“I Probably Wouldn’t Be in This Industry” – Hideo Kojima Credits Super Mario for Inspiring Metal Gear and Death Stranding
Hideo Kojima, the legendary creator behind the Metal Gear series and Death Stranding, has revealed that one of his earliest inspirations to enter the gaming industry was Super Mario Bros. In a recent interview, Kojima suggested that without Mario, Kojima Productions—and perhaps even his career-defining projects—might never have existed.
Since its arcade debut in the 1980s, the Mario franchise has become one of the most recognizable pop culture icons worldwide. The release of Super Mario Bros. on the NES not only cemented Nintendo’s dominance in the home console market but also inspired countless game developers, including Kojima.
During his conversation with Wired, Kojima shared personal stories about how Super Mario Bros. influenced him. He admitted to skipping college classes just to play the game, and emphasized that it showed him how video games could eventually rival movies in storytelling potential, despite the original Mario featuring a simple plot. For Kojima, that early experience marked the moment he realized the medium’s narrative possibilities.
Kojima also discussed other creative influences beyond Nintendo. When asked about filmmakers, he listed iconic directors such as Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock, and John Carpenter. Kojima cited 2001: A Space Odyssey as his favorite film, praising it as a perfect blend of scientific and philosophical storytelling. He even revealed movies he would like to adapt into games, mentioning Predator: Badlands and Last Samurai Standing as having “video game plots” ripe for adaptation.
Kojima’s Lasting Impact on Gaming
Over decades in the industry, Kojima has built a monumental legacy. At the 2025 Game Awards, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach earned seven nominations, tying for second-most of the evening. While it did not win, it was a finalist for “Game of the Year,” ultimately losing to Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The original Death Stranding had previously earned “Best Game Direction” in 2019.
Kojima Productions shows no signs of slowing down. In 2023, Kojima announced OD, a new horror title published by Xbox Game Studios, co-written with acclaimed filmmaker Jordan Peele. Additionally, he has teased a return to the action-espionage genre with a project called Physint, developed alongside Sony and Columbia Pictures. With these upcoming releases, Kojima continues to solidify his reputation as one of gaming’s most innovative creators—a journey that, as he acknowledges, began with a little plumber named Mario.
