One of the most critically and commercially successful games in the Nintendo Switch’s library isSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. It celebrates not only Nintendo’s many franchises over the years, but also gaming history in general. It has an incredibly huge roster consisting of some of the most iconic gaming characters, with every previous fighter from prior entries included, with several newcomers as well. WithSora fromKingdom Heartsbeing the last fightertoSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate’s roster, his debut also marked the end of full time development on the game.
Many fans who have been following theSuper Smash Bros.seriesattribute many of its successes to its creator and director, Mashiro Sakurai. He has been a part of Nintendo’s history since 1992, being Kirby’s creator and has been directing the platformer fighter series since 1999. While he has split from Nintendo to run his own independent company, Sora Ltd, he has continued a working relationship with the publisher, especially when it comes toSuper Smash Bros.. His dedication to the series has been recognized by Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, earning him the award for most valuable video game creator in 2021.
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This award was given during the Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards ceremony, with the decision based on user votes within Japan. This news was shared over Twitter, withSakurai thanking the many fanswho supported him and his team during the development ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. Considering the amount of work and dedication that the director has done in the last decade for the series, fans also congratulated him on this momentous award.
While theSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatedirector was recognized by users as the most valuable creator of 2021, there were numerous other teams and creators that were also nominated. Those include Capcom’sResident Evil Villagedevelopment team,Yakuzaseries developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, Cygames’Uma Musume: Pretty Derbydev team, and even Naoki Yoshida, the producer and director ofFinal Fantasy 14.
Capcom’sMonster Hunter Risetook home the Game of the Year awardat the Dengeki Game Awards ceremony, as well as Best Action game. Nintendo’sMetroid Dreadalso received an award for best Action-Adventure game at the showcase, with the full list of winners and nominees available on Famitsu’s website. With development onSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateover and the director enjoying his time off, many fans believe this award is well-warranted.
