Hideki Konno, the veteran Nintendo developer widely regarded as a key figure behind the "Mario Kart" series, quietly retired in the summer of 2025. His departure, however, only recently came to light, sparking widespread discussion. Former Nintendo staffer Takaya Imamura also weighed in on the news. This revelation about a "senior veteran's departure" took a full six months to circulate within industry circles.
Konno joined Nintendo in 1986, kicking off his development career with "Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic" (later rebranded with Mario characters and released internationally as "Super Mario Bros. 2"). He went on to serve as producer for almost every installment in the "Mario Kart" series. Konno also oversaw the production of the Nintendo 3DS, making him one of Nintendo's most iconic core figures.
According to Konno's Facebook profile, he officially stepped down in July 2025. However, it wasn't until late January 2026 that overseas Nintendo fans and media caught wind of it. The revelation shocked many and quickly became a hot topic.
As Konno's departure began making waves, Takaya Imamura, a former Nintendo staffer who served as art director for the "Star Fox," "F-ZERO," and "The Legend of Zelda" series, confirmed that his former colleague had indeed left Nintendo.
Adding to the list, Kensuke Tanabe, who was responsible for the "Metroid Prime" series and had previously announced his retirement from Nintendo, also departed after the completion of "Metroid Prime 4: Beyond." This signals a changing of the guard, as the architects of Nintendo's past era gradually step aside, paving the way for the next generation to take on future game development.