According to Wccftech, Nintendo is making good on its promise to acquire more gaming studios by purchasing Bandai Namco Studios Singapore. The Singapore studio co-developed Splatoon 3, which has sold over 12 million units and became the fastest-selling game in the series. Nintendo will acquire 80% of the studio’s shares on April 1, 2026, with the remaining shares purchased later once operations stabilize. The studio, which also worked on Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival, Soul Calibur VI, and Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, will be rebranded as Nintendo Studios Singapore. Nintendo specifically cited the studio’s work on the Splatoon series as the reason for the acquisition, noting it wants to “strengthen the development structure of the Nintendo Group.”
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about acquiring talent – it’s about locking down proven success. Splatoon 3 moved 12 million copies, making it the series’ fastest seller. When you find developers who can deliver numbers like that, you don’t just keep them as contractors. You bring them in-house.
And the timing here is fascinating. Nintendo’s doing this phased acquisition – 80% in 2026, the rest later. That gives them control while allowing for a smooth transition. It’s smart business, especially when you consider this studio isn’t just a Splatoon specialist. They’ve got experience with fighting games, rhythm games, flight combat – that’s valuable institutional knowledge Nintendo can leverage across multiple franchises.
What This Actually Changes
Here’s the thing – this acquisition feels different from Microsoft’s studio shopping spree or Sony’s big-money purchases. Nintendo isn’t buying a massive publisher or a household-name studio. They’re strategically picking up a team that’s already proven they can deliver exactly what Nintendo needs.
Basically, it’s quality over quantity. The Singapore team already understands Nintendo’s development culture and has shipped successful games with them. That’s way more valuable than buying a big name and hoping they can adapt to Nintendo’s unique way of doing things.
So what does this mean for gamers? Probably more polished Nintendo titles coming faster. With dedicated internal teams focused on key franchises, we might see shorter gaps between major releases. And let’s be honest – after the Switch 2 launches, Nintendo will need all the development firepower it can get.
