Nintendo of America Doug Bowser Retires After Decade With The Company

There's a shift in Nintendo's leadership. Doug Bowser will step down and retire as Chief Operating Officer of Nintendo of America. He will serve out the rest of his tenure until December 31st. He will be succeeded by Devon Pritchard, who is expected to take over in 2026. A veteran executive of the company for 20 years (joining in 2006), Pritchard will be the fifth individual to hold the title of Nintendo of America's COO, and the first woman to do so.

“One of my earliest video game experiences was playing the arcade version of Donkey Kong,” Bowser stated. “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. 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.”

In other moves, Satoru Shibata will remain serving as managing executive officer, corporate director, and a member of Nintendo's board. He will also join Nintendo of America as CEO. Shibata has been an executive at Nintendo since 1985. Doug Bowser stepped in for the departing Reggie Fils-Aimé, who left his position in 2019.