Shigeru Miyamoto: 'Nintendo is Like a Talent Agency with Many Talented Characters'

In May of 2015, Nintendo boldly announced a groundbreaking partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts to craft immersive theme parks inspired by their beloved games and characters. This move signified Nintendo's ambitious expansion into new realms of entertainment. A decade later, this vision has been realized with the launch of Super Nintendo World, a dynamic theme park filled with thrilling rides, interactive experiences, themed gift shops, and character-inspired dining options. These parks have sprung to life in Japan, Los Angeles, Florida, and are set to enchant visitors soon in Singapore.

As we anticipate the debut of Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, alongside the exciting introduction of the Donkey Kong Country expansion—the first of its kind in America—I had the privilege of speaking with Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary game designer behind iconic characters like Super Mario and Donkey Kong. Our conversation delved into the creation of these parks, his collaboration with the next generation of Nintendo game developers, and his enthusiasm for the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console.