“I Threatened Him” - Capcom Producer’s Radical Approach To Negotiating With Miyamoto
Capcom’s now-defunct Flagship division developed several landmark entries in the Legend of Zelda franchise, including Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons, Four Swords, and The Minish Cap. The company’s involvement with Nintendo’s signature series originated from a practical proposal to port the original NES Zelda to the Game Boy platform, which eventually evolved into a broader partnership spanning multiple handheld systems.
According to an interview, a Capcom producer employed an unconventional negotiation tactic when securing development rights with legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto: allegedly making a direct threat. The headline’s assertion “Well, it worked” suggests the aggressive approach successfully achieved its intended outcome, allowing Capcom to develop multiple original Zelda titles.
The partnership produced games that remain fondly remembered by fans decades later, with these handheld entries considered among the best portable Zelda experiences. The anecdote offers a rare glimpse into high-level game industry negotiations from the 1990s and 2000s, revealing that even legendary figures like Miyamoto were subject to unconventional business tactics from determined producers seeking to work on prestigious franchises.