Satoru Iwata was born in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. This marked the beginning of his journey towards becoming a prominent figure in the video game industry.

Even at a young age, Iwata displayed a keen interest in electronics. He would often take apart and reassemble electronic devices, showcasing his innate curiosity and technical aptitude.

During his junior high school years, Iwata began creating simple electronic games using a programmable calculator. This early experience fueled his passion for programming and game development.

Iwata enrolled at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, where he studied computer science. This provided him with a strong foundation in programming and software engineering.

While attending university, Iwata took on part-time programming jobs to further hone his skills and gain practical experience. This involved working on various software projects, solidifying his expertise in the field.