A longtime producer at Nintendo has reportedly retired from the legendary game after nearly 40 years, with Hideki Konno known for his work on Mario Kart and Yoshi's Island. Nintendo has hosted some of the gaming industry's most well-known and beloved creators of all time, with a host of famous producers 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, have become involved with the studio. Now one of Nintendo's most beloved producers has said goodbye.
Hideki Konno was a Nintendo veteran, with the producer and game designer working for the company for nearly four decades. Konno joined Nintendo in 1986 and served as assistant director on both the second and third Super Mario Bros. game. Konno was instrumental in the creation of some of them Mario the franchise's biggest spin-offs, serving as director and producer on nearly all of the leads Mario Kart games and directorial games that 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 Famiboard forums recently shared the discovery that Hideki Konno left Nintendo last year. The change was spotted on Konno's personal Facebook page, which confirmed that he had left Nintendo as of July 2025. Hideki Konno's quiet departure from the company he spent nearly 40 years with surprised many fans, and saw neither the director nor Nintendo make an official announcement. The post does not reveal a reason for the producer's departure from Nintendo, although many have assumed that Konno simply stepped back from his position. Nintendo fans have pointed out that Konno was nearing retirement age, with the director turning 60 in May 2025.
Hideki Konno's retirement from Nintendo comes just days after another major figurehead at the developer confirmed his own departure. Metroid franchise producer Kensuke Tanabe officially announced his retirement from Nintendo and revealed that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was the last game the director would work on with the company. Tanabe had been with Nintendo almost as long as Hideki Konno, leaving a year later in 1987 and similarly getting his start working on Super Mario Bros. 2. Tanabe was credited with working on more than 150 projects during his time at Nintendo, ranging from Pokémon to Super Smash Bros. in his repertoire.
Nintendo may be entering a new era
The departure of both Hideki Konno and Kensuke Tanabe will mark a major shift at Nintendo, likely with its younger talent. Tanabe is personally recommended Metroid Prime 4: Beyond assistant producer Risa Tabata as his successor, should Nintendo decide to make another one Metroid Prime game. Hideki Konno had largely stepped away from Mario Kart franchise before his retirement, only referred to in the “Special Thanks” section. Mario Kart World. Nintendo of America also saw a significant shakeup of its own to start in 2026, with president Doug Bowser stepping down six years after taking the reins of the US branch.
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 Nintendo mainstay ever since Super Mario Kart on the SNES, with Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe ranks among the best-selling games of all time. The Luigi's mansion Games have also become cult classics among Nintendo fans, with the Luigi-focused horror series receiving three main series games across multiple platforms. Nintendo fans will say goodbye to one of the company's most beloved producers, with Hideki Konno's work creating treasured memories for gamers worldwide.
