Anniversary: 10 Years After His Passing, Satoru Iwata’s Thoughts Are More Relevant Than Ever

“On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer”.

11th July 2025 signifies the 10th anniversary of Satoru Iwata’s departure; a man who established himself not just as an outstanding leader during times of both triumph and adversity but as a beloved figure cherished by numerous fans across the globe.

It’s challenging to articulate anything that hasn’t been conveyed over the past decade, but it’s evident that Iwata’s influence remains palpable in both Nintendo communities and the broader gaming sector. Indeed, amidst the recent reports of significant layoffs at Xbox and Microsoft and the upheaval at studios worldwide over the past few years, many have recalled the words Iwata shared during a shareholder Q&A session in 2013:

“If we reduce the number of employees for improved short-term financial outcomes, employee morale will deteriorate, and I genuinely doubt employees who are anxious about potential layoffs will be capable of developing software titles that could amaze people globally.”

Iwata also set the groundwork for the Switch — Nintendo’s most prosperous home console ever — having heavily contributed to the system prior to his death in 2015. The impacts of this are still relevant today, with Nvidia honoring Iwata in a recent video about the Switch 2:

“I still remember the day Iwata-san shared his aspiration with us. He aimed to create something no one had witnessed before: a console powerful enough for grand cinematic games, yet compact enough to transport anywhere. It seemed unattainable, but that vision evolved into the original Nintendo Switch.

“We lost Iwata-san before the launch, but his clarity, his purpose, continues to motivate our work every day.”

Five years ago, former NL editor Tom Whitehead reminisced about Iwata’s career and his legacy, and it’s peculiar to realize that a complete decade has now elapsed – and to reflect on how the world has transformed in that timeframe. We ponder what Iwata would think of the industry’s current state, of the Switch’s accomplishments, and of the brand-new console we are enjoying.

All that remains to express is, well, thank you, Iwata-san. Nintendo would not be at its current point without your guidance, enthusiasm, and intent to provide the finest experiences in gaming.

What are your cherished memories of Satoru Iwata? Share your stories and reflections in the comments below.