Shigeru Miyamoto, the Nintendo game designer best known for his creation of Mario Bros, will receive the Academy’s Fellowship at this year’s GAME British Academy Video Game Awards (BAFTA).

Miyamoto is currently the General Manager of Nintendo, Analysis and Development, although he is also referred to as the “father of modern video games” and the Steven Spielberg of the gaming world. Not surprising given his creation of Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Nintendogs, Wii Music and the aforementioned Mario Bros.

Miyamoto had this to say on being invited to receive the Fellowship: “I am very grateful to be able to receive such an honourable award from the British Academy. Our video games cannot be created by one person; since Donkey Kong until the most recent New Super Mario Bros. Wii, I have been working closely with a number of friends for three decades in order to develop fun and enjoyable games. I would like to receive this honourable award on behalf of all of these dependable colleagues.”

David Parfitt, Chairman of the Academy said “The Fellowship is the highest accolade the Academy can bestow on an individual for their creative work and we are honoured to have Miyamoto with us to accept his award. With previous honourees including Hitchcock, Kubrick and Pinter, it is only fitting that Miyamoto be recognized alongside these other pioneers for his groundbreaking work. He helped to develop an entire creative industry and is still a major force in its continuing success.”

The BAFTA awards will take place on the 19th of March in London and will be hosted by comedian and gamer Dara O’ Briain for the second time. Tune back then to read more about the winners but until then you can browse our previous coverage or visit BAFTA’s website to find out more about the nominees.