President of Nintendo of America Reggie Fils-Aime is stepping down after 15 years and will be succeeded by Doug Bowser. Yes, you read that right. His last name is Bowser. Let that sink in for a moment.
If the irony needs explaining: The man taking over the famous gaming company shares a name with Mario’s antagonist and the company’s most infamous villain. Bowser (the man, not the character) is currently Nintendo’s senior vice president of Sales and Marketing.
“Who better to hold the keys to the Nintendo castle?” Fils-Aime said, adding that he will retire in April.
The Regginator, as he’s been called, delivered a special parting message to fans in a tweet Thursday, noting the special “community” and the smiles Nintendo has worked to put on the smiles of people all around the world.
“You put thousands of smiles on mine,” Fils-Aime said.
Nintendo fans, Reggie has a message for all of you. Please take a look. pic.twitter.com/EAhaEl5oEJ
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 21, 2019
It’s clear fans that fans will miss him. There’s been an outpouring of support for the beloved Nintendo boss across social media.
“Believe me. My body is still ready,” Fils-Aime said, referring to a popular meme showing him at the E3 2007 press conference stepping onto a Wii Fit balance board and uttering the now-famous phrase.
But while the love is real for the departing Fils-Aime, fans are also hung up on Bowser’s last name being the same as the bad guy who’s always kidnapping Princess Peach and thwarting Mario’s plans. The memes have been mushrooming.
“We never getting a new Mario game ever again,” one user joked.
https://twitter.com/Nibellion/status/1098665374114082816
No one:
— Das Wulf (@Tristan_Deluxe) February 21, 2019
Doug Bowser: pic.twitter.com/XTDjgRvERF
You fools are so busy talking about Mario and Luigi. Can’t you see it’s a DISTRACTION from the REAL news?
— Mike-O (@PUPPERCASE) February 21, 2019
>”Ninten” clearly visible in Bowser’s photo
>Ninten is the protag from Mother 1
>Ninten has two eyes
> 1 + 2 = 3
>Mother 3 Deluxe
You blind bats. pic.twitter.com/VXa82J3vUf
“Is this a name sim game where you are Bowser and you must run and manage your own video company?” mused popular gamer AlphaOmegaSin. “I’d buy the fuck out of that.”
So can we just talk about how the next dude in line to be president of Nintendo of America is named Bowser? Is this a name sim game where you are Bowser and you must run and manage your own video game company?
— AlphaOmegaSin (@AlphaOmegaSin) February 21, 2019
I’ll buy the fuck out of that pic.twitter.com/9KHIHXshrS
Really, the jokes just write themselves.
https://twitter.com/STRGG_/status/1098676285570732033
I’m a little worried about Reggie being replaced by Doug Bowser. Word is he’s already rumored to be hiring Arnold Ganondorf, Jim Andross and Michael J. Robotnik
— Max (relaxed) (@BrainDumpTweets) February 21, 2019
And with that out of the way, I’d like to congratulate Doug Bowser on his new promotion, as well as his seven new executive vice presidents. pic.twitter.com/S4HutjLvnZ
— Justin Clark (@justinofclark) February 21, 2019
Bowser on his first day as president of Nintendo of America pic.twitter.com/hGrvNSMOna
— clicker gamer (@rhiwion) February 21, 2019
Business Executive Bowser for @fancydrak‘s Mario & Friends Collab (post: http://t.co/Jr4IGOl2vB) pic.twitter.com/X0q2DZiCby
— Cole Ott (@coleott) March 2, 2014
Welcome, President Bowser! ( we’ll miss ya, Reggie ) pic.twitter.com/L3cDz55okX
— ⋆★✪ SMASHEGA ART ✪★⋆ (@ShinSmashega) February 21, 2019
It’s the first day of knowing that Nintendo of America’s new president’s name is Doug Bowser, and the jokes are old already.
— supergreatfriend (@supergreatfrien) February 21, 2019
Also it’s not funny for the NoA employees who now have to search the building to find the stars to unlock his office door when they need to talk to him
Why is everyone shocked Bowser is now in charge of Nintendo America? Look how passionate he is about playing games with fans pic.twitter.com/UiVLHqxMlL
— Mica Burton (@MicaBurton) February 21, 2019
We’re actually about to live in the timeline where Bowser reigns supreme over Nintendo of America
— Vailskibum (@Vailskibum94) February 21, 2019
Doug Bowser pullin up to Nintendo HQ on his first day as president pic.twitter.com/dDdtIYt63m
— Mr. Pasquale (@TheMrPasquale) February 21, 2019
introducing Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser pic.twitter.com/YlCzLccoSo
— GЯIMΞCRΛFГ (@GRIMECRAFT) February 21, 2019
Whether Bowser’s rule over Nintendo proves to be the darkest timeline is yet to be seen. But here’s to hoping fans are still blessed with new Mario games for years to come.
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