Arcana, known as "Card Master" in Japan, is an RPG that Masahiro Sakurai received "Special Thanks" for during his early days with HAL Laboratory. How mysterious.

     Masahiro Sakurai directs his first title! When Sakurai was just 19 years old, he created the character Kirby. Originally named "PoPoPo", the supposed color of the character was slightly ambiguous. In disagreement with Shigeru Miyamoto's suggestion of "Yellow", Kirby was drawn as pink on the Japanese cover of the game. However, due to confusion on the North American side of things, Kirby is simply displayed as white.

     Masahiro Sakurai's second Kirby game represented one of the last great games for the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America. Significant elements of the Kirby franchise were first introduced here, including Kirby's ability copying. Furthermore, this game marks the introduction of the fan-favorite chivalrous rival, Meta Knight.

     The first spin-off game in the Kirby series sees Kirby bouncing around in a Pinball table. Interestingly, this game was released on the same day in Japan as in North America.

      Considered by many to be Masahiro Sakurai's first masterpiece game, it can be said that Kirby Super Star has influenced all future Sakurai work in some manner. Many credit the creation of Master Hand to the stage boss "Wham Bam Rock". Furthermore, plenty of other intricate details from this game appear throughout Sakurai's later work. Shields seen in this game are similar to shields in the Super Smash Bros. series. The Arena inspired All-Star Mode in Super Smash Bros. The list goes on...

      Within HAL Laboratory, Masahiro Sakurai and the man who is currently Nintendo's President, Satoru Iwata, together worked on what started out as a small project. Originally developed as a game entitled Dragon King: The Fighting Game, the inclusion of Nintendo characters was truly the breath of life into the Smash Bros. experience. This 4-player battle royal has gone on to become the name that is synonomous with Sakurai.

      The sequel to the N64 smash hit, "Melee" is considered among the grandest games that Masahiro Sakurai has created in his career. This game is said to have laid down the elements of what makes an incredible Masahiro Sakurai video game. Throughout the life of the Nintendo GameCube, Super Smash Bros. Melee proved to be one of the most popular titles.

     This re-make of the original Kirby's Aventure on the Nintendo Entertainment System faithfully retains the fun of the original. Noticable right away, the style of the menus is similar to Sakurai's prior recent work, which makes sense considering his role in the development of the game.

     Masahiro Sakurai originally started work on Kirby Air Ride as an early Nintendo 64 title. However, the game eventually stopped receiving press and was assumed to be canceled. Thankfully, this title had a rebirth on the Nintendo GameCube. It was not long after this title that Sakurai took his leave from HAL Laboratory to pursue new experiences.

     This title was developed by the now-defunct Capcom subsidiary, Flagship. Masahiro Sakurai did not direct this title, but is instead credited with the position of advisor.

     This game represents a significant moment in Masahiro Sakurai's career. After breaking away from HAL Laboratory, Inc. and becoming freelance, Sakurai teamed up with designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi who had previously made a similar jump. Together, working under Mizuguchi's new company, Q Entertainment, another experience was born. Between the eclectic style menus, the use of familiar Smash Bros. terms such as "Stock", addictive gameplay, and even the gleefully excessive stat tracking capability, there is no mistaking who created this game.

     Masahiro Sakurai recieves credit in this game for the original concept of Meteos. Unfortunately, no Geolytes are to be found in this title -- just Mickey!

     The newest edition of Super Smash Bros. Masahiro Sakurai's latest masterpiece recieves accolade from fans everywhere, but it's a game that came to be against harsh odds. With Sakurai no longer working exclusively with Nintendo, it must have been fate to be introduced to a team of dedicated Smash playing game developers at GameArts. While the development of this wonderful game is an epic in itself, Super Smash Bros. Brawl was arguably one of the most highly anticipated games ever during it's development.

     Some projects with the involvement of Masahiro Sakurai have not seen release in North America. For instance, Masahiro Sakurai is credited with special thanks in the game "Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi". Also, game design for a portable LCD game titled "Sodatete! Konchuu Ousha Mushi King" was actually done by Sakurai! Not all projects that Masahiro Sakurai has been involved in appear on this page.