Wii

I don't often say to Iwata-san, "This new game is really good." So the rare times I do say to him, "This is good," it's really effective.

Yeah. (laughs)

But for the end of this year, there have been several games in succession where I said, "This one is good!" (laughs)

And it was like, "Another good one, huh?" (laughs) But The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword really is good, isn't it?

I think so.

(laughs)

We put a lot into it, so it turned out really dense. I hope the players feel like they're at the newest attraction at an amusement park.

As new entertainment.

Exactly.

There are all kinds of ways to kill time now, but I think that there's something you can only get from a game that really engages your emotions. I think that this game shows just how valuable that is, and we were able to make the ultimate game using the current technology.

Wow, I kind of feel like it's become part of our intangible cultural heritage.

If you say so, I'm starting to feel that way too. (laughs)

Also, you've also worked on some games for the Nintendo 3DS system, right, Miyamoto-san?

Yes.

He worked on Super Mario 3D Land, which comes out on November 3, and Mario Kart 7 which comes out on December 1*. (Editor's note: These release dates are for Japan. For North America Super Mario 3D Land was released on November 13 and Mario Kart 7 will be released on 4.)

And The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword comes out in between those?

That's right. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the Wii console comes out on November 23.

Wow, that's amazing. I wouldn't know what to say if someone asked me which they should play first.

(laughs)

Hmm. Personally, I'm most excited about Super Mario 3D Land.

Oh, I think that Super Mario 3D Land would be a good choice for you, Itoi-san. It's made in such a way as to make the person playing think, "Hey, I'm actually really good at these action games!"

The game I spent the most time playing was Super Mario Bros. 2.⁹ 9. Super Mario Bros.™ 2: An action game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in September 1988.

Super Mario 3D Land feels like a side-scrolling Super Mario title just like Super Mario Bros. 2, so I think the playing experience will be similar. You can also quit whenever you want.

We made each step in Super Mario 3D Land very short. The Nintendo 3DS system is a handheld, so from the very beginning we designed it with the idea that you would be able to get on a train and play for three stops and then quit. So we do hope that people will bring it with them on their commute.

Oh, I would be really interested in that. And I'm sure Mario Kart 7 is a lot of fun, too.

Playing Mario Kart 7 gives you a great feeling. It's a perfect game for 3D.

Oh, I see.

Also, it's a lot of fun to you play against other people on the internet.

So you're saying that Mario Kart 7 really shows just what you can do with the Nintendo 3DS system.

Exactly. With the release of Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7, I hope people say, "Oh, so this is what Nintendo wanted to do with Nintendo 3DS."

Oh.