Nintendo Producer Kensuke Tanabe Confirms Retirement
Kensuke Tanabe, a veteran producer at Nintendo, has officially announced his retirement. He is best known for his significant contributions to the Metroid Prime series.
Kensuke Tanabe’s Retirement Announcement
Tanabe shared his retirement through an interview with Nintendo Dream, a Japanese magazine. This interview was later made public by a user on Weibo. He revealed that his last game with the company would be Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Successor and Future Plans
Risa Tabata, Tanabe’s protégé, is set to succeed him as the producer of the Metroid series. Her journey with Nintendo began with the original Metroid Prime on the GameCube. Over the years, she has also contributed to various titles, including:
- Donkey Kong Country Returns
- Paper Mario: Color Splash
- The Thousand-Year Door on Switch
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and the Sylux Saga
In the interview, Tanabe expressed his desire to create a Metroid title centered on characters Samus and Sylux. He had hinted at this storyline in previous games, particularly in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and Federation Force. Understanding that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond might be his last opportunity, he aimed to introduce the Sylux saga.
Tanabe described Sylux as a complex antagonist with a dark and resentful nature. He envisioned a confrontation where Samus must ultimately defeat Sylux, though the climactic showdown remains unresolved. Tanabe noted that the production of this game took longer than initially expected.
Legacy at Nintendo
Tanabe began his career at Nintendo in 1987, directing Super Mario Bros. 2. Over the decades, he has evolved into a leading figure in the company, contributing to numerous titles, including:
- Luigi’s Mansion
- WarioWare
- countless others
His departure marks a significant transition in Nintendo’s production landscape. While the future of the Metroid series remains uncertain, Tanabe hopes Ms. Tabata and Retro Studios will eventually complete the saga he started.
The gaming community will surely miss Kensuke Tanabe and his remarkable impact on Nintendo. Thank you for your contributions, Tanabe-san.
