"I don't want to curb freedom of expression, but I am concerned that many developers focus just on excessive violence in order to stimulate people's mind," Miyamoto told UK's Channel 4, in an interview published Monday. "I believe that there are more ways of grabbing players' attention than violence alone."

From a man who has spent his entire career making non-violent games, the statements come as no surprise. Other outspoken designers have made similar comments, suggesting that mature content should always have meaning.

"We need to eat in order to live, that's our first priority, Miyamoto added. "But entertainment and the enrichment of our souls must come in second place. Nintendo's mission is to improve and to take advantage of cheap technology to create reasonable and affordable entertainment."

Miyamoto, universally known as the "father of modern video games," began his career at Nintendo in 1977 as a staff artist. He is credited for inventing the modern day controller, for creating Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Wii Sports, and slew of others, and for saying, "A delayed game is eventually good, a bad game is bad forever."