Nintendo's Konno Leaves After Four-Decade Run
Nintendo veteran Hideki Konno is reportedly leaving the company after about 40 years, per a July 2025 Facebook post. He started as a designer on Super Mario Bros. 2/3, directed titles like Super Mario Kart, Yoshi's Island and Mario Kart 64, led a group at Nintendo EPD, helped shape the 3DS as a producer, and later produced Mario Kart 8 while overseeing Nintendo's mobile division (Super Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes, Mario Kart Tour) and contributing to MK8 Deluxe DLC. His departure follows Kensuke Tanabe's retirement, marking another long-time Nintendo staffer stepping away; Nintendo has not issued an official statement.
