If you've ever played a Nintendo video game, Hiroshi Yamauchi has more likely than not touched your life. Yamauchi -- a businessman who lead Nintendo as president from 1949 to 2002 -- died Thursday of pneumonia at age 85 in Japan.
Yamauchi is credited for overseeing Nintendo's transition from a small company that produced playing cards to the video game giant it is today. Video game lovers on Thursday took to social media to say goodbye to the gaming visionary (see gallery, above).
Under Yamauchi, the company developed the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Game Boy handheld player. He lead the empire as it launched the Nintendo 64 and the GameCube.
Yamauchi is also noted for hiring Shigeru Miyamoto, a game designer for Nintendo, who created iconic video game franchises such as Mario, Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda.
Fans also used Twitter to pay their respects to Yamauchi.
RIP Hiroshi Yamauchi. You helped form the company the was the largest part of my childhood. From kid to adult, thank you for all you did.— Julia Alexander (@loudmouthjulia) September 19, 2013
RIP Hiroshi Yamauchi :( Continue? Y/N 10.... 9.... 8.... you'll be missed.— deadmau5 (@deadmau5) September 19, 2013
R.I.P. Hiroshi Yamauchi, creator of Nintendo and Super Mario, this guy created happiness.— Sabit (@Sabiit_) September 19, 2013
We'll miss you ex-Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi. You lived a great 3 lives.— Rick Mitchell (@ItsRickMitchell) September 19, 2013
RIP Hiroshi Yamauchi, founder of #Nintendo. I had countless hours of happiness as a child because of the work you did.— Collin Sebastian (@CollinSebastian) September 19, 2013
Tell us about your favorite Nintendo memories in the comments, below.