A lifetime achievement award for Don James, Nintendo’s behind-the-scenes man | interview
2 min read
Summary
In an exclusive interview, VentureBeat spoke with Don James, who has been at Nintendo for over 43 years and was involved in the launch of every console and handheld from the NES in 1983 through the Switch in 2017.
James reflects on his long career at Nintendo, from his early days working on converting Radar Scopes into Donkey Kong machines to his recent retirement.
He discusses some of his favorite moments at Nintendo, including the introduction of the Game & Watch and the Zelda booth at E3, as well as the introduction of the wrist strap for the Wii MotionPlus.
He also discusses his work in establishing the IDSA (now the ESA), the ESRB, and DICE.
He also touches on his decision to retire and his legacy at the company, including paving the way for others to take his place.
James reflects on the changes that have occurred in the industry throughout his career and the current state of the industry.
He expresses his love for Nintendo and the gaming industry as a whole and his appreciation for the opportunities he has had working for the company.