Nintendo has bid farewell to Hideki Konno, one of its most esteemed directors and producers, marking the end of a remarkable 40-year tenure.
Konno’s departure, quietly noted on his personal Facebook page and effective since July 2025, brings to a close a career that has deeply influenced both Nintendo’s celebrated franchises and its approach to innovative hardware design. Konno’s influence can be traced throughout Nintendo’s modern history.
He is perhaps best known for directing the original "Mario Kart", which debuted in 1992 and helped define the kart racing genre for decades to follow.
His creative leadership extended to other fan favorites, including "Yoshi’s Island" and "Luigi’s Mansion".
Expanding his reach beyond software, Konno played a pivotal role as the producer of "Nintendogs", and more significantly, as the lead producer for the Nintendo 3DS.
The 3DS is remembered for its glasses-free stereoscopic 3D display and engaging features; Konno was instrumental in developing both StreetPass and SpotPass, which enhanced social connectivity between systems. In 2015, as Nintendo sought to expand its presence in mobile gaming, Konno was appointed head of the company’s mobile initiatives.
Under his guidance, Nintendo released a suite of successful mobile titles, spearheading launches such as "Fire Emblem Heroes", "Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp", "Mario Kart Tour", and "Dragalia Lost".
While Nintendo’s mobile games garnered millions of downloads through the eShop and app stores globally, most have now concluded their service as the company shifts focus back to its flagship hardware platforms, including the Nintendo Switch. Reflecting on his career, Konno characterized his work as both challenging and rewarding, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that defined his projects.
"Working with talented teams on groundbreaking hardware and beloved franchises has been a highlight of my career," he explained in a statement provided to colleagues, highlighting the innovation that marked each phase of his work from console development to mobile experiences. The news of Konno’s departure follows the recent retirement of Kensuke Tanabe, another influential Nintendo producer known for his work on the "Metroid Prime" series.
With both veterans stepping down after nearly four decades each, industry observers note a generational shift within Nintendo as the company continues to evolve amid changing market dynamics. Hideki Konno’s enduring influence will be felt across Nintendo’s platforms for years to come—from the legacy of "Mario Kart" and the social features of the 3DS to the global reach of its mobile endeavors.
As the company moves forward, fans and industry professionals alike recognize and celebrate the lasting impact of his creativity on the world of interactive entertainment.
Konno’s departure, quietly noted on his personal Facebook page and effective since July 2025, brings to a close a career that has deeply influenced both Nintendo’s celebrated franchises and its approach to innovative hardware design. Konno’s influence can be traced throughout Nintendo’s modern history.
He is perhaps best known for directing the original "Mario Kart", which debuted in 1992 and helped define the kart racing genre for decades to follow.
His creative leadership extended to other fan favorites, including "Yoshi’s Island" and "Luigi’s Mansion".
Expanding his reach beyond software, Konno played a pivotal role as the producer of "Nintendogs", and more significantly, as the lead producer for the Nintendo 3DS.
The 3DS is remembered for its glasses-free stereoscopic 3D display and engaging features; Konno was instrumental in developing both StreetPass and SpotPass, which enhanced social connectivity between systems. In 2015, as Nintendo sought to expand its presence in mobile gaming, Konno was appointed head of the company’s mobile initiatives.
Under his guidance, Nintendo released a suite of successful mobile titles, spearheading launches such as "Fire Emblem Heroes", "Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp", "Mario Kart Tour", and "Dragalia Lost".
While Nintendo’s mobile games garnered millions of downloads through the eShop and app stores globally, most have now concluded their service as the company shifts focus back to its flagship hardware platforms, including the Nintendo Switch. Reflecting on his career, Konno characterized his work as both challenging and rewarding, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that defined his projects.
"Working with talented teams on groundbreaking hardware and beloved franchises has been a highlight of my career," he explained in a statement provided to colleagues, highlighting the innovation that marked each phase of his work from console development to mobile experiences. The news of Konno’s departure follows the recent retirement of Kensuke Tanabe, another influential Nintendo producer known for his work on the "Metroid Prime" series.
With both veterans stepping down after nearly four decades each, industry observers note a generational shift within Nintendo as the company continues to evolve amid changing market dynamics. Hideki Konno’s enduring influence will be felt across Nintendo’s platforms for years to come—from the legacy of "Mario Kart" and the social features of the 3DS to the global reach of its mobile endeavors.
As the company moves forward, fans and industry professionals alike recognize and celebrate the lasting impact of his creativity on the world of interactive entertainment.
