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Miyamoto on ‘amiibo,’ ‘Zelda’ and ‘Mario’ movie

In this Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 photo, Shigeru Miyamoto poses for a portrait during an interview with Associated Press at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. With the recent popularity of the "Super Smash Bros." and "Mario Kart 8" games, as well as the successful launch of the "amiibo" interactive toy figure line, Miyamoto has a few reasons to smile. (Photo by Casey Curry/Invision/AP)
In this Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 photo, Shigeru Miyamoto poses for a portrait during an interview with Associated Press at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. With the recent popularity of the "Super Smash Bros." and "Mario Kart 8" games, as well as the successful launch of the "amiibo" interactive toy figure line, Miyamoto has a few reasons to smile. (Photo by Casey Curry/Invision/AP)

By Associated Press 5 min read

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) – Shigeru Miyamoto seems giddy – and with good reason.

The veteran Nintendo designer behind such landmark video-game franchises as “Mario Bros.” and “Donkey Kong” is happy that after three years of sluggish sales for Nintendo’s touchscreen-centric Wii U console, the Kyoto, Japan-based gaming giant is bouncing back, just like the famous springy plumber dreamed up 33 years ago by Miyamoto.

With the recent popularity of “Super Smash Bros.” and “Mario Kart 8,” as well as the successful launch of the “amiibo” interactive toy figure line, Miyamoto has a few reasons to smile.

Over a cup of coffee, Miyamoto – as translated by Nintendo product marketing director Bill Trinen – discussed the possibilities for “amiibo,” the latest installment of “The Legend of Zelda” and the future of the “Mario” franchise.

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