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After four decades with the gaming giant, Nintendo icon Takashi Tezuka is stepping away from his executive position. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in crafting some of the company’s most cherished titles.
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The news of Tezuka’s exit was revealed in an official filing detailing personnel updates as part of Nintendo’s quarterly financial report. Currently holding the title of Executive Officer, Tezuka began his journey with Nintendo in 1984, initially hired on a part-time basis to assist with Punch-Out!!. Interestingly, he was not a devoted gamer at the time, reportedly having never even seen Pac-Man when he first joined the Kyoto-based firm.
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However, the Osaka native quickly adapted to game development, soon collaborating with Shigeru Miyamoto on the NES classic Super Mario Bros., sparking a long-lasting creative alliance. He subsequently contributed to the creation of the original The Legend of Zelda, serving as both director and writer.
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Throughout his early career, Tezuka directed several landmark titles, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Yoshi’s Island. He also served as assistant director on Super Mario 64 and oversaw the development of the early 3D Zelda games for the N64.
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Over his forty-year span at Nintendo, Tezuka has contributed to numerous games and was appointed to the board of directors in 2018. His latest credits feature Super Mario Wonder and its 2026 DLC Meetup in Bellabel Park, Princess Peach: Showtime! and Mario & Luigi: Brothership.
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While his future involvement with Nintendo remains uncertain, Tezuka is among several veteran executives the company appears to be transitioning away from. At 65, he is still eight years younger than Miyamoto, who remains actively engaged in Nintendo and its growing array of extra-curricular projects. Nevertheless, Miyamoto will eventually step down, as will other long-time figures like composer Koji Kondo and Zelda series head Eiji Aonuma, who are also nearing the typical retirement age for Nintendo leadership.