Nintendo announced that current Nintendo of America president and chief operating officer Doug Bowser will retire on December 31, 2025. Doug Bowser will be succeeded by Devon Pritchard, who is a 19-year veteran of the video game industry and a member of the Nintendo of America leadership team.
What’s more, Satoru Shibata will join Nintendo of America as chief executive officer and continue his roles as managing executive officer and corporate director, member of the board at Nintendo Co., Ltd. (NCL). Pritchard will also join the Nintendo of America Board of Directors and become an NCL executive officer. The Nintendo press release notes that Pritchard values Nintendo fans and plans to build on many experiences that allow consumers that connect with Nintendo’s brand, games, and retail offerings.
“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.”
“I am humbled and excited to take on this new role,” said Pritchard. “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.”
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa added, “During his tenure, Doug made numerous contributions to bring smiles to the faces of people connected to Nintendo. I would like to express my gratitude for his strong efforts. Devon, who will become the next president, has also made many contributions to Nintendo over the years. I am confident that, like Doug, Devon will continue to support Nintendo’s important mission of creating smiles.”
Doug Bowser led Nintendo of America after the retirement of Reggie Fils-Aimé in 2019, and Bowser led Nintendo for the launch of Nintendo Switch 2 and various brand expansions, including Nintendo’s collaboration with Universal in the U.S.
