Masahiro Sakurai, a renowned game director and designer, stands as one of the most influential figures in Nintendo’s history.
Best known for his groundbreaking work on beloved franchises such as Kirby and Super Smash Bros., Sakurai has earned an esteemed place in the gaming industry.
As anticipation mounts for his latest project, Kirby Air Riders—set to debut tomorrow on the Nintendo Switch 2—Sakurai’s enduring impact and innovation in game development are being celebrated by both fans and peers alike. Adding to these milestones, Sakurai is now the subject of an official manga biography: “Masahiro Sakurai: Making the World More Fun with Games.” Published by EastPress and meticulously supervised by Sakurai himself, the 160-page volume provides an intimate look into his formative years, the genesis of his iconic games, and his enduring legacy within the gaming world. In a rare interview with GameSpark, translated by GamesRadar, Sakurai expressed genuine surprise at the idea of chronicling his life in manga form.
Reflecting on the attention, he remarked in clear terms that he has always preferred to lead a modest life and that, even when approached about the biography project, his response was one of disbelief.
"I was genuinely surprised by the interest in turning my story into a manga," Sakurai acknowledged, revealing that attention of this kind is something he never actively seeks. Despite the honor of being featured in a biography, Sakurai was clear about his desire to keep the focus on his work rather than his personal profile.
He explained that his objective is to share the joy of his games with players, stating that he avoids self-promotion and prefers to let the games speak for themselves.
"It’s important to me that people enjoy the games for what they are, rather than focusing on who made them," Sakurai clarified during the interview. With the imminent launch of Kirby Air Riders for Nintendo Switch 2, Sakurai remains mindful of his presence in the public eye.
He further noted, "Becoming a source of ridicule online is a concern for me, which is why I often decline requests for interviews." This reserved approach underscores his commitment to humility and professionalism in the highly publicized gaming industry. Kirby Air Riders makes its much-anticipated debut tomorrow on the Nintendo Switch 2, with early reviews already surfacing from industry critics and outlets.
As Sakurai's creative influence continues to shape the landscape of Nintendo Switch titles and the broader eShop ecosystem, both his games and his personal story continue to inspire countless developers and gamers across the globe.
Best known for his groundbreaking work on beloved franchises such as Kirby and Super Smash Bros., Sakurai has earned an esteemed place in the gaming industry.
As anticipation mounts for his latest project, Kirby Air Riders—set to debut tomorrow on the Nintendo Switch 2—Sakurai’s enduring impact and innovation in game development are being celebrated by both fans and peers alike. Adding to these milestones, Sakurai is now the subject of an official manga biography: “Masahiro Sakurai: Making the World More Fun with Games.” Published by EastPress and meticulously supervised by Sakurai himself, the 160-page volume provides an intimate look into his formative years, the genesis of his iconic games, and his enduring legacy within the gaming world. In a rare interview with GameSpark, translated by GamesRadar, Sakurai expressed genuine surprise at the idea of chronicling his life in manga form.
Reflecting on the attention, he remarked in clear terms that he has always preferred to lead a modest life and that, even when approached about the biography project, his response was one of disbelief.
"I was genuinely surprised by the interest in turning my story into a manga," Sakurai acknowledged, revealing that attention of this kind is something he never actively seeks. Despite the honor of being featured in a biography, Sakurai was clear about his desire to keep the focus on his work rather than his personal profile.
He explained that his objective is to share the joy of his games with players, stating that he avoids self-promotion and prefers to let the games speak for themselves.
"It’s important to me that people enjoy the games for what they are, rather than focusing on who made them," Sakurai clarified during the interview. With the imminent launch of Kirby Air Riders for Nintendo Switch 2, Sakurai remains mindful of his presence in the public eye.
He further noted, "Becoming a source of ridicule online is a concern for me, which is why I often decline requests for interviews." This reserved approach underscores his commitment to humility and professionalism in the highly publicized gaming industry. Kirby Air Riders makes its much-anticipated debut tomorrow on the Nintendo Switch 2, with early reviews already surfacing from industry critics and outlets.
As Sakurai's creative influence continues to shape the landscape of Nintendo Switch titles and the broader eShop ecosystem, both his games and his personal story continue to inspire countless developers and gamers across the globe.
