Nintendo's Yamauchi now Japan's richest human

by Justin McElroy { May 8th 2008 at 9:25AM }

Sure, we all love the above image, but have you ever stopped to wonder where all those Benjamins are going? Apparently, it's into the waiting mouth of former Nintendo chairman Hiroshi Yamauchi who, according to Forbes, has devoured enough bills to be worth $7.8 billion, making him Japan's richest man.

That's not even the best part though. Yamauchi's worth has jumped $3 billion in the past year, irrefutable proof that there's at least one person on planet Earth who loves Nintendo more than Fernando Rocker.

Tags: nintendo, yamauchi

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

sherpard @ May 8th 2008 9:35AM

CHECK THIS OUT
http://www.gamespy.com/video/av.html?dlURL=xbox360movies.gamespy.com/xbox360/video/article/872/872373/ng2_venice_05072008_flvhighwide.flv&object_ID=686645

xFenixKnightx @ May 8th 2008 9:38AM

NO! Check THIS out!

http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_7077_en.html

ViagraFiend @ May 8th 2008 1:31PM

fenix...that was impressive footage...damn

Co @ May 8th 2008 2:08PM

You know I gotta say Fenix,

As impressive as that looks, I hate noticing the right analog stick camera movement "look" going on in 360/PS3 FPSs. The more real these games get, the more those stiff left and right/up and down turns stick out to me.

xFenixKnightx @ May 8th 2008 2:11PM

Viagrafiend aka Manbearpig lol

It is very impressive. I mean, no wonder they are taking for EVER to get this game out. It looks ridiculous. Heres another vid.

http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_7083_en.html

Kevin @ May 8th 2008 9:33AM

annnnnnnnnnnd, profile set to private.

Demo @ May 8th 2008 12:38PM

You know You've commented way too many times when an article in the site mentions you.

BananaBoat @ May 8th 2008 6:23PM

If nothing else, then first WAAAAY too many damn times. I don't think Fernando's hobby is actually playing Nintendo games, but rather it's commenting about Nintendo games. He probably doesn't even own a Wii, or any gaming console for that matter.

That's right Fernando, we've seen through your lies good sir.

Mark C @ May 8th 2008 9:34AM

Best 2:40 of my life.

FOXHOUND @ May 8th 2008 9:35AM

Honestly, I'm surprised the richest human alive isn't an oil baron or weapons manufacturer.

And given the amount of money this man is worth/has, he could fund his own game system & software. HiroSoft's Yamando64. Man, I should work in marketing instead of Fire Rescue...

tmacairjordan87 @ May 8th 2008 9:53AM

I'm pretty sure most oil guys aren't japanese that's probably why. It says japan's richest guy not worlds. I'm pretty sure gates still has that record although I wouldn't be surprised if it's some saudi arabian douchebag oil guy now.

FOXHOUND @ May 8th 2008 10:17AM

Ah, my mistake -- I misread the article. Usually reports of "monetary values" refers to worldly totals.

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ May 8th 2008 10:29AM

According to Forbes, Gates dropped down this year.He's the third richest person in the world.

[.sm0ke.] @ May 8th 2008 11:11AM

The richest man in the world is the guy who owns Ikea.

CJLopez @ May 8th 2008 2:21PM

Actually, the richest man on the world on to March 2008 is Carlos Slim

xFenixKnightx @ May 8th 2008 9:39AM

Screw Attacks should you trade your Wii or Keep it and why, very funny!

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/33664.html

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ May 8th 2008 9:43AM

Remember when we were kids and we were taught being a good man was enough? Yamauchi is the antithesis to that. Congrats you evil, evil man.

samfish @ May 8th 2008 9:44AM

Well look at you go, Fernando!

FOXHOUND @ May 8th 2008 10:22AM

Fernando> ::Deep in his lair a mile below sea level, he sits there lurking amongst a surprising haul of SONY™ themed gear, consoles, and software; playing UNCHARTED and wearing a "Miyamoto Is Overrated" t-shirt with the stereo system softly playing "Secret Lovers" by AtlanticStarr as he sings along!::

"...Here we are, the two of us together
Takin’ this crazy chance to be all alone
We both know that we should not be together
‘Cause if we’re found out, it could mess up
Both our happy homes!"

NATO_Duke @ May 8th 2008 9:45AM

Congrats to Fernando for his 15 minutes in the sun here at Joystiq! (Funny stuff)

xFenixKnightx @ May 8th 2008 9:53AM

How the hell did I miss that? LMAO! Funny stuff indeed!
BBBBrushed? lol

Obie @ May 8th 2008 9:48AM

lol go Fernando!

Cyro @ May 8th 2008 9:50AM

lol!

PojoMofo @ May 8th 2008 9:51AM

Richest human??? Is there a Bonzai with more $$$???

oh, duh, Im sure Godzilla has mad coin

[.sm0ke.] @ May 8th 2008 11:14AM

It does say richest HUMAN... Godzilla got the bling up in this joint, yo

koehler83 @ May 8th 2008 9:56AM

This sounds so fishy to me.. embezzlement much?

josh @ May 8th 2008 11:55AM

Why does it sound fishy? Yamauchi OWNS 11% of Nintendo, he is the largest shareholder. Think about how much money Nintendo is worth as a company. Okay, got that in your head? A little more than a tenth of that is his, he owns it.

He also owns the Seattle Mariners.

Zsavior @ May 8th 2008 9:56AM

LOL that thing never gets old, and Fernando your love has brought you fame, and hate it must be so lonely at the top.

Que, Nintendo and WII, and Fernando Bashers enraged at just well being enraged.

careyticoalu @ May 8th 2008 9:57AM

haha that fernando comment is the best

Neebs @ May 8th 2008 10:03AM

This is why I love Joystiq. A real connection with its commentbase.

Of course, I have been mentioned twice [/selfpimp].

Kye - Joystiq Greybeard @ May 8th 2008 10:26AM

Congrats to Fernando
Congrats to this rich guy
Congrats to you too, Neebs

And last but not least, congrats to me :-)

Dustin @ May 8th 2008 10:04AM

LMAO.
Tisk tisk, Fernando.

Blu-Sam @ May 8th 2008 10:18AM

Shigeru Miyamoto deserve for bonus. Yet.. he don't want that much. Not kind greedy person, he is.

Limezor @ May 8th 2008 10:26AM

What, no comment by him yet?

NATO_Duke @ May 8th 2008 3:19PM

He left a comment on this in a totally unrelated thread for some reason.

DangerMouse @ May 8th 2008 10:41AM

Fernandoooooooooooo

Blazur @ May 8th 2008 10:43AM

I find it kind of sad that the richest man in Japan is the former chairman of a GAME COMPANY. Not an engineer, doctor, or any other skill that benefits humanity. It just goes to show how important a role entertainment play in humanity. Just look at how well paid musicians and athletes are.

Oh, and nice zing on Fernando...good show Justin =]

DangerMouse @ May 8th 2008 11:08AM

benefit humanity?!?! WiiFit!?!?! Helloooooooo!

;)

Kevin @ May 8th 2008 10:50AM

"Nintendo's Yamauchi now Japan's richest human"

Are you implying that if you include other species, Yamauchi is no longer the richest? What sort of crazy animal could have more money than a man...

oh wait...

It's a fucking Pikachu isn't it?

Dale @ May 8th 2008 10:54AM

I was going to ask, why they distinction that he is human?

I keenly await the announcement of Japan's richest red panda.

AwesomeTown @ May 8th 2008 10:56AM

$3bil in a year is pretty amazing, in fact, it's pretty awesome.

Bucket @ May 8th 2008 11:01AM

There'll be no living with him after this.

[.sm0ke.] @ May 8th 2008 11:12AM

Well, it did say richest HUMAN...

[.sm0ke.] @ May 8th 2008 11:13AM

And that was supposed to be a reply to PojoMofo...

Dave @ May 8th 2008 11:25AM

Is it possible that Fernando is the only person who doesn't know what a gigantic fanboy he is?

Ethan @ May 8th 2008 11:35AM

He was the guy making all the stupid decisions though. He forced the virtual boy into production when it needed more development, he kept using cartridges past their useful lifetime, and his leadership swansong was the cuboid of irrelevance that was the Gamecube.

He, of course, responsible of putting Nintendo on the map, and is probably the single most important reason that the industry as a whole is what it is today. But that what shoots him to the top from very near the top is what he essentially stifled is all manner of odd.