Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma made a Knight of France's Order of Arts and Letters

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Another Nintendo legend has been honoured, this time by France. Kotaku reports that Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma has been made a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters

French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard presented the honour at the Ministry of Culture in Paris on 23 October, although it was first announced in 2023. Pégard described him as a storyteller who always leaves room for the player's imagination and thanked him for inspiring children around the world to dream

Aonuma gave his closing speech in French and thanked his wife, who was there with him. He joined Nintendo in 1988, made his name directing Ocarina of Time, and has worked on nearly every mainline Zelda game since, usually as producer

He joins good company. Shigeru Miyamoto received the same title in 2006 and Peter Molyneux in 2007, and this year's class also includes jazz musician Kenny Garrett, actress Richa Chadha and Ranma creator Rumiko Takahashi. France also plans to honour Sandfall Interactive, the studio behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which would be the first time a whole studio shares the award

Coming days after Miyamoto's Order of Culture, it has been quite a week for Nintendo's veterans. Aonuma's work on Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom changed open world design. Giving his speech in French is a lovely touch

What is your favourite Zelda game from Aonuma's era? And should more countries honour game creators like this?

Legend Of Zelda Producer Eiji Aonuma Knighted In Francekotaku.com