Game designer Masahiro Sakurai has revealed that he is not ready to retire, despite increasingly noticing the physical demands of his work. Speaking at the Famitsu 40th Anniversary Festival on November 7, 2026, the Super Smash Bros. and Kirby creator explained that he will reconsider retirement when demand for his work disappears or he can no longer meet it.
Sakurai Explains What Could Make Him Retire
During a discussion celebrating his book Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games: Final, Sakurai revisited a retirement column he had written five years earlier. He explained that his decision would depend on two factors: whether people still want his work and whether he remains capable of delivering it.
Sakurai remarked,
“Unfortunately, I’m still working at full throttle.”
However, the veteran developer acknowledged experiencing physical changes, particularly increased eye fatigue. He also questioned whether maintaining such an intense working routine indefinitely was sustainable.
Sakurai described his biggest uncertainty as when his “spirit” might finally break, adding that people eventually need to move on to different stages of their lives.
Although retirement remains a possibility, Sakurai continues thinking about how he can contribute to the gaming industry beyond developing games.
He previously explored this approach through his YouTube channel, Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games, where he shared development knowledge and insights with aspiring creators.
For now, Sakurai has not announced any retirement plans or confirmed details about his next project. His comments suggest that he intends to continue working while he can meet the demand for his creative contributions.
