Doug Bowser Leaves Nintendo of America

A change at the top for Nintendo of America: President Doug Bowser, who has held the position since 2019 - when he replaced Reggie Fils-Aimé - has announced his retirement. He will leave office on December 31st to enjoy a well-deserved retirement, earned after over 44 years in the industry.

"One of my first video game experiences was playing the arcade version of Donkey Kong - Bowser recounts in a press release - Since then, all things Nintendo have been a passion for me and my family. Leading Nintendo of America has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am proud of what the team has accomplished both in business results and in the experiences we have created for users. Now it is time for the next generation of leadership and Devon's [Pritchard, the new president, see below] work to speak for themselves. 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 lead the company to further heights."

Bowser's career in the video game world began in 1984 at Procter & Gamble; in 2007, he joined Electronic Arts as VP of global planning. From there, he came to Nintendo in 2015 as vice president of sales and marketing, then becoming president in 2019.

Today, I announced my plan to retire from Nintendo, effective December 31, 2025. Nintendo has been an integral part of my life for 44 years, starting with Donkey Kong Arcade as a kid in college. It has been an honor to contribute to this incredible company and bring our beloved… pic.twitter.com/nIzCnHjQ9E

— Doug Bowser (@thetruebowser) September 25, 2025

Devon Pritchard: Who is Nintendo of America's New President?

From January 1, 2026, the role will pass to Devon Pritchard, who is also the first female President and COO of Nintendo of America. Pritchard joined the house of Mario in 2006 during the transition between presidents Tatsumi Kimishima and Reggie Fils-Aimé as head of the legal department. Subsequently, in 2021, she became vice president of marketing and sales, demonstrating a career that in many ways mirrors Bowser's.

The incredible Devon Pritchard, a longtime Nintendo executive, will succeed Doug Bowser as the new head of Nintendo of America, effective January 1, 2026. Bowser will retire on Dec 31.

Congratulations Devon! pic.twitter.com/2nuk3mD3I1

— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) September 25, 2025

Her promotion has garnered widespread acclaim in the industry: not only Geoff Keighley but also Shawn Layden, now at Tencent, fondly recalled meeting her at the PlayStation Campus when he was still a Sony executive. The photo of Devon alongside Phil Spencer of Xbox is iconic, demonstrating the friendship and fairness among the three main console manufacturers.

Congratulations to Devon Pritchard on her ascension at Nintendo of America! We welcomed her to PlayStation campus a few years ago to celebrate #GirlsMakeGames, with @XboxP3 and others. Could not be happier for you, Devon! #Nintendo #playstation #xbox pic.twitter.com/rK8bfyBM56

— shawn layden ‍‍ (@ShawnLayden) September 26, 2025

We extend our best wishes for her new role, as well as our greetings and thanks to Doug, so he may enjoy his retirement in peace and serenity.