The Question No One Asks Shigeru Miyamoto 

We're finally back with another Hyrule Journals. For those confused about the episode 3 business, episode 2, which is on Majora's Mask, is still on its way. I just needed to get this out first. I hope you enjoy the video!

I think Javed's goal on RU-vid (in addition to his incredible work at Second Wind) is just to show up every two or three years to make the rest of us look bad 👀

"Tears of the Kingdom gives players further freedom" Players: Creates 999 different ways to torture Koroks

I think that A Link Between Worlds is underrated in this regard. It has the right amount of interesting "theme park attractions" to compliment creative expression. Players are not bottlenecked into the same path since every dungeon in Lorule can be tackled in any order and they can choose which items will be used to tackle the challenges.

I literally purged my RU-vid subscriptions last night, saw you hadn't uploaded in years, but kept you around. By the time I was done here you are

I've been racking my brain over how to incorporate the wonder of a Zelda Game into the landscape of my homestead, starting with the triangle theory, going on to map out zones as "regions," Incorporating puzzles and small places of spiritual power, and even coming up with little puzzles that would make even your spare time engaging with the land outside of functional chores, and I kept feeling there was some philosophical element that I was missing entirely. I see it now. Thank you. Excellent video, and what a serious dedication to finding all of the mentions of the Mini Garden in various interviews across two languages. Bravo.

Every couple of months you find that one video that's so good it sticks with you. This one of those. ♥

Wow, it feels like a crime to watch this labor of love for free. Extremely entertaining and informative. It's incredible that Miyamoto had the vision for this miniature garden philosophy sense the first Zelda game, he's truly a pioneer in the gaming industry. Thanks for creating this, I hope one day I can reach this level of quality in my own work.

After three decades of The Legend of Zelda, I would have thought that everything related to the games and their design philosophies would have been said in abundance already. But here Javed is with a 35-minute BANGER of a video talking about a major philosophy of the Zelda team from the very beginning that few have talked about in detail! What an incredible video!

At the top of my gaming history wishlist is "Javed interviews Miyamoto" so we can get answers to the real questions. I love the way you think man. Excellent work as always.

After watching this video, I think I finally understand Nintendo's frustrating ambivalence with the series' lore and timelines, especially with the last few entries. They feel like they finally 'made it' and have realized what their game design goals were all along and as such, have become careless about the parts that didn't matter to them.

He comes out of nowhere and just drops masterpieces 😂, love the music and ambience of the video. Keep up the good work 👍

I finally understand BOTW now. I like many people were frustrated with the design philosophy of the game, as well as the elements that make it feel not like a Zelda title. As a 90’s kid I cling and hold dear the personal stories told in OOT, MM, and TP. Don’t get me wrong, I love playing Breath of the Wild, but it’s never felt like “Zelda” to me. We want the old formula back, but I now realize with this that it’s never coming back, because those games were never the target formula for Zelda. BOTW mimicking and improving upon the original in 1986 is what makes it in Nintendo’s eyes, the perfect Zelda. I can now accept and have a much bigger appreciation for this title and the philosophy Miyamoto strives for. I think videos like this that really give context to the minds behind games are so important, and you’ve done an excellent job once again. You’ve truly changed my mind on this era of games, even if I still hold dear the past titles. Looking forward to more of your work soon!

Man I’m sorry but unrelated to this video but you a master class in subtext video is truly the greatest video on all of RU-vid, I’ve recommend it to all my friends and siblings who all grew up with ocarina of time. The first time I watched it by the time the cedits rolled I was in tears. It’s the point I’ve Reyes’s to see and a fasting I struggled with and it’s why ocarina of time spoken to me so much and your video helped me understand why

So my understanding is, they create hakoniwa and the player gets to experience it. The problem became they would create the hakoniwa and say, "This is how you experience it.". You want to get out of this room? Defeat all of these enemies. You want to get past this barrier? Use this macguffin here. You want to get to the end boss? Collect all of these macguffins, but do it in this order. It's not so much that the player is creating the hakoniwa. It's about giving the player a scenario to play in, and the player's creativity comes out through how they do that.

The question he's never asked: "Are all copies of Mario 64 really personalized?"

I’ve been a Zelda fan for almost 30 years and while I’m deeply conflicted by the design change from past Zelda’s, I can understand it so much more thanks to this beautiful analysis. Always enjoy your video essays on games Javed and how they get me to think about games in ways I never thought of before. I’ve been a fan since your OOT video, keep up the great work!

Beautiful once again! The writing is just so so good... Thank you for all your hard work!

5 Years ago your video about OoT guide me into game development from other creative areas. Now, when I am already working in the industry and making my own games, I thank you for giving me one of the best game design videos I've ever seen.

Just discovered this channel and immediately watched all the videos! Great channel, and wish more content on RU-vid was like this!

One of the best videos I’ve ever seen; thank you for finally helping me to understand the importance of Zelda 1

Huh... This is actually the first time I ever heard of this "miniature garden" thing... Maybe that's just because a lot of the more modern Zelda-related interviews that I pay attention to are with Eiji Aonuma, who I felt was a lot more hands-on with the direction of the Zelda series than Miyamoto has been. Still, that's an interesting way to describe the Zelda series, creating a "miniature garden"... What he means by that is certainly going to take some unpacking. Great video for doing just that!

So what you're trying to tell me is that Minecraft is the perfect videogame according to Myamoto's principles?

I'd say Wind Waker's main area of expression, aside from deciding what direction to go in when exploring the islands, was mainly in the combat. Every enemy has unique reactions to each weapon, and experimenting with them is a lot of fun, especially in the later game. Like killing moblins with only the boomerang, by knocking them off the edge.

A new Good Blood video is Christmas present levels of hype and excitement🎉❤😆

this is why we keep notifications ON

This feels like a professional documentary, well worth the wait thank you for inspiring us

Great analysis and excited to see the thoughts of Majoras Mask. I think there is a seperate conflict between a world that feels alive with characters and choice that conflicts some with the sandbox style gameplay. Majoras Mask world feels the most alive to me due to the characters having their lives, daily routines, and how the player has a connection and makes an impact on them. In my eyes seeing a freedom in expression through gameplay and choice along with a world with deep rich characters is the ideal. I took notes on the video today and thanks for the education on hakoniwa! Thanks for these videos, good to see this upload!!

As an aspiring game developer, this documentary was very inspiring! I'm so glad to have discovered this channel! Especially since as a japanese culture enthusiast, I have a miniature Zen Garden in my place. This video made me realise that in a way I had always been a game designer, ever since I was a kid I used to place a big blanket in the living room and placed decorations on top pretending they were islands. The sense of freedom that comes from designing a playground stuffed with secrets to explore is one of the biggest joys a creative person can feel. But what I believe Miyamoto teaches us is that we can gift those sensations to the player as well, making him "play" creatively with our creation and not just forcing him through some obstacles. (Also, what a perfect time to release this video since Zelda EOW interviews are releasing)

I really loved this video. Not only for teaching me about hakoniwa, but the style with which it was made and edited. Simultaneously super relaxing and engaging. Thank you so much for making it.

When I was very young I used to play the N64 and Gamecube that my dad owned and he was a very meticulous player. He had most of his games fully beaten (Tetris sphere eludes him) and finished with all the optional objectives and collectibles and whenever I'd play one of these games, such as Ocarina of Time, I found myself going to play the fully finished saves as frequently as I would with starting a new one, new ones that I should mention rarely went far in the context of zelda. Everything was already finished of course but I was VERY young and didn't have a strong goal when playing games anyway, so I'd just wander hyrule and mess around with all the items my dad had already collected. I don't have a poignant observation for this comment, this video just reminds me of that time.

man, just got goosebumps when I figured it was a new video from You. Guess i didn't even know myself how much I appreciated your work till this moment🙏

Your videos are always of the absolute highest quality, and as a Zelda fan and bonsai grower this is right up my alley.

I absolutely adore your videos. There is honestly no other content creator I look more forward to. It is always worth the wait, and this was no exception. What a wonderful take away to ponder, when it comes to the design philosophy of my favourite game series as well. This will be in the forefront of my mind when I go back to revist them.

This channel never disappoints. Thank you.

Shigeru is such a treasure to the gaming community. His contributions have shaped generations. He is such a gem and there will never be anyone like him. Please keep on living as long as you possibly can Miyamoto ♥

This was incredible. Thank you 💜

Man, the *production quality* of this video essay is completely jaw-dropping. Bravo! As for the topic, this was immensely informative, enlightening, and rewarding to watch as an aspiring game developer. I'd heard the "miniature garden" phrase before, but your in-depth analysis brought all new meaning to it for me. Thank you for putting together such a well-written & produced journey for us.

we finally get a sequel to the incredible oot video! I've been waiting to hear you talk more about Zelda since your production quality and writing's truly the best I've ever seen. and despite the countless retrospectives out there, you still find completely novel things to talk about

"For thousands of years he lay dormant..."

I keep rewatching your OoT Video AT LEAST once a year, I love it so much. Your videos are amazing!

Ohhhhh my god I have literally been waiting years for some more Zelda content from you. What a beautiful it is!! Thank you

Just the best video essays in the business hands down, been watching since the start and always love to see another video. Excited to see the Metal Gear video soon!

AMAZING! I watched half way, went to go take a shower, came back and I saw it put to private. I was so bummed out and went to bed. I FINALLY finished it! This is amazing!!!!! COMPLETELY changes my mind on the Legend of Zelda Series and gaming in general!!!!

I was literally recording a voice over for a video about how Nintendo is a Toy maker rather than a game company, but it looks like you beat me to it! And it's a better video that I could have ever hoped to produce on my own! Well done! You just saved me dozens of hours of work! 🙂 Edit: Thanks for the words of encouragement, y'all. I think I'll go ahead and finish it. Why not, right? 😊

So, what I am hearing is that the most zelda-like experiance (as imagined by the zelda creator's design philophy) is shadow of the colossus? Nice

NO WAY I WAS LITERALY REWATCHING YOUR VIDS YESTERDAY

Your quality and attention to detail is unmatched. Seriously one of the best, if not the best channels I’ve ever subbed to!

Lookin forward to this one, Javed!

An absolute masterpiece. Thank you for posting. Cheers.

It reminds me of how fun it is to look at miniature landscapes in terrariums or train sets and how fun it is imaging yourself tiny and running around exploring it. ❤

I love all your videos so much. They are so well thought out and well researched and I genuinely feel like I take something away every time I watch one

It's back baby!!!

Right on time with 1 video every 36 months. Not a flame, good work takes a long time.

Wow, just wow. Best video I’ve watched in a long time, amazing work!

Incredible work!

anakin skywalker when his game is a sandbox game:

I love this so much Javed❤, thank you!😄💖

There will always be a Zelda cycle and there will never be a “perfect” Zelda game because the two poles of Theme Park and Garden can never be fully realized in the same game. This is why the Zelda series will always have a future because it will never be finished. This also means everyone will always have their favorite flavor of Zelda.

Incredible production value and information on this video! A great look at the mind of one of the most influential developers of all time. :)

Brother you can’t do this to me so late

The introduction alone is already the stuff of legends. I'm impressed. =)

Wow that was an amazing look into their garden

NOBODY asked how he is doing and that broke my heart

The most exciting upload notification I’ve gotten in years

I'm so happy i saw this show up on my youtube feed before I went to bed

I really enjoyed the deep dive you provided with this video!

What an interesting perspective and insight into him, I'm a lifelong fan of Nintendo in particular the Zelda series and never knew about this. Thank you for the video.

This is amazing! Great writing

That was refreshing. Idk what your plans are after Zelda, but I can see this retrospective approach you have on Zelda be similarly refreshing with just about any franchise.

Immediate subscribe. Learned a lot from this - one of the better video essays

Yes your back. i miss this channel.

production on a whole other level,

YES! I was halfway through the video when it got taken down, so excited to finish it 🫡

By garden box, Miyamoto could also mean how the game itself is brought to life in a literal box, a gaming console. With the game itself being the garden.

I think the analysis on Skyward Sword is really reductive, insultingly so. It's true that the items were still pretty restrictive in their uses for solving puzzles, but they were still a huge improvement from Twilight Princess at least in terms of the single use-case problem they had in TP. The real way they added freedom into the game, however, was through the combat. If you look at only the combat in all the 3D Zelda games, it's clear that Skyward Sword paved the way for the absolute freedom in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. I think a lot of people get frustrated by the constant parrying from random mook Bokoblins and think the combat is trash, but that's because they get stuck in the old one-enemy-one-solution mindset. You can play the whole game just going for the obvious solutions for every enemy (finding the right sword angles for Bokoblins and Deku Babas, popping the Imprisoned's toes, etc.), but almost every enemy, even several of the bosses, have alternative strategies that are way more fun. Besides the entire shield parrying mechanic, there are a lot of ways you can interact with the enemies if you just take the time to explore your options, well, not as much as in BotW and TotK obviously, but more than in the previous games for sure.

You're the greatest. Awesome video.

Everybody gangsta until Good Blood remembers his youtube password

Beautiful video This helped me to get new energy to keep doing game design and learn even more Thank you

Oh I am so ready for this.

Good Blood is the only RU-vid videos I actually press the Like button for.

The question no one asks is "What do you mean" in response to "We try to make zelda games like a miniature garden"

I feel like in some ways the Pikmin games are the perfect evolution of Zelda 1. You're literally tending a miniature garden through the form of raising pikmin and each area has you explore a miniature garden. Each miniature garden is full of surprises, like one day it could be raining and different monsters could appear. The limitations like having a time limit just serve to make the game more thrilling and more theme park like. Even then games like Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 4 are more lenient on time and offer more Zelda-like experiences, with the caves basically serving as Zelda 1 style dungeons. Heck, even the concept of dandori is an aspect of haninowa. Careful planning and arrangement.

omg, the Sonic reboot video guy, love you!!

the videos so good I get to watch it a second time

This video was impeccable: enlighteningly simple yet brilliantly deep. You are the best video essayist on this platform--bar none. I'll fight anyone who disagrees 🤣

They're back! The GOAT is back!

Always appreciate your production and content quality 🎉❤

WE. ARE. BACK.

Amazing video it gave me chills

A new episode?! Heck yeah!!!

Thank you Good Blood 🙏🏻

Thank you. I've been anxious about the direction they were moving in with echoes of wisdom. The first Zelda game that I fell in love with was the Link's Awakening remake. The playfulness of the small toy diorama art style and the pull of uncovering the mystery of the story/island really captured my imagination. Looking at echoes as an extension of the recaptured elements of BotW really make me excited to jump in and play around with the absurd freedom of Zelda's "wisdom"(magic).

I think what miyamoto was going for was the feeling we all got playing GTA San Andreas. You can have a lot of fun without playing the game missions because of the level of freedom it had to it

Only RU-vidr I'm buying popcorn for

What a beautiful video. Your profound and insightful analysis of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom made me far less bitter about the exclusion of the hookshot. You helped me realize the main reason they were so adamant about not including what most people consider staples of the franchise was because they were trying so hard to separate the franchise from the Zelda trope of locking exploration behind a tool that you have to obtain through linear progression and limiting what a player can do and when they can do it. They kept the player's tool box light in order to prioritize imagination and creativity for problem solving and exploration. Those games truly are faithful Miyamoto's original vision for The Legend of Zelda. Now I'm even more excited for Echoes of Wisdom.

My dumb ass thought Miyamoto was saying "hako ni wa..." and I thought he was going off on a tangent about the location of some random box.

Another masterpiece.

This reminds me of another video I saw about Japans fascination/obsession with ideas like cute, small, minimal etc. The basic thesis of the video is that due to Japans geography and the regular occurence of earthquakes and tsunamis, the Japanese culture values having few things, as at any moment you might need to uproot your life, and are at constant risk of losing your belongings.

Beautiful video. I often find myself missing zelda games not for the gameplay, but just for existing in them. I miss them like longing to go to a favourite spot in the real world. But since most of them require active playing and unlocking to be ”allowed” to experience them, I rarely go back since I don’t feel like going through the neccessary story and battle sequences. BotW is the only exception, and that’s why it’s my favourite Zelda game. Thanks for making me realize why!