Mario Kart and Luigi’s Mansion Director Departs Nintendo After 40 Years of Iconic Games

Hideki Konno, a veteran director and producer at Nintendo known for his work on iconic titles like Mario Kart, Yoshi’s Island, and Luigi’s Mansion, has reportedly departed from the company after nearly 40 years. The reason for his exit remains undisclosed.

Konno shared the news of his career shift on his personal Facebook page, stating that he left Nintendo in July 2025. He did not provide any additional information about his future plans or whether he will be joining another company.

His journey at Nintendo began as an assistant director and level designer on Super Mario Bros. 2, followed by similar roles on Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World. He later took the helm as director for Super Mario Kart, Yoshi’s Island, and Luigi’s Mansion.

In the past two decades, Konno has also produced several major Nintendo titles, including Nintendogs and Mario Kart 8, and played a key role in the launch of the Nintendo 3DS.

With such an impressive portfolio, Konno’s absence will certainly be felt, especially given his influential role in shaping the Mario Kart series over the years. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.

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