Rejected applicant details Nintendo’s hiring exam, describing it as “extremely difficult”

A former applicant has described Nintendo’s hiring exam as “extremely difficult,” revealing details of the process after being rejected by the company.

Murahashi Kuriki, now a professor of Information Engineering with a science PhD, applied to Nintendo in 2015 after completing his master’s degree.

In a post shared on X, he recalled failing the exam and explained why the company’s recruitment system stood out compared to other major Japanese employers.

According to Kuriki, while many large corporations in Japan filter applicants based on academic background or university affiliation, Nintendo does not appear to rely on such criteria. Instead, its screening tests are designed to be rigorous enough to eliminate candidates.

Kuriki wrote: “I’d heard that Nintendo doesn’t use any kind of academic background filter when hiring new graduates. But when I actually took Nintendo’s recruitment exam, the very first web test was extremely difficult, and I remember thinking: ‘Makes sense, no need for a filter when this alone sifts out the candidates.’”

The initial aptitude test covered subjects including mathematics and English. Those who advanced then faced a technical interview and a practical programming exam.

Kuriki said this stage was particularly demanding, with five algorithmic challenges ranging from basic loops to more advanced problems, all to be solved within 30 minutes. He admitted this was the point at which he failed.

His post later caught the attention of former Nintendo planner and programmer Motoi Okamoto, who explained that the company had long prioritised candidates with strong scientific and engineering skills, particularly since the late 1990s when Nintendo emphasised in-house development.

Okamoto added that the company seeks applicants with both ability and passion, reflecting its brand image and focus on making games engaging.