As you may have read earlier today, Nintendo World Store is holding a small memorial for Satoru Iwata who untimely passed a couple of days ago. While there was one or two Tweets regarding the event, My Nintendo News decided to send one of their own (i.e., me) over to pay our respects, along with our communities, and document the scene. Walking up to the store, one wouldn’t notice anything outside the norm — bustling tourists roamed around the streets of Rockafeller Center taking pictures as the Splatoon-decaled windows invited guests. However, stepping inside, there was a line leading to the door — the final destination being the tasteful Iwata memorial.
On the black-clothed table laid three notebooks, a host of pens, gifts that a select few had left, and a picture of Iwata-san. From the twenty minutes I spent there, the line never shrank; fans, new and old, stood both solemn and teary-eyed.
Among the gifts were a pixel-art crafted Pirhanna Plant. real flowers, handwritten notes, drawing, and origami swans.
Nintendo fans were given as long as they wanted to write a note to the gaming legend — some spent minutes while another person wrote pages. While I was not able to get a confirmation where these letters will be going (and we have reached out to Nintendo for an official comment), a representative on the scene believed they would be sent to Nintendo of America, Nintendo Japan, and Iwata’s family. Further, they believed that the memorial would be open for the next few days — possibly even weeks. However, the staff on hand kept a cheerful solemnity — what you would expect from a Nintendo representative in mourning.
Thanks to the My Nintendo Fans at the event in the picture who let me take a photo of them!
While I didn’t want to keep the line behind me waiting, below are a collection of statements from My Nintendo News comment sections that I was able to write. Captions are included because my hands were shaking — it’s been a rough day for me, and the atmosphere was at times heavy.
The most noteworthy thing, however, was the amount of joy still surrounding the memorial. While many were in mourning and (rightly) upset, people (both kids and adults) navigated the two story building with huge smiles on their faces. As normal, everyone was playing a Nintendo game, be it on Nintendo 3DS or Wii U. This is the true testament of Iwata — the joy he is still able to bring among the sadness.
Fully grown men and women showing up at a Nintendo store teary-eyed, and they still say Nintendo’s a children’s company…
For something that ultimately has nothing to do with what youre saying. Grown men and woman paying respect to another human for his work*
*His work at a company known as a “children’s company”. My point is that the company is in a lot of hot water with the fans after E3 but people are still respectful enough to leave there house, go to a crowed store and write a few too several words about him. So yeah, were both kinda saying the same thing.
*we’re
Yeah. Long time fans are pissed at the direction Nintendo has taken. Putting space between those of us that stood by Nintendo for years before their current, casual agenda…
But we still respect the man, his family, and can set aside our discord with the corporation to honor the man and his family. He may have made some shity decisions professionally, but I never doubted he had a good heart and loved gaming. So respectfully, RIP Iwata-San. I hope his family feels the support they deserve for the person he was. And we can take some time to forget his professional fallacies to acknowledge he was one who loved gaming as much as any other gamer. His life and dedication to fun and adventure and risky ventures… We should all respect that so his family knows we loved the man for who he was at heart.
You dont know the import
You dont know the importance in
Great tribute. Thank you. RIP.
Thank you, I am a small voice among other giants writing about this today. But he is such an inspiration I needed to say something.
:)
That in the last picture looks like Ian Hecox :o on the top left corner
Thanks for writing these.
Iwata was one of the few left in the industry who believed games were solely about having fun, and bringing people together. I personally consider the Wii U an achievement, as it constantly brings me, my family and my friends together to have a great time. He was truly creative and imaginative, and he’ll be sorely missed. The SNES, N64, Gamecube, DS and Wii U have brought many amazing memories to me, more than any other gaming device. Thanks a lot for that, and always bringing us fans new, creative experiences. Rest in peace.
I am still cruing. I can’t believe that I do… It’s just so unfair and sudden. He’s been like a cool friend for many years. Such a joyous, compassionate and smart president isn’t common I think. I can’t imagine the Nintendo directs without him. And his Iwata asks were the best testament to how great of a leader he was. I can’t believe how much work he spent on those things to both pay tribute to the creators and to learn stuff both for himself and the fans.
It’s a truly truly sad day in my life. And it will stick with me forever.
It’s pretty neat one of the writers of this site actually went there, but what’s even more noteworthy is that they actually took their time to leave personal messages right from the community, basically representing all of us. Thanks, lmcontaldi!
No, thank you for reading and coming here day after day to read your Nintendo news. It is our honor to serve you
Nice of you posting this :)
What a nice gesture, going in and writing down what some of our visitors, regular and newcomers alike, said in the comments sections here. I only wish I could go and do this in person.
In the past 24+ hours, it has been shown that Nintendo fans come in all ages, and knowing that all these different people coming in to pay respects shows just how big of a hand he had in making them fans.
That’s sweet. I love the Nintendo World Store in Rockerfelller. The people there are really nice and friendly and a dude even asked to play Mario Kart 8 with me. And watching e3 2014 there was a great experience. I want to move to live in the state of New York and I already have plenty of family and one of my family members has a vacant basement in good condition. Im considering moving there after I’m done with highschool but I heard tuition is a lot of $$$ and other stuff too. Sorry for going off topic lol.
The more I read about Iwata San’s untimely passing, the more I get depressed, the more I wish it wasn’t real. But damn it, it is real and that’s saddening. Iwata San, we miss you and your quirky attitude…:'(
Reblogged this on Ring of Chigasaki and commented:
任天堂の亡き岩田社長への小さな追悼式がニンテンドーワールドにて開催されてます。
哀悼のことばを書き残して。
Lemme add one…
“Satoru Iwata: a great man, CEO, businessman, game designer, and, most importantly, a gamer at heart. He changed gaming drastically for the better, and he left behind a legacy that many people will remember for the rest of time. Iwata will be remembered as one of the greatest gamers the world has ever known, bringing happiness and fun into many people’s lives. Rest in peace, Mr. Iwata, and I hope the best for your family and colleagues.
-Pokemonsilph from My Nintendo News”
If I can, I’ll add it this week!
:) Thank you.
Beautifully said
>>>If you can add my tribute to him as well:
“Lord Iwata, your sudden absence is a direct hit right into my essence of gaming and as a fan. I will continue carrying your legacy by continuing playing Nintendo games and have fun as I’m also a gamer at the core just like you were.
Your name,work and life shall never be forgotten!”
– Nintendo Tetrarch Quadramus-NX from MyNintendoNews
>>>
>>>*I will continue carrying your legacy by playing Nintendo games and enjoy it as I’m a gamer at the core just like you were>>>
Well said, Commander. *salutes*
Can I have one?
“Mr. Satoru Iwata, thanks for all the amazimg gaming experiences you gave us and dedication to our entertainment, from the GameCube (my favorite Nintendo console) to the Wii U. The Nintendo 64 (my first console ever) to the GameBoy Color, Advance, DS, 3DS and Wii. Thanks for my all-time favorite games, “Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings And The Lost Ocean” and “Baten Kaitos Origins”, plus all the games I”ll continue enjoying on all these consoles and all the future project by Nintendo you envisioned for us to enjoy. When Nintendo announces the NX and the mobile games, I’ll miss you being the one announcing them. Nintendo made me a gamer and I’ll always be one. Thanks for your creativity and hard work, I’ll be a Nintendo fan and constumer forever. Here’s to a bright future for the company you worked so hard for! Thanks again and rest in peace.
– Alonso Solorzano (A Nintendo fan from Costa Rica, Alosjs from My Nintendo News)
Oh, can I do one, please?
Iwata-San, Thank you for all you’ve done for us. You seemed to understand what games are all about. Fun. You always had a great sense of humor, and a passion for gaming. For that, Thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us. I will keep you and my family in my prayers.
-Cyndaquilfan123 from My Nintendo News
Just found out through the Nintendo World store twitter it will be there through Friday. I am going to try to stop by myself on the way home from work this week.
Also, great to see such a responsive writer on here and someone who cares so much about what they are doing.
That’s really nice Pokemonsilph:)
Really nice. :)
Awesome, thank you for that, this was really cool of you.
Xeno Ridley? Isn’t that one of the trolls on this site that keeps talking crap?
No he was one of the ones reporting the trolls.
Oh. I knew I recognized that username from somewhere.
No, I’m not a troll. Yes, I was one of the people talking crap about Iwata, BEFORE his passing occurred, just to clarify. I didn’t agree with his decisions the last 3 years but I still respected the man even though my comments made it seem the opposite. I only wanted him to either step down as CEO or actually change Nintendo for the better. I hope before he died he was able to make sure the NX does exactly that: change Nintendo for the better. But I digress. Now is not the time to be talking about business related stuff.
Sorry if this sounds strange, english isn’t my first language.
Been crying quite a lot. He was one of my heroes.
A great programmer, someone that loved videogames and a humble man.
RIP
No you did good HAL I could believe English was your first language.
I hope this website doesn’t die anytime soon.
All I’ve been thinking about all day is Iwata. I can’t get him off of my mind. I mean, it’s not like we KNEW he would die. It was just so sudden. Out of nowhere.
: (
“You gave a lot people smiles they’ll never forget, and are one of the major reasons a lot of people love video games today. An icon, a legend, that died too young. May you live on forever in the things you created to bring people joy.”
-TheZeroRaven
Gave my condolences and played some Nintendo games in his honor. Long live Mr. Satoru Iwata in the lovingly crafted games he helped make.
I just had to copy and paste his words:
Shigesato Itoi, Creator of Earthbound
“No matter the farewell, I think the most appropriate thing to say is “we”ll meet again.” We are friends so we”ll see each other again. There is nothing strange about saying it. Yeah. We’ll meet again. Even if you didn’t have the chance to put into words how sudden it was going to be, how far you’d be traveling, or how you went much earlier than expected, I know you went wearing your best. You always put yourself second to others no matter what, helping anyone who needed it whenever they needed it. You were that kind of friend. Although you may have been a little selfish for the first time ever by taking this journey. The truth is though that I still don’t believe any of it. I feel like I am going to receive a message from you inviting me out to eat at any moment. I wouldn’t mind if you were to ask me like always if I had some free time. If you did, I’d ask you as well. Still, “we’ll meet again.” It would be great to hear from you whenever and wherever; I’ll being calling to you too. I’ll call if I have something to discuss or I want to tell you a great new idea I’ve had. We’ll meet again. Then again, you’re here with me now.”
Many of the tributes have been truly heartfelt, but this one’s overwhelming innocence and sincerity was too much for me.
That was sweet. : . )
Let me add one.
“You were an inspiration to people throughout the gaming world. You brought a smile to many people’s faces every time you stepped in front of a camera. You inspired me to become a game developer through your work. You’ve transformed Nintendo and the gaming industry. Though I didn’t personally know you, you felt like someone who would always be there for me. Thank You Iwata-San for helping to change my life and the industry! You will forever be missed! May we meet in Heaven someday!”
-ThePeach
I also visited the memorial because luckily I have been in New York City for the past week. It was very emotional and I am glad I was able to write a grievance to Iwata!
I wish Nintendo had a special site dedicated to leaving condolences and stuff for Iwata. I wasn’t able to visit the Nintendo World Store because of living thousands of miles away. But I guarantee I would have been there if I lived closer. This man brought SO much happiness to the world. When I think about how happy I was as a kid playing my Nintendo games. And how obsessed I was at playing them over and over and over (and how I STILL love Nintendo SO much), I wish I could give Iwata a big hug of appreciation. Nintendo has always meant the world to me, and people like Iwata is one of the reasons why it was always so special.
“Iwata, thank you, so, so much for the joy filled years. Years filled with color, excitement, and happiness. Your dedication was and is the most powerful of any man, woman, child on Earth. You stuck through the thick and thin and held your head high and stayed strong. You continued to provide us with many more amazing memories to make. Whether they were happy memories, sad, angry, etc. they will still be cherished because you made them possible. You with your vivid imagination. The memories you helped us all create will never fade. You will continue to inspire creativity throughout generations because of your brilliant dedication and amazing thoughts that never ceased to bewilder many of us. Thank you for the timeless memories. Thank you for being with us. Thank you for being part of our childhood…
Sincerely, with great mourn but great memories, Charles T.”
That’s exactly what I’d put… Never will someone make an impact on my life as Iwata-san did.
God I’m tearing up. >_<
I was there earlier, To pay respect. Im still Shock & disbelief, somewhat but it was gaming and interaction, and that how iwata would have wanted. wii played game’s, chop it up it was meaningful to see someone who shears the Similar anguish, that which still varies..
While i was there tho i was talking to a rep, about giving iwata a tribute DIRECT”()_(oo)_()” VIA instrgram, Twitter, facebook, hashtag to iwata san & nintendo #Wii Understand s.i.p To show how grateful we are for iwata san life, character, wits, & accomplishment. Not for just nintendo, but for gaming industry. I think it show love to do it at home, or if you like me, will do it In front, or in nintendo world.
man i wish i lived in new york :(
Just tell lmcontaldi what you’d want to say & he’ll write it for you if he can like he did for some of us.
seriously!? cool !! alright let me just think about what i wanna say
Thanks, lmcontaldi, for writing our memorials for us at the Nintendo World Store. *bows & salutes*
” I still can’t believe he’s gone and it hurts. He was a innovator, a genius, a craftsman and a great leader not only for Nintendo but for the entire gaming industry. The fact that he was willing to sacrifice his own finances for the satisfaction of his employees and colleagues and while dedicating his life into putting smiles on millions of people’s faces through the magic of gaming says a lot about this great man’s character and for that he will eternally have my respect. Gone but never forgotten I will always remember and cherish the many great memories of my childhood that Mr. Iwata helped to create through his passion for gaming. Your legacy will live on forever. Rest easy Iwata-san and thank you for your hardwork and dedication. The gaming world won’t be the same without you. ”
Sincerely, paidenthusiast
Many deaths come and go.
But Iwata-san’s death will stretch for as long as a 3DS or Wii U or any Nintendo console is switched on and played with.
But is that truly a “death”?
Or perhaps living a thousand more lives every second?
Yes, Mr. Iwata did not die, he lives everywhere in the industry he left a legacy in.
Dead is a person who lives in the oblivion after passing out.
That’s great! ;}
That’s how Mr Iwata would want to be remembered. With all Nintendo loyalist laughing & smiling while playing Wii U & 3DS.
Thank you Mr Iwata!! For all you’ve done.
We love you too!!!
Sent from my iPod
>
If you could write this:
“Mr. Iwata, your dedication and your passion for gaming are what made me who I am today, and I think we can agree gaming lost a great man, someone who could take the medium seriously but still have a ton of fun with it, your memories will stay alive on the experiences you gave us, and we will never forget the great things you did for our lives…”
Pedro Gomez – Venezuela
Such a lovely gesture, Louis, for MNN readers. :) And a touching feature. Thank you.
Just popping in here to pay my respects to Satoru Iwata. Yesterday was a very hard day for us all, but the tremendous artwork I’ve seen and the incredible outpouring of respect from fans has been amazing to see. Perhaps we didn’t always agree with his decisions, but he was a wonderful individual and was a great leader for the company we all love. Thank you Iwata, your quirkiness will always be remembered. :)
Beautiful.