Super Nintendo by Keza MacDonald

From the instant classics to the hidden gems, Nintendo's video games occupy a special place in the hearts of hundreds of millions of people around the globe. Every player has forged a unique connection with a beloved game, feeling that rush of awe and wonder as they immersed themselves in a virtual world in pursuit of that most human of impulses: the desire to have fun.

Super Nintendo finds lifelong gamer Keza MacDonald exploring Nintendo's legendary roster of games - as well as consoles such as the SNES, Gameboy, Wii and Switch, and a host of other quirky inventions from the Power Glove to Nintendo Labo - drawing from decades' worth of exclusive interviews with their creators and the people whose lives have been changed by them. Along the way, she tells the story of how this unassuming playing card company, founded in Kyoto in 1889, became one of the dominant cultural forces of the twenty-first century.

Offering unparalleled access to the company and its fun-filled world, and written with warmth and wit, Super Nintendo captures the love that so many of us feel for video games - and reveals just what that love tells us about being human.

FEATURING CHAPTERS ON

Ultrahand, Donkey Kong, Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Pokemon, Kirby's Adventures, Wii Sports, Animal Crossing, Nintendo Labo, Super Smash Bros, Splatoon

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Super Nintendo explores the history and cultural impact of Nintendo through its most significant games, consoles, and creative eras. Drawing on decades of interviews with developers and creators, Keza MacDonald traces the company’s evolution from an unassuming Kyoto playing-card business founded in 1889 to one of the most influential entertainment companies of the modern era.

Rather than offering a strictly technical history, the book focuses on the ideas, people, and moments that shaped Nintendo’s distinctive approach to fun, play, and creativity.

What Worked for Me

The book is structured around key games and inventions—Donkey Kong, Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Animal Crossing, Wii Sports, and more—but the chapters aren’t limited to those titles alone. Instead, each one acts as a doorway into a particular moment in Nintendo’s history, using individual games as anchors to explore broader shifts in design philosophy, technology, and company culture.

I was pleasantly surprised by how many of the games and consoles I recognised, even across different eras of Nintendo’s output. The writing assumes enthusiasm rather than expertise, making it accessible whether you’ve been playing since the SNES days or dipped in later with the Wii or Switch.

Notable Highlights

• Chapters that blend specific games with the wider context of the era they emerged from

• Interesting, well-chosen factoids throughout (including the origin of Donkey Kong as a response to a failed project)

• A clear sense of affection for both the games and the people who made them, without tipping into uncritical nostalgia

Overall Thoughts

Super Nintendo is an engaging and informative read that balances industry history with human stories. It’s thoughtful without being heavy, knowledgeable without being exclusionary, and clearly written by someone who understands why these games matter to so many people.

A great choice for lifelong Nintendo fans, casual players curious about gaming history, or anyone interested in how play, creativity, and cultural influence intersect.