Satoru Iwata

Developer BIO

Satoru Iwata (DOB: December 6, 1959) is currently the fourth president of Nintendo Co., Ltd. and was the former president of HAL Laboratory, Inc.

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 videogames, such as Balloon Fight and EarthBound (Mother 2 in Japan).

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).
• Iwata Talks Wii Reaction -- Iwata talks to Edge about how Wii was received at E3, the Virtual Console, and the unique name of the console, amongst other things.

Games Credited

Another Code: R: A Journey Into Lost Memories (2009), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
Punch-Out!! (2009), Nintendo of Europe GmbH
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.
Crosswords DS (2008), Nintendo of America Inc.
Kirby Super Star Ultra (2008), Nintendo of America Inc.
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 Ranger: Shadows of Almia (2008), Pokémon Company, The
Super Smash Bros.: Brawl (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Wario Land: Shake It! (2008), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree (2007), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
BWii: Battalion Wars 2 (2007), Nintendo of Canada Ltd.
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 & 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.
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.
Boundish (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Coloris (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Dialhex (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 Canada Ltd.
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Kirby: Squeak Squad (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006), Nintendo of America Inc.
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
Orbital (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Rhythm Tengoku (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Soundvoyager (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Star Fox Command (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
WarioWare: Smooth Moves (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Wii Play (2006), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Wii Sports (2006), Nintendo of America Inc.
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.
Electroplankton (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (2005), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Geist (2005), Nintendo of America Inc.
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 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
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.
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 Emerald (2004), Pokémon Company, The
Pokémon FireRed (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Pokémon LeafGreen (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Polarium (2004), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Ridge Racer DS (2004), Namco Hometek 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.
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.
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
Ice Climber (2002), Nintendo of America Inc.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (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 (2002), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Pokémon Sapphire (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.
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 (2000), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Pokémon Puzzle League (2000), Nintendo of America Inc.
Pokémon Stadium 2 (2000), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Pokémon Gold (1999), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Pokémon Silver (1999), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Pokémon Snap (1999), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Pokémon Stadium (1999), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Super Smash Bros. (1999), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Kirby's Star Stacker (1998), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Kirby's DreamLand 3 (1997), Nintendo of America Inc.
Kirby Super Star (1996), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Pokémon Blue (1996), Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Pokémon Red (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.
Arcana (1992), HAL America Inc.
NCAA Basketball (1992), Nintendo of America Inc.
NES Open Tournament Golf (1991), Nintendo of America Inc.
New Ghostbusters II (1990), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Uchûkeibitai SDF (1990), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Eggerland: Meikyuu no Fukkatsu (1988), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Othello (1988), Acclaim Entertainment, Inc.
Air Fortress (1987), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Hole in One Professional (1986), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Rollerball (1984), HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Super Billiards (1983), HAL Laboratory, Inc.