Feature: The Art I ‘Stole’ From Nintendo
By It commenced with a Zelda T-shirt.
I sported my “It’s perilous to venture alone! Take this.” shirt while dashing to the bank for a brief errand. The clerk noticed it. He was at least two decades younger than I, but his “Great shirt!” remark sparked an extensive dialogue about our mutual Nintendo enthusiasm.
Before too long, he retrieved a tablet and showcased his digital fan artwork. It was fantastic: intricate, lively sketches of Mario, Pokémon, and (my favourite) Metroid figures. His enthusiasm was evident.
I expressed my delight in his illustrations, recognizing how significant that effort is. Years prior, I held a position at Nintendo that involved reviewing countless pieces of original Nintendo fan art. I even took some home.
This narrates the tale of that collection, detailing how a few illustrations, initially slated for the dumpster, turned into some of the most cherished items in my gaming assortment.
Player’s Pulse and a Stack of Treasured Paper
This will surely age me, but I interned at Nintendo in the latter part of 1996. In no time, I was granted full authority over Player’s Pulse, the letters-to-the-editor section. I selected fan communications, wrote replies, and, most crucially, chose the envelope artwork featured in those pages.
Keep in mind, this was nearly thirty years ago, so the letters and artworks were on actual, tangible paper, sent via postal service. This was before emails and file sharing became the norm.
I genuinely adored going through the envelope artwork since it represented pure fandom: sincere, expressive, and frequently stunning.
I was astonished to discover that it was Nintendo’s custom to discard all artwork after it had been reviewed and scanned for the magazine! This meant dozens, perhaps hundreds, of amateur art pieces were thrown away each month.
It felt like a crime to discard that creativity, so I retained all the artwork that came across my desk during my brief internship.
Here are five pieces of art that encapsulate the lengthy journey of that collection:
Naomi Chiba’s Envelopes
Years after my departure from Nintendo Power, I came across a Kotaku article about Naomi Chiba, undoubtedly the most prolific Player’s Pulse artist ever. While reading, I recalled that I had three of her original envelopes in my collection!
With assistance from the author, I contacted Naomi and organized to return her artwork.
Parting with it was unexpectedly emotional. I paused when it was time to seal the envelope, but then it struck me that she might be the first individual to ever receive back the artwork they had submitted to Nintendo Power.
That’s when it dawned on me: this colorful paper held significance.
Quid pro Quo with Seth
The success with Naomi prompted me to seek more artists.
Seth Hatland was next. He was so appreciative to get his Mega Man X and Mario illustrations back that he insisted on exchanging them for a fresh piece of art as gratitude. “I’ve improved a little,” he commented.
What an understatement!
He sent me an astonishing illustration of Link that has proudly hung in my office since.
The Major Exchange
After returning art to several more creators, I connected with Stephan Reese (aka ArtofNP) and his non-profit Interactive Art Collection. They specialize in original Nintendo Power artwork, though he hadn’t come across much in the way of envelope art – likely due to Nintendo having discarded it all.
I ultimately consented to donate most of my remaining collection to his museum.
In exchange, Stephan sent me a unique, professional piece created for the promotional brochure of the Nintendo Super System arcade, around 1992. I cherish it almost as much as the amateur works, plus I’m pleased to know that the rest of the fan art is in a more suitable location than a binder on my shelf.
(I’m the “ex-Nintendo employee” referenced in the Nintendo Life post regarding Stephan’s exhibit a few years back.)
The One I Withheld
After all that negotiating, I was left with one volume’s worth of envelopes, which adorn my game room. Here’s Volume 92 in all its splendor:
Family Fan Art
The latest additions to my art collection come from my own children. Is there anything more delightful than a child’s creativity and fandom captured on paper?
My eldest is studying art at Utah State University, yet her early creations continually remind me that fan art isn’t merely a pastime; occasionally, it serves as a training ground.
When I gaze upon my art collection, I don’t perceive discarded correspondence. I perceive a connection between the creators at a vast entertainment corporation and their enthusiasts.
My new bank clerk companion, with his portfolio of gorgeous, intricate digital sketches, is a part of a timeless, significant legacy. He’s doing what fans, including my own daughter, have accomplished for decades: transforming their hobby into a personal act of creation.
I may have initially ‘appropriated’ artwork from Nintendo, but ultimately, that art imparted a lesson to me: the genuine essence of a gaming community doesn’t reside in a corporate office. It’s within the everlasting, remarkable passion of its skilled fans.
What piece of gaming artwork — whether fan-made or official — holds the most significance for you? Share your thoughts in the comments, and relish this gallery of just some of the gems I rescued nearly 30 years ago…