Remembering Satoru Iwata
Ten years ago today, the video game world lost a true visionary. Satoru Iwata, former President and CEO of Nintendo, passed away on July 11, 2015, leaving behind a legacy not only defined by innovation and creativity, but by kindness, humility, and a genuine love for the joy of play.
A decade later, the industry he helped shape still feels his presence.
The Programmer Who Became President
Satoru Iwata wasn't a businessman who happened into games. He was a gamer and developer at heart, a rare combination of executive and engineer. Early in his career at HAL Laboratory, he helped rescue beloved franchises like EarthBoundand Kirby from development limbo. He had a knack for solving problems that others couldn’t — sometimes rewriting game code by hand to get a project back on track.
But it was when he became Nintendo's fourth president in 2002 that Iwata's philosophy of accessible, joyful gaming truly came to life.
A Vision for Everyone
Iwata took bold steps that many in the industry doubted. He introduced the Nintendo DS — a quirky dual-screen handheld that became a global sensation. He pushed for the Wii — a motion-controlled console that opened gaming to people of all ages, including those who had never picked up a controller before.
“Iwata-san” believed games could be for everyone. While others chased raw power and photorealism, he championed approachability and fun. That philosophy changed the face of gaming forever.
Humility and Heart
Iwata’s leadership style was rare in any industry. He famously slashed his own salary during financial downturns instead of laying off employees. He often presented Nintendo Directs himself, speaking directly to fans in a warm, affable tone that felt more like a friend than a CEO.
And who could forget his quote that became iconic among fans:
“On my business card, I am a corporate president.
In my mind, I am a game developer.
But in my heart, I am a gamer.”
That ethos resonates deeply even now, in an industry that sometimes forgets its roots.
Ten Years Later: A Legacy That Lives On
Look around Nintendo today and you’ll see Iwata's fingerprints everywhere. The Nintendo Switch — a hybrid system that combines home and portable gaming — embodies the spirit of innovation and accessibility he championed. Games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Tears of the Kingdom, and Super Mario Wonder feel like love letters to his ideals.
More importantly, the gaming world today is more diverse, inclusive, and imaginative than ever before — and Iwata helped lead that change.
Final Thoughts
Ten years have passed, but Satoru Iwata’s impact has never faded. His legacy isn't just in consoles or characters — it’s in every smile sparked by a new adventure, in every controller picked up for the first time, in every game that dares to be different.
Today, gamers around the world remember not just a leader, but a dreamer. A man who believed in fun, in connection, and in doing things differently.
Thank you, Iwata-san.
You’re still Player One in our hearts.
