The video-game world lost a visionary figure when Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata passed away earlier on July 11. A massive outpouring of love and support followed his death, but many of his biggest fans might not know very much about his remarkable life story.
It’s a tale of humble beginnings, familial pressures, and, naturally, a love of gaming. In many ways, Iwata was not the typical corporate executive. He loved his company’s products as much as his customers did. He was a man of extraordinary talent, but mostly, he just wanted to play video games.
YouTube channel Super Bunnyhop has given Nintendo fans a chance to learn more about Iwata’s life by producing a video that recounts his personal journey.
It’s still painful to imagine such a young and productive man being suddenly taken from his friends, family, and fans. Without Iwata, we wouldn’t have Balloon Fight, Pokémon, or Super Smash Bros. But it’s important to remember that his various accomplishments will outlast all of us, continuing to change lives just as they changed the face of gaming forever.
Screengrab via Nintendo/YouTube