A longtime Nintendo producer who has retired from the legendary gaming juggernaut after nearly 40 years, Hideki Kono is famous for his work. Mario Kart and Yoshi's Island. Nintendo has played host to some of the gaming industry's most famous and beloved creators of all time, boasting a litany of well-known manufacturers and developers. Creators such as Shigeru Miyamoto and Satoru Iwata have helped shape the modern gaming industry with their work, while many others, such as Masahiro Sakurai, are intrinsically intertwined with the studio. Now, one of Nintendo's most beloved creators has said goodbye.
Hideki Konno was a veteran of Nintendo, working for the company for nearly four decades, along with producers and game designers. Kono began his career at Nintendo in 1986 as an assistant director on both the second and third. Super Mario Bros. Games. Kono was instrumental in the creation of some was killed The franchise's biggest spin-off, serving as director and producer on almost every major one Mario Kart Like games and instructional games Yoshi's Island and Luigi's Mansion. A new report now reveals that Hideki Konno has officially parted ways with Nintendo.
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Longtime Nintendo producer Hideki Konno has retired
Users EAD Ninja and LeoSukaze on the Famiboards forum shared the discovery that Hideki Konno had recently left Nintendo. The change was revealed on Konno's personal Facebook page, which confirmed his departure from Nintendo in July 2025. Hideki Konno's quiet departure from the company after nearly 40 years surprised many fans, with neither the director nor Nintendo making an official announcement. The post did not reveal why the producer left Nintendo, although many assumed Kono had retired from his position. Nintendo fans have pointed out that Kono is nearing retirement age as the director turns 60 in May 2025.
Hideki Konno's retirement from Nintendo comes just days after another key figure at the developer confirmed his departure. Metroid Franchise creator Kensuke Tanabe has officially announced his retirement from Nintendo, revealing that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond It was the last game the director would work with the company. Tanabe had been at Nintendo almost as long as Hideki Konno, joining a year later in 1987 and getting his start working the same way. Super Mario Bros. 2. Tanabe was credited with working on more than 150 projects during his time at Nintendo, including Everything. Pokemon who Super Smash Bros in your store.
Nintendo may be entering a new era
The departures of both Hideki Konno and Kensuke Tanabe will signal a major shift at Nintendo, possibly leaning toward its younger talents. Tanabe personally recommended Metroid Prime 4: Beyond With assistant producer Risa Tabata as his successor, Nintendo decided to make another Metroid Prime the game Hideki Konno was largely gone Mario Kart The franchisee before his retirement, is only referred to in the “Special Thanks” section. Mario Kart World. Nintendo of America also saw significant changes of its own to begin 2026, with president Doug Bowser stepping down after six years at the helm of the US arm.
Hideki Konno will leave a lasting legacy with Nintendo having helped build some of the studio's biggest franchises. The Mario Kart The series has been a mainstay of Nintendo Super Mario Kart On the SNES, with Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Ranking among the best selling games of all time. The Luigi's Mansion The games have also become a cult classic among Nintendo fans, with the Luigi-centric horror franchise spawning three main-series games on multiple platforms. Nintendo fans will bid farewell to one of the company's most beloved producers, with Hideki Konno's work creating treasured memories for gamers around the world.
