Hiroshi Yamauchi, the Japanese businessman credited with transforming Nintendo into a world-leading video games company, has died aged 85. Mr Yamauchi ran the firm for 53 years, and was its second-largest shareholder at the time of his death.

The company confirmed the news in an emailed statement. A spokesman said the firm was in mourning over the "loss of the former Nintendo president Mr Hiroshi Yamauchi, who sadly passed away this morning." Mr Yamauchi ran the company from 1949 until 2002. In that time, he took what was a small-time collectable trading card company and built it into one of the most recognisable - and successful - video games brands today. Click to expand...

Google Translate: The 19th, Nintendo has announced Yamauchi 溥氏 of former president has died in the morning at the same day by adviser. Was 85 years old.Thanks to fellow gaffer Hayama Akito for the link.--I will try to keep up the OP with relevant articles or quotes around him. And obviously mods can edit anything if they feel something's missing.Snippets from the book Game Over, detailing the rise of Nintendo during the 80s with a few moments starring Yamauchi:Interview with Yamauchi in 1992 in the Seattle Times after getting the majority share of the Seattle Mariners.