Boktai was a GBA game designed by Hideo Kojima. The cartridge used a solar sensor to affect gameplay and sunlight charges the main characters 'Solar Gun'. Main bosses could only be defeated when playing outside. Even the in-game sun changes based on the player's time zone.
Conker's Bad Fur Day devs had so much creative freedom, an entire level and boss was based around poo. Thanks to Software Engineer Chris Marlow, who left a large surprise in the toilet during lunch. The staff found it so hilarious they made it into a character.
When showing Nintendo progress on Donkey Kong 64, the devs forgot they gave DK a realistic shotgun as a placeholder. Miyamoto looked horrified as DK gunned down enemies, and quickly drew a coconut gun concept design on paper. This design ended up being added to the game.
Including everyone, I agree Sony won out that console war by miles, not even close.
I'm simply saying they wanted to compete with Mario but failed to produce a new game, so Nintendo stayed on top between Sega and Nintendo, and the game they wanted to compete with was insanely successful.
In terms of competing with Sonic they did, Super Mario 64 sold nearly 12 million units.
During Miyamoto's Childhood, a dog chased him trying to bite him but was held back by it's chain just in time. Miyamoto used this terrifying experience to create the Chain Chomp in Super Mario Bros. 3.
The Boos in Super Mario 64 were based on Assistant Director Takashi Tezuka's Wife, who's normally very shy and quiet. One day, she exploded with anger..maddened by all the time he spent working and coming home late.
Takayoshi Sato, a young employee at Konami, had more 3D model experience than his older colleagues. Konami didn't want to give him credit for his work, so he spent 2000 hours working on Silent Hill, sleeping under his desk and completed every single 3D cutscene by himself.
Banjo Kazooie development was a nightmare, with staff working 80-100 hour weeks. One morning, to persuade the Head Programmer back to work, the team threw stones at his window and offered him McDonalds.
Compared to the price of most forms of entertainment, games are insanely good value. Can be such a small amount of $/hour depending on the game length.
The San Francisco Mayor tried to shut down a Jet Set Radio graffiti competition in 2000, as the city had a graffiti clean-up operation in place. Sega of America had already legally obtained a permit for the event and managed to get the competition running.
