Masahiro Sakurai has been voted the favorite video game creator among Japanese gamers in a new survey published by Weekly Famitsu magazine, according to information shared by Genki_JPN.
The survey, which gathered responses from more than 5,400 gamers, placed Sakurai at the top of the rankings. Sakurai is best known for creating the Kirby series and directing the Super Smash Bros. franchise, two of Nintendo’s most recognizable properties.
Several other prominent developers and creators were also highlighted in the results. The list of honorable mentions included Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima, Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy veteran Tetsuya Nomura, Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii, Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki, Mario and The Legend of Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto, NieR creator Yoko Taro, and Final Fantasy XIV producer Naoki Yoshida.
The ranking brings together some of the most influential figures in the gaming industry, many of whom are responsible for franchises that have shaped entire genres and generations of players.
Sakurai’s work spans both casual and competitive gaming audiences, with the Super Smash Bros. series becoming one of Nintendo’s most successful and enduring franchises. His selection as the top creator in the Famitsu poll places him ahead of several industry legends whose contributions helped define role-playing games, action-adventure titles, fighting games, and modern game design.
