After 40 years working at Nintendo, producer Kensuke Tanabe is retiring from the company.
Tanabe, who was essential to the development of the Zelda and Metroid franchises, confirmed that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be his final title with Nintendo. This marks the end of an impactful career for one of Nintendo’s most influential producers.
“It’s been 40 years since I joined Nintendo,” Tanabe explained. “Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be my final title produced at Nintendo. Instead of doing something completely new, I worked with Retro Studios to create a fun and unique experience for all ages and players, just like previous Nintendo titles. I hope it will be a memorable game for everyone who plays it. And for those who haven’t played it yet, I hope you’ll experience the world of Viewros through Samus’s eyes.”
Tenabe’s role at Nintendo involved working with many studios outside of Japan, including Next Level Games, Retro Studios, and more. He was involved in the production of many of the company’s early games, including directing Super Mario Bros. 2 and serving as a writer for several Zelda titles, such as A Link to the Past and Link’s Awakening.
Throughout his time at Nintendo, Tenabe has been credited for work on Mario, Zelda, Kirby, and serval other important IPs. Since 2004, Tenabe has served as one of Nintendo’s key producers, overseeing games in the Luigi’s Mansion, Donkey Kong, and Metroid Prime series. As a foundational contributor to so many titles, Tenabe will surely be missed for his efforts in collaborating with American studios to deliver the beloved gaming experiences we enjoy.
