From Donkey Kong to the Imperial Palace: Shigeru Miyamoto receives a historical award for video games

Shigeru Miyamoto's name might not ring a bell at first, but many people are familiar with Donkey Kong. Miyamoto designed this arcade game back in 1981, and later became the creator of Nintendo's most iconic franchises, including Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Star Fox, and Pikmin. His role in Nintendo's success is indisputable, and he has simultaneously become one of the most influential figures in video game history. In recent years, Miyamoto has worked not only as a game developer but has also become a defining figure in Nintendo's efforts beyond home consoles, with box-office hits also credited to his name. He was the producer of the 2023 film Super Mario Bros., which brought in over 1.3 billion dollars worldwide, as well as the 2026 film Super Mario Galaxy, whose revenue has also exceeded 1 billion dollars since its April release. He will also produce the upcoming The Legend of Zelda movie, which is expected to premiere on April 30, 2027, according to the Japan Times. His work is now receiving a very special recognition: on October 23, the 73-year-old artist was announced as a recipient of one of the most prestigious state honors, the Order of Culture. Shigeru Miyamoto Denfaminico Gamer This award is given to those who have contributed outstandingly to Japanese culture. Miyamoto is the first representative of the video game industry to receive the prize, which until now had been awarded to eminent personalities in the fields of art, literature, science, and technology. All of this proves that the Japanese state officially recognizes game development as a cultural value on par with the highest level of classic artistic and scientific life achievements. In accordance with tradition, the Emperor of Japan will personally present the honor on November 3, Culture Day, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Upon the announcement of the award, a moved Miyamoto stated that it is a huge honor, and since it takes many people to make games, he accepts the award with the intention of representing an entire team. The video game community is also celebrating Miyamoto's recognition. Many fans believe that an award of this magnitude was long overdue. Some even compare the video game veteran to influential figures such as Walt Disney and George Lucas. If you would like to know about similar things in the future, like the Facebook page of the HVG Tech section.