Sakurai clarifies why he left HAL Laboratory, doesn’t feel “stuck in a rut doing similar things”

Masahiro Sakurai started out at HAL Laboratory where he directed several Kirby games. About a decade later, he left the company and now operates on more of a freelance basis.

Sakurai spoke with EDGE this month about a variety of topics, including why he left HAL. He noted that it had nothing to do with losing interest in creating Kirby games. As far as Smash Bros. goes, he says it lets him make “something with more value and wide-reaching effects.” Sakurai added that he doesn’t feel like he’s “stuck in a rut doing similar things.”

When asked about leaving HAL where he made Kirby games whereas he’s developed Smash Bros. titles for Nintendo throughout his career, Sakurai explained:

“There’s been some kind of misunderstanding about that. I never said that I didn’t want to make Kirby games. I think what I talked about in the past, about it being difficult to create a new game if I just stayed at HAL has been twisted somehow. I wouldn’t mind working anywhere as long as I get to create new things. I’m making Smash Bros. because Nintendo has asked me to, and because I feel it’s a project that I should prioritize above all else if I’m asked to do it. If I create a new game, that may be one more great, fun game people can play – but by making Smash Bros. I can create something with more value and wide-reaching effects. However, I definitely don’t feel like I am stuck in a rut doing similar things. Every time I add lots of new things, and I feel that it’s a job I always enjoy.”