Nintendo has announced plans to acquire Bandai Namco Singapore Studios (BNSS) by April 2026, renaming it Nintendo Studios Singapore. This marks the company’s fifth studio acquisition in as many years, signaling a steady expansion of its in-house development network.
According to Nintendo, the acquisition is aimed at strengthening the development structure of the Nintendo Group. Bandai Namco also confirmed the transaction on the Singapore studio’s website, though it did not provide additional details.
Founded in 2013, the Singapore studio contributed to Splatoon 3 on Nintendo Switch and has been involved in several Bandai Namco projects, including Tekken 8, Soulcalibur VI, and Ace Combat 7. Its most recent title, Hirogami, was a small-scale PC and PS5 platformer developed by a team of roughly seven employees across Singapore and Malaysia, and published independently by Kakehashi Games. LinkedIn lists the studio’s workforce at around 60 employees.
Nintendo’s Recent Acquisition Pattern
Nintendo’s acquisition of BNSS continues a pattern that began in 2021 with Vancouver-based Next Level Games, its first studio purchase since 2007. The following year, Nintendo acquired Kyoto-based SRD, a long-time partner, to secure development resources and improve software production efficiency. Later in 2022, Tokyo-based Dynamo Pictures was acquired and rebranded as Nintendo Pictures Ltd, focusing on visual content using Nintendo IP.
In 2024, Florida-based Shiver Entertainment joined Nintendo’s portfolio to assist with porting and developing software titles. Under CEO Shuntaro Furukawa, who has been in charge since 2018, these acquisitions represent a strategic effort to expand Nintendo’s development capabilities in a measured way.
Strengthening Partnerships and Development Capacity
Several of Nintendo’s acquisitions have involved studios with established ties to the company. Next Level Games had worked on Luigi’s Mansion and other Nintendo titles for over 15 years. SRD’s relationship with Nintendo dates back to early titles like Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros., while the Singapore studio contributed to Splatoon 3 and shares a connection through its parent company, Bandai Namco.
Bandai Namco also co-develops major Nintendo exclusives, such as Kirby Air Riders, and Nintendo holds a significant $300 million stake in the company to maintain a stable business relationship. Analysts suggest that Nintendo’s acquisitions are aimed at expanding production capabilities rather than pursuing large-scale purchases.
MST Financial analyst David Gibson noted that the company’s approach is incremental, focused on studios it already knows well, rather than pursuing high-profile acquisitions like Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard.
Preparing for the Switch 2 Era
Nintendo’s expansion comes as the company transitions from the Switch and 3DS era to the upcoming Switch 2. Strengthening internal development teams and increasing headcount are seen as key priorities to maintain a steady output of games, including multiple high-profile titles each year. Furukawa has highlighted the importance of acquiring studios and expanding facilities to support development, with a new building under construction to house additional teams.
Looking Ahead
Nintendo’s acquisition strategy reflects a measured and strategic approach to growth. While the company’s pattern suggests that further acquisitions are possible in the near future, these are likely to involve smaller studios with proven relationships rather than major industry takeovers. Nintendo’s focus remains on strengthening development capacity, maintaining trusted partnerships, and supporting its next generation of gaming hardware and software.
Source: Game File
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Nintendo acquiring Bandai Namco Singapore Studios?
Nintendo aims to strengthen its internal development capabilities and expand production capacity ahead of the Switch 2 era. The Singapore studio also has an existing relationship with Nintendo through its work on Splatoon 3.
How many studios has Nintendo acquired in recent years?
Since 2021, Nintendo has acquired five studios: Next Level Games, SRD, Dynamo Pictures (now Nintendo Pictures), Shiver Entertainment, and Bandai Namco Singapore Studios.
What projects has Bandai Namco Singapore Studios worked on?
The studio contributed to Nintendo Switch’s Splatoon 3 and Bandai Namco titles such as Tekken 8, Soulcalibur VI, and Ace Combat 7. Its recent independent project was Hirogami, a small PC/PS5 platformer.
Will Nintendo continue acquiring more studios?
While Nintendo’s strategy suggests further acquisitions are possible, the company is likely to focus on smaller studios with existing partnerships rather than large, high-profile industry purchases.
How does this affect Nintendo’s game development?
The acquisition strengthens Nintendo’s internal development capabilities, allowing the company to maintain steady production of high-quality games and manage multiple projects simultaneously, including future Switch 2 titles.
