Despite creating all-timer hits Kirby and Super Smash Bros, Masahiro Sakurai still doesn't think he's a "hit maker," and is envious of other devs for their "incredible" creations

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Despite creating all-timer hits Kirby and Super Smash Bros, Masahiro Sakurai still doesn't think he's a "hit maker," and is envious of other devs for their "incredible" creations News By George Young published 9 January 2026

Even industry legends can suffer from imposter syndrome, apparently

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Even after he created both Kirby and Super Smash Bros., industry legend Masahiro Sakurai doesn't think of himself as a hit maker, or think of his games as hits. Instead, he says he looks at other people's games and feels that he has to "keep pushing" himself.

In an interview with 47 News that's been translated by GamesRadar+, Sakurai discusses what he would have done had Kirby failed to become the international mega hit it is today, and he doesn't think his life would be any different.

"It wasn't really like that," Sakurai says. "It didn't matter if the game sold well or not, I think I probably would have still devoted myself to game development. Also, I don't really think about having made a 'hit', or myself as a 'hit maker.'"

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It seems that despite Sakurai's monumental success, he feels imposter syndrome just like the rest of us mere mortals. "When I look at other games I think 'that's amazing,'" says Sakurai. "They do things that my team and I can't do. I am constantly thinking about how they managed to make something so incredible, and feel I have to keep on pushing myself to make something [that good]."

Despite comparing himself to others, he doesn't think it is helpful when it comes to game development due to the interactivity of the medium. "The truth is that developing video games is completely different to every other type of media, as technology is constantly improving," says Sakurai. "If you compare games made 20 or 30 years ago to games today, they are completely different. Because the medium is always evolving, you can't really look back and reflect properly on everything you've achieved."

Aside from technical advancements, games come in so many flavours, styles, and genres that it's really difficult and probably not helpful to compare Balatro to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Super Smash Bros. and Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai says "it's best to just play games, instead of looking at who made them," so please don't perceive him.

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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. CATEGORIES Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Platforms Nintendo PRODUCTS Kirby Super Smash Bros. Ultimate George YoungFreelance News Writer

Freelance writer, full-time PlayStation Vita enthusiast, and speaker of some languages. I break up my days by watching people I don't know play Pokemon pretty fast.

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