By Michael Murphy
Copyright insider-gaming
Doug Bowser, current CEO of Nintendo of America, is retiring at the end of the year, with a successor already named.
This news comes after the company held a Nintendo Direct earlier this month. Doug Bowser has been a part of Nintendo since 2015, taking over for Reggie Fils-Aime as CEO in 2019. In his time at Nintendo, he shipped both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Aptly last named, Bowser has been a staple of Nintendo Directs and a fan-favorite figure.
Devon Pritchard Taking Over CEO At Nintendo of America After Bowser’s Retirement
In a press release by Nintendo, the company announced that, on December 31st, 2025, Doug Bowser will be retiring from Nintendo of America. He will be succeeded by Devon Pritchard, a current member of the NOA leadership team. A statement from Doug Bowser about his retirement is below:
“One of my earliest video game experiences was playing the arcade version of Donkey Kong,” states Bowser. “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,” Bowser says. “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 his stead as President, Devon Pritchard will take on the role. She currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Revenue, Marketing and Consumer Experience. A statement from her can be found below:
“I am humbled and excited to take on this new role,” states Pritchard. “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.”
The managerial switch-up is sure to be a surprise to some fans. However, as mentioned before, Bowser will continue to stay as CEO of Nintendo of America until December 31st, 2025. Still, it’s likely we’ll be hearing more soon enough, especially if another Nintendo Direct arrives before the year ends.
What do you think about Doug Bowser’s sudden retirement? How do you think it will impact Nintendo of America? Let us know in the comments below and on the forums!
For more on Nintendo, check out our articles on the recent Nintendo Direct and the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. Make sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more Insider Gaming!
