Shigeru Miyamoto reveals inspiration behind Mario's iconic pipes from Kyoto street sighting

Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario, revealed that the iconic green pipes were inspired by a plastic pipe he saw while walking in Kyoto. This idea emerged while the team was figuring out how to transport enemies back to the top of the screen. Miyamoto also mentioned that the game's environment was influenced by the need to connect various creatures like turtles, crabs, and flies. The concept of pipes helped solve the problem of enemies piling up at the bottom of the screen. In a 2009 interview, Miyamoto noted that manga also inspired the inclusion of pipes, as they often depict waste ground with pipes. He expressed regret that Super Mario Sunshine was too difficult, stating it should be accessible for all players.