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
