Shigeru Miyamoto Becomes First Video Game Creator to Receive Japan’s Order of Culture for Contributions to Super Mario and Zelda

Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary Nintendo game designer responsible for some of the most influential video game franchises ever created, has been selected to receive Japan’s prestigious Order of Culture in 2026. The recognition makes him the first person from the video game industry to receive the honor, marking a historic moment for gaming as a cultural medium. The Japanese government announced on October 23 that Miyamoto, 73, would be among eight recipients of this year’s award. His selection recognizes his…