Universal’s Livestream Fails to Recognize Mario’s Creator, Fans Outraged!

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During the live broadcast from Universal’s Epic Universe, the hosts were taken aback when Shigeru Miyamoto, the mastermind behind Mario and Donkey Kong, casually strolled by the camera, giving the impression that he didn’t recognize the legendary Nintendo figure.

Instead of focusing on the joyous occasion intended for the unveiling of Universal’s eagerly awaited Epic Universe amusement park, an unusual live broadcast incident has drawn all the attention – and unfortunately, not in a positive manner.

Imagine working this event and not knowing who Shigeru Miyamoto is…

— Smash JT (@SmashJT) May 21, 2025

Last night at Universal Orlando’s “Blue Carpet” live broadcast, notable personalities and social media stars assembled to commemorate the launch of Epic Universe. However, an unexpected twist occurred as a key personality associated with the park’s rides prepared to make their entrance.

Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary figure behind Mario at Nintendo, graced the Epic Universe livestream. He strolled past the red carpet with a warm smile and energetically waved using both hands. Dressed fittingly for the event, he showcased a Super Nintendo World shirt – one of the key lands in Epic Universe that bears testament to his iconic inventions.

Initially, the hosts built anticipation for a very important guest, mentioning that someone “extraordinary” would appear alongside their colleague Shobit. However, when the camera switched to reveal the guest, it was just Miyamoto strolling by without Shobit in sight. The excitement level instantly plummeted, and neither host made any comment. There was no announcement, no celebration, and no recognition of the guest’s presence.

As the feed resumed on the screen, the hosts seemed noticeably bewildered. In her chair centrally positioned, Leyla Lawrence gazed into the lens, softly saying, “Well… um…

The awkward silence didn’t go unnoticed.

Video clips from the event are rapidly spreading on social media platforms, causing a stir among fans who find it unusual, even disrespectful, that Shigeru Miyamoto was neither recognized nor acknowledged. Given that Super Nintendo World, featuring attractions based on Super Mario Bros. and the upcoming Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madness roller coaster, wouldn’t exist without him, one might expect some recognition of his contributions.

It’s reasonable that the hosts might not have recognized a gaming icon like Mario, especially if they aren’t gamers themselves. But it seems strange that Universal, knowing they were hosting such an influential guest, didn’t brief their staff adequately to avoid such an embarrassing oversight in front of a worldwide audience.

Who Is Shigeru Miyamoto?

For people not aware (such as the stream hosts here), Shigeru Miyamoto is a highly significant figure in video game history. Originally from Kyoto, Japan, born in 1952, he began working for Nintendo in 1977. Notably, he created Donkey Kong, a character who would later be known as Mario to the world. Afterward, he developed some of the most treasured gaming franchises ever made, like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Star Fox, Pikmin, and F-Zero.

Miyamoto’s works revolutionized the landscape of interactive entertainment, enriching it with narrative, innovation, and profound emotions. A realm that was previously centered on arcade-style simplicity, was transformed by his creations, which have collectively sold over hundreds of millions globally and significantly shaped the modern concept of video games.

It’s not an overstatement to acknowledge that Miyamoto was instrumental in shaping Nintendo into what it is today, and consequently, the development of Super Nintendo World as well.

Why It Matters

In any situation, that moment would have been uncomfortable. However, for it to occur during a live broadcast celebrating the launch of a theme park featuring not one, but two areas inspired by Miyamoto’s masterpieces was truly mind-boggling.

Instead of being a casual visitor, this person turned out to be Mario’s father. Remarkably, the livestream presenters failed to announce his name.

It’s possible some people thought the hosts didn’t recognize him, or weren’t informed about who he was. However, this only adds to the awkwardness of the situation. If your broadcast team doesn’t identify the creator of your main features, there seems to have been a significant oversight in event coordination.

It’s only fair to assume that privately, Universal afforded Miyamoto the reverence he deserves. Publicly though, it seemed like a renowned figure in the industry was being overlooked—an event likely to be more remembered for its conspicuous silence than its enthusiastic acclaim.

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2025-05-22 14:55