Nintendo has acquired a brand new studio in the form of one of Bandai Namco’s subsidiaries, thus making good on a promise made earlier this month.
In a press release, Nintendo confirms that it has snapped up shares of Bandai Namco Studios Singapore (BNSS), which released the origami platformer Hirogami back in September. The subsidiary has also contributed to the development of several Nintendo titles.
Back at the start of November, Nintendo said that it would aim to acquire more development studios to shore up its “business foundation”, and it looks like the acquisition of Bandai Namco Studios Singapore represents the beginning of that strategy’s implementation.
As Nintendo points out, this acquisition is far from unprecedented; the two companies share an “ongoing business relationship” thanks to Bandai Namco Studios Singapore’s contribution to Nintendo properties like Splatoon in the past.
80% of Bandai Namco Studios Singapore’s shares will go to Nintendo at the start of April next year, with the remainder being transferred “once the subsidiary’s operations have stabilized”. This is essentially a business technicality, though; for all intents and purposes, BNSS is now Nintendo’s studio.
In the press release, Nintendo lists BNSS’ duties as “game development, including creation of in-game art assets”, so it sounds like at the very least, you’ll be seeing more of the former Bandai Namco subsidiary’s art in Nintendo games in future.
Naturally, as part of the acquisition, Bandai Namco Studios Singapore will also be renamed to Nintendo Studios Singapore, which is…perhaps a slightly catchier name? I’ll let you be the judge of that.
This is Nintendo’s second studio acquisition in as many years; back in 2024, the Japanese gaming giant bought up Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat porting studio Shiver, although that was, admittedly, not a particularly flashy purchase.
It remains to be seen what acquisitions lie in Nintendo’s future, but on the strength of past decisions, don’t expect any flashy Bungie or Activision Blizzard-level buys. Stay tuned for more.
