By Jon Scarr
Nintendo is expanding its internal development network again, this time with a move that brings one of its long-time partners even closer to the company. Nintendo has confirmed that it will acquire Bandai Namco Studios Singapore, a team that has contributed to several Nintendo projects over the years, including the Splatoon series. Once the deal is complete, the studio will operate under a new name: Nintendo Studios Singapore.
This acquisition is part of Nintendo’s plan to strengthen its development structure. The company has been gradually building a larger internal network, and bringing this Singapore-based studio fully into the Nintendo Group adds another experienced team to the mix.
A Long-Running Collaboration Becomes Official
Bandai Namco Studios Singapore, founded in 2013, has been one of Bandai Namco’s overseas development bases. The team specializes in creating in-game art assets and has supported Nintendo on major projects. Nintendo points to the studio’s track record as a key reason behind the acquisition. The relationship between both companies goes back years, and this move turns a successful partnership into a more permanent one.
According to the announcement, Nintendo plans to acquire 80 percent of the studio’s shares on April 1, 2026, pending all standard approvals. The remaining shares will be purchased at a later time once operations have stabilized. After the transition is complete, the studio will continue with its current work but under the new name Nintendo Studios Singapore.
What the Studio Brings to Nintendo
Nintendo highlights the team’s experience in developing game art, which includes character models, environments, animations, and other visual assets. The studio has contributed to titles that required large amounts of detailed art work, and Nintendo clearly sees value in making this type of talent part of its internal structure.
The press release states that Bandai Namco Studios Singapore has an ongoing business relationship with Nintendo. That relationship now shifts into something more official as the team becomes a Nintendo subsidiary. For fans who follow Nintendo’s long-term development plans, this fits the pattern of the company bringing in studios it has worked with for years.
Details on the Studio
Here is the basic overview of the team being acquired, based strictly on Nintendo’s disclosure:
- Name: Bandai Namco Studios Singapore Pte. Ltd.
- Location: 21 Media Circle, #09-01/03, Infinite Studios, Singapore
- CEO: Makoto Ishii
- Founded: March 1, 2013
- Specialty: Game development with a focus on creating in-game art assets
- Capital Stock: SGD 1,000,000 as of November 2025
Once the acquisition is complete, the studio will officially change its name to Nintendo Studios Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Where This Studio Fits Inside Nintendo’s Growing Network
Nintendo states that the acquisition will have only a minor effect on its financial results for the current fiscal year. The move appears to be more about long-term development support than short-term financial shifts. With the company preparing larger projects for the future and continuing to expand its internal teams, this addition strengthens its global development footprint.
Nintendo has acquired several studios in recent years in similar situations. These were teams that already had ongoing relationships with the company, making the transition smoother. While the press release does not mention any specific projects for Nintendo Studios Singapore, the studio’s past work gives a good idea of where its strengths lie.
The Bottom Line
This acquisition continues Nintendo’s steady approach to quietly building a broader internal development network. Bandai Namco Studios Singapore has already played a role in some major Nintendo projects, and bringing the studio in-house solidifies that partnership. As Nintendo Studios Singapore, the team will continue supporting game development while becoming a more direct part of Nintendo’s long-term plans.