In among the piles of paperwork released by Nintendo overnight regarding its latest financial results, and indeed the news of the Switch 2’s price increase, came another subtly delivered revelation: long-term executive officer and legendary designer Takashi Tezuka is stepping down from his role, perhaps to retire.
Along with a few changes to the board of directors comes the news that executive officer Takashi Tezuka will be leaving the role as of June 26 this year. While a number of sites are reporting this as Tezuka’s retirement (and it might well be), this hasn’t actually been announced and is likely born of a misunderstanding of the phrase “retirement of an executive officer.” (There are in fact seven other executive officers, and two senior executive offers, at Nintendo.)
Takashi Tezuka, 65, has worked at Nintendo since 1984 and worked closely with Shigeru Miyamoto’s on the seminal Super Mario Bros, as well as the original The Legend of Zelda. He was director of 1988’s Super Mario Bros. 3 and 1991’s Super Mario World, during which time he co-created favorite character Yoshi and worked in a close partnership with Miyamoto. His development resume then continues on like a best-of-early-Nintendo list, directing the extraordinary The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Link’s Awakening, as well as Yoshi’s Island, as well as working on Super Mario 64.
After this Tezuka switched to more managerial roles, but his name continued to be attached to legendary titles like Animal Crossing, Zelda: Wind Waker and Super Mario Galaxy 2. He’s since had a supervisory role on Breath of the Wild, the Mario & Luigi series, and Paper Mario games, as well as producing New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Super Mario Maker 2, and many others. His final credit looks likely to be producer on the recent updated re-release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
It’s an extraordinary credit list, making Tezuka one of the most influential game developers ever to have worked in the industry. Alongside Miyamoto he brought us the games that defined many a childhood over the last 40 years, and we wish him all the best with his next adventures.
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