Nintendo of America President and CEO Doug Bowser is officially stepping down from his position atop the gaming juggernaut, with December 31 being his last day as President. Nintendo has seen a banner year throughout 2025, launching its newest home console to monumental success alongside a wide array of major first-party releases. The debut of the Switch 2 saw more than 3.5 million units sold within just four days of the console’s debut, setting a record as Nintendo’s fastest-selling home console of all time. Now, Nintendo is saying goodbye to the man at the top of the American branch.
Doug Bowser first took over as Nintendo of America’s President in 2019, following the departure of beloved Nintendo executive Reggie Fils-Aime. Bowser had been with Nintendo for four years at the time he took over the presidency, first joining Nintendo of America as its Vice President of sales and marketing in 2015. Doug Bowser was also seen as a particularly amusing choice for the presidency among fans, with a plethora of jokes about the new President sharing his last name with the iconic Mario villain. Now, Doug Bowser is leaving Nintendo of America with his next-in-line already in place.
December 31 is Doug Bowser’s Last Day at Nintendo
December 31 marks Doug Bowser’s last day as the President and CEO of Nintendo of America, confirming he will be retiring from the position. In an official statement from Bowser about his planned retirement, he calls leading NoA the “honor of a lifetime” and reminisces on his roots as a gamer playing the arcade version of Donkey Kong. Bowser cited the “next generation of leadership” as playing a major factor in his departure, feeling he is ready to hand off the reins of the company to incoming President Devon Pritchard. Satoru Shibata will also be moving into one of Bowser’s executive positions, with the former Nintendo of Europe President taking over as CEO.
Doug Bowser’s replacement is one that already has years of experience as a Nintendo executive. Devon Pritchard first joined Nintendo of America through the company’s legal department in 2006, working in multiple roles for the developer’s American branch. Pritchard currently serves as Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Revenue, Marketing, and Consumer Experience, before assuming the role of President on January 1. Pritchard follows an ongoing trend of Nintendo of America looking to its sales and marketing departments for its Presidents, with both Reggie Fils-Aime and Doug Bowser starting in sales.
Devon Pritchard Takes Over at an Exciting Time for Nintendo
Devon Pritchard will assume the role of President as Nintendo looks to maintain its strong momentum from 2025. The Switch 2’s massively successful debut came with similar popularity for the console’s flagship launch title, with Mario Kart World already selling over 9 million copies. Nintendo followed up Mario Kart World with multiple big-name releases throughout the year, including Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A, among others. The launch of the console has also already seen a plethora of high-profile ports, with games like Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6, and No Man’s Sky hitting the Switch 2.
Nintendo and the Switch 2 should have an exciting year coming as well, with lots in store for fans throughout the first parts of 2026. The Switch 2 already has some notable releases lined up for January, rolling out the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. Nintendo has also confirmed a new Tomodachi Life game will launch in 2026, alongside a cozy Pokemon spinoff with Pokemon Pokopia set to debut in March. Devon Pritchard will take over Nintendo at a peak for the developer, with plenty of fans excited about what’s ahead for the Nintendo Switch 2.
