And this is on top of the already announced Pikmin 3 and Super Mario Wii U titles, meaning those rumors that were floating around of Miyamoto’s retirement were greatly exaggerated. Also like those games, nothing is really known about them other than the fact that they are being made.

What new gaming experiences and innovations does the world’s most acclaimed game designer have in store? I guess the answer to that will be a test of patience.

Hayao Miyazaki is the widely regarded as the greatest animator in history (PS, these claims are true) and is the writer/director of the following animated films (in chronological order from their Japanese release):

Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

Castle in the Sky (1986)

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Porco Rosso (1992)

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Spirited Away (2001)

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008)

Along with being the writer and director of all these films, Miyazaki was the sole storyboard artist for all of them and has served as producer for the films in Studio Ghibli that he didn’t direct himself. Studio Ghibli being the studio he co-founded, and his films have served as an influence to animators, filmmakers and even artists in other media. Pixar Animation Studios touts Miyazaki as their biggest influence (even giving Miyazaki’s iconic character “Totoro” a cameo in Toy Story 3), just to name an example.

So happy birthday, Hayao Miyazaki! Here’s to many more!

The Legend of Zelda turned 25, and celebrated by going Skyward.

Harry, Ron and Hermione took their final bows.

Arkham Asylum moved to the city.

Thinking with portals was even more fun the second time around.

Pixar hit a bump in the road.

Toy Story 3 was robbed at the Oscars (what good movie isn’t?).

Arrested Development was picked up for a fourth season (for reals this time).

Diablo III was delayed…Again!

Brad Bird saved Mission Impossible.

The Muppets came back with a vengeance.

Real Steel actually ended up being a good movie (who knew?).

The X-Men attended first class.

Thor and Captain America built hype for the Avengers (and through good movies, no less).

Rango proved CG isn’t just Pixar’s game.

Speilberg had a little Indiana Jones left in him with Tin Tin.

The Dark Knight Rises reached new heights in hype.

The Hobbit trailer was released!

A lot of people shouted “Fus Ro Dah!”

It was Friday, Friday!

The Twilight Saga neared its end (and not soon enough).

Sonic made a welcome return for the Generations who grew up with him.

Movies are still in 3D.

The Nintendo 3DS debuted.

The Nintendo 3DS got into some hot water.

The Nintendo 3DS arose from the ashes and is now taking names.

Kirby Returned to Dreamland (when he wasn’t split in ten).

Rayman Origins wowed us with beauty.

CM Punk gave people a chance in WWE.

Zack Ryder led an online revolution (You know it!).

The Lion King returned (in 3D, naturally).

The Transformers further alienated fans, critics and audiences.

The Green Lantern made his way to the big screen…though we kinda wish he hadn’t.

The Hangover returned, and reminded audiences why most sequels aren’t a good idea…

Sherlock Holmes competed in a Game of Shadows.

Jack Sparrow set sail for a fourth time…How much to tell is there on that?

Puss in Boots parted ways with Shrek and Donkey.

Kung fu Panda 2 Skadooshed its predecessor.

Mario and Donkey Kong turned 30!

Metroid turned 25 (even if Zelda didn’t let you know it).

And a lot of other stuff happened. I bid you ado, 2011. 2012…Come on down!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Kwanzaa!

Happy Festivus!

Happy Decemberween!

So I saw The Muppets (review soon), and to my most pleasant surprise one of the trailers included with the film was for The Secret World of Arrietty, the newest film from Studio Ghibli due for a February release in North America. It may not seem like it, but this is actually a pretty big deal for Studio Ghibli fans.

Rewind the clock ten years, when Spirited Away was readying a US release. I recall only ever seeing only one commercial for Spirited Away, and that was at like two O’ clock AM, and while now I’ve watched Spirited Away’s theatrical trailer countless times online, I have to wonder if said “theatrical trailer” ever actually showed theatrically. In 2005, Howl’s Moving Castle was treated similarly, with Disney seemingly advertising the film solely as an obscure, artsy Japanese film.

Ponyo’s US release in 2009 proved different, as I remember seeing a number of commercials on TV when it was nearing release, and its trailer was reportedly shown with at least one movie. But now, Arrietty is getting a its trailer shown with a movie that is all but guaranteed to be number one at the box-office in its opening week, and the fact that its roughly three months before Arrietty’s release makes it feel like Disney is finally caring about advertising these Studio Ghibli films.

Seeing The Muppets was a real treat (again, review soon), and even before the film started I was delighted with the presence of the Arrietty trailer, which had me beaming to the extent that the trailer for Pixar’s Brave that followed almost went unnoticed. Is the presence of the Arrietty trailer with a movie like The Muppets, which Disney has been pushing hard for the better part of a year, a sign that Studio Ghibli films are finally, finally *The Rock voice* reaching broader audiences in America? I can only hope.

Animated storytelling is simply never better than it is in Ghibli’s hands, a more mainstream appreciation for them is long-overdue.

Ten years ago today, November 18th, 2001, the Nintendo GameCube was released in North America!

Although not the best of Nintendo’s consoles, the GameCube still proved to be a force to reckoned with in a time when Sony was all the rage and Microsoft debuted on the gaming scene with a bang.

In its five years on the market, the GameCube introduced to the world a fair share of genuinely terrific games, such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Resident Evil 4, Viewtiful Joe, Metroid Prime, Pikmin and the gets-more-flak-than-it-deserves Super Mario Sunshine. Many would argue some of the GameCube’s premiere titles were among the absolute finest released the last decade.

I was originally planning on doing my own personal top 10 list of GameCube games to commemorate this occasion. But alas, things get busy in life some times, and I’m still trying to catch up on other long-delayed reviews and lists in the free time that I get. I still hope to make my list of top 10 GameCube games, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Anyway, I’m rambling.

A toast, to ten years of Nintendo’s underappreciated purple cube! Thanks for the memories, and happy birthday!

"Luigi can't believe it's been ten years since he was busting ghosts."

One last fun fact, Luigi’s Mansion’s tenth anniversary was yesterday, as the game was released a day before the console. Strange, ain’t it?

Happy birthday Shigeru Miyamoto! Without you, gaming never would have been interesting.

Here’s to many, many more.