If you haven't played Mario, you're "probably not a good creator" - Inafune

Mega Man and Mighty No. 9 creator Keiji Inafune believes playing Mario games is essential for any would-be game designers.

"If any creator has not played Mario, then they’re probably not a good creator. That’s something I can say with 100% confidence," the outspoken developer told IGN as part of a celebration of the Nintendo franchise.

"Mario is, for game creators, the development bible. There are so many hints about good design, about cute characters, about innovation in using an existing gameplay system. It’s something you have to constantly look at and examine and take hints from as a game creator. It’s the anchor that grounds almost all games."

Inafune said he has "total respect" for Mario Bros. creator Shigeru Miyamoto, and said the designer should be one of Japan's national cultural treasures.

"He’s talked about in all different countries. Lots of people know him. He’s pushed forward Japanese culture and interest in Japan all over the world. He’s somebody that deserves everyone’s ultimate respect, and a lot of that is due to being able to create Mario. And Super Mario Bros. 3, of course, within that, was a fantastic game," he added.

The full article on IGN includes further musings on the franchise from various Nintendo staff as well as industry faces like Ted Price of Insomniac and Ryan Peyton of Camouflaj; it's a cute read even if nobody has anything quite as strident to say as good old Keiji "Clickbait" Inafune.

Thanks, NintendoLife.