Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary figure behind Nintendo franchises such as Mario and The Legend of Zelda, has been named the first-ever video game-related recipient of Japan’s Order of Culture.

On Friday, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced that Miyamoto, 73, will be the newest awardee of the honor as yet reserved for accomplished individuals in the fields of art, literature, science and technology.

Since his start as an entry-level employee at Nintendo in 1977, Miyamoto has become a foundational figure in the Kyoto-based video game giant. His credits range from arcade successes like 1981’s “Donkey Kong” — the debut of the now-beloved Mario character — and home console hits like “The Legend of Zelda,” as well as modern film blockbusters.

During Miyamoto’s tenure with Nintendo, the gaming company has grown to become not only the leading figure in Japanese video games, but a household name across the globe.…