Episode 773: Takashi Tezuka's Retirement Party (Patreon)

Jeremy: Don't worry, the unconventional title of this episode does not speak to some weirdo gimmick format in which we pretend to be at a party or something. It's just me, Bob, and Diamond talking about the impending retirement of one of the greatest and most influential video game designers of all time—though he's probably deny it if you said it to his face. Takashi Tezuka strikes me as super humble, unpretentious kind of guy. Which is unbelievable. The man did the main legwork on some of the most beloved and influential games ever made. Multiple Super Marios! Multiple Zeldas! And many many more, but those are enough! This is a man who could on top of the cafeteria table and shout, "I invented video games!" and everyone around would just kind of quietly nod and mumble, "Yes you did," and go back to eating their katsu sando. But I don't think Takashi Tezuka has ever made such a scene in the lunchroom, or really anywhere. He just made a ton of all-timers, mentored a generation of game makers, and now he's gonna go fish or nap in a hammock or whatever, leaving behind an absolutely staggering legacy... which we talk about this episode.

Edits: Greg Leahy; art: Greg Melo.

09:45 - The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past: Power of the Gods | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Yoshi's Island

20:38 - Mario Kart World: Title (Super Mario Maker)

31:29 - The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (2019): Ballad of the Wind Fish

40:23 - Super Mario 3D Land: Staff Roll

48:21 - Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Wonder Flower: Going Up! | Star Fox (2026): Menu

54:31 - Super Smash Bros. Brawl: Stage Clear / Title (Pikmin)

1:03:40 - Mario & Zelda Big Band: The Zora Band (Majora's Mask)

Closing - Mario Kart World: Ending (Super Mario World)