Nintendo of America has announced that President and COO Doug Bowser will retire on December 31, 2025, after more than a decade in leadership roles and six years as president. He will be succeeded by Devon Pritchard, a longtime executive who has been with Nintendo for nearly 20 years. In addition, Satoru Shibata will join NOA as Chief Executive Officer while continuing his responsibilities at Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Bowser took over in 2019 after the retirement of Reggie Fils-Aimé, who had become a fan favorite during his nearly 13 years in the role. While Bowser was less visible in the public spotlight, his tenure was defined by results. He helped maintain the momentum of the Nintendo Switch, oversaw the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 earlier this year in the Americas, and guided the console to record-breaking sales during its launch period. He also championed Nintendo’s expansion into entertainment with theme parks and films that brought the company’s characters to wider audiences and stood up for diversity during this troubling times.
“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 have created for consumers,” said Bowser.
Doug’s replacement, Devon Pritchard, has held senior roles during her nearly 20 years at Nintendo, which includes Marketing, Business Affairs, and Publisher Relations, most recently serving as Executive Vice President of Revenue, Marketing, and Consumer Experience of Nintendo of America. So, she’s no stranger when it comes to the Mushroom Kingdom, and knowledge and background will definitely help when she moves into the president slot, later this year.
“Doug has been a fantastic mentor, and I look forward to building on the incredible foundation he helped establish,” said Pritchard. “My focus will be continuing to surprise and delight longtime fans while welcoming new players into the Nintendo family.”
Nintendo Co., Ltd. President Shuntaro Furukawa thanked Bowser for his contributions and expressed confidence in Pritchard’s leadership. With Pritchard stepping into the role of President and COO and Shibata providing executive oversight as CEO, Nintendo of America heads into 2026 with continuity, experience, and a clear mandate to keep creating smiles for players everywhere.
What’s sad about all this is once Doug departs; we won’t be able to say that Nintendo has a real-life Bowser working for them.
Source: Business Wire
