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Miyamoto praises Angry Birds

Eddie Makuch
By Eddie Makuch, News Editor

Legendary Nintendo designer says he wishes he'd designed the bird-flinging super game; claims controls would "obviously" be better on a DS.

Some gamers may shrug off Rovio's hugely popular downloadable game Angry Birds as a simple way to pass time on the train or on a car ride, but Legend of Zelda and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto is a big fan of the series.

What if Miyamoto created Angry Birds?

What if Miyamoto created Angry Birds?

Speaking with Hookshot Inc. in Paris this week, Miyamoto was asked about which smartphone games have caught his eye.

"There aren't many games that I've played recently that have been truly convincing to me. But that said, I have very much enjoyed Angry Birds, especially the way in which it combines traditional and new game elements in exciting ways," he said. "Angry Birds is a very simple idea but it's one of those games that I immediately appreciated when I first started playing, before wishing that I had been the one to come up with the idea first."

As for why Angry Birds is so compelling for Miyamoto, the legendary designer replied, "In particular the control scheme is excellent. When you analyze it, the controls are actually quite fuzzy in terms of the way that it works. It takes a little while to get used to the controls, I think, but once you've mastered them, you have a lot of precision. To make it the interface and controls work that well and intuitively… well, I think a lot of work went into getting that right."

Miyamoto even jabbed at Apple's hardware, claiming that if Angry Birds had been developed for the Nintendo DS, the controls would have "obviously been better, but what can you do?"

The original Angry Birds is closing in on 1 billion downloads, and a true sequel--Angry Birds Space--was released last month. For more on that title, check out GameSpot's review.

Eddie Makuch
By Eddie Makuch, News Editor

Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He lives in Connecticut, works out of the company's New York City office, and loves extra chunky peanut butter.

78 Comments

  • Master_2

    Posted Apr 14, 2012 10:36 pm GMT

    @supertom221 lol you think Puzzles are childish, but haven't you realize by now that life is also a puzzles, as example there are many pieces that you need to put together in your life and you should know some of them by now. Unless you have no life than i can't complain, so your just contradicting yourself. P.S Miyamoto please don't copy Angry bird, i agreed that the game is pretty good but try doing your own stuff.

  • supertom221

    Posted Apr 14, 2012 2:09 pm GMT

    @skateryanboarde
    Oh most definately. Miyamoto's games, in comparison to Angry birds are as deep as the Black Sea.... But honestly, I can't play a Mario or Zelda game for more than 30 minutes without wanting to punch myself. Not because the games are bad, but because they are so boooooring.... Puzzles are childish, design is colourful but repetitive, plot is less than laughable.... I just don't like that simlpe minded style, sorry.

  • skateryanboarde

    Posted Apr 14, 2012 12:06 pm GMT

    I like playing Angry Birds, but I can't play it for long periods of time, and I still feel like I'm wasting my time. Miyamoto's games have kept be occupied for longer periods of time, and I never feel like I'm wasting my time.

    @supertom221 Miyamoto's games haven't been as simple as Angry Birds since the original Donkey Kong...

  • supertom221

    Posted Apr 14, 2012 8:51 am GMT

    I'm not suprised. He makes simple-minded family games. So do Rovio.

    What's funny is alot of Nintendo fans were hating on Angry Birds when in reality, they play the same kind of games.

    And people call me a bigot when I say I don't like Miyamoto's games... heh.

  • toyo75

    Posted Apr 14, 2012 1:56 am GMT

    He should make a game called "Angry Consumers"
    Disgruntled gamers launch cheating game companies like Capcom into deep space :-)

  • Eternal_Phoenix

    Posted Apr 13, 2012 6:56 pm GMT

    Miyamoto: creator of several of the best gaming franchises and games of all times, and now he is sinking into praising a shallow game such as fail birds, the end is near!!!

  • Land-0-Funk

    Posted Apr 13, 2012 12:26 pm GMT

    Miyamoto's not a hater.

  • DARKNESSxEAGLE

    Posted Apr 13, 2012 11:04 am GMT

    Sounds like he's going for one last push with the DS original before giving the 3DS his all.

  • Link_Destined_1

    Posted Apr 13, 2012 8:44 am GMT

    To anyone who is still dismissive of Angry Birds even after a game design genius like Miyamato is simply clinging to the past.

    The genius of Angry Birds is that while it may not appeal to us, the "hardcore", it's a wonderful game for people who don't play video games obsessively. It's easy to pick up and put down, its design is appealing, and its control scheme works perfectly for mobile phones. Miyamoto recognizes its appeal, just like he did with Little Big Planet.

    Besides, the quality of a game is hardly a factor on how well it sells.

  • Wormkid_64

    Posted Apr 13, 2012 6:49 am GMT

    Yeah it's a neat little game,but not that great. Still,it's cool to see a big name in gaming as a regular guy who likes playing around with smartphone games and making jabs at Apple. Miyamoto is a pretty cool dude.

  • dxdevilex0

    Posted Apr 13, 2012 4:22 am GMT

    Yes it was fun,but it was only 'fun' for that long.Though angry birds is one of the few which shined among all the other crappy phones games.

  • Sir_Torrigan

    Posted Apr 13, 2012 2:41 am GMT

    I've played this a bit, while I don't like it, I don't hate it either. To each, their own I suppose, and Miyamoto-san obviously likes it. And ultimately, that's all that matters. (ones own opinion).

  • Omega_Zero69

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 10:23 pm GMT

    played the first one and some of the second one but i dont know why so many people like it

  • DiverseGamer

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 8:52 pm GMT

    Wow, I can see it now...

    Angry Birds In Space 3D!!! $39.99

  • servb0ts

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 7:49 pm GMT

    Angry Birds is nothing more than a 2D version of Wii Boom Blox

  • raahsnavj

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 7:14 pm GMT

    Wow, I had the exact opposite experience than him. I think angry birds sucks in just about every way.

  • Animatronic64 posted Apr 12, 2012 6:58 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Animatronic64

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 6:58 pm GMT (hide)

    I've never played Angry Birds, but it sucks.

  • HyruleanLink

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 6:51 pm GMT

    Getting praise from Miyamoto is high honor!

  • UnwantedSpam

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 5:51 pm GMT

    Miyamoto, I love ya like a brother (not creepy at all), but sometimes I want to slap you.

    Angry Birds can't hold my attention for more than 2 minutes at a time. I'm sorry, it could be just me, but I can't get into the game. it's just...boring, in my opinion. Too simple for my tastes. How something like this became a pop-culture icon is beyond me. Hate me all ya want, but I just don't like Angry Birds.

  • guitardeth3

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 5:42 pm GMT

    What "New gameplay elements" does it have? I don't think he's ever played a flash game...

  • daviidkaos

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 5:07 pm GMT

    It is so humble of him talking so good of a game that has challenged Nintendo, Miyamoto is truly a genious!

  • R2BDSi

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 5:00 pm GMT

    Can't wait to see people twist this story up! *welp looks like they beat me to it*

  • kreegan64

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 4:42 pm GMT

    I'm kinda surprised that Miyamoto would say this, especially since that angry birds dude practically challanged Nintendo when he said that angry birds could take Mario's spot as the most recognized gaming icon. I guess I'm not used to seeing adults in the gaming industry with the way those childish devs at Activision and EA talk about eachothers' identical game like how 5-year-olds would argue about it. And then there was that insulting session with that guy from Activision and Tim Schafer.

    I think the gaming industry might have hope yet.

  • NeonNinja

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 4:06 pm GMT

    @AuronXavier
    I think a lot of people hate it because they either haven't played it or they entered with the mindset of "let's see this stupid game." I think it's good fun and totally worth the dollar I paid for it. Some of the levels are just insanely creative in how you're supposed to fling the birds.

  • AuronXavior

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 3:55 pm GMT

    The only reason angry birds gets hated on is because its over-rated and developers want to label it as the greatest game of all time. Its certainly isn't a bad game to say the least.

  • hadlee73

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 3:51 pm GMT

    Haha I love Miyamoto. When most people play Angry Birds they just have fun bashing and burying the pigs. When Miyamoto plays it he analyzes the control system

  • Shango4

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 3:30 pm GMT

    @HeadExploder
    go to hell

  • HeadExploder

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 3:24 pm GMT

    sucks that everyone forgets that angry birds is just a rip off of crash the castle, and other slingshot games before that.

  • thaddusbly

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 3:18 pm GMT

    overrated game

  • gamebuyer22

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 2:43 pm GMT

    He has said he wished he made Little Big Planet too

  • solidsnakedude1

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 2:31 pm GMT

    I doubt the DS would have made a huge improvement to the game, and Nintendo probably would have charged more than one dollar for it.

  • benleslie5 Site Greeter

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 2:21 pm GMT

    Nintendo wants to buy the rights for it maybe

  • Big_Pecks posted Apr 12, 2012 2:09 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Big_Pecks

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 2:09 pm GMT (hide)

    He's giving in...

  • soulless4now

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 1:58 pm GMT

    Not surprising in the least that he plays Angry Birds. lol

  • FlameEmperor

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 1:41 pm GMT

    @push88 Miyamoto did not create Kid Icarus uprising....... And The controls for Kid Icarus were quite easy to get used to.

  • AuronAXE

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 1:26 pm GMT

    Angry Birds to me felt like something I've played a billion times on flash portal sites, and yet the fact that it sold so incredibly well is something you have to give to Rovio as a plus of the game. Sometimes simplicity just works best I guess.

  • Wyckid

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 1:17 pm GMT

    Angry Birds is absolutely nothing new. It just caught on because of the quirky graphics and sound effects and catchy name. Check Newgrounds. There have to be at least 100 games identical to Angry Birds from the last decade or so...

  • push88

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 12:56 pm GMT

    Yeah, maybe the controls would "obviously" be as "good" as they are on Kid Icarus: Uprising right?
    That's sarcasm folks...

  • mario-nin-freak

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 12:50 pm GMT

    He should make "Happy Pigs" where you place your pigs on the levels and blow them up all at the same time, trying to make the objects fly into and break all the bird's eggs!

  • charliezard

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 12:42 pm GMT

    Jeeze, guys. He's just complimenting a game for its simplicity. Ease your hate. He's not saying that Angry Birds is better than Zelda--he's just being a swell guy. Miyamoto is a cool dude in my book, and his games are wonderful.

  • BlueRaptor7

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 12:40 pm GMT

    Even if Miyamoto made Angry Birds, it wouldn't have been as successful as it is now due to the coverage it receives (smart phones/tablets/etc). It may have sold well on the DS, but it wouldn't be the pop-culture icon that it is now.

  • DrKill09 posted Apr 12, 2012 12:20 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    DrKill09

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 12:20 pm GMT (hide)

    Well, I guess he's easily amused. The game isn't even original. There have been many flash games with THE EXACT SAME GAMEPLAY many years before it.

    So, he can be impressed by a ripoff. I'M not impressed by the man that rereleases the same five games every other year.

  • moviequest14

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 12:17 pm GMT

    And in other news Spielberg ,in a recent interview, says he is jealous of the success of Twilight and wished he had made it instead.

  • mutley89 posted Apr 12, 2012 12:08 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    mutley89

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 12:08 pm GMT (hide)

    Wishing you had created the most unimaginative game in history...that has to be a low point surely??

  • sgt-hawkins

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 12:01 pm GMT

    I really like this article and a lot of the comments offer interesting ideas on the ever changing game industry.

  • vader501st

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 11:51 am GMT

    Angry Birds lol.

  • dawnofhero

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 11:47 am GMT

    Kinda makes you wonder: if Miyamoto actually did create Angry Birds, people would praise it to no end.

  • iPostMaReviews

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 11:40 am GMT

    So first it's Halo, the Angry Birds?

  • MasterMarr posted Apr 12, 2012 11:23 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    MasterMarr

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 11:23 am GMT (hide)

    Aaaand... Miyamoto just lost any sort of credibility he once had. Figures.

  • Flint247

    Posted Apr 12, 2012 11:23 am GMT

    Did not see this coming. O:

    I do not see anything wrong with him liking Angry Birds, though. It may not be too groundbreaking, but it is good to take a compliment when given.

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