Reggie Fils-Aimé Given Lifetime Achievement Award by Video Game Hall of Fame

The former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé left an indelible mark on the company, becoming its face throughout the last few console generations. His retirement closed off an incredible career, one that the International Video Game Hall of Fame has seen fit to award.

This past weekend, Fils-Aimé was given the Walter Day Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Video Game Hall of Fame. The award, named after Twin Galaxies founder Walter Day, recognizes Fils-Aimé many years in the industry and his work at Nintendo.

In an acceptance video uploaded to YouTube, Fils-Aimé thanked the IVGHF and Isaiah "TriForce" Johnson, who gave an introductory speech for the awards. He then went on to acknowledge fans, and how his connection with the community marked his time at Nintendo.

"I was a fan before I was ever an employee of Nintendo," Fils-Aimé says. "I think that knowledge of video games, the knowledge of all of these great franchises, the ability to poke fun at myself to create all of those wonderful memes... I think that is what endeared me with the community, and I do believe that the love of the community is a large part of why I'm able to receive this award."

Fils-Aimé has kept busy since his retirement from Nintendo earlier this year, taking a spot on the board of directors for the New York Videogame Critics Circle and getting a lecture series at his alma mater of Cornell's School of Economics and Management.

Though his retirement marked the end of an era for Nintendo, he still supports Nintendo from afar and finds other ways to move the industry forward. There may not be many more Reggie memes in our future, but still, his influence is recognizable and worthy of awards.