Takashi Tezuka Steps Down as Nintendo Executive and Will Stay on as a Producer

Overview

• Takashi Tezuka formally retired from his post as an executive officer at Nintendo on June 26, 2026, following a personnel note in May that set his term to expire.
• At Nintendo’s shareholders’ meeting Tezuka reportedly said he will continue working with the company as a "production producer," and president Shuntaro Furukawa said Tezuka will remain involved in development.
• Reports of Tezuka’s post‑retirement role come from an attendee’s account and machine translations of meeting remarks, so Nintendo has not yet published detailed contractual or organizational terms for the position.
• A 42‑year Nintendo veteran, Tezuka directed or produced landmark titles including The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario World, A Link to the Past, Yoshi’s Island and most recently produced Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
• The change reflects Nintendo’s broader leadership refresh that moves long‑serving staff out of formal executive roles while preserving creative continuity on flagship franchises through operational production roles.