Biographic - Sunday November 20, 2011 Comic Strip Licensing and Permissions

Transcript

Millions of people around the world have spent endless hours absorbed in the video games that sprang from his brilliant imagination... but Shigeru Miyamoto, the genius who gave the world Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda grew up in a household that didn't even own a TV set! Born in Sonebe, Japan, on November 16, 1952, Shigeru Miyamoto grew up as a keen baseball player with a passion for cartooning. He also enjoyed exploring the local courtside, and one day stumbled upon the entrance to a large cave. Returning to the site a number of times, Shigeru finally plucked up the courage to explore it. Armed only with a lantern to light his way, he ventured inside the cave and discovered the entrance to a second and deeper chamber. That secret chamber would later have a huge influence on his work. After studying for five years at the Kanazawa College of Industrial Arts and Crafts, he landed a job as a designer at the Nintendo toy company. In 1980, Shigeru was assigned the task of developing a video arcade game, a new fad in the toy business at the time. Shigeru's creation, a game called Donkey Kong, was a great success. Donkey Kong also introduced a little jumping character who would provide the key to Nintendo's global success. Arcade games were followed by entertainment systems for the home, and Shigeru's little character became the star of Super Mario Bros. One of the most successful games in history. The hallmarks of Shigeru's games are the fantastic worlds of secret chambers and hidden adventures... worlds inspired by that sonbee cavern of his youth! Many of those who grew up enchanted by Shigeru's vision are now parents themselves, introducing a new generation to his creations- Super Mario 3D Land for the Nintendo 3Ds was one of the most heavily pre-ordered games of the 2011 holiday season. Shigeru went on to create the hugely popular The Legend of Zelda, as well as hits such as Star Fox, Pikmin and Mario Kart. Mario has starred in over 100 titles across a variety of game platforms, from Nes to Game Boy to the new Nintendo 3DS was one of the most heavily pre-ordered games of the 2011 holiday season.

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