Nintendo Expands Global Development: Nintendo Studios Singapore Announced After Major Acquisition
Nintendo has revealed plans to acquire a controlling stake in Bandai Namco Studios Singapore, signaling a significant step forward in the company's internal development capabilities.
The move, set to take effect on April 1, 2026, will see the Singapore-based developer become a subsidiary under the new name Nintendo Studios Singapore, marking Nintendo's ongoing commitment to strengthening its global game development structure. According to Nintendo's official investor announcement, the agreement involves an initial 80% acquisition of shares in Bandai Namco Studios Singapore (BNSS) from Bandai Namco Studios Inc.
The remaining shares will be obtained at a later date, once the subsidiary's operations are deemed stable.
This strategic deal aligns with Nintendo's recent efforts to bolster its in-house game development resources following previous integrations such as Nintendo Pictures in 2022 and Shiver Entertainment in 2024. A Trusted Development Partner with a Proven Track Record Bandai Namco Studios Singapore, established in 2013 and led by CEO Makoto Ishii, has played a prominent role in the development of notable game franchises for both Bandai Namco and Nintendo platforms.
The studio contributed to critically acclaimed Nintendo titles, including "Splatoon 3," providing concept art, character modeling, environment design, and animation.
Beyond its work with Nintendo, BNSS has been involved in celebrated series such as "TEKKEN," "ACE COMBAT," "SOUL CALIBUR," and "Taiko no Tatsujin." Nintendo’s official statements underscore the purpose of this acquisition as “strengthening its development structure,” reflecting the company's efforts to ensure high-quality, first-party game production for current and future platforms like the Nintendo Switch.
A representative for Nintendo noted that the studio's expertise in creating in-game art assets and its longstanding business relationship made it a prime candidate for integration into Nintendo’s expanding portfolio of internal development teams. Business Impact and Strategic Expansion Per the company's disclosure, the acquisition is not expected to have a significant effect on Nintendo’s financial performance for the current fiscal year.
However, the long-term benefits center around building up Nintendo’s global workforce and development agility.
This aligns closely with recent remarks from Nintendo's leadership emphasizing the necessity of larger, more agile internal teams to deliver quality titles amid increasing hardware and software expectations. Bandai Namco Studios Singapore, soon to be Nintendo Studios Singapore, currently operates from the Infinite Studios complex in Singapore and employs a multidisciplinary team experienced in both artistic and technical game development disciplines.
The rebranding and new organizational structure aim to further integrate the studio’s capabilities with Nintendo’s core development pipeline. Looking Ahead: Nintendo’s Commitment to Innovation This acquisition highlights Nintendo's forward-thinking approach and ongoing investment in its creative and technical capacity.
As the company continues to evolve its internal studios, fans can expect the fruits of these investments in future releases across the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Direct presentations, and on the eShop.
The formation of Nintendo Studios Singapore exemplifies the Kyoto-based company's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and quality in video game development. With this latest expansion, Nintendo reinforces its position as a leading force in the global games industry, driven by a growing roster of first-party titles and an ever-stronger in-house development structure destined to shape the future of gaming.
The move, set to take effect on April 1, 2026, will see the Singapore-based developer become a subsidiary under the new name Nintendo Studios Singapore, marking Nintendo's ongoing commitment to strengthening its global game development structure. According to Nintendo's official investor announcement, the agreement involves an initial 80% acquisition of shares in Bandai Namco Studios Singapore (BNSS) from Bandai Namco Studios Inc.
The remaining shares will be obtained at a later date, once the subsidiary's operations are deemed stable.
This strategic deal aligns with Nintendo's recent efforts to bolster its in-house game development resources following previous integrations such as Nintendo Pictures in 2022 and Shiver Entertainment in 2024. A Trusted Development Partner with a Proven Track Record Bandai Namco Studios Singapore, established in 2013 and led by CEO Makoto Ishii, has played a prominent role in the development of notable game franchises for both Bandai Namco and Nintendo platforms.
The studio contributed to critically acclaimed Nintendo titles, including "Splatoon 3," providing concept art, character modeling, environment design, and animation.
Beyond its work with Nintendo, BNSS has been involved in celebrated series such as "TEKKEN," "ACE COMBAT," "SOUL CALIBUR," and "Taiko no Tatsujin." Nintendo’s official statements underscore the purpose of this acquisition as “strengthening its development structure,” reflecting the company's efforts to ensure high-quality, first-party game production for current and future platforms like the Nintendo Switch.
A representative for Nintendo noted that the studio's expertise in creating in-game art assets and its longstanding business relationship made it a prime candidate for integration into Nintendo’s expanding portfolio of internal development teams. Business Impact and Strategic Expansion Per the company's disclosure, the acquisition is not expected to have a significant effect on Nintendo’s financial performance for the current fiscal year.
However, the long-term benefits center around building up Nintendo’s global workforce and development agility.
This aligns closely with recent remarks from Nintendo's leadership emphasizing the necessity of larger, more agile internal teams to deliver quality titles amid increasing hardware and software expectations. Bandai Namco Studios Singapore, soon to be Nintendo Studios Singapore, currently operates from the Infinite Studios complex in Singapore and employs a multidisciplinary team experienced in both artistic and technical game development disciplines.
The rebranding and new organizational structure aim to further integrate the studio’s capabilities with Nintendo’s core development pipeline. Looking Ahead: Nintendo’s Commitment to Innovation This acquisition highlights Nintendo's forward-thinking approach and ongoing investment in its creative and technical capacity.
As the company continues to evolve its internal studios, fans can expect the fruits of these investments in future releases across the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Direct presentations, and on the eShop.
The formation of Nintendo Studios Singapore exemplifies the Kyoto-based company's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and quality in video game development. With this latest expansion, Nintendo reinforces its position as a leading force in the global games industry, driven by a growing roster of first-party titles and an ever-stronger in-house development structure destined to shape the future of gaming.
