Nintendo informed investors that 65-year-old developer Takashi Tezuka is retiring after 42 years with the company. He was at the origin of games such as The Legend of Zelda, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Super Mario World, and Yoshi’s Island.
Although he hasn't directly led key projects in recent years, Tezuka continued to work. He served as an executive director and participated in the creation of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the Meetup in Bellabel Park expansion, and Pikmin 4.
The developer will conclude his work on June 26, 2026. On the same day, Katsuhiro Umeyama, Takuya Yoshimura, and Keiko Akashi will also retire.