Nintendo of America president, Reggie Fils-Aime, announced his retirement earlier today. The long-serving leader of the company’s US chapter will be finishing up on April 15 and will be replaced by – get this – Doug Bowser.
[jwplayer sKZZk6x3]
He’s done it, folks. Bowser has finally infiltrated the highest ranks of Nintendo, which probably means Mario is as good as toast. He’s done for.
“It has been my great fortune to work with and be mentored by Reggie for four years at Nintendo of America,” Bowser said in a release. “And rest assured, we will continue to build on his work to evolve and expand our brand, furthering Nintendo’s global mission of creating smiles. There are millions more of those to come.”
He’s going to eat Mario for sure. I’m certain of it.
In all seriousness, though, this particular Bowser is a great fit for the role. He joined Nintendo of America back in 2015 as VP of sales and went on to lead the sales and marketing for the Nintendo Switch, which became the best-selling console of 2018.
While the top job is in safe hands, Nintendo fans the world over will no doubt miss Reggie, who is nothing short of an enormous sweetheart. Have a look at his farewell message to fans below.
Nintendo fans, Reggie has a message for all of you. Please take a look. pic.twitter.com/EAhaEl5oEJ
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 21, 2019
“I’ll be dropping the title that’s meant so much to me, President of Nintendo of America, but I’ll retain one that means even more: Nintendo Fan,” he said. Oh god, stop it, I’m going to cry.
Reggie has been with Nintendo of America for 15 years, 13 of which were spent as president and COO of the company.
“Nintendo owns a part of my heart forever,” Reggie said in a release. “It’s a part that is filled with gratitude – for the incredibly talented people I’ve worked with, for the opportunity to represent such a wonderful brand, and most of all, to feel like a member of the world’s most positive and enduring gamer community.”
“As I look forward to departing in both good health and good humour, this is not ‘game over’ for me, but instead ‘leveling up’ to more time with my wife, family and friends.”
See ya later, Reggie, we’ll miss you, pal.
