Miyamoto envies Rubik's Cube creator
And draw comic books.
Mario creator and Nintendo talisman Shigeru Miyamoto has revealed two of his remaining ambitions: to be a successful manga artist and create something to rival the Rubik's Cube.
As part of the celebrations for Mario's 25th anniversary, Nintendo has published an interview between Shigeru Miyamoto and Shigesato Itoi – the creator of the Mother games.
As well as discussing the creation of Super Mario Bros, Miyamoto also touched on some of his remaining ambitions.
"For quite some time, I have viewed Professor Rubik, who created the Rubik's Cube, as a sort of rival. I've always thought it would be cool to create something like a Rubik's Cube. I've told lots of people about that.
"For 20 years, I've always thought that Rubik's Cubes are great and I want to make something like them, but I still haven't tried to. So I must be taking it easy. Regardless of whether I can or cannot do it, I could at least give it a shot, but I never have."
"Similarly, I've always said that I wanted to become a manga artist," Miyamoto continued. "One time, I suddenly thought I could still do it if I wanted. So I declared to [Nintendo EAD general manager] Tezuka-san that I would try drawing a simple four-frame comic strip. I drew a rough layout for one and showed it to him, and he said it was good, but I haven't done anything since. Really, making Mario games is easier."
It seems Nintendo's 57-year-old designer has given himself plenty of time to realise these dreams. Elsewhere in the interview he tells Itoi he hopes he'll still be creating in 25 years time.
"I'll probably be working on something," he promises. "If I'm still alive then."
Here's hoping. Miyamoto's last game, Super Mario Galaxy 2 won a perfect 10/10 from Eurogamer's Oli Welsh.