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Shigeru Miyamoto, the visionary behind Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and The Legend of Zelda, revolutionized video game design by turning the limitations of early technology into creative opportunities. In the 1980s, working with low-resolution grids, Miyamoto designed iconic characters like Mario, using the grid to craft distinct features such as Mario's hat and mustache.

His groundbreaking work on Super Mario Bros. utilized 16x16 pixel tiles to create engaging, rhythmically designed levels that have become a benchmark in game design. Similarly, in The Legend of Zelda, Miyamoto employed a grid system to build a vast, interconnected world, pioneering a style that balanced exploration with intuitive navigation.

Miyamoto’s use of grids didn’t just define the visual aesthetic of his games; it shaped the very experience of gameplay. His influence is seen in the ongoing popularity of pixel art, with many modern games continuing to draw inspiration from his grid-based designs. Miyamoto’s legacy illustrates how constraints can fuel creativity, turning simple pixels into timeless icons.