Long time Nintendo video game producer and director Takashi Tezuka has been finally rewarded for his contributions to Nintendo and the game industry.

Tezuka has been appointed as an Executive Officer to Nintendo’s board of directors. His appointment comes at the same time as Nintendo Switch architects Yoshiaki Koizumi and Shinya Takahashi‘s promotions and the announcement of Nintendo’s new president. Tezuka is credited for modernizing the Super Mario games.

Takashi Tezuka will continue to work as a Senior Officer in the Entertainment Planning & Development division, even though he’s now an Executive Officer.