The Immutable Core: Shigeru Miyamoto on How Mario Will Defy Time to Reach Its 100th Anniversary

In a profound statement on the longevity of the most iconic character in gaming history, Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto has asserted that the Super Mario series is destined to exist for its 100th anniversary in 2085. The creator’s confidence, shared during recent interviews for the launch of the Nintendo Museum Official Book Vol. 1, hinges on a single, elegant philosophy: remaining faithful to the character’s simplest and most fundamental action.

Miyamoto emphasized that no amount of technological advancement, franchise expansion into movies, or gameplay evolution can overshadow the core design principle that defines the platformer genre and, by extension, Mario himself: “running and jumping.”

The Longevity Secret: Running and Jumping as the Prime Point

The Mario franchise has reached unprecedented heights, transforming the gaming landscape over its 40-year history and becoming a multi-billion dollar cultural phenomenon. Despite this vast growth, Miyamoto’s message serves as a crucial, grounding reminder of the series’ interactive roots.

Speaking on the future of his creation, Miyamoto stated that while it is “a given that Super Mario will constantly evolve by incorporating new digital technology,” the interactive element must always be preserved. His words distill the enduring appeal of the series down to its most fundamental elements, ensuring that the essence of a Mario game will never be lost:

• Interactive and Digital: The core experience must remain an interactive one, distinct from the franchise’s successful ventures into visual media like film.
• The Core Mechanic: As long as developers “don’t forget Mario’s prime point – running and jumping – as we add new things,” the series will remain relevant.
• Adaptation, Not Abandonment: New technology and ideas must be incorporated to expand the fun, akin to “rolling up snow for a snowman,” but always building upon the strong foundation of simple, intuitive movement.

This commitment to the running and jumping mechanic is seen by industry analysts as the core reason for the series’ high CPC (Cost Per Click) value in online advertising and its continued relevance. The brand equity associated with these simple, joyful actions is massive, transcending generations of players.

Evolution in the Face of Technology and Competition

The journey to a 100th anniversary in 2085 is not without its challenges. Fellow Nintendo executive officer Takashi Tezuka acknowledged the pressure of constant innovation, noting, “One might think it would be a miracle if Mario was still here after 100 years, since we make things while not knowing when our players may get bored with them.”

However, the developers’ strategy is clear: change things little by little to keep the experience fresh. This has been the guiding principle that allowed Mario to successfully leap from 2D platforming to the revolutionary 3D environment of Super Mario 64, and later to the gravity-defying adventures of Super Mario Galaxy and the expansive creativity of Super Mario Odyssey. Each evolution introduced new mechanics—like the Cappy capture ability or cosmic gravity—but they were all layered on top of Mario’s reliable ability to run and jump.

• Generational Appeal: The enduring simplicity allows parents and children—now spanning up to three generations—to play together, cementing its place as one of the best family-friendly games and a timeless piece of entertainment.
• New Media Integration: The push into movies and other media is viewed internally as a way to “immortalize” the IP and ensure its cultural presence, even as old gaming hardware becomes obsolete. This dual approach maximizes the franchise’s reach and its value as a premium IP (Intellectual Property).

The news underscores the fact that the Mario team believes that a focus on pure, interactive gameplay fun—unburdened by overly complex mechanics or forced realism—is the ultimate formula for longevity in gaming. The simple action of pressing a button to jump and traverse a world is a universal, satisfying experience that transcends console cycles and graphic upgrades.

The Bottom Line for Gamers and Investors

Miyamoto’s statement is more than just a nostalgic comment; it is a clear strategic directive for the future of the franchise. It promises that no matter how Nintendo incorporates cutting-edge digital technology, the fundamental joy of the platformer genre will define Mario’s experience. For investors and players alike, it is a reassurance that the franchise’s core identity—and its vast market value—will be fiercely protected.

By keeping the gameplay loop intuitive, challenging, and rewarding, the Super Mario series is effectively insulated from the fleeting trends that often doom competitors. A century from now, it is Miyamoto’s belief that players will still be finding new, delightful ways to guide the plumber with a jump and a run.

Would you be interested in an analysis of how the core “running and jumping” mechanic has successfully evolved in the latest Super Mario games like Wonder and Odyssey?