Donkey Kong Country proves that players will put up with mediocre gameplay as long as the art is good.

I don't let Mario appear in just any kind of game. Mario could not appear in Zelda games. They are two distinct game worlds.

When I'm working on games I don't think necessarily about what the end benefit of the game is going to be. Typically I'm trying to think of: "What can I do that is going to find new ways to entertain and surprise people."

When I'm making video games today, I want people to be entertained. I am always thinking, How are people going to enjoy playing the games we are making today? And as long as I can enjoy something other people can enjoy it, too.

I could make Halo. It’s not that I couldn’t design that game. It’s just that I choose not to. One thing about my game design is that I never try to look for what people want and then try to make that game design. I always try to create new experiences that are fun to play.

Donkey Kong Country proves that players will put up with mediocre gameplay as long as the art is good.

To create a new standard, you have to be up for that challenge and really enjoy it.