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What are your favourite memories of Satoru Iwata?
- Thread starter Mysterious
- Start date
I'm glad you decided to share. Incredibly beautiful. I'm sure many people here have been similarly affected, but you captured that feeling so perfectly.
There are a ton I could bring up. If I remember correctly, there was one was when he was working with Shigesato Itoi on Mother. Itoi's quote:
"When we were working on games called MOTHER, I decided who I wanted to team up with because one person had said, 'Programmers arent allowed to say no.' Basically, that programmers cant say, 'We cant do that,' to any ideas we would come up with. After hearing this from one of the programmers who happens to be the president of Nintendo now I said, 'Oh?! I can just tell you to do whatever I want? To which he responded, 'Of course. That IS your job, after all, Mr. Itoi.' He told me, 'Only at the very end, as a last resort, should one say, We cant do that. Having him say that made everything so much easier on me."
"When we were working on games called MOTHER, I decided who I wanted to team up with because one person had said, 'Programmers arent allowed to say no.' Basically, that programmers cant say, 'We cant do that,' to any ideas we would come up with. After hearing this from one of the programmers who happens to be the president of Nintendo now I said, 'Oh?! I can just tell you to do whatever I want? To which he responded, 'Of course. That IS your job, after all, Mr. Itoi.' He told me, 'Only at the very end, as a last resort, should one say, We cant do that. Having him say that made everything so much easier on me."
You want a Revolution?
Well, we've got one.
The GDC Speech is more emotional and captures his legacy better, but for a sheer moment this is the one right here. It was so spectacular, and I remember thinking
"You can't call a product the 'revolution', because it could never live up to the name." I specifically remember thinking that as I sat there in a cold room in Ireland just after my Grandmother had passed.
Well, Iwata. I was wrong. You did it.
J
Jotamide
Unconfirmed Member
This. The JoJo gifs it gave us were amazing.
LordBaztion
Member
kunonabi
Member
I was drifting away from gaming myself and it was the Wii launch with Wii Sports/Zelda and Super Mario Galaxy that reignited my passion for video games. It's my favorite Nintendo console and I'm so happy that Iwata and Nintendo were willing to take a risk and go in such a different direction with it. Iwata has always sort of mirrored my views on games and in an industry that has moved in a direction I have no real wish to follow it was always comforting to see Iwata battle for the ideals that I've always supported.
The Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS announcement was the best one for me, since I only really got into gaming with the Wii, and he simply just dropped the bomb, and it got me so hyped. I'll miss his presence and his talent 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICz0uLS4EqQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICz0uLS4EqQ
The Sarcastic Dude
Banned
Yeah it's not one single moment but every time he said that and gave the little hand motion. Something about that was so endearing for me.
The thing that impacted me most was probably his contribution to Melee. I'm sure it's been posted here already, and I probably have some details wrong. The way I understood it, he basically came into the project in the later stages and put in a ton of work to make it through crunch time, and keep everything on schedule. On one level, that's inspiring to me as a programmer. That kind of excellence, work ethic, and commitment is exemplary.
On another level, Melee has been a huge part of my life. I was so hyped for it when it came out, it was the sequel to my dream game. I bought it before I could get a Cube (because that was a Christmas present). It stayed a go to for weekend get togethers/sleep overs throughout my early adolescence. In high school, it started to mold my social life; I started hanging out with friends BECAUSE they liked that game. In college, and all those years up to now, I've been going to tournaments. Friends from the local Smash scene are almost like an extended family.
Never mind all the great Directs and Iwata Asks. I always loved at E3 and later in the Directs, when Iwata would start a speech. His accent was so endearing, and the Direct gesture was amazing. He went beyond a businessman at a press conference, all the way to becoming a character in his own right.
On another level, Melee has been a huge part of my life. I was so hyped for it when it came out, it was the sequel to my dream game. I bought it before I could get a Cube (because that was a Christmas present). It stayed a go to for weekend get togethers/sleep overs throughout my early adolescence. In high school, it started to mold my social life; I started hanging out with friends BECAUSE they liked that game. In college, and all those years up to now, I've been going to tournaments. Friends from the local Smash scene are almost like an extended family.
Never mind all the great Directs and Iwata Asks. I always loved at E3 and later in the Directs, when Iwata would start a speech. His accent was so endearing, and the Direct gesture was amazing. He went beyond a businessman at a press conference, all the way to becoming a character in his own right.
freshVeggie
Member
Portugeezer
Member
anotherVegan
Member
I used to draw Kirby (and sometimes still do) all the time.
"Who is your daddy?"
"You want a revolution? We've got one."
"Who is your daddy?"
"You want a revolution? We've got one."
"Everyone: This. is. Nintendo. 3. D. S."
That was the first Nintendo E3 conference I saw live and that moment was so awesome. Another one that comes to mind is the Dragon Ball-esque fight with Reggie at the 2014 Digital Event.
That was the first Nintendo E3 conference I saw live and that moment was so awesome. Another one that comes to mind is the Dragon Ball-esque fight with Reggie at the 2014 Digital Event.
Arc Christelle
Member
Iwata said:
And the origins of HAL Labs.
mokalovesoulmate
Member
Professor Renegade
Banned
I have very many fond memories of Satoru Iwata, though I was never lucky enough to meet him. It's too difficult to choose just one, though I particularly loved hearing stories of his early days with HAL and his contributions to the Mother series. Every Iwata Asks made me feel warm -- just to know that the leader of such a large company took the time out to insightfully discuss the creative process was a comforting thought. In general, I will remember Iwata as a man who valued creativity over corporatism, and I pray that Nintendo will continue to honor that philosophy.
Because it'll be more beautiful than anything else I could share, I will share Shigesato Itoi's brief writings about Mr. Iwata upon the announcement of his death. These come from Mr. Itoi's Twitter, translated by Cheesemeister.
Mr. Itoi went on to say, "What I said about extinguishing lamps was in regards to the very bright Saturday. Now, I think that Iwata-san would say, 'Don't make it dark, but live and enjoy today to its fullest.' Of course, I will do so."
Because it'll be more beautiful than anything else I could share, I will share Shigesato Itoi's brief writings about Mr. Iwata upon the announcement of his death. These come from Mr. Itoi's Twitter, translated by Cheesemeister.
Shigesato Itoi said:
Mr. Itoi went on to say, "What I said about extinguishing lamps was in regards to the very bright Saturday. Now, I think that Iwata-san would say, 'Don't make it dark, but live and enjoy today to its fullest.' Of course, I will do so."
Interceptor
Banned
I always liked him in the Louvre Direct:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WavLP_3ew-A
Still can´t believe the news.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WavLP_3ew-A
Still can´t believe the news.
playingwithfire
Member
A couple of old Iwata pictures I had saved from GAF years ago:
The first one in particular, seems like it used to come up every year around E3, and I would always hope for it to come true. The later plays off of the bomb idea, and it probably struck me enough to save just since I love Zelda.
The first one in particular, seems like it used to come up every year around E3, and I would always hope for it to come true. The later plays off of the bomb idea, and it probably struck me enough to save just since I love Zelda.
blame space
Banned
remember this
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
A couple of old Iwata pictures I had saved from GAF years ago:
The first one in particular, seems like it used to come up every year around E3, and I would always hope for it to come true. The later plays off of the bomb idea, and it probably struck me enough to save just since I love Zelda.
Oh man.. Just thinking of "Iwata Drop the Bomb" memes is bringing Interstellar style grin/tears to my face.
CreatureX3
Member
I loved when he did the Wii U unboxing.
CrazyHorse
Junior Member
Remember he took a pay cut OMG this guy is a legend
OMG this guy is a legend
brickarts295
Member
TheSpaceBetween
Member
Could you link to that? I'd love to see/hear it.
I can't find the video (maybe some E3), but one of my favorite quotes from him is talking about how Kirby changed from pink to white when Dream Land came to America. "They thought I wouldn't notice, but I did." I always found that amusing.
He was a great spokesman for the company, but of course his true legacy is behind the scenes. From his programming wizardry to his contributions that led to Nintendo being dominant in the Wii/DS era, it's incredible to think of how many games he oversaw in his tenure with Nintendo. I still remember when I first read that he would be Nintendo's new president. I was legitimately excited. HAL's president is now president of Nintendo? HAL WHICH BROUGHT US SMASH BROS? YES. There were a lot of controversial decisions during his run, but we are all going to remember him for how he influenced and brought happiness to us all.
He was a great spokesman for the company, but of course his true legacy is behind the scenes. From his programming wizardry to his contributions that led to Nintendo being dominant in the Wii/DS era, it's incredible to think of how many games he oversaw in his tenure with Nintendo. I still remember when I first read that he would be Nintendo's new president. I was legitimately excited. HAL's president is now president of Nintendo? HAL WHICH BROUGHT US SMASH BROS? YES. There were a lot of controversial decisions during his run, but we are all going to remember him for how he influenced and brought happiness to us all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECqpc6Ses4s
smiled when he put on gloves.
also love the gif where they reverse it so it looks like he's packing the wii U away forever.
Retromelon
Member
When he said in the link between worlds iwata asks that the 1000 second cucco minigame was the ultimate challenge and i beat it after 2 hours of trying
Thx iwata
Thx iwata
ShockingAlberto
Member
Fun note: Iwata insisted on the "This is how you draw Kirby" thing in Kirby's Adventure. He wanted kids to be able to start drawing characters and then move on to designing their own characters.
If you look at the famous picture
And then think about the instructions
First you draw a circle.
And then you dot the eyes.
Add a great big smile.
And presto, it's Kirby!
You realize that was exactly how he learned to draw him. Badly, but still.
Honestly, I think "Iwata Asks" will stand as my favorite part of his legacy. Nintendo is not known for transparency. That the president of the company would take time and talk about the fascinating development process for games that would turn out to be some of my all time favorites was nothing short of incredible and I'm really thankful for that initiative.
Also, damn did I love Balloon Trip.
Also, damn did I love Balloon Trip.
foxuzamaki
Doesn't read OPs, especially not his own
Ive been crying on and off since finding out, and now im crying again at this post, god fucking dammit!
In hindsight, Mr iwata's health had to factor in for having balloon fight during the Nintendo world championships.
Drilbit777
Member
The Nintendo directs, Iwata always made it seem like he was actuall there with us and giving everyone the information they wanted. He left such a great legacy.