Nintendo Legend Takashi Tezuka Announces Retirement After Decades of Iconic Game Design

Simon Ellis May 9, 2026 0 comments 1 min read

Nintendo confirms legendary game designer Takashi Tezuka will retire on June 26, 2026. Tezuka co-created Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Yoshi, and directed Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World.

Nintendo Legend Takashi Tezuka Announces Retirement After Decades of Iconic Game Design

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Nintendo has announced that legendary game designer Takashi Tezuka will retire on June 26, 2026. The company confirmed the news in a formal statement on May 8, 2026.

Co-creator of Super Mario and Zelda to retire on June 26

Tezuka co-designed iconic titles including Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Yoshi. He also directed Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World. More recently, he produced Super Mario Maker, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Pikmin 4.

Tezuka's career spans decades and includes some of the most influential games in the industry. His retirement marks the end of an era for Nintendo's development team.

Nintendo has not commented on any successor or future plans for Tezuka's projects.

Source: Nintendo, Insider Gaming/InsiderG

Simon Ellis

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His favourite game is Counter-Strike 2, because nothing says relaxation like someone half his age reviewing his crosshair placement in real time. His favourite console is the PC, which he knows is not the answer, but he is keeping it anyway.