Nintendo Takes Time To Reply In Braille To A Blind Boy’s Heartwarming Thank You Letter

Like any big corporation, Nintendo can occasionally come across as a bit cold and indifferent, but every once in a while, they do something that proves they truly care about their fans. Japanese Twitter user Kentarock1020 recently posted about a letter his blind son sent to Nintendo, and the rather amazing response he got.

For the majority of those who can’t read Japanese, here’s what Kentarock says in his tweet (thanks to SoraNews24 for the translation):

“My son Hibiki is blind and has perfectly cleared every game in the Rhythm Tengoku series, the only games he can play. He sent Nintendo a letter and they responded! Them sending such a sincere correspondence to just one person is truly divine customer service. Nintendo, we’re anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series!”

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The Rhythm Tengoku series, which goes by Rhythm Heaven in the West, is all about music and timing. Sure, the Rhythm Heaven games have visuals, but you could play them with your eyes closed, which makes them some of the only games fully accessible for the visually impaired. Hibiki, who’s been blind since the age of two, loves the Rhythm Heaven games so much, he sent the following thank you letter to Nintendo.

“Dear Nintendo,

Hello. My name is Hibiki Sakai and I am in fifth grade. I am blind, but I’ve always wanted to play video games like everyone else. But there aren’t many games I can play at all. The one game I can really play is Rhythm Tengoku. It’s the only game I can enjoy together with others, and I never lose at it. I’ve gotten perfect scores on all the versions on the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Wii, and 3DS too.

So, I really, really want you to make more Rhythm Tengoku games. And it’s perfectly fine if you make them a little harder too! I think that there are a lot of other kids with visual impairments who want to play video games but can’t. So, I’d love for you to develop more games for people with handicaps to enjoy playing with others.

I will always support you, Nintendo.”

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Rhythm Heaven’s visuals are delightfully wacky, but not required. 

Aw, jeez – that’s the kind of letter that makes a game developer’s day. Heck, it would make my week/month/career. Apparently, the folks at Nintendo were moved, because our young Nintendo fan got a reply only eight days letter, written in braille so he could read it himself!

“Thank you so much for sending us here at Nintendo your heartwarming letter. We are so happy to hear that you’ve perfected and enjoyed Rhythm Tengoku, Rhythm Tengoku Gold, Minna no Rhythm Tengoku, and Rhythm Tengoku The Best. We have passed on your letter to Nintendo’s development department. We want to keep making games that everyone can have fun playing, so thank you for your support.”

Never thought I’d see the day when a story about Nintendo customer support would make me mist up, but here we are. Hopefully Nintendo keeps making Rhythm Heaven games for all their fans, but especially for visually impaired gamers like Hibiki. If you’d like to give the series a shot (and you should) Rhythm Heaven Megamix is currently available for the Nintendo 3DS.

[via SoraNews24]