Keza MacDonald

A joyous exploration of the cultural phenomenon that created Mario, Zelda and Pokémon, and an ode to our love of gaming, by one of the most trusted voices in video games writing.

How One Japanese Company Helped the World Have Fun

Super Nintendo

Cassandra Tang

As part of human civilisation, games have connected us socially, told us stories about our past and our culture, and given us opportunity to exercise our extraordinary brains. They have been bridges between cultures and vehicles for imagination and invention, and a vector for the evolution of language. 

We made Yoshi a dinosaur not because we wanted Mario to ride a dinosaur, but because the space we had, in terms of functionality, was shaped much like a dinosaur. 

Pokemon understands that community is a vital aspect of play. Fun multiplies when you share it.

You can’t hug the whole world, no matter how much you want to. No one’s arms are that long, maaan.

Nothing is more hazardous than staying the course… staying the course means not having a future If you maintain the status quo, you wind up fighting for survival, and gradually your fan base disappears

Super Nintendo quotes

Join the club