Mario’s final victory is at hand, as Bowser has announced his retirement. Oh wait, it’s not Bowser, the Daimaō of the Koopa Clan? It’s the human Bowser instead?
That’s right, Doug Bowser, who took over as Nintendo of America President in 2019, has announced his retirement and will step down from the role on 31st December 2025. He led NOA through a surprisingly tricky console launch earlier this year, as Nintendo had to navigate the sudden imposition of tariffs in the US for the Switch 2’s release, but ultimately went on to have a hugely successful launch.
Bowser sadly won’t be succeeded by another Mario namesake, but instead by Devon Pritchard. She’s been with Nintendo since 2006 and is a long-standing member of the NOA leadership team, currently holding the position of Executive Vice President of Revenue, Marketing and Consumer Experience.
“One of my earliest video game experiences was playing the arcade version of Donkey Kong,” said Bowser. “Since that time, 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 in both business results and the experiences we’ve created for consumers.”
“Now, it’s time for the next generation of leadership and Devon’s track record speaks for itself,” Bowser continued. “She is an exceptional leader, and her promotion is a testament to her strong performance and strategic contributions to the company’s growth. I have full confidence that she will guide the company to even greater heights.”
Pritchard said, “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. With characters and worlds that offer something for everyone, my focus will be continuing to build on Nintendo’s legacy of surprising and delighting our longtime fans, while at the same time welcoming new players into the Nintendo family.”
So, pour one out for the recurring jokes about Bowser running Nintendo, but we wish Doug Bowser a happy retirement.
Source: Businesswire
It’s always interesting to see leadership changes in such iconic companies. Bowser’s retirement marks the end of an era, and I’m sure fans will be eager to see what comes next for Nintendo.
It’s definitely a significant moment for Nintendo! Leadership transitions can really influence a company’s direction and culture. It’ll be intriguing to see how Bowser’s successor will continue to innovate and uphold the legacy of Nintendo games.
Absolutely, leadership changes often bring new perspectives that can shape a company’s future. It will be interesting to see how Bowser’s successor approaches the evolving gaming landscape, especially with the rise of new technologies.
It will be interesting to see how Bowser’s successor will influence Nintendo’s direction, especially with the upcoming game releases. Fresh leadership can really spark innovation, and fans are eager to see what new ideas will emerge.
Absolutely! It’s a pivotal moment for Nintendo, and the new leader may bring fresh ideas to the table. With the gaming landscape constantly evolving, it’ll be exciting to see how they adapt and innovate moving forward.
I agree, it’s an exciting time for Nintendo! A new leader could definitely reshape the company’s strategies and perhaps even revive some classic franchises. It’ll be interesting to see how they balance innovation with the beloved traditions of the brand.
Absolutely! A fresh perspective at the helm could lead to innovative game development and new strategies for engaging with fans. It’ll be interesting to see how the upcoming changes reflect in Nintendo’s future projects!