Nintendo Acquires Full Ownership of Monolith Soft, Renowned Xenoblade Chronicles Developer

Nintendo has officially acquired 100% ownership of Monolith Soft, the highly regarded Japanese studio best known for the Xenoblade Chronicles franchise.

The confirmation was made via Monolith Soft’s official website, signaling a new chapter for the developer whose innovative role-playing games have become staples on Nintendo platforms, especially the Nintendo Switch.

Monolith Soft’s journey began in the late 1990s when it was established with investment from Bandai Namco.

Initially, the studio was tasked with expanding the legacy of the critically acclaimed Xenogears series.

The developer quickly built a reputation for expansive worlds and compelling narratives, setting the foundation for what would become one of Nintendo’s most beloved RPG teams. Nintendo’s involvement with Monolith Soft deepened over time.

In 2007, Nintendo purchased an 80% majority stake in Monolith Soft from Bandai Namco, marking the start of a fruitful partnership that brought games like Xenoblade Chronicles, Xenoblade Chronicles X, and the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 to various Nintendo consoles and handhelds.

The collaboration further solidified Monolith Soft’s expertise in developing large-scale, story-driven titles for Nintendo hardware.

In 2011, Nintendo increased its ownership to a 96% stake, further integrating Monolith Soft into its family of studios.

However, since then, the original founders of Monolith Soft continued to hold a 4% stake in the company.

With the most recent development, these remaining shares have been fully acquired, giving Nintendo complete ownership of the esteemed RPG developer. A translated statement on Monolith Soft’s website confirmed this milestone, emphasizing the ongoing collaboration and mutual commitment to delivering top-tier gaming experiences for the Nintendo Switch and future platforms.

The studio’s recent successes—such as the commercial and critical triumph of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, which launched on the Nintendo Switch in July 2022—underscore the importance of this acquisition for Nintendo’s strategy and portfolio. Monolith Soft now operates exclusively under the Nintendo banner, contributing not only to its signature RPG franchises but also assisting with development on other major Nintendo titles.

This consolidation aims to streamline development processes and ensure the continued quality of beloved series for audiences worldwide. As Nintendo continues to expand its first-party offerings—often highlighted in highly anticipated Nintendo Direct presentations—full ownership of Monolith Soft further strengthens its position as a leader in the global gaming market.

Fans can expect to see more ambitious titles from this award-winning team, whose creative vision has already left a lasting mark on the Nintendo Switch eShop and beyond.

Nintendo Switch Xenoblade Nintendo Monolith Soft Xenoblade Chronicles Switch