Super Mario at 40: Nintendo Legends Outline the Franchise's Path to 100 Years

Super Mario at 40: Nintendo Legends Outline the Franchise's Path to 100 Years As one of the most iconic video game franchises in history, Super Mario has shaped the industry for decades.

Developed by Nintendo and created under the leadership of luminaries like Shigeru Miyamoto, the franchise celebrated its 40th anniversary last month.

In recognition of this milestone, Nintendo’s most prominent creative leaders—including executive fellow Shigeru Miyamoto, executive officer Takashi Tezuka, composer Koji Kondo, and SRD president Toshihiko Nakago—recently reflected on Mario’s enduring popularity and shared their vision for the series’ future in a special feature for the Nintendo Museum book. The conversation took a forward-looking turn when all four developers were asked if they believe Super Mario will maintain its popularity by the time the series reaches its 100th anniversary in 2085.

Takashi Tezuka addressed the challenge of keeping the franchise fresh and engaging over generations, explaining, “It might seem improbable for Mario to still be thriving after a century, especially since we create games without knowing when audiences might tire of them.

Consistent enjoyment is key, so I always think about how to prevent boredom and ensure that people keep playing.” Tezuka emphasized that entertainment preferences evolve with time and that Mario’s activities have transformed since the earliest games.

“Our approach is to gradually innovate, making small changes to keep the gameplay engaging for everyone—parents, children, and even grandchildren.

Sharing Mario with family and friends is a happiness I hope to see continue for many years.

We’re committed to developing Mario games well into the future.” Shigeru Miyamoto echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of interactive gameplay as the cornerstone of Super Mario’s appeal.

He affirmed, “Super Mario will keep evolving with new digital technologies.

While we explore new areas such as film, it’s vital that we preserve interactivity and the key gameplay elements—especially Mario’s classic running and jumping.

If we stay true to these essentials while adding new features, Mario can remain relevant far into the future.” Miyamoto also noted Nintendo’s tradition of unique innovation, comparing the franchise’s expansion to “rolling up snow for a snowman”—building on the past by increments.

“When we find a technology that’s truly interesting, we integrate it.

This approach keeps Mario fun for coming generations.” Longtime composer Koji Kondo shared his personal hopes for continued involvement in creating music for Mario titles.

Meanwhile, Toshihiko Nakago reiterated his commitment to crafting programming that’s intuitive and easily understood.

“I can’t see a hundred years ahead, but my goal is to create software that communicates itself clearly to players,” Nakago stated. To commemorate Super Mario’s 40th anniversary, Nintendo has launched several special projects.

Among notable releases, Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy debuted on the Nintendo Switch last month, bringing the critically acclaimed platformers to a new generation of players via the Nintendo eShop.

Looking ahead, 2025 will see the arrival of Mario Tennis Fever and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, further cementing the enduring appeal and innovation of Nintendo’s celebrated franchise. Super Mario’s four-decade run is a testament to carefully balanced evolution and innovation, guided by a passionate team intent on ensuring the world’s most famous plumber remains a staple of gaming culture for generations yet to come.

Nintendo Mario Koji Kondo Shigeru Miyamoto Super Mario Miyamoto Takashi Tezuka Tezuka Kondo Super Mario series Mario series Franchise Toshihiko Nakago SRD Super Mario Galaxy