Miyamoto admits his secret thought on Mario’s success

The Mystery of the Mustachioed Marvel: Shigeru Miyamoto on Mario‘s Enduring Appeal

Shigeru Miyamoto is an icon in the world of gaming, widely celebrated as the grandaddy of all things Mario. He designed the beloved jumping plumber alongside artist Yoichi Kotabe, yet even this titan of game creation admits a fundamental mystery: he has no idea why Mario holds such massive appeal for players.

When pressed about the success of Nintendo’s key franchises globally, Miyamoto offered a chuckle and admitted his uncertainty. “I wish someone would tell me,” he mused. When asked specifically why a mustachioed old dude like Mario sells so well, he joked, “While I think that’s rude, truthfully I’ve had the same thought. Why does this old guy sell so well?”

While Nintendo boasts an impressive roster of human protagonists—heroes like Link and Samus exude power and aura—Mario remains firmly planted as a plumber. This simple difference, Miyamoto suggests, isn’t the key to understanding the character’s widespread affection.

Instead of focusing on superficial charm or fashionable attire, Miyamoto has arrived at a simpler, yet profound, answer concerning game design. He posits that the secret to Mario‘s success lies not in his appearance, but in the experience he delivers.

“The simple answer that I’ve come up with is that he’s bundled with incredibly fun games,” he explained. This perspective suggests that the magic of Mario isn’t inherent in the character himself, but in the brilliantly designed gameplay and the collection of engaging experiences surrounding him.

It turns out that for Miyamoto, the true formula for enduring success is less about creating a single hero and more about packaging incredible fun. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most compelling appeal comes not from who you are, but what you let players experience.