Hideo Kojima Reveals He Skipped School to Play Super Mario Bros
When mentioning Hideo Kojima today, many gamers no longer associate him solely with Metal Gear, but rather as one of the most influential creators in the video game industry someone who seamlessly blends cinematic storytelling with interactive design. Titles like Death Stranding showcase how he bridges real-world filmmaking elements with imaginative gameplay.
However, before entering the gaming industry, many fans have wondered what Kojima’s early life was truly like.
Recently, WIRED highlighted comments from Kojima during an interview where he reflected on his motivations for pursuing game development. According to the legendary creator, his passion began with video games themselves, and one title left such a deep impression that he even skipped school just to play it.
That game was none other than Super Mario Bros. on the Famicom.
The Game That Sparked a Dream
Kojima openly admitted that without Super Mario Bros., he might never have entered the video game industry at all. He spent nearly an entire year immersed in the game, captivated by its world despite its simple mechanics of running, jumping, and overcoming obstacles.
For him, the experience felt like traveling through a magical world, and it was during that time he realized that video games had the potential to go beyond movies as a form of storytelling. That belief would later shape his entire career.
While he jokingly noted that skipping work to play games wouldn’t be acceptable today especially given his overwhelming workload the confession highlights just how formative those early gaming experiences were.
A Lasting Influence on Entertainment
Although video games may not have fully surpassed films in every aspect yet, Kojima has undeniably played a major role in narrowing the gap between live-action cinema and interactive entertainment. His upcoming projects, including OD and Physint, continue to push his long-held vision forward.
It remains to be seen whether Kojima can fully prove his belief that video games can stand alongside or even surpass films as a storytelling medium, but his influence is already undeniable.
About Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. first launched on the Famicom in 1985 and has since been remastered and re-released across multiple Nintendo platforms. Players can currently access the game through digital stores on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, as well as via the NES – Nintendo Switch Online service at no additional cost.
The title is widely regarded as one of the most influential platformers in gaming history, inspiring generations of developers including Hideo Kojima himself.
