Nintendo gaming pioneer Hiroshi Yamauchi dies aged 85

Hiroshi Yamauchi, the man responsible for steering Nintendo into the gaming giants they are today, has died aged 85.

Yamauchi acted as president at Nintendo for an astonishing 53 years between 1949 and 2002 before passing the reins over to current head Satoru Iwata.

The former-Nintendo head’s legacy will forever be turning the brand into the most recognisable name in gaming, with Yamauchi overseeing the company’s transition from card making business to electronic entertainment giants. From the original Donkey Kong coin-op right through to the launch of the Gamecube, Yamauchi was in charge of it all.

Even after leaving his position as president, Yamauchi retained close ties with the company, and was listed as their largest shareholder as of March 2013.

Nintendo issued the following statement: “Nintendo is in mourning today from the sad loss of the former Nintendo president Mr Hiroshi Yamauchi, who sadly passed away this morning.”