Nintendo veteran behind Mario, Zelda and Yoshi announces retirement

Takashi Tezuka, the longtime Nintendo designer and director behind major entries in Mario, Zelda, Yoshi, and other landmark franchises, will retire on June 26, 2026, after 42 years with the company. H

is departure marks the close of a defining chapter in Nintendo history, highlighting the legacy of a key creative partner who helped turn some of gaming’s most influential ideas into enduring classics ...