tech
February 12, 2026
Super Nintendo by Keza MacDonald review
A portrait of the company whose ‘toymaker philosophy’ stands in contrast to the tech giants that rule our lives
TL;DR
- Pokémon is the highest-grossing entertainment franchise of all time, with an estimated $115bn in earnings since 1996.
- Nintendo's games, including Pokémon, Mario, and Zelda, offer a fantasy of self-determination and escapism, appealing to both children and adults.
- The "toymaker philosophy" of Nintendo, emphasizing simple joy and the pleasure of mastery, serves as an antidote to the negative aspects of modern technology.
- Nintendo's approach, described as "lateral thinking with withered technology," focuses on enriching experiences rather than being at the forefront of technological advancement.
- Games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons enabled social interaction during lockdowns, while Pokémon Go encouraged physical activity.
Continue reading the original article