Nintendo Stars Inc.: Nintendo Expands Its Film and Merchandise Business with New Subsidiary

Nintendo has officially rebranded its longstanding subsidiary WARPSTAR Inc.

as Nintendo Stars Inc., marking a significant step in the company's ongoing efforts to expand its intellectual property beyond gaming.

This quiet announcement, made via a press release from Nintendo of Japan, confirms that Nintendo Stars Inc.

became a consolidated subsidiary on April 1st, 2025, and will play a pivotal role in managing and licensing ancillary uses of iconic Nintendo properties, specifically in the realms of film and merchandise. WARPSTAR Inc., known primarily for overseeing merchandise and film adaptations of the Kirby franchise, has now broadened its mandate.

According to Nintendo's statement, "By implementing and licensing various ancillary uses in films, Nintendo Stars Inc.

aims to familiarize people around the world with Nintendo IP and provide new ways to experience it.

In addition, Nintendo Stars Inc.

will continue its ancillary-use business of the Kirby franchise, which WARPSTAR, Inc.

has been engaged in." In other words, Nintendo Stars Inc.

is instrumental in expanding classic Nintendo characters, like Mario and Kirby, into movies and consumer goods visible in stores worldwide. This strategic branding move comes at a time of substantial growth for Nintendo’s IPs in the multimedia space.

Following the tremendous box office success of The Super Mario Bros.

Movie in 2023, which grossed over $1.36 billion globally and became the highest-grossing video game film of all time, Nintendo has doubled down on its entertainment ambitions.

The company is already collaborating with Universal Pictures on a sequel to the Mario film, and a highly anticipated live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda is slated for a theatrical release in March 2027. Nintendo Stars Inc.

is poised to coordinate comprehensive marketing campaigns and manage licensing agreements for upcoming projects, ensuring that Nintendo's beloved franchises reach wider audiences through film, television, and merchandise.

This arms-length approach allows Nintendo to exert greater control and consistency over the presentation of its iconic characters across different media—no longer relying primarily on outside partners but instead utilizing its in-house expertise to solidify and extend its global presence. For fans and industry observers, the creation of Nintendo Stars Inc.

signals a new era for Nintendo’s involvement in the broader entertainment landscape.

It also opens the door for future adaptations of other Nintendo properties, bringing the worlds of Legend of Zelda, Kirby, and more to new platforms beyond the Nintendo Switch and the eShop.

As Nintendo continues to leverage its unparalleled roster of intellectual properties, Nintendo Stars Inc.

stands as the central hub for these multimedia initiatives. Stay tuned for further developments on Nintendo Stars Inc., upcoming film releases, and how Nintendo plans to bridge the gap between interactive and cinematic storytelling.

Nintendo Nintendo Stars Inc WARPSTAR Inc Nintendo Stars Super Mario Bros. Movie Universal Pictures The Legend of Zelda Kirby