Nintendo Bandai has struck a deal with Namco to buy all shares in its Singaporean development studio called Bandai Namco, bringing it into Nintendo's fold by spring 2026. Nintendo and Bandai Namco have a long history of cooperation with each other, and this business deal will open up new possibilities for the Switch 2's future.
Bandai Namco's Singapore-based operation was established in 2013 to promote game development in Asia, while a Vancouver-based branch was established to cover the Western market. Its biggest sales success Splatoon 3which was developed in collaboration with Nintendo EPD and released in September 2022 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. The Singapore studio has led the solo development of late-stage entries in some popular series, for which there are credits. Soul Caliber 6, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknownand Taiko no Tatsujin: VR Festival Under its belt.
Nintendo reminds fans about 10 big upcoming games for Switch consoles
Nintendo shines the spotlight on 10 games that are on the way, some for the original Switch and others for the Switch 2.
Games developed by Singapore named Bandai
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Splatoon 3 (with Nintendo EPD)
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Soul Caliber 6
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Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
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Taiko no Tatsujin: VR Festival
Nintendo has officially announced that it will acquire a majority stake in Singapore-based Bandai early next year. According to a press release, 80 percent of the studio's shares will be taken over by Nintendo on April 1, 2026, with the remaining 20 percent planned to transfer to Nintendo's control at an unspecified date after the time provided for the stabilization of the studio. The acquisition of the studio, which will be rebranded as Nintendo Studios Singapore, is expected to have only a “minor impact” on Nintendo's finances for the current financial year, but it opens up many possibilities for the future, especially considering the end of regular updates. Splatoon 3 It was announced over a year ago.
Compared to rival console developers Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo hasn't been nearly as active in the business of acquiring new development studios. Sony has more than 20 first-party development studios, notably adding Bungie and Firewalk Studios to the list in 2023 and Kadokawa Corporation in 2024. Similarly, the Xbox brand has also grown in recent years, most prominently with its $75.4 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard, which was completed on fchi2ran0. Call of Duty, Warcraftand Diablo under its banner.
Meanwhile, one of Nintendo's last big pick-ups was in May 2024, when it struck a deal with Embracer Group to acquire Siver Entertainment, a company best known for porting games. Hogwarts Legacy, Mortal Kombat 1and entries in Guitar Hero Sseries on new platforms. Later that year, Nintendo was fully acquired Xenoblade Chronicles Developer Monolift Soft, although it already owned 96 percent of the company since 2011. Other game-based acquisitions by Nintendo this decade include the company that has helped build Nintendo since the days of the NES, and Next Level Games, which is the primary developer. Luigi's Mansion 3multiple Mario Strikers game, Metroid Prime: Federation Forceand 2009 punch-out For the Wii. Additionally, Nintendo's 2022 pick-up of the animation studio formerly known as Dynamo Pictures has earned credits in games, anime, and short films. Death Stranding 2 Through its motion capture function.
The business deal between Nintendo and Bandai Namco could be a sign that the former is ready to step up to the stacked competition presented by other first-party developers. While the Switch 2 was outselling the PS5 and Xbox Series X, Nintendo lost one of its most famous second-party developers when it acquired Rare for $375 million in 2002 after Nintendo turned down a similar deal. With the latest success Donkey Kong BananaMany fans' thoughts turn back to Rare's glory days Donkey Kong Country series on the SNES and N64, and may be to protect the establishment of Nintendo Studios Singapore. Splatoon Enfranchisement from an equal future.
