Satoru Iwata

Developer BIO

Satoru Iwata (岩田 聡), born December 6, 1959, is currently the fourth president of Nintendo, and was the former president of HAL Laboratory.

During high school, Iwata created simplistic games that were playable on calculators, and once he completed college at the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1982, he joined HAL the following year. Over the years, Iwata has been heavily involved in the Kirby series, as well as other well-known video games such as Balloon Fight and EarthBound.

In 1993, Iwata became president of HAL Laboratory, Inc.

In 2000, Iwata left HAL, becoming leader of Nintendo's corporate planning division.

On May 31, 2002, Hiroshi Yamauchi, president of Nintendo Co., Ltd. for 52 years, retired from the company. Yamauchi named Iwata as his successor, and Iwata has held this position to this day. Even so, Iwata continues to aid HAL to this day, and is even said to work as an artist for the company, creating concept art for the Kirby series.

Also Known As

• S. Iwata

Websites

• Profile: Satoru Iwata -- An article posted on IGN back in 2004 that details Satoru Iwata's history in the industry and Yamauchi's reasons as to why he chose him as his successor.
• Satoru Iwata on Wikipedia -- A constantly updated entry for Satoru Iwata on Wikipedia that includes a biography, trivia, and quotes.
• Nintendo's New Direction -- Satoru Iwata discusses his thoughts on technology and its applications in the video game industry, as well as Nintendo DS and Wii (which, being an older article, is referred to as GCNext at the time).

Games Credited

• Dillon's Rolling Western (2012), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Kiki Trick (2012), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition (2012), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario Party 9 (2012), Nintendo of America Inc.
• New Super Mario Bros. U (2012), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Project Zero 2: Wii Edition (2012), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Kirby: Mass Attack (2011), Nintendo of America Inc.
• The Last Story (2011), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario Kart 7 (2011), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Pilotwings Resort (2011), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Pokémon Black Version (2011), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon White Version (2011), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Steel Diver (2011), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Super Mario 3D Land (2011), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Art Style: light trax (2010), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Endless Ocean: Blue World (2010), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• FlingSmash (2010), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Fluidity (2010), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Kirby's Epic Yarn (2010), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Last Window: The Secret of Cape West (2010), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Looksley's Line Up (2010), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Mario Sports Mix (2010), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! (2010), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Metroid: Other M (2010), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Photo Dojo (2010), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs (2010), Nintendo of America Inc., Pokémon Company, The
• Sin & Punishment: Star Successor (2010), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Xenoblade Chronicles (2010), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Another Code: R - A Journey into Lost Memories (2009), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• ExciteBots: Trick Racing (2009), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Fossil Fighters (2009), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (2009), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (2009), SEGA of America, Inc.
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! (2009), Nintendo of America Inc.
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Paper Airplane Chase (2009), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Picross 3D (2009), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon HeartGold Version (2009), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky (2009), Pokémon Company, The
• Pokémon Rumble (2009), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon SoulSilver Version (2009), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Punch-Out!! (2009), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Wii Fit Plus (2009), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Wii Sports Resort (2009), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (2008), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Animal Crossing: City Folk (2008), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Captain★Rainbow (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• CrossworDS (2008), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Glory of Heracles (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby Super Star Ultra (2008), Nintendo of America Inc.
• The Legendary Starfy (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Major League Baseball 2K8: Fantasy All-Stars (2008), 2K Sports
• Mario Kart Wii (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario Super Sluggers (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir (2008), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Pikmin (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Platinum Version (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia (2008), Pokémon Company, The
• Rhythm Heaven (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Soma Bringer (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Super Smash Bros.: Brawl (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Wario Land: Shake It! (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Zero: Tsukihami no Kamen (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• BWii: Battalion Wars 2 (2007), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Chibi-Robo!: Park Patrol (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• DK: Jungle Climber (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Endless Ocean (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (2007), Nintendo of America Inc.
• The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario Party 8 (2007), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Mario Party DS (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (2007), SEGA of America, Inc.
• Mario Strikers Charged (2007), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007), Nintendo of America Inc.
• My Word Coach (2007), Ubisoft, Inc.
• Picross DS (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Planet Puzzle League (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Super Mario Galaxy (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Super Paper Mario (2007), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Wario: Master of Disguise (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Wii Fit (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Baten Kaitos Origins (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Boundish (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Coloris (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Custom Robo Arena (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Digidrive (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Dotstream (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Elite Beat Agents (2006), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Excite Truck (2006), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Jump Ultimate Stars (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby: Squeak Squad (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Magical Starsign (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Magnetica (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (2006), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Metroid Prime: Hunters (2006), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Mother 3 (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• New Super Mario Bros. (2006), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Odama (2006), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Orbient (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Battle Revolution (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Diamond Version (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Pearl Version (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Ranger (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Rhythm Tengoku (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Rotohex (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Soundvoyager (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Star Fox Command (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Tetris DS (2006), Nintendo of America Inc.
• WarioWare: Smooth Moves (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Wii Play (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Wii Sports (2006), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Yoshi's Island DS (2006), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Advance Wars: Dual Strike (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Animal Crossing: Wild World (2005), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Battalion Wars (2005), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Big Brain Academy (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Brain Age²: More Training in Minutes a Day! (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Chibi-Robo!: Plug into Adventure! (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Dance Dance Revolution Mario Mix (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• DK: King of Swing (2005), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (2005), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Drill Dozer (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Dr. Mario & Puzzle League (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Electroplankton (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Geist (2005), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Jump Superstars (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby: Canvas Curse (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario Kart DS (2005), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (2005), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Mario Party 7 (2005), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Mario Party Advance (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario Superstar Baseball (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario Tennis: Power Tour (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Metroid Prime Pinball (2005), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Nintendogs (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Trozei! (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Polarium Advance (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Star Fox Assault (2005), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Super Mario Strikers (2005), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Super Princess Peach (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Trace Memory (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Yoshi Touch & Go (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Custom Robo (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Daigasso! Band Brothers (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Densetsu no Stafi 3 (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (2004), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby & The Amazing Mirror (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario Golf: Advance Tour (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario Party 6 (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario Pinball Land (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario Power Tennis (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2004), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Metroid: Zero Mission (2004), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pikmin 2 (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Dash (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Emerald Version (2004), Pokémon Company, The
• Pokémon FireRed Version (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon LeafGreen Version (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Polarium (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Ridge Racer DS (2004), Namco Hometek Inc.
• Super Mario 64 DS (2004), Nintendo of America Inc.
• WarioWare: Touched! (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• WarioWare: Twisted! (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Yoshi Topsy-Turvy (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• 1080° Avalanche (2003), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising (2003), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Densetsu no Stafi 2 (2003), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Donkey Kong Country (2003), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Fire Emblem (2003), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• F-Zero: GP Legend (2003), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• F-Zero GX (2003), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Giftpia (2003), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Hamtaro Rainbow Rescue (2003), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby Air Ride (2003), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition (2003), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (2003), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Mario Party 5 (2003), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Mario Party-e (2003), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Pokémon Box: Ruby & Sapphire (2003), Pokémon Company, The
• Pokémon Channel (2003), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Colosseum (2003), Pokémon Company, The
• Super Mario Bros. 3 (2003), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! (2003), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$! (2003), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Wario World (2003), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Balloon Fight (2002), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Doshin the Giant (2002), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Game & Watch Gallery 4 (2002), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak (2002), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Ice Climber (2002), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland (2002), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/Four Swords (2002), Nintendo of America Inc.
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Mario Party 4 (2002), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Metroid Fusion (2002), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Metroid Prime (2002), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Pokémon Ruby Version (2002), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Sapphire Version (2002), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Star Fox Adventures (2002), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Super Mario Sunshine (2002), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 (2002), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Animal Crossing (2001), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Hamtaro: Ham-Hams Unite! (2001), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kingler's Day (2001), Media Factory, Inc.
• Machop at Work (2001), Media Factory, Inc.
• Super Smash Bros.: Melee (2001), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (2000), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble (2000), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Crystal Version (2000), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Puzzle League (2000), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Stadium 2 (2000), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Gold Version (1999), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Silver Version (1999), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Snap (1999), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Stadium (1999), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Super Smash Bros. (1999), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Hey You, Pikachu! (1998), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby's Star Stacker (1998), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby's Dream Land 3 (1997), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Kirby Super Star (1996), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Blue Version (1996), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Pokémon Red Version (1996), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby's Dream Land 2 (1995), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Vegas Stakes (1995), Nintendo of America Inc.
• Adventures of Lolo (1994), Imagineer Co., Ltd.
• EarthBound (1994), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby's Dream Course (1994), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Alcahest (1993), Square Co., Ltd.
• Kirby's Adventure (1993), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Kirby's Pinball Land (1993), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
• Vegas Stakes (1993), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
• Arcana (1992), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
• NCAA Basketball (1992), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
• NES Open Tournament Golf (1991), Nintendo of America Inc.
• New Ghostbusters II (1990), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
• Uchūkeibitai SDF (1990), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
• Shanghai (1989), HAL America Inc.
• Eggerland: Meikyū no Fukkatsu (1988), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
• Air Fortress (1987), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
• Family Computer Golf: Japan Course (1987), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Gall Force: Eternal Story (1986), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
• Hole in One Professional (1986), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
• Othello (1986), Kawada, Co. Ltd
• Rollerball (1984), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
• Super Billiards (1983), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
• Car Race ][ (1980),