Nintendo is known for fiercely protecting its intellectual property, often preventing its games from being used in tournaments or fan events without prior authorization. That stance has once again frustrated fans, this time affecting Japan’s most popular charity speedrunning event.
The event in question is RTA in Japan, a long-running initiative where dozens of speedrunners stream live playthroughs of various games, all in support of noble causes. This year’s summer edition is set for August 9–15, and all proceeds will go directly to charity.
However, Nintendo has barred its games from being streamed at the event, and fans worry that the absence of classics like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda might hurt fundraising efforts. According to organizers, the company’s games have consistently been among the most watched at the event, with Super Mario 64 currently holding the record for the largest audience in RTA history.
Nintendo asked organizers to get formal approval
Back in June, organizers behind the nonprofit event published the official lineup of games for this year’s showcase, and it featured a wide mix of titles—from Cuphead and Silent Hill 2 to Minecraft and Resident Evil 2. But one thing stood out: not a single Nintendo game made the list.
At the time, the reason was unclear. But now, RTA organizers have explained what happened.
According to a statement on the event’s official website, Nintendo reached out to them on June 13, stating that any games from its catalog would require formal approval before they could appear in the competition. The company also flagged previous RTA streams featuring Nintendo titles as unauthorized use.
While RTA in Japan is a nonprofit organization and donates all revenue from subscriptions and donations to causes like Doctors Without Borders, it’s still a legal entity, meaning it’s required to obtain permission from Nintendo before broadcasting its games.
Will Nintendo games disappear from RTA for good?
For now, Nintendo’s absence means no Super Mario 64, no Tears of the Kingdom, and no other titles from the company’s library. The process of requesting permission for each game individually proved too complicated to complete in time for this summer’s event.
Still, the RTA team says they’re in talks with Nintendo and plan to include its games in future editions. From now on, organizers will submit requests on a case-by-case basis and update their nomination guidelines accordingly, though further details haven’t been shared.
