Nintendo Veteran Takashi Tezuka to Retire After 40 Years

A Nintendo legend is about to call it a day, as veteran game designer and director Takashi Tezuka will leave the company later this year.

Nintendo announced that Takashi Tezuka, a prominent game designer and director, will be retiring on June 26 after over four decades with the company. Tezuka, who started at Nintendo in 1984, has been instrumental in the development of iconic titles like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Pikmin, and Animal Crossing. Throughout his career, he collaborated closely with Shigeru Miyamoto and took on various roles, including assistant director, designer, producer, and supervisor on numerous Nintendo games.

Tezuka's contributions to the gaming industry have been significant, with his work spanning from classic titles like Punch-Out to modern hits such as Super Mario 3D World and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. His departure marks the end of an era for Nintendo and the gaming community, as one of its most influential figures steps down from his longstanding position.