In a recent interview, Hideo Kojima revealed that Super Mario Bros. is the one title he has dedicated more time to than any other project in his life.
This legendary platformer was the primary catalyst for his journey into game development. During his time as a university student, Kojima became deeply engrossed in the game, spending vast amounts of time mastering its levels.
“I played Super Mario Bros. for an entire year back when I was a student. I actually skipped classes just to play it at home. Without the influence of Super Mario, I probably wouldn’t have found my way into this industry. That said, I can’t really play it anymore. It’s a side-scrolling action title where Mario just moves from left to right, mostly focusing on jumping.”
While Super Mario Bros. features a relatively simple premise focused on rescuing a princess, Kojima recognized the immense potential of the medium even in those early days.
“It felt as though I was living through a genuine adventure. When I first experienced it—despite the simple pixel art and the lack of a complex narrative—I sensed that this form of art would one day eclipse cinema. That absolute conviction is what ultimately guided me into the world of game design.”
Source: iXBT.games