Remastered Satoru Iwata Interview Unveils Insights on Nintendo 'Revolution' and Shigeru Miyamoto

A rare piece of Nintendo history has resurfaced thanks to a newly remastered interview with the late Satoru Iwata, one of the company’s most influential CEOs.

Presented in full by Adam Doree on YouTube, this 2004 conversation—originally conducted by Doree's then-website Kikizo—offers never-before-heard commentary from Iwata at a pivotal moment in Nintendo’s trajectory.

The remastered interview, highlighted by gaming outlet Time Extension, provides fans and industry observers with a unique glimpse into the mindset that shaped Nintendo’s groundbreaking hardware philosophy. At the time of the interview, the gaming world had just been introduced to the Nintendo DS, while Nintendo’s next-gen console—codenamed the ‘Revolution’—was still under wraps.

Iwata reflects on his leadership’s core mission: delighting fans through unexpected innovation rather than focusing solely on raw technical prowess.

According to Iwata, surprising the audience was essential to Nintendo’s strategy, a sentiment that has since become a touchstone for the company’s creative direction, including with the Nintendo Switch and its hybrid functionality. The remastered footage also includes Iwata’s candid assessment of competitive platforms.

He emphasized that while rival consoles such as Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 were pursuing more powerful hardware, he expressed doubts that higher specifications alone would translate into a brighter future.

Iwata noted that increased processing power would demand more effort from developers and may not offer a meaningful difference to the end user—a forward-thinking perspective that echoes throughout Nintendo’s hardware decisions, from the Wii to the Switch. The interview touches on the influence of Hiroshi Yamauchi, Iwata’s predecessor, and the important role that legendary creator Shigeru Miyamoto played within Nintendo.

Iwata provides insight into Miyamoto’s broad responsibilities, further underscoring how collaboration fueled Nintendo’s consistent delivery of innovative gaming experiences.

Additionally, he clarifies that the Nintendo DS was designed to create unique play experiences, not as a direct competitor to Sony’s PSP—a strategic distinction that would drive the DS to extraordinary global sales milestones. Iwata also shared his perspective on Nintendo’s financial stability and approach to risk at the time, reflecting on the company’s share price and marketplace strategies.

Looking back, his comments are a testament to Nintendo’s enduring philosophy: embrace bold ideas, prioritize gameplay innovation, and surprise fans rather than simply matching industry trends or technological benchmarks. The full, restored interview is a recommended watch for anyone interested in Nintendo’s rich legacy.

It not only celebrates Satoru Iwata’s visionary leadership but also contextualizes the decisions that shaped iconic platforms like the Nintendo DS and the eventual Nintendo Wii—known today as some of the most successful hardware releases in video game history.

Nintendo Wii Shigeru Miyamoto Xbox Series X|S Nintendo DS Satoru Iwata DS Miyamoto