Japanese video game publisher Bandai Namco has formed a new development studio dedicated to the development of first-partyNintendo games.
On social media platform X, AllSourceGaming and Mondo_Mega spotted and translated an announcement on the Bandai Namco website. Bandai Namco formed a new development studio, Studio 2/Studio S, with the sole intention of developing first-party games for Nintendo. Although Studio 2/Studio S is relatively new, past Nintendo games that Bandai Namco have worked on like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Mario Kart Tour and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate are listed among the development studio’s resume.
However, the most interesting revelation from the formation of Studio 2/Studio S is that the studio is seeking out new hires who are experienced in action games. Specifically from a “side-view variety.” Based on the Bandai Namco job listings, fans are speculating a new installment in the Super Smash Bros. fighting game series. The news also comes as development on Mario Kart 8 on the Nintendo Switch and Mario Kart mobile are winding down. To top it off, speculation of a new Nintendo game console in 2024 continues, despite the company dismissing news of meeting with developers over the new hardware.
Although Bandai Namco remains a third-party company, the Japanese publisher has had one of the strongest relationships with Nintendo dating back to the Wii U days. Bandai Namco’s continued relationship with the Super Smash Bros. franchise is interesting in light of series director Masahiro Sakurai admitting he doesn’t see how the series can top its latest release. However, the usually successful partnership between Nintendo and Bandai Namco wasn’t enough to overcome the development hurdles of Metroid Prime 4, currently being retooled by original series developer Retro Studios.
As rumors of a new Nintendo console continue to grow, the announcement of a dedicated Nintendo studio from Bandai Namco suggests it will play a significant hand in the development of next-gen Nintendo titles like Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros. The current lineup of upcoming Nintendo Switch games is mostly ports or remakes, while recently-released games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom opting out of DLC support suggests Nintendo is already planning for its future hardware.
Source: X and Bandai Namco
