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Nintendo's Legendary Super Mario Bros. Designer Takashi Tezuka Set to Retire
The longtime designer helped shape Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda before stepping down after 42 years at Nintendo.
- Nintendo confirmed that Takashi Tezuka will retire from his role as an executive officer on June 26, 2026, ending a 42-year career at the company.
- Joining Nintendo in 1984, Tezuka co-designed 1985's Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda alongside Shigeru Miyamoto, later directing Super Mario World and Yoshi's Island.
- More recently, Tezuka stewarded major projects as a producer, including Super Mario Maker, Super Mario 3D World, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
- His departure follows recent exits by Mario Kart veteran Hideki Konno and Metroid Prime boss Kensuke Tanabe, though longtime collaborator Shigeru Miyamoto, 73, remains at Nintendo as an "executive fellow."
- Beyond game design, Tezuka contributed to The Super Mario Bros. Movie and its sequel The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, marking another transition among Nintendo's veteran development staff.
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One of Nintendo’s most important designers is leaving after 40+ years
Takashi Tezuka, the director of Nintendo classics like Super Mario Bros. 3 and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, will retire from Nintendo this summer, the company confirmed Friday. Tezuka joined Nintendo in 1984, and rapidly rose through the ranks as a graphics designer to game director to, ultimately, executive officer. He'll retire from Nintendo on June 26, Nintendo revealed in a financial document.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources22
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
C 33%
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