Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto has revealed he’s stepping back from day-to-day work on the Mario series, saying he now entrusts much of the iconic franchise to younger developers.
Speaking with Japanese outlet Casa Brutus, with comments translated by VGC, the 72-year-old creator reflected on his changing role at Nintendo and the future of Mario.
“Nowadays, I have teammates who help maintain the world of Mario, so I entrust much of it to them,” Miyamoto said. “But I still play the first 30 minutes of every new Mario game to make sure it really feels like Mario.”
Miyamoto is stepping back from Mario series
Miyamoto has spoken about stepping back as far back as 2015, when he said he wanted to mentor younger staff and let new developers lead projects like Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. His latest comments mark the clearest confirmation yet that he’s now taken a backseat, focusing more on guiding the next generation than directly creating.
As younger producers like Yoshiaki Koizumi and Takashi Tezuka take on more creative leadership, Miyamoto’s role has shifted toward mentorship and oversight. Despite this, he remains closely involved in the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie from Illumination, which is scheduled for theatrical release on April 3, 2026.
Miyamoto described the project as “fun” and said production is nearing completion. “The setting for the next movie is, just as the title says, the galaxy, that’s all I can really say,” he explained. “We’re in the final stages of production now, but I think it’s going to be fun. I usually just say, ‘I’ll keep working on it until it becomes fun,’ so that alone should tell you how confident I am.”
For now, Miyamoto remains involved in Mario’s wider universe, including its upcoming film sequel, but is increasingly focused on ensuring the series’ spirit continues beyond him.
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