted over the potential distractions of video games. Today, however, the landscape has transformed completely. “When I first created Mario, it was a time where Mom or Dad might look at their kids playing a video game and be worried about what’s going to happen. I was expecting there will come a time when even the parent will have experience playing video games. Now I’m over 70, and we’re finally at a point where multigenerational families all have this common shared experience of having played video games” Miyamoto stated. His words capture the heartwarming evolution of gaming —from a niche hobby to a universal medium that unites families and cultures alike.
An intriguing facet of the discussion was Miyamoto’s reminiscence about his unconventional journey with Universal Studios. He recalled a moment of levity from years past when Universal had sued Nintendo over Donkey Kong, a situation that now, in hindsight, paved the way for an unexpected and highly creative partnership. “The world really does work in mysterious ways” he quipped, highlighting with humor the bizarre twist of fate that led from legal battles to collaborative ventures. This playful reflection not only underscored his resilient spirit but also mirrored the unpredictable, ever-evolving nature of the entertainment industry.
Perhaps one of the most striking themes of the interview was Miyamoto’s evolving perspective on Nintendo’s characters and their roles beyond the confines of video games. He recounted how, early in his career, Nintendo’s characters were used exclusively in gaming media —a strategy that allowed for focused creativity. Over time, however, he recognized the limitations of this singular approach. “Our thinking was that we don’t use characters in media other than games so we’re not limited or restricted when we create the next game. Over the decades, that thinking has changed inside of me, in that I’ve come to realize there are limits to the reach that these Nintendo characters can have when we are just focusing on games” he explained. By embracing new platforms like theme parks, Miyamoto is championing a vision that spans cultural boundaries and reaches audiences who might not even own a gaming console.
Now well into his seventies, Miyamoto’s reflections reveal a creative force that remains as vibrant as ever. His innovative approach —from the designs that rescue industries after crashes to the physical manifestations of digital worlds— continues to inspire both longtime fans and new generations. Whether it’s in the pixelated realms of an 8-bit world or the immersive environments of modern theme parks, his work is a continuously unfolding dialogue about play, creativity, and the human desire to connect with art on a visceral level.
