Shigeru Miyamoto Says the Best Games Don’t Start by Chasing Trends
Why do characters like Mario, Pokémon, and the squid-like Inklings from Splatoon become worldwide icons? According to legendary Nintendo creator Shigeru Miyamoto, the answer is simple: truly memorable games are not built by trying to please everyone or copying whatever is popular at the moment.
Miyamoto, best known as the creator of Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, recently shared his thoughts on what he believes is one of the biggest problems in modern game development. Now 73, he continues to play a major role at Nintendo as Representative Director and Executive Fellow.
His message to developers was direct: when creators take a game they already love and simply ask how they can make it “more fun,” they may already be starting from the wrong place.
Instead of improving or remixing existing formulas, Miyamoto believes game development should begin with a much deeper question: why do people enjoy playing games in the first place?
Nintendo’s creative philosophy starts before the trend
Miyamoto’s point does not mean developers should never be inspired by other games. Inspiration has always been part of the gaming industry. However, he warns against relying too heavily on successful formulas, popular mechanics, and market trends.
In his view, many companies look at a hit game and ask what features they can borrow, adjust, or combine with other fashionable ideas. Nintendo, he says, tries to approach things differently.
Rather than asking, “What can we change in an existing game?” Nintendo begins by examining the foundation of play itself. What makes an action satisfying? What makes players curious? What makes someone want to keep exploring, experimenting, or competing?
That approach has helped Nintendo create some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming history. Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Splatoon, Animal Crossing, and Mario Kart all stand out because they are built around clear, easy-to-understand ideas that grow into deeper experiences.
Miyamoto criticizes short-term thinking in game development
Miyamoto also appears critical of game development driven mainly by fast profits. When studios focus too much on whether a project can quickly make money, he believes they risk losing the originality that makes games special.
This is a major topic in today’s gaming industry. In recent years, several major publishers have invested heavily in live-service games, open-world design, and long-term monetization strategies. While some of these projects succeed, others fail to capture player interest, even after years of development and major financial investment.
Sony, for example, previously pushed deeper into live-service games but later canceled multiple projects. Microsoft has also shut down high-profile games during development, including Perfect Dark and Everwild.
For Miyamoto, these situations highlight a larger issue: following the market does not automatically lead to creativity or success. A game may check every business box and still fail to connect with players if the core idea is not exciting.
Personal ideas can become global hits
One of Miyamoto’s most interesting points is that the best ideas often begin in surprisingly personal places. A concept does not need to start as a global blockbuster. It can come from a simple childhood memory, a hobby, or a local experience.
Pokémon is one of the best examples. The series was inspired by creator Satoshi Tajiri’s childhood love of collecting insects. That personal fascination eventually became a game about catching creatures, trading with friends, battling, and completing a collection. Decades later, Pokémon remains one of the most successful entertainment franchises in the world.
Splatoon also began with a simple idea: covering territory with ink. From that basic concept, Nintendo built a colorful competitive shooter unlike anything else on the market. Instead of focusing only on eliminating opponents, Splatoon made movement, territory control, and visual chaos central to the fun.
That is the kind of originality Miyamoto values. A strong game idea does not need to be complicated at the beginning. It needs to be playful, clear, and capable of growing into something unique.
Fans mostly agree with Miyamoto’s view
Many players agree with Miyamoto’s criticism of trend-chasing in the gaming industry. Online discussions around his comments show that fans are tired of games that feel designed by committee, packed with familiar mechanics but lacking a strong identity.
Players often point to the rise of live-service titles, repetitive open-world formulas, seasonal content, and aggressive monetization as signs that some studios are prioritizing business models over fun. For these fans, Miyamoto’s comments feel like a reminder of what made games exciting in the first place.
However, not everyone fully agrees. Some argue that originality alone does not guarantee success. For every unusual game that becomes a hit, many creative projects fail to find an audience. A fresh idea still needs strong execution, smart marketing, good timing, and sometimes a little luck.
This criticism is fair. The gaming market is crowded, and even excellent games can be overlooked. Passion matters, but it is not a magic formula.
Nintendo is not completely separate from industry trends
Some fans also point out that Nintendo itself sometimes follows broader gaming trends. Recent and upcoming titles show the company experimenting with larger, more open environments.
Mario Kart World expands the traditional racing structure with a more open-world-style approach. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond also introduces larger environments, including the Sol Valley area. These design choices appear influenced by the wider popularity of open-world games.
Player reactions to these changes have been mixed. Some appreciate the ambition, while others prefer the tighter, more focused design Nintendo is known for. This shows that even Nintendo must balance innovation with the identity of its classic franchises.
Still, there is a difference between blindly copying a trend and adapting an idea to fit a specific game. Miyamoto’s argument seems to focus on the importance of starting with the player experience rather than starting with a market trend.
Why Miyamoto’s message matters today
Miyamoto’s comments arrive at a time when the video game industry is under pressure. Development costs are rising, major studios are cutting projects, and players are becoming more selective about where they spend their time and money.
In that environment, it can be tempting for companies to chase whatever appears safest. If live-service games are popular, make one. If open-world games sell well, add open-world features. If battle passes generate revenue, build around them.
But players can often tell when a game has been built around trends instead of a strong creative vision. The result can feel polished but hollow.
Miyamoto’s philosophy offers a different path. Start with play. Start with curiosity. Start with the feeling you want players to experience. If the foundation is strong, the game has a better chance of standing out.
That does not mean every original idea will become the next Super Mario, Pokémon, or Splatoon. But it does suggest that the most lasting games are rarely born from simply asking, “What is selling right now?”
They come from asking a much better question: “What makes this fun?”
