Ten years ago today, Gunpei Yokoi died

[7th lutz]

If you didn't believe me go to http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/gunpei-yokoi-passed-10-years-ago-today/

He died October 4, 1997. He was 56 years old.

You give a moment of silence for him today.

When he died, I was in my first semester at a technical college.

He was in the top 5 for impacting my generation in terms of gaming when my generation was growing up. He impacted gamers that were born in the late 60's to early 90's. He impacted games that were born in the late 1960's and the early 1970's by the release of Game & Watch in 1980. I was in 5th grade when the orginal Boy was released.

Gunpei also created many series on Gameboy including Super Mario Land. For portable gaming, he created Game & Watch. For Home console gaming, He created the Metroid series, started the Fire Emblem series, Kid Icarus. He helped bring nes to North America by creating R.O.B.

Everyone that played a portable game system or a series he created should be thankful what he did.

[Single Player Gamer]

Great contributions....unfortunate he passed when he did.

[TurboGenesis]

*embraces original Game Boy in remembrance*

Thank You for all that you have done, Mr. Yokoi.

[Slate]

...............................................

He will always be remembered.

[otaku]

Truly a great man! From the games to the hardware he created some amazing stuff. Gameboy, wonderswan etc all great stuff even the virtual boy to some extent.

[Xexyz]

If you're going to do a tribute post to a person you respect, it might help a little if you spell their name right in the topic title :D

On a serious note, the man did wonders for the failed Super Scope 6. Battleclash, Metal Combat, even the Super Scope 6 pack in were all great. I loved the mans video games. He truly brought a different flavor to Nintendo compared to Miyamoto.

[kaedesdisciple]

I would play a Wonderswan if I still had one, so I'll just play some Gameboy today instead. Truly a great man and a great designer. He went out on a limb with some projects that didn't do so well, but we love him and his visions anyway. May he continue to Rest In Peace.

[Push Upstairs]

I enjoyed the "Super Mario Land" games a lot.

[diskoboy]

Yokoi-san - you are indeed missed by gamers everywhere. :(

The Metroid series hasn't been the same, now that you're gone.

[mario2butts]

Strange, I just had a lengthy discussion with someone the other day about why I think Super Metroid is the greatest game of all time. The series, while still great, hasn't been the same since Yokoi's death.

Truly a genius of hardware and game design.

[Dreamcast]

*Hugs Gameboy*

Thank You For Everthing

[InsaneDavid]

The man truly responsible for Nintendo's success as Miyamoto would have went nowhere without Gunpei Yokoi's technical prowess. He also created the single greatest and most important advance to modern (post joystick era) home and portable gaming - the directional pad. Imagine another couple generations with stubby unresponsive joysticks or circular control discs. *shudders*

Really nice video about the Game & Watch years (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VD2cYCnuic).

[Frica89]

.................................................. ...................



Thanks for supplying me with endless hours of fun.

[Barbarianoutkast85]

I'd like to send a thanks out for Super Mario Land.

[Aussie2B]

You think that with the way I go on about Yokoi all the time that I would've known that this significant anniversary was coming, but I guess I try to focus on his life far more than the particular date that died.

Even though gaming has been enjoyable since 1997, which we can partially thank to his affect on developers prior to his death, it's sad to think what we missed out on had he not tragically lost his life.

As for my personal message, I'd say: Mr. Yokoi, you did not know me nor I you, but you had a profound impact on my life and continue to inspire me. Your contributions to this world have brought me immense joy and have shaped who I am. You have my utmost respect and admiration. You lived your life showing both exuberance about your work and dignity. I hope as long as video games exist in this world you are honored, and I will at least do my part to do that. May you rest in peace and your family take comfort in that, even though you were lost to this world far too soon, you were an amazing, brilliant man.

[Pantechnicon]

Hugs my Gameboy...and my Virtual Boy as well.

Thanks for all the great toys, Yokoi-san.

[Rob2600]

Truly a great man! From the games to the hardware he created some amazing stuff. ... even the virtual boy to some extent.

I agree. I've always thought the Virtual Boy, as flawed as it was, was ahead of its time. As I posted in another topic (Is 3D gaming the next step? (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105026)), I am looking forward to the day when practical, full-color 3D gaming is the norm.

By the way, am I the only one who didn't get a headache from playing the Virtual Boy?

[neuropolitique]

Thanks for the fun.

[gepeto]

I agree. I've always thought the Virtual Boy, as flawed as it was, was ahead of its time. As I posted in another topic (Is 3D gaming the next step? (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105026)), I am looking forward to the day when practical, full-color 3D gaming is the norm.

Yeah I agree way ahead of its time. Compared to the I forget the actual name virtual glasses that had a stem that rested on your next and was 200 dollars. It was a decent attempt.

They have all seem to have abandoned that technology for the entertainment feild. Whenever it's done right it will probably be addictive as crack. If I was on the enterprise I would have never left the holodeck.

[Rob2600]

If I was on the enterprise I would have never left the holodeck.

I bet some people would be complaining that the holograms weren't 1080p. :)

[Jimid2]

It's somewhat fitting that I received Wario Land (Virtual Boy) in the mail yesterday. I too had forgotten that it was the anniversary of his tragic death, but I'll play this and Gunpei on my Wonderswan in his memory today. My life would certainly be the lesser had it not been for him and his amazing creativity. Domo arigato, Yokoi-san.

[mailman187666]

*pours out 40 on the sidewalk*

I too am grateful for the entertainment he gave me as a kid. Gameboy was my favorite back in the day. I never really knew about him before, but reading what he did, I am glad he was there with nintendo's earlier years. I tip my hat to him.

[diskoboy]

Yeah I agree way ahead of its time. Compared to the I forget the actual name virtual glasses that had a stem that rested on your next and was 200 dollars. It was a decent attempt.

They have all seem to have abandoned that technology for the entertainment feild. Whenever it's done right it will probably be addictive as crack. If I was on the enterprise I would have never left the holodeck.

Sega did a fairly good job with Segascope 3-D. Most of the SMS 3-D games are quite fun to play, and the illusion of depth was outstanding. Especially in games like Space Harrier 3-D, OutRun 3-D, Zaxxon 3-D, and Missle Defense 3-D.

The only problem with Segascope 3-D were the glasses. While they worked very well, they were just too big and bulky, and had a tendency to slip off your nose, due to lack of nose grips.

But I would also like to see a resurgance in (actual depth) 3-D games.

My apologies for going off-topic....

[PentiumMMX]

So long, and thanks for all the Super Mario Land...

[RetroYoungen]

I tell people about Yokoi-san when I can, to let them know about somebody who really left their mark on the gaming industry like few individuals have. It's a real shame he passed the way he did; if it had been natural we could be simply praising his memory instead of trying to think of what he might've accomplished had he not left the game so early.

R.I.P., Gunpei. I'll be truly appreciating my games in your memory. :)

[DogP]

Wow... I didn't realize that was yesterday. I grew up playing Game Boy, and the Virtual Boy is still my favorite system... so thanks for all the years of fun. RIP Gunpei.

DogP

[Jorpho]

Why haven't we linked to http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_87/490-Searching-for-Gunpei-Yokoi yet (from this thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104116)) ?

(Gotta love that nod to the Ultra Hand in Warioware Touched.)