It was just lately revealed that Nintendo veteran Hideki Konno retired from the corporate final summer time after practically 40 years.
Konno, who joined Nintendo in 1986, formed lots of the Japanese sport firm’s main collection. He labored as an assistant director on Tremendous Mario Bros. 2 and three, the place he additionally designed the video games’ ranges and characters. Later, as a director, he helmed video games comparable to Yoshi’s Island, the SNES model of SimCity, and Luigi’s Mansion for the GameCube.
Nevertheless, Konno is probably finest recognized for his intensive work on the Mario Kart collection. He directed the unique Tremendous Mario Kart and Mario Kart 64, and went on to provide Mario DS, Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart 8 (and the deluxe model), and Mario Kart Tour. He obtained particular thanks credit score for Mario Kart World, the Swap 2’s launch title.
Mr. Konno has produced many different video games comparable to Nintendogs and was additionally the {hardware} director for the 3DS. As head of Nintendo Cell, he produced titles comparable to Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and Hearth Emblem Heroes, in addition to contributing to the worldwide success of PokΓ©mon GO.
As reported by Japanese information shops sport*sparkFinal 12 months, Mr. Konno up to date his employment standing as follows: fb He says he’ll stop Nintendo in July 2025. This was just lately found by a fan. Famiboard discussion board and, level of subject On Twitter/X over the weekend.
Noting the controversy surrounding Konno’s resignation, Takaya Imamura, one other former Nintendo worker who served as artwork director for Star Fox 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Masks, mentioned: tweeted: “Mr. Konno’s resignation is beginning to appeal to consideration. Individuals who constructed an period are leaving Nintendo.” Imamura himself left Nintendo in 2021 to pursue his personal tasks, ensuing within the Omega 6 manga and Swap sport Omega 6: Triangle Stars (he additionally wrote his personal work). weblog submit about why he left).
Final week, it was revealed that one other longtime Nintendo creator, Kensuke Tanabe, had just lately retired, with Tanabe confirming that Metroid Prime 4 could be his final sport at Nintendo (in line with reviews). online game chronicle). Most of the legendary sport creators who formed the Famicom and Tremendous Famicom eras, together with Mario’s creator Shigeru Miyamoto (72), are actually of their 60s and 70s. We’re more likely to see many extra influential sport designers go away Nintendo within the coming years, particularly with the launch of the Swap 2.
Photograph by Andreas Lenz/Getty Photos.
Verity Townsend is a contract author primarily based in Japan and beforehand served as an editor, contributor, and translator for the gaming information website Automaton West. She additionally writes about Japanese tradition and movie for varied publications.