Nintendo is usually considered the Disney of the gaming industry; after all, no other game publishing company possesses the same variety of properties that appeal to a wide range of demographics. Over the years, the Japanese video gaming giant has made iconic characters in pop culture; one of them is Super Mario. Since 1997, Shigeru Miyamoto has been in the company and has a hand in every significant release of the company.
Comicbook's Marc Deschamps considers Miyamoto as the Walt Disney of Nintendo. Currently, one of the company's 'Creative Fellow', the iconic developer, is a massive part of history as well as the future of the Japanese video gaming giant. Miyamoto has his eyes set on the company's direction as it moves forward, the writer explains.
In a recent interview with Nikkei, as translated by Resetera, Miyamoto shared that many parents prevent their kids from playing video games but, they are the same parents that have no issue with kids watching Disney movies. The legendary game developer further explained that unless parents begin feeling comfortable with their kids playing Nintendo, there is no way for the company to challenge Disney. While there are parents who have no problem with their kids playing Nintendo games, video games indeed carry a particular stigma to some consumers.
Over the last 15 years, a significant part of Nintendo's strategy is changing the way consumers view video games. Gaming consoles like Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii were developed for those who do not usually play video games. The Japanese game maker released non-published titles like "Wii Sports" and "Brain Age," which have gone a long way in enlarging the possible audience for video games.
Disney and Nintendo are definitely not two peas in a pod. The video gaming industry is relatively young. Disney launched Mickey Mouse in 1928, while Nintendo's Mario was just around since 1981.
In almost four decades, Mickey Mouse has undoubtedly become a pop culture staple, and it will take Nintendo so much to be able to achieve that same level of influence. Unlike in the entertainment industry, the gaming industry has no other representative than the humble mustached plumber wearing a jumpsuit. Nintendo has set its eyes on a goal with an animated film in the works and theme park attractions launching soon in Universal Studios.
It remains to be seen if Nintendo will be able to reach the same level of brand exposure as Disney. What is essential is both giants continue to give the public the kind of entertainment that they are known of.
