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Bandai Namco Studios

Video game developer · Japan · Active

Bandai Namco Studios

Founded in April 2, 2012

61
games developed
0
games published
1
in development

History of Bandai Namco Studios

Bandai Namco Studios was founded on 2 April 2012 as Namco Bandai Studios. Namco Bandai Games, the company formed in 2006 when Namco and Bandai combined their video game businesses, chose to spin off its development work into a separate subsidiary to speed up production. The new company, based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, and led by Hajime Nakatani, took on staff from its parent and from the defunct Namco Tales Studio.

The two companies work as a keiretsu: the studio makes the games and Bandai Namco Entertainment markets and distributes them. Bandai Namco Studios sees itself as Namco's successor and handles series such as Tekken, Pac-Man, Ace Combat, Tales, Soulcalibur and The Idolmaster, as well as new properties like Code Vein and Scarlet Nexus. In 2013 it opened divisions in Singapore and Vancouver, the latter closed in 2018, and in 2016 it added one in Malaysia. It took its current name on 1 April 2014.

A large share of its work is commissioned by Nintendo. It started with Wii Sports Club, a Wii U remaster, and went on to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2014), Pokkén Tournament (2015), Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018), New Pokémon Snap (2021) and Kirby Air Riders. Ultimate earned it the Grand Prize at the Japan Game Awards. Two teams handle this work: Studio 2 leads Super Smash Bros., while Studio S has supported the Mario Kart series since 2014.

Since 2015 it has been based in Kōtō, Tokyo, where an internal archive called the 'Banarchive' keeps original artwork, design documents and source code from Namco, Bandai and Banpresto games. In 2021 it launched the indie label GYAAR Studio for games by its younger staff, in 2024 it took over B.B. Studio, now Bandai Namco Forge Digitals, and in November 2025 it sold 80% of its Singapore subsidiary to Nintendo.

Milestones

  1. 2012

    Founded as Namco Bandai Studios on 2 April.

  2. 2013

    Opens divisions in Singapore and Vancouver.

  3. 2014

    Renamed Bandai Namco Studios; Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.

  4. 2015

    Pokkén Tournament.

  5. 2018

    Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

  6. 2021

    New Pokémon Snap; the GYAAR Studio label is launched.

  7. 2025

    Sells 80% of its Singapore subsidiary to Nintendo.

In development

Announced games with a future release date.

  • Gundam Rogue Orbit

    Gundam Rogue Orbit

    Series X|S · PC · PS5

    Planned for 2027

Its best-known games

Every game it has developed (61)

2026

  • Code Vein II Series X|S, PC, PS5

2025

  • Kirby Air Riders Switch 2
  • Shadow Labyrinth Series X|S, Switch 2, PC, PS5

2024

  • Doronko Wanko PC, Switch
  • Tekken 8 Series X|S, PC, PS5

2023

  • Survival Quiz City: Festival Edition PC, Switch
  • Blue Protocol Series X|S, PC, PS5
  • Shigeru Planet PC
  • Excycle PC
  • Endrays PC
  • Hook & Kaiju PC

2022

  • Goonect PC
  • Survival Quiz City PC

2021

  • Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition Switch
  • Tales of Luminaria Android, iOS
  • Tales of Arise Series X|S, PS4, Switch 2, PC
  • Scarlet Nexus Series X|S, PS4, PC, PS5
  • New Pokémon Snap Switch

2020

  • Taiko no Tatsujin: Niji-iro Version Arcade

2019

  • Code Vein PS4, PC, XONE
  • Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition PS4, PC, XONE, Switch

2018

  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Switch
  • Go Vacation Switch
  • Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun! Switch

2017

  • The Idolmaster: Stella Stage PS4
  • Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session PS4
  • Gundam Versus PS4
  • Tekken 7 PS4, PSVR, PC, XONE
  • Mario Sports Superstars 3DS

2016

  • The Idolmaster: Cinderella Girls - Viewing Revolution PSVR
  • Summer Lesson: Hikari Miyamoto PSVR
  • Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 PS4, PC, XONE
  • Tales of Berseria PS3, PS4, PC
  • The Idolmaster: Platinum Stars PS4
  • Arcade Game Series: Pac-Man PS4, PC, XONE
  • Arcade Game Series: Dig Dug PS4, PC, XONE
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme vs. Maxiboost - On Arcade, PS4

2015

  • Lost Reavers WiiU
  • God Eater Resurrection PS4, PC, Vita
  • Tekken 7 Arcade
  • Tales of Zestiria PS3, PS4, PC

2014

2013

  • Wii Sports Club WiiU
  • Kamen Rider: Battride War PS3
  • The Idolmaster: Shiny Festa - Melodic Disc iOS
  • The Idolmaster: Shiny Festa - Harmonic Score iOS
  • The Idolmaster: Shiny Festa - Rhythmic Record iOS

2012

  • Tales of Xillia 2 PS3
  • The Idolmaster: Shiny Festa - Funky Note PS3, iOS, PSP
  • The Idolmaster: Shiny Festa - Groovy Tune PS3, iOS, PSP
  • The Idolmaster: Shiny Festa - Honey Sound PS3, iOS, PSP
  • Taiko no Tatsujin: Chibi Dragon to Fushigi na Orb 3DS

2006

  • Taiko no Tatsujin: Doka! to Oomori Nanadaime PS2
  • Taiko no Tatsujin Portable 2 PSP

2005

  • Taiko no Tatsujin: Wai Wai Happy! Rokudaime PS2
  • Taiko no Tatsujin: Tobikkiri! Anime Special PS2

2004

  • Taiko no Tatsujin: Go! Go! Godaime PS2
  • Taiko no Tatsujin: Atsumare! Matsuri da!! Yondaime PS2

2003

  • Taiko no Tatsujin: Doki! Shinkyoku Darake no Haru Matsuri PS2