Takashi Tezuka, who directed classic Nintendo games including The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Mario World, and Yoshi’s Island, has announced he is retiring from the company. Tezuka will retire from his role as an executive officer on 26th June, 2026. We wish him the best with his retirement. Hideki Konno (known for Mario Kart and Yoshi’s Island) and Kensuke Tanabe (who worked on Super Mario Bros 2 and 3, and the Metroid Prime series) both retired from Nintendo earlier this year.
Nintendo veteran designer Takashi Tezuka set to retire as Executive Officer
An all time great game creator, directing the likes of Super Mario World, Zelda, Link to the Past, Yoshi’s Island, and producing dozens more from Pikmin 4 to Mario Wonder to Mario Maker. One of the more unsung legends in the industry.
That’s a tough loss for Nintendo. Can’t replace game makers like Tezuka. Will forever play SMB3, the game that set the high bar for Mario sequels. After SMBWonder I’m worried the bar has been lowered. Lost interest in the level design and world before finishing it. Hopefully somebody at Nintendo can still install directors that are free-spirited game creators and not just company personnel that are filling a role.
Lazy guy, must be bored to not keep making games. Nothing good in a long time. Shigero must know this and told him to hang up the hat! Go find a new hobby!
Its hard to say that this guy is really retiring from the company. I wish him the best for his retirement. He has achieve very much for the Mario franchise. Next up is Koji Kondo.
At a quick glance I read Takashi Iizuka from SEGA and was about to celebrate.
Tezuka will be missed. I know that retirement comes to all but still. Not that worried, though, because the franchises are in good hands. Dude earned his rest.
Nintendo is turning to trash. Giving me PS5 tone vibes seems the same.