Nintendo US CEO Doug Bowser to retire after a decade with the company; Read his full statement

The president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America (NoA), Doug Bowser , is set to retire on December 31 after more than a decade with the company. Bowser will be succeeded by Devon Pritchard , a nearly 20-year veteran of the video game industry and long-time Nintendo executive. Pritchard most recently served as executive vice president of revenue, marketing, and consumer experience at NoA, where she oversaw many aspects of the Switch 2 launch this spring. She will also join the Nintendo of America board of directors and become an executive officer at the parent company, Nintendo (Japan). Additionally, Satoru Shibata will join Nintendo of America as CEO, while continuing his roles as managing executive officer and corporate director at the Japan-based company.

What Nintendo's US CEO said about his retirement

In a statement to Variety, Bowser said, “One of my earliest video game experiences was playing the arcade version of Donkey Kong. 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 honour 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 a separate statement, Bowser’s superior and Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa noted: “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.”

Meanwhile, commenting on his appointment as Nintendo’s US CEO, Pritchard said: “I am humbled and excited to take on this new role. 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.”