The man who helped make Nintendo a household name is no longer with us.
Hiroshi Yamauchi, former president of Nintendo, passed away today, Thursday, September 19, at the age of 85. Yamauchi was being treated for pneumonia at a hospital in Kyoto. A memorial service will be held at the company headquarters on September 22.
Hiroshi Yamauchi began working at Nintendo as president in 1949. During his time on staff, Yamauchi radically changed the company throughout his tenure, making Nintendo a worldwide household name with the introduction of the Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System and the many lovable characters featured in franchises for the console. Even after retiring from the position of president in May 2002, Yamauchi continued to work as a chairman of the board of directors with Nintendo until 2005. He worked for Nintendo for 53 years as president and three years as chairman.