Kensuke Tanabe
Kensuke Tanabe | |
|---|---|
田邊 賢輔 | |
 Tanabe at E3 2013 | |
| Born | January 26, 1963 Ikeda, Osaka, Japan[1] |
| Education | Osaka University of Arts |
| Occupations | Video game producer, designer |
| Employer(s) | Nintendo (1986–2026) Winning Entertainment Group (2026-present) |
| Notable work | Super Mario The Legend of Zelda Metroid Prime Chibi-Robo! Donkey Kong Luigi's Mansion Paper Mario |
| Title | Manager at Nintendo SPD Production Group No. 3 (2004–2015) Manager at Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 6 (2015–2019) Senior Officer at Nintendo EPD (2019–2026) Chief Creative Officer at Winning Entertainment Group (2026-present) |
Kensuke Tanabe (田邊 賢輔, Tanabe Kensuke; born January 26, 1963)[2] is a Japanese video game producer and designer who has worked for Nintendo since 1986 until 2026 and is currently part of Winning Entertainment Group since August 2026.[3]
History
[edit]After he had graduated from the Visual Concept Planning Department of Osaka University of Arts, he decided to enter the video game industry, and joined Nintendo in April 1986.[1][4]
At first, Tanabe was part of the Entertainment Analysis and Development division.[5] He directed the platform games Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic and Super Mario Bros. 2, and worked on the scripts for the action-adventures The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening.[4][5] In 2003, Tanabe moved to the Software Planning and Development division, where he became the manager of Production Group No. 3.[1][5] Since then, he has become a producer, and has managed and overseen the development of externally developed first party Nintendo video games, such as Metroid Prime, Donkey Kong Country, Paper Mario, Chibi-Robo and other series.[4]
In 2019 he was promoted as Senior Officer at the division Nintendo EPD, continuing his work as producer alongside his division role.
In January 2026, Tanabe announced that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was the last Nintendo game he would be working on, with a concurrent announcement confirming fellow producer Risa Tabata to be his successor.[6]
In September 2026 it was confirmed by Tanabe's LinkedIn that he is now working as Chief Creative Officer (CCO) on Winning Entertainment Group since August of 2026.[3]
Ludography
[edit]Non-gaming credits
| 2021 | Super Nintendo World | Creative director |
|---|
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Biographical Information: Kensuke Tanabe" (PDF). Nintendo of America, Inc. June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 1, 2011.
- ↑ 「ゼルダの伝説 夢をみる島」開発スタッフ名鑑. Nintendo Official Guide Book – The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (in Japanese). Shogakukan Inc. July 1993. p. 120. ISBN 4-09-102448-3.
- 1 2 Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanabe-kensuke-57a432143/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - 1 2 3 クリエイターズファイル 第101回. Gpara.com (in Japanese). February 10, 2003. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- 1 2 3 "E3 2004: Metroid Prime 2 Interview". IGN. IGN Entertainment, Inc. May 12, 2004. Archived from the original on December 16, 2010. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ↑ Scullion, Chris (January 21, 2026). "Veteran Nintendo producer Kensuke Tanabe, known for Metroid and Paper Mario, reportedly confirms retirement". VGC. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
External links
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