As other corporations scale back DEI to avoid political heat, Nintendo’s sticking to its principles. Some gamers are cheering. Others? Not so much.
Nintendo of America isn’t backing down. CEO Doug Bowser made that very clear, doubling down on the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies.
In an interview with Brazilian news outlet Folha de S.Paulo (via The Gamer), Bowser said, “This is something that has been in place for years, before people really started using the acronym DEI. And it will continue to be in place. It’s important to us.”
That puts Nintendo squarely at odds with a growing list of U.S. companies quietly abandoning their own DEI efforts in the wake of President Donald Trump’s re-election.
“We always want to attract the best talent we can and retain that talent,” Bowser explains. “We also believe that it’s important for those talents to be diverse from the point of view of their backgrounds, their experiences, and their understandings because our players are diverse. So we strive to have a diversity that reflects our players in our organisation.
“This is something that has been in place for years, before people really started using the acronym DEI. And it will continue to be in place. It’s important to us.”
According to Forbes, at least 20 major firms—including Walmart and Ford—pulled back their diversity programs after Trump was re-elected in November 2024 and began his second term in January 2025. By early 2025, DEI departments were vanishing faster than NFTs at a Steam sale.
Not Nintendo.
Their approach has sparked fresh debate across the gaming world, where DEI is either a badge of progress or a four-letter word, depending on who you ask.
Bowser’s Defiant Stance
Bowser’s comments weren’t vague corporate fluff. He told The Gamer that “diversity has always been, and will continue to be, part of the company’s values,” adding that Nintendo’s wide-ranging player base helps shape its inclusive approach. As of this writing, Nintendo’s careers page still features a full DEI section—highlighting support for women, disabled communities, and Hispanic and Latin American groups.
That’s a sharp contrast from companies like Disney, who’ve quietly deleted DEI job listings or scrubbed related language. Per Forbes, a lot of these changes happened behind the scenes in Q1 2025, presumably to avoid drawing attention—or heat from Capitol Hill.
Nintendo, on the other hand, seems fine being loud about it. Whether that earns them applause or a boycott is another matter.
Gaming’s DEI Divide
Nintendo’s stance comes at a time when the gaming industry can’t seem to agree on what DEI even means anymore.
In 2024, Square Enix caught flak for using the gender-neutral labels “Type A” and “Type B” in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake. Some fans called it inclusive. Others called it pandering. IGN called it a “controversy,” which is journalism-speak for “X was mad about Y.”
Then came Palworld, which sparked another internet firestorm over its “Body Type 1” and “Body Type 2” character creation system. Popular streamer Asmongold went off about it on YouTube in April 2025, echoing a broader frustration that some players feel DEI choices are being shoehorned into games just to score points.
Nintendo’s no stranger to this heat either. In 2024, eagle-eyed Reddit users noticed localization changes in the Paper Mario remake—swapping or softening language tied to gender and identity.
One notable example was the character Vivian, originally portrayed as transgender in some non-English versions. Some fans accused the U.S. localization of downplaying this element, which sparked debates over how much influence Nintendo of America has versus the Japanese headquarters, and whether Bowser’s team is taking liberties or marching in lockstep with Kyoto.
What’s at Stake for Nintendo?
This isn’t just PR posturing. Nintendo has big skin in the game. The Switch 2 is expected to be revealed later this year, per VentureBeat. Between now and then, every move the company makes—DEI or otherwise—could shape fan sentiment.
If localization changes or character customization decisions feel too politically charged, gamers may push back. But if Nintendo’s inclusive stance translates into better character options, wider appeal, or new audiences, it could pay off big.
So far, Nintendo of Japan hasn’t made any public comments. But Bowser’s crystal-clear messaging suggests that, at least in the U.S., the company’s staying the course. Whether that wins praise or protests, we’re about to find out.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
Is Nintendo taking the right stand here, or will it cost them fan goodwill? Do you want more inclusive games, or should devs just focus on making good ones and stay out of politics? Drop your thoughts in the comments or tag us on socials—we’re all ears.
Sources:
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“Nintendo Of America CEO Doug Bowser Defends DEI Practices”, The Gamer, May 4, 2025
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“Here Are The Companies That Have Recently Pulled Back On DEI Initiatives”, Forbes, February 7, 2025
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“Dragon Quest 3 Remake Body Type Controversy Explained”, IGN, November 15, 2024
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“Asmongold Reacts to Palworld Body Type Controversy”, YouTube, April 19, 2025
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“Nintendo Has Quietly Dropped DEI Language From Their Localisation Job Postings”, Reddit, June 17, 2024
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“Nintendo Switch 2: Everything We Know So Far”, VentureBeat, March 1, 2025
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“Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Careers at Nintendo of America”, Nintendo, accessed May 4, 2025
News compiled, edited, and fact-checked by Derek Gibbs and Edgar B. for D/REZZED from Clownfish TV.
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