Do we like Shigeru Miyamoto?
Our score: 8 out of 10. No harmful words or acts turned up and plenty of quiet good, but he rarely speaks on social issues, so we can't say more.
Miyamoto is the Nintendo veteran behind Mario, the plumber who made the company a household name. These days he has handed most of the Mario work to younger teams. He told reporters last year he only plays the first half hour of new games to check they feel right, and he has moved into Hollywood and theme park work.
The latest news is a big honour. Japan's government named him to its 2026 Order of Culture, and he is reported to be the first person from the games industry to get it. Reports say he considers himself very lucky. Fair enough, mate.
The mini-stoush this year was about the film. After The Super Mario Galaxy Movie copped harsh reviews, he told Nintendo Dream the response was even harsher than last time and called it strange. He also said critics who try to liven up film come across as passive, which is a bit much, but it's a grumble about reviews, not people.
On the harm check, the record is clean but quiet. We found no words or campaigns from him against LGBTQ+ people, women, migrants or the planet, and no dodgy company. In 2013 he said Nintendo had added more female characters because more women play, and that a woman rescuing a man was fine if it suited the gameplay. That is mild, but it is on the right side. Honestly, he just doesn't do culture-war commentary.
On the good side, in 2008 the games industry's charity arm honoured him at a dinner raising money for children's charities. He has also handed his franchise to the next generation rather than clinging to it. We found no lawsuits or misconduct allegations against him personally. That is honestly the whole list.