Hiroshi Yamauchi
Reporting and statements that mention Hiroshi Yamauchi.
Latest coverage
Inside the Nintendo Museum: The DNA of a Toy Maker
The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto highlights the company's enduring 'toy maker' philosophy, contrasting it with Sony's 'data stream' approach. The article emphasizes Nintendo's focus on physical media, tactile experiences, and a broad retail ecosystem, exemplified by the Virtual Boy and its approach to game preservation, while criticizing Sony's reliance on digital distribution and high-spec hardware.
Rare Nintendo Famicombox units found in perfectly operational state in a Japanese "love hotel"
Rare, operational units of Nintendo's commercial-use Famicombox console, released in 1986, have been discovered in a Japanese "love hotel." The Famicombox featured 16 cartridge slots for NES games and was primarily intended for hotel installations. The discovery also touches upon an old urban legend about Nintendo's involvement in the hotel business.
Sony Ends Discs in 2028. Why Nintendo Won't Follow.
Sony plans to cease production of physical discs for PlayStation in January 2028, shifting entirely to digital distribution. This move contrasts with Nintendo's continued support for physical media and retail partnerships. The article analyzes the historical and business reasons behind these divergent strategies, suggesting Sony's decision prioritizes efficiency and margin over retail relationships, while Nintendo's approach aims to maintain long-term market presence and cultural relevance by keeping its intellectual property circulating through physical touchpoints.
The 100-Yen Democracy: What Mario Gave Us
This article reflects on the legacy of Super Mario and Nintendo's philosophy, emphasizing the importance of sincerity towards players over mere efficiency. It argues that Nintendo's focus on mature technology and accessible design, championed by figures like Gunpei Yokoi and Hiroshi Yamauchi, fosters a unique form of democracy in gaming. The piece highlights how Shigeru Miyamoto's humanization of Mario encourages players to find courage within themselves, contrasting this with modern business models that risk diluting the value of entertainment.
The 100-Yen Democracy: The Hero with a Thousand Faces
This article analyzes how Nintendo's philosophy, exemplified by Mario and the "It's You" concept, democratized the Hero's Journey, making mythic experiences accessible to all. It contrasts this with modern business models like subscriptions and free-to-play, arguing they dilute game quality and introduce real-world inequality. The piece advocates for mature technology and a return to the creator-player dialogue championed by figures like Hiroshi Yamauchi to preserve gaming as a cultural cornerstone.
The 100-Yen Democracy
This article argues that the core value of video games lies in their inherent democracy and equality, symbolized by the '100-yen coin' philosophy. It critiques modern industry trends like free-to-play and subscriptions for potentially undermining this principle, contrasting them with Nintendo's consistent focus on accessible and equitable gaming experiences across platforms like the Famicom and Nintendo Switch 2.
The Equality of Entertainment Born from Soup, a Plate, and Coins - Part 1
This article argues that video games embody a form of democracy, offering equal experiences regardless of player background, symbolized by the insertion of a single coin. It contrasts this ideal with modern trends like subscription models and hardware spec races, emphasizing Nintendo's historical commitment to providing a consistent and fair gameplay experience across its platforms, from the Famicom to the Nintendo Switch.
(For Southeast Asia) Singapore’s Sands Theatre to host first Gran Turismo World Series event in Southeast Asia on Saturday, 3 October
The Sands Theatre in Singapore will host Round 3 of the 2026 Gran Turismo World Series on October 3, 2026. This event marks the first time the series will visit Southeast Asia and is part of Grand Prix™ Season Singapore. An in-game Time Trial in August will determine participants for a special Singapore Regional Gran Turismo Cup, alongside the main Manufacturers Cup and Nations Cup competitions.
Microsoft needs to answer a simple question: what is the point of Xbox?
The article questions the current purpose and direction of Microsoft's Xbox brand, contrasting its current struggles with the influential era of the Xbox 360. It discusses the impact of Game Pass, the challenges of competition with Sony, and the potential role of AI and new hardware like Project Helix. The piece suggests Xbox lacks a clear identity and a compelling vision for the future of gaming.
Massive Nintendo court document reveal shows Shigeru Miyamoto saw Donkey Kong as a man in a gorilla suit and wanted his original arcade game to be called "Build On"
Newly released court documents from Universal's 1983 lawsuit against Nintendo reveal Shigeru Miyamoto's original concept for Donkey Kong. Miyamoto envisioned the character as a human actor in a gorilla suit and favored the game title 'Build On'. The documents also include testimony from other Nintendo figures like Gunpei Yokoi and Hiroshi Yamauchi.
