Minoru Arakawa and Howard Lincoln jumping on the mistakes of others and getting the Tetris handheld and console licenses, effectively fucking over Tengen, who was in the midst of suing Nintendo in an anti-trust suit (which they lost -- they argued Nintendo was running a monopoly by not letting anyone manufacture their own games for the NES without Nintendo's approval). Tetris went on to sell millions on the Game Boy and shitloads on the NES.
Mr. Yamauchi for having faith in Shigeru Miyamoto's Donkey Kong, even after it received a poor reception from Nintendo of America employees.
Howard Lincoln for convincing Minoru Arakawa and Mr. Yamauchi not to settle with Universal over the rights to Donkey Kong. Not only did they not settle, but they proved Universal didn't have the rights (in an earlier court case, Universal proved, for their own monetary gain, that no one had the rights to King Kong), and got a cheque for over 10 million dollars. Oh, and when Howard Lincoln and Mr. Arakawa went to meet with the President of Universal, they sat and talked with him jovially until the President of Universal said he'd like to help them market Donkey Kong after they settled -- apparently, his aid had made it sound like NIntendo was intent on settling -- at which point, Lincoln told him they weren't settling, Universal didn't have the rights. As the President of Unviseral had a trantrum, teling them he'd launch his litigous legal department after them, Lincoln and Arakawa began exiting the room. Right before Lincoln left, he turned around and said, "oh... and have a nice day."
Mr. Yamauchi for noticing an opportunity in the market (electronic games) and going for it, without hesitation. For hiring, promoting, and relying heavily on Gunpei Yokoi, who created many products crucial to Nintendo's success.
Mr. Yamauchi for being intent on launching the NES. For recognizing his son's talent, appointing him as president of NoA, and telling him "if we can succeed in New York, we can succeed in the rest of America."
Yeah, Hiroshi's my hero.
