Leveling Up History
If you have ever explored Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda, bounced on a Goomba in Super Mario, or drifted around a corner in Mario Kart, you have Shigeru Miyamoto to thank. Now, the legendary Japanese game designer has earned one of the highest honors on the planet: Japan's prestigious Order of Culture.
Awarded by the Emperor of Japan every year on Culture Day, the Order of Culture recognizes people who have made extraordinary contributions to art, literature, or science. The award dates all the way back to 1937, honoring famous painters, poets, and groundbreaking scientists. But in nearly nine decades, no one from the video game industry had ever received it—until now!
Games as High Art
For a long time, traditional critics viewed video games as simple toys or mindless screen time. Miyamoto helped change that mindset completely over his 40-year career at Nintendo. By combining playful curiosity, music, storytelling, and clever interactive design, his creations turned interactive entertainment into a globally celebrated art form.
Receiving this award sends a massive message to creators everywhere: interactive worlds matter just as much as classic paintings, symphonies, or epic novels. It proves that the hours game designers spend crafting digital adventures can inspire generations and shape modern human culture in profound ways.
Which video game do you think deserves to be remembered as a true masterpiece of art?
Source: Nintendo Life
