Shigeru Miyamoto

Shigeru Miyamoto is considered amongst critics, gamers, and artists alike to be the father of modern videogames. Mario. Zelda. Donkey Kong. Star Fox. Not only are these aforementioned videogame franchises synonymous with Nintendo's unrelenting success in the videogame industry, but they all originated inside this one man's head. While not exactly starting off in the mail room or grabbing lattes for big wig Japanese execs, Miyamoto got his foot in the door while commissioned to design - as a "mere" artist and planner - one of Nintendo's first coin-operated arcade games. The resulting Donkey Kong - and its hero Mario - would set the pace for modern gaming. Whether ambidextrously playing the banjo, planting tulips in his quaint garden, or recalling upon childhood memories as his muse, the Japanese legend has revolutionized the industry, and set the standard for true, deep, and inspired gaming.

Born in Kyoto, Japan, Miyamoto-san appeared to experience a typical childhood, but his penchant for curiosity and imagination led him off the typical path. Stumbling upon seemingly clandestine lakes, alcoves, caves and other wonders of nature, doubtless countless sunsets permeated his soul and would leave him forever inspired. It was likely in these formative years that he developed his appreciation for the natural, unadulterated and striking works of natural art that he witnessed on his treks - and ultimately drove him to actualize his perception of the world onto his own unique canvas. At the time they may have been simple drawings, sketches, and paintings, but they would eventually turn into some of the greatest videogames of all time.

Without diminishing any of Miyamoto's obvious attributes, the spawning of his expansive career was in part the result of being in the right place at the right time with the right idea to make it all happen. Not only was Hiroshi Yamauchi (then and current Nintendo head-honcho) a friend of Miyamoto's father, but even once gett