Masahiro Sakurai Reveals What He Thinks Was ‘The Most Incredible Year for the Game Industry’

Fan-favorite game developer Masahiro Sakurai recently shared what he feels was the «best year» in the gaming industry so far, showing some love for the early days of the NES. Throughout his career, Sakurai has cemented his status as a legendary member of the gaming world and a popular creator among Nintendo fans. Sakurai is best known for his work on the Super Smash Bros. franchise, though Masahiro Sakurai also hosts a YouTube channel where he discusses different aspects of his time in game development. Now, Sakurai is weighing in on his «best year in gaming.»

The argument for the best year in video games has often been a contentious topic among fans, with many different eras of gaming highlighted. 2004 has been a popular choice among many gamers with a plethora of smash-hit games released, including Half-Life 2 and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. 2017 serves as a recent example of a highlight year for many fans, with beloved games like Nier: Automata, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Hollow Knight. However, the Super Smash Bros. developer's pick for gaming's best year dates back to the mid-1980s.

As reported by NintendoLife, Masahiro Sakurai recently shared his pick for the «best year in gaming» in a YouTube video, revealing he believes 1986 to be gaming's pinnacle. Sakurai cited a plethora of reasons for his pick with several major game franchises debuting in 1986, including The Legend of Zelda, Castlevania, and Metroid. Sakurai highlighted major developments in the gaming world throughout 1986 as well, with the release of the Famicom Disk System and «megabit» cartridges allowing for larger games. Sakurai also touched on the NES' release in Europe during 1986.

During the video, Sakurai touched on the long-lasting impact of many of the franchises getting their start in 1986. Sakurai would pull from his own experience with Super Smash Bros, sharing that multiple series like Castlevania and Dragon Quest would eventually be added to the fighting game. He