Nintendo Acquires Bandai Namco Studios Singapore
In a significant move poised to reshape its internal development capabilities, Nintendo has officially announced the acquisition of Bandai Namco Studios Singapore. This strategic takeover sees the long-standing collaborator transition into a first-party entity, now to be known as Nintendo Studios Singapore, signaling a major push by the gaming giant to strengthen its in-house creative talent.
Strategic Ownership and Future Plans
Nintendo's agreement with Bandai Namco will initially grant the Kyoto-based company an 80% stake in the Singapore studio by April 2026. The remaining 20% is slated for acquisition at a later date, contingent on the subsidiary's operational stabilization. Nintendo cited the studio's "ongoing business relationship with Nintendo" as a primary reason for the acquisition, emphasizing a desire to "strengthen" its internal development structure.
A Legacy of Collaborative Success
Bandai Namco Studios Singapore has a rich history of contributing to beloved Nintendo franchises. Their impressive portfolio includes pivotal work on the critically acclaimed Splatoon 3, a collaboration that evidently solidified their value to Nintendo. Beyond this recent success, the studio also lent its expertise to titles like Mario Sports Superstars and the highly praised New Pokemon Snap. Intriguingly, rumors have also linked the studio to early involvement in Bandai Namco's initial development of Metroid Prime 4 before Retro Studios took over the project entirely in 2019.
Bandai Namco's Evolving Landscape
Despite divesting its Singapore studio, industry observers note that this deal does not indicate Bandai Namco is positioning itself for a larger sale. The prominent publisher retains an impressive stable of blockbuster franchises, including Elden Ring, Tekken, and the iconic Pac-Man. Earlier this year, Bandai Namco also made headlines with a substantial $463 million deal with Sony, securing approximately 2.5% of the company. However, the corporation has faced internal challenges, recently disclosing that executives have taken pay cuts following allegations of significant embezzlement by a former employee.
This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for Nintendo, signaling a clear intent to deepen its creative well and bring proven talent further into its renowned first-party ecosystem.