Nintendo's Uncelebrated Centennial: Takaya Imamura Reflects on 100 Years of History and Company Culture
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Published on: January 31, 2025
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Nintendo's Uncelebrated Centennial: Takaya Imamura Reflects on 100 Years of History and Company Culture
In the realm of gaming, few names carry the weight of Nintendo—a company whose legacy spans more than a century, influencing generations of players and developers worldwide.
But a surprising episode in Nintendo's storied history has resurfaced, as former Nintendo artist Takaya Imamura revealed the company's understated approach to its own 100th anniversary, offering rare insights into the inner workings of the legendary developer.
Imamura, well known for his design work on beloved series such as F-Zero and Star Fox, and as art director for The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, recalled this moment during a recent interview with 4Gamer.
The discussion, also highlighted by Time Extension and TheGamer, coincided with his announcement about Omega 6: The Triangle Stars, his latest video game project for the Nintendo Switch.
Reflecting on his early days at Nintendo, Imamura recounted joining the company in 1989—a milestone year marking Nintendo's centennial.
He shared that unlike many Japanese companies at the peak of the economic bubble, which hosted lavish celebrations and perks for recruits, Nintendo remained remarkably restrained.
'I joined the company during its 100th anniversary,' Imamura explained.
'While society celebrated with parties and special trips for new employees, Nintendo did nothing of the sort.
The company never got carried away, even for such major milestones.'
Imamura attributed this reserved atmosphere to then-president Hiroshi Yamauchi, whose leadership style instilled a culture of humility and steadiness.
Imamura noted that Yamauchi's philosophy was to maintain composure regardless of the company's fortunes: 'He believed you should keep calm whether things are going well or poorly.' This ethos permeated the workplace, echoing Yamauchi’s experiences with both success and failure in previous ventures.
Employees were often met with critical feedback, reinforcing the idea that the gaming industry—prone to rapid change—required vigilance and modesty.
This unassuming culture did not hinder Nintendo’s growth; rather, it set the foundation for its enduring resilience and creativity.
Founded in 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi as Nintendo Koppai, the company started producing hanafuda playing cards before innovating in toys and, eventually, becoming an interactive entertainment giant with products like the Color TV-Game (1977) and the Famicom (1983).
While Nintendo sometimes downplays its own milestones, it continues to celebrate its most iconic video game franchises’ anniversaries.
Notably, the Super Mario series will reach its 40th birthday later this year, inviting speculation about how Nintendo will honor the occasion.
Meanwhile, Takaya Imamura is contributing new chapters to his creative legacy, collaborating with studios Happymeal and Pleocene on Omega 6: The Triangle Stars.
This 16-bit inspired adventure launches on February 28th, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, inviting players to traverse the galaxy in a quest to repay a cosmic loan.
Nintendo’s journey from humble beginnings to global leader is marked by a corporate philosophy that values composure and consistent innovation.
Imamura’s reflections offer a rare window into the spirit that propelled Nintendo for over a century—a reminder that sometimes, quiet confidence lays the groundwork for greatness.
