Remembering Satoru Iwata: 10 Years Later

[NitroShell]

Remembering Satoru Iwata: 10 Years Later​

Today, July 11, 2025, marks the tenth anniversary of the passing of former Nintendo president and legendary developer Satoru Iwata. Known for his incredible technical skill, visionary leadership, and deep compassion, Iwata‑san left an indelible legacy on the gaming industry that still resonates with developers and gamers worldwide.

Originally a programmer at HAL Laboratory, Iwata worked on classics like Balloon Fight, EarthBound, and the Kirby series before becoming Nintendo’s president in 2002. His tenure oversaw the revolutionary successes of the Nintendo DS and Wii, which redefined mainstream gaming with accessibility and innovation at the forefront.

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He was also widely known for his heartfelt presence in Nintendo Directs and Iwata Asks interviews, which gave fans unprecedented insight into the development process, often with a dash of humor and humility. Even after ten years, his quotes continue to be shared as reminders of what compassionate leadership in the gaming world looks like.

This July 11 marks the 10-year anniversary of Satoru Iwata’s passing. I still think of him nearly every day. Together, we put a lot of smiles on people’s faces.

Ten years have passed… Iwata‑san and I were about ten years apart in age … soon I’ll be catching up to his age, won’t I?

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In a time when the industry often faces criticism for corporate detachment, Iwata’s philosophy still inspires. One of his most quoted lines during Nintendo’s 2013 shareholder meeting exemplifies this:

If we reduce the number of employees for better short‑term financial results, employee morale will decrease. I sincerely doubt employees who fear they may lose their jobs will be able to develop software titles that could impress people around the world.

His empathy‑driven approach feels more relevant than ever in 2025.

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What are your fondest memories of Iwata‑san?
Share them below and celebrate the man who reminded us all that at Nintendo:
“It’s not just a company; it’s a place that creates joy.”​

 

[a_username_that_is_cool]

yeah i remember him. rip. he was the president during the golden era imo. if he was still here, i think the switch and switch 2 would have a lot more personality (and not a 10 dollar tech demo (and themes))

 

[SeventhSon7]

where were you when you heard Iwata died

 

[Bladexdsl]

nintendo died with him

 

[Skv0ra]

ANY and all company owners/ceos/etc GOTTA be able to do and understand everything that their company does, period. And then they gotta actively care about it and make sure it does what it ought to do vs letting mid management handle everything....

 

[Lostbhoy]

No way has it been 10 years Genuinely shocked at that.

 

[Robert Newbie]

No way has it been 10 years Genuinely shocked at that.

Yeah, I was surprised too. After his passing, I read the book Iwata Asks, and if he truly did what he outlines in the book, he must have been good for work for. Really, anyone can give commands. What really matters is if you can inspire your team through proper leadership.

 

[Moe87]

Yes, I always remember him and have a mad respect for him.