Legendary Nintendo Designer Takashi Tezuka Announces Retirement After 42 Years

Legendary Nintendo designer Takashi Tezuka, instrumental in shaping franchises like Mario and The Legend of Zelda, announced his retirement effective June 26, 2026, after 42 years with the company. Tezuka, who joined Nintendo in 1984, directed titles such as Super Mario Bros. 3 and A Link to the Past, and served as lead producer for the Mario series for two decades. The announcement was made alongside Nintendo's financial results, which also noted a planned price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2.

• GAME Animal Crossing: New Horizons
• GAME The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
• PLATFORM Nintendo Switch
• GAME Pokemon FireRed/Leaf Green
• GAME The Legend of Zelda
• GAME Mario Party Superstars
• GAME Tomodachi Life
• GAME Mario & Luigi: Brothership
• GAME Yoshi's Island
• COMPANY Nintendo
• PLATFORM Nintendo Switch 2
• GAME Super Mario Bros. Wonder