How Breath of the Wild Pays Tribute To A Deceased Nintendo President

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a spectacular incarnation of the widely adored franchise with a vast open world concept, and if players are keen enough they may have spotted an homage to the late President of Nintendo. In Breath of the Wild, Link wakes from a hundred year sleep and is charged with exploring a mostly-demolished Hyrule in order to reclaim Hyrule Castle from the vicious Calamity Ganon. It is The Legend of Zelda’s first truly open-world game, and gives players little direction for how to play. Released in 2017, Breath of the Wild received several awards including The Game Award for Game of the Year, and despite being released over three years ago, players are still finding exciting new ways to play the game.

Satoru Iwata reigned as CEO and President of Nintendo from 2002 until his death in 2015. He oversaw the release of several landmark consoles like the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo Wii and he was responsible for the company’s huge resurgence in the video game world. A self-identifying gamer at heart, Iwata had his hands in countless Nintendo favorites like Super Smash Brothers, Mario Kart, several Pokemon titles, and many more staples to the industry. In fact, Nintendo released an interview series in which Iwata would speak with other creators behind the Nintendo logo for fans to enjoy. He was a champion among gamers, and helped shaped an entire generation with his contributions. President Iwata was heavily involved with Breath of the Wild before his tragic death, and the developers thought he deserved to be appropriately immortalized for his massive contribution.

Inverse points out that as players explore the massive map of Hyrule, it would be easy to miss a seemingly ordinary NPC by the name of Botrick. If fans know what Iwata looked like, it is interesting that Botrick wears his hair and glasses in a near-identical fashion. He can be found roaming the area of Hyrule Field near Outskirt Stable, and if Link strikes up a conversation, Botrick will tell him of the fabled Lord of the Mountain that frequents a spot on the map known as Satori Mountain to call the souls of animals to gather. “Satori” is a Buddhist term meaning a sudden enlightenment, but it surely is not a coincidence that the word immediately calls out a resemblance to Iwata’s first name.

Other Iwata Tributes In Breath of the Wild

If players aren’t yet convinced, visiting Satori Mountain at the right time proves Botrick right as a magnificent celestial mount grazes underneath a Cherry Blossom tree surrounded by smaller creatures known as Blupees. It is worth mentioning that in Japanese culture, Cherry Blossom trees represent the fleeting nature of life, and a fallen petal is likened to the early passing of a loved one. If Link is stealthy enough to snap a picture of the spiritual steed, the information added to the Hyrule Compendium reads as such:

This noble creature watches over all animals that make their homes in the forest. Legends say this holy creature is a reincarnation of a sage that died on the lands it now protects. It has an acute awareness of its surroundings, so it seldom appears before people. It’s sometimes known by its other name, Satori.

The beauty of Satori Mountain in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and of its residents, is awe-inspiring. The glow of the spirits in their peaceful habitat under the Cherry Blossom Tree will stop even the busiest of players to marvel at its brilliance. If players desire, they can tame The Lord of the Mountain and traverse Hyrule at superb speeds, but it is not possible to register the mount at a stable. Once Link dismounts, it dissipates away as nothing but a beautiful memory. The memory of Satoru Iwata is just as poignant. It is near impossible to steer clear of his contributions to the gaming world, and thanks to the developers of Breath of the Wild, players can play side by side with Iwata, memorializing him forever.

Source: Nintendo, Inverse

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