Nintendo has confirmed that veteran developer Takashi Tezuka will retire from his role as an executive officer on the company board effective 26 June 2026.
The company also announced that directors Takuya Yoshimura, Katsuhiro Umeyama and Keiko Akashi will retire from their directorships at the same time.
The moves mark a notable transition among long-serving figures within Nintendo's leadership.
Tezuka joined Nintendo in 1984 and early in his career worked alongside Shigeru Miyamoto on foundational titles for the Nintendo Entertainment System, including Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.
Those franchises have become cornerstones of Nintendo's portfolio worldwide.
Over subsequent decades Tezuka directed several landmark entries, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening and Yoshi's Island.
As his role evolved, Tezuka moved into supervisory and producer positions.
He contributed to high-profile projects across multiple Nintendo platforms, with credits that include Star Fox 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Luigi's Mansion, Pikmin, Animal Crossing, Super Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Mario Kart: Double Dash and Super Mario Galaxy 2.
In recent years his oversight extended to Nintendo Switch-era releases such as Yoshi's Crafted World, Super Mario Maker 2 and Pikmin 4, as well as Super Mario Bros.
Wonder and Princess Peach Showtime.
The company also noted Tezuka took part in collaborations with Illumination, working on The Super Mario Bros.
Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Nintendo issued a formal statement saying Tezuka will step down from his executive officer duties and that the three directors will retire from their roles on 26 June 2026, while further corporate details will follow through official Nintendo filings.
Industry reporter Alex Seedhouse, who has covered Nintendo for more than 16 years, provided context on Tezuka's career and influence.
Seedhouse's experience includes coverage at E3 and gamescom, leading editorial coverage across three console generations, and contributing as a Metacritic-approved critic.
Tezuka's retirement is a definitive milestone for Nintendo.
His credits span multiple eras and platforms, from the NES generation to the Nintendo Switch, and his work is reflected in franchises that continue to be central to Nintendo's business and the wider games industry.
Future personnel announcements and board updates will appear via Nintendo's corporate communications and regulatory filings, and the company continues to use channels such as Nintendo Direct and the Nintendo eShop for consumer-facing news and product releases.
The company also announced that directors Takuya Yoshimura, Katsuhiro Umeyama and Keiko Akashi will retire from their directorships at the same time.
The moves mark a notable transition among long-serving figures within Nintendo's leadership.
Tezuka joined Nintendo in 1984 and early in his career worked alongside Shigeru Miyamoto on foundational titles for the Nintendo Entertainment System, including Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.
Those franchises have become cornerstones of Nintendo's portfolio worldwide.
Over subsequent decades Tezuka directed several landmark entries, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening and Yoshi's Island.
As his role evolved, Tezuka moved into supervisory and producer positions.
He contributed to high-profile projects across multiple Nintendo platforms, with credits that include Star Fox 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Luigi's Mansion, Pikmin, Animal Crossing, Super Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Mario Kart: Double Dash and Super Mario Galaxy 2.
In recent years his oversight extended to Nintendo Switch-era releases such as Yoshi's Crafted World, Super Mario Maker 2 and Pikmin 4, as well as Super Mario Bros.
Wonder and Princess Peach Showtime.
The company also noted Tezuka took part in collaborations with Illumination, working on The Super Mario Bros.
Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Nintendo issued a formal statement saying Tezuka will step down from his executive officer duties and that the three directors will retire from their roles on 26 June 2026, while further corporate details will follow through official Nintendo filings.
Industry reporter Alex Seedhouse, who has covered Nintendo for more than 16 years, provided context on Tezuka's career and influence.
Seedhouse's experience includes coverage at E3 and gamescom, leading editorial coverage across three console generations, and contributing as a Metacritic-approved critic.
Tezuka's retirement is a definitive milestone for Nintendo.
His credits span multiple eras and platforms, from the NES generation to the Nintendo Switch, and his work is reflected in franchises that continue to be central to Nintendo's business and the wider games industry.
Future personnel announcements and board updates will appear via Nintendo's corporate communications and regulatory filings, and the company continues to use channels such as Nintendo Direct and the Nintendo eShop for consumer-facing news and product releases.