Nintendo had a heartwarming response to this blind fan who sent them a thank you letter
"We want to keep making games that everyone can have fun playing"
Well, this will make your day.
10-year-old Hibiki Sakai is a massive Nintendo fan who particularly loves the quirky Rhythm Heaven series. After losing his eyesight as a toddler, the determined youngster from Osaka, Japan, took up drumming and developed a keen interest in rhythm-based games.
In Rhythm Heaven, all the player actually needs to do to progress is tap buttons at the correct time, which can be judged entirely by listening to the corresponding sounds. The games don’t require you to look at the screen at all to get good. They also happen to be utterly bonkers.
Hibiki has now aced every game in the series, according to a tweet from his father Kentarou. He uploaded a letter his son wrote to Nintendo encouraging them to make further instalments, as well as a touching personalised response from the company.
First, Hibiki’s letter. Please feel free to cry (and h/t to Rocket News for the translation).
“Dear Nintendo,
“Hello. My name is Hibiki Sakai and I am in fifth grade. I am blind, but I've always wanted to play video games like everyone else. But there aren't many games I can play at all. The one game I can really play is Rhythm Tengoku. It's the only game I can enjoy together with others, and I never lose at it. I've gotten perfect scores on all the versions on the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Wii, and 3DS too.
“So I really, really want you to make more Rhythm Tengoku games. And it's perfectly fine if you make them a little harder too!
“I think that there are a lot of other kids with visual impairments who want to play video games but can't. So I'd love for you to develop more games for people with handicaps to enjoy playing with others.
“I will always support you, Nintendo.
“From Hibiki Sakai”
Nintendo’s reply came printed on Rhythm Heaven-themed paper, and in a very nice touch, they also sent an alternative version in Braille.
"Thank you so much for sending us here at Nintendo your heartwarming letter," the company wrote.
"We are so happy to hear that you've perfected and enjoyed Rhythm Tengoku, Rhythm Tengoku Gold, Minna no Rhythm Tengoku, and Rhythm Tengoku The Best.
"We have passed on your letter to Nintendo's development department. We want to keep making games that everyone can have fun playing, so thank you for your support."
As far as we know, a new entry in the long-running series isn’t currently in development (although it’s an absolutely perfect fit for the Switch, so we wouldn’t be surprised), but in the meantime, Hibiki will no doubt carry on beating everyone he knows at the game and being shit hot at the drums.
