After 18 Years, the Voice of Bowser Announces His Nintendo Retirement
▼ Summary
– Doug Bowser will retire as Nintendo of America’s president and CEO at the end of 2025 after six years in the role and over a decade with the company.
– His tenure coincided with the highly successful Nintendo Switch and the record-breaking launch of the Switch 2, the fastest-selling hardware in Nintendo’s history.
– Under Bowser’s leadership, Nintendo expanded beyond consoles into successful ventures like theme parks and the $1.36 billion-grossing Super Mario Bros. Movie.
– Devon Pritchard, a Nintendo of America veteran, has been named as Bowser’s replacement and will also join the NOA Board of Directors as an executive officer.
– Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa praised Bowser for his contributions and expressed confidence in Pritchard’s ability to continue Nintendo’s mission.
The leadership of Nintendo of America is set for a significant transition as Doug Bowser confirms his retirement, concluding an impactful eighteen-year career with the gaming giant. His departure, scheduled for the end of 2025, comes at a moment of remarkable success, closely following the record-breaking launch of the Switch 2 console. Bowser, who took the helm six years ago after Reggie Fils-Aime, has overseen a period of unprecedented growth and expansion for the company.
It’s fair to say that leading Nintendo during this era was a relatively enviable position. The Nintendo Switch console has maintained a dominant presence in the market, generating substantial revenue. Beyond hardware, the company successfully branched into new ventures like theme parks and, most notably, the film industry. The Super Mario Bros. Movie became a global phenomenon in 2023, earning $1.36 billion and setting a new benchmark for video game adaptations.
Nintendo officially acknowledged Bowser’s contributions, stating his tenure was defined by delivering on the Switch’s promise to transform how people play games. The statement highlighted that he recently expanded that mission by overseeing the launch of the Switch 2 in the Americas, which quickly became the fastest-selling hardware in Nintendo’s history during its initial sales period.
Reflecting on his long history with the company, Bowser shared a personal connection. “One of my earliest video game experiences was playing the arcade version of Donkey Kong,” he said. “All things Nintendo have continued to be a passion for both me and my family. Leading Nintendo of America has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am proud of what our team has accomplished.”
Stepping into the role of president will be Devon Pritchard, a seasoned veteran within Nintendo of America. Concurrently, Nintendo’s Satoru Shibata will join the American branch as CEO. Pritchard will also gain a seat on the NOA Board of Directors and become a Nintendo executive officer.
In a characteristically corporate statement, Pritchard expressed her readiness for the new challenge. “I am humbled and excited to take on this new role. Doug has been a fantastic mentor, and I look forward to building on the incredible foundation he has helped establish,” she said. Her focus will be on continuing Nintendo’s legacy of delighting fans while welcoming new players into the fold. The company reassuringly noted that Pritchard will be “putting Nintendo fans at the top of her agenda.”
Nintendo’s global president, Shuntaro Furukawa, also offered praise. “During his tenure, Doug made numerous contributions to bring smiles to the faces of people connected to Nintendo. I would like to express my gratitude for his strong efforts,” Furukawa stated. He expressed confidence that Pritchard would successfully continue the company’s core mission of creating happiness for its audience.
(Source: PC Gamer)
