Shigeru Miyamoto has been Granted Japanese Cultural Award

From Mario to Zelda, Star Fox to Donkey Kong, acclaimed game designer and Nintendo elite Shigeru Miyamoto has been honored with the Japanese Cultural Award.

According to an article by Japanese gaming site Sankei (reported by Gamesindustry.biz), Miyamoto has been declared a Person of Cultural Merit, an award granted by the Japanese minister of education, culture, sports, science, and technology.

Miyamoto was chosen for his contributions toward Japanese video games over the decades. Top-tier titles like Super Mario and Zelda have paved the way for gaming culture both in Japan and internationally, helping develop the country into a video game powerhouse around the world.

Currently 66 years old, Miyamoto has worked with Nintendo for over 40 years, having developed or aided in development in major titles for every one of Nintendo's consoles and handheld devices. He claims that the secret to his long-term success is his focus on creating something he finds interesting, regardless of current fashion.

In our eyes, there's no one more deserving of this title than him. Even if you've not played a game made by Miyamoto himself, you've undoubtedly played a game that was influenced or inspired by him.

The award ceremony will take place on November 3, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.