Reggie Fils-Aime, Masahiro Sakurai reflect on Satoru Iwata’s passing 10 years later

Reggie Fils-Aime and Masahiro Sakurai have reflected on late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who passed away ten years ago.

Iwata took over as Nintendo president in 2002. Sadly, in 2015, he passed away following complications from a bile duct tumor.

Reggie spent many years working right alongside Iwata as he was formally the president of Nintendo of America. Reflecting on the passing and what Iwata meant to him, Reggie said on social media:

“This July 11 marks the 10 year anniversary of Satoru Iwata’s passing. I still think of him nearly every day. Together, we put a lot of smiles on people’s faces.”

As for Masahiro Sakurai, he also had a lengthy working relationship with Satoru Iwata. The two previously spent many years together at Kirby developer HAL Laboratory.

Sakurai had this to say earlier today:

“Today was the release date of the GameCube’s Kirby Air Ride. 22nd anniversary!! At the same time, it is also the anniversary of Iwata-san’s passing. 2015. Ten years have passed since then… Iwata-san and I were about ten years apart in age and when we joined the company, and soon I’ll be catching up to his age, won’t I?”

Sakurai also noted in his message that he’s pouring his heart into the development of Kirby Air Riders. The game is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 later this year.

Thanks to Greatsong1 for the tip.