Hiroshi Yamauchi, the Japanese businessman credited with transforming Nintendo into a world-leading video games company, has died aged 85.
Mr Yamauchi ran the firm for 53 years, and was its second-largest shareholder at the time of his death.
The company confirmed the news in an emailed statement.
A spokesman said the firm was in mourning over the "loss of the former Nintendo president Mr Hiroshi Yamauchi, who sadly passed away this morning."
He died of pneumonia at a hospital in central Japan, the company said, adding that a funeral will take place on Sunday.
