Latest Reviews of Bandai Namco Games
Review Gundam Breaker 4 (Switch) - A Return To Form That Focuses On The Series' Strengths
Breaking free
In many ways, Gundam Breaker 4 represents a fresh start for Bandai Namco’s mecha action series. Not only is this a return to the roots after the divisive New Gundam Breaker didn’t go over so well with the fanbase, but this marks the first time that the mainline series has come to either the Nintendo Switch or Western audiences...
Review One Piece Odyssey (Switch) - A Safe But Solid Caper For The Straw Hats
Here be dragons
A couple of years ago, it was notable when the Switch remakes of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl were developed not in-house by Game Freak, but by a smaller Japanese support studio called ILCA. That remake project was actually ILCA’s first crack at being the lead developer on a game, and it soon followed this up early last year with One...
In the Summer skies, flying high!
Did you know the F-16 first took flight 50 years ago a few months back? It is currently enjoying its Block 70 revision in case you were fearing that air forces around the world are still flying half-century-old technology. Meanwhile, Ace Combat is turning 30 next year and, much like an airplane block revision, it...
Review SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories (Switch) - A Very Easygoing, Sometimes Awkward Anime Outing
The most adorable spy mission you'll ever play
Listen up, Spy x Family fans. Operation Strix is on and the only way to ensure world peace is to help Anya Forger with her homework. In the case of Spy x Anya: Operation Memories, that means taking her to lots of fun places and taking pictures of her while she does adorable things. It is a low-stakes,...
Review Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs (Switch) - Pac-Man 99’s Successor Is A Flop
First as tragedy, then as farce
“Comparison is the thief of joy,” said former US President Teddy Roosevelt. The gist is that sometimes a comparison can negatively skew our perceptions or diminish our appreciation of individual qualities. Roosevelt didn’t have multiplayer Pac-Man in mind when he came up with his oft-quoted consolatory aphorism,...
Pick a card, any card
These days, Monolith Soft is well known for being one of Nintendo’s finest internal teams, with the Xenoblade Chronicles games delivering some of the finest open-world JRPG goodness available. Long before the company was acquired by Nintendo, however, some of the first projects it produced were the two Baten Kaitos games,...
Review We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie (Switch) - Yes, We Still Do
It's hard not to!
We Love Katamari might be the perfect video game sequel. Dialing just about every beloved mechanic and detail from the first game up to 11, all while ditching some of Katamari Damacy’s less beloved aspects, it’s no surprise that this entry is the fan favorite. For better and worse, its re-release, We Love Katamari REROLL +...
Review Digimon World: Next Order (Switch) - A Repetitive, Open-World Grind For Die-Hard Fans Only
The only way is Easy Mode
Just like any franchise that’s been going as long as it has, Digimon video games have had plenty of ups and downs. Digimon World: Next Order was first released in 2016 for the PlayStation Vita, with a PlayStation 4 release making its way to the West the following year. Since then, it has enjoyed enough of a cult following...
Review Tales of Symphonia Remastered - A GameCube Classic That Shows Its Age On Switch
Dwarven Vow #108: Let sleeping dogs lie
Though it’s never quite had the popularity of the Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest franchises, the Tales series has set a good reputation as the ‘other’ classic JRPG series that’s consistently maintained a decent quality for quite some time now. Back in 2004, Namco (no Bandai yet) was only on the fifth...
Review Doraemon Story Of Seasons: Friends Of The Great Kingdom (Switch) - Familiar Farm Sim Fun
Planetary exploration has never been so chill
The first Switch Doraemon: Story of Seasons launched in 2019 and was praised for harmoniously combining the cast of the much-loved children's anime with the relaxing gameplay of one of the most well-known farm sim franchises, and while it may not be the most obvious combination, its beautiful art style...
Latest Bandai Namco Articles
News Sony's PlayStation Vita Exclusive Freedom Wars Is Getting Remastered For Switch
Bandai Namco steps up
Bandai Namco has announced it will be releasing Freedom Wars Remastered for the Nintendo Switch and multiple other platforms on 10th January 2025. This HD remaster of Japan Studio's PlayStation Vita exclusive is in celebration of the action RPG's 10th anniversary, with "every beloved feature" of the original game returning...
News Surprise! Dragon Ball FighterZ Is Getting A Massive Balance Patch On Switch
Read the 21 pages of patch notes now!
Although Bandai Namco is busy preparing for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero's release in October, this week there's actually been a new balance adjustment patch rolled out for its 2018 title Dragon Ball FighterZ. Yes, despite ending major content updates for the game some time ago, it's still making changes b
News Tales Of Graces F Remastered Revealed For Switch, Coming January 2025
Good graces
Bandai Namco's long-running Tales series will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year, in December 2025. And to commemorate the occasion, the developer has revealed Tales of Graces f Remastered, which launches on Switch on 17th January 2025. Tales of Graces is the 12th mainline game in the Tales series — the originally actually...
News Pac-Man Sure Looks Different In Amazon's New "Adult-Animated Anthology Series"
Mega Man and other video game icons to also feature
There were all sorts of game announcements at Opening Night Live earlier this week, and a few other reveals along the way included Amazon's new "adult-animated anthology" series 'Secret Level' from the "creative minds" behind LOVE, DEATH + ROBOTS. This series will focus on "original stories set...
News Baten Kaitos Soundtracks Now Available On Various Music Platforms
Listen to 118 songs
The Baten Kaitos games made a return last September, and if you enjoy the music from this JRPG series by Monolith Soft, you might be interested in Bandai Namco's latest announcement. The soundtracks for Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean as well as Baten Kaitos: Origins are now available on "various music platforms"...
Rumour 'Tales Of Xillia Remastered' Switch Release Spotted Online
Could an announcement be on the way?
Bandai Namco could be gearing up for a remaster of the 2011 fantasy role-playing game Tales of Xillia, according to a new rumour doing the rounds online. Some Reddit users have supposedly discovered possible retailer leaks, with Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox listings surfacing on three European websites (owned...
Video Digital Foundry Gives Its Tech Verdict On Ace Combat 7 For Switch
Flyin' high?
Bandai Namco's Ace Combat 7 is finally out on Nintendo Switch, and by all accounts, it seems like it's a pretty successful port. In our own review, we called it the "absolute pinnacle of the series" and the "most comprehensive portable experience", awarding it a hefty score of 9/10. If you want to read more of our thoughts, check out...
News Gundam Breaker 4 X Pac-Man Collaboration Announced
Update: The open network test starts today
Update [Thu 18th Jul, 2024 00:30 BST]: Here's your reminder that the open network test for Gundam Breaker 4 starts today. Once again, it features a special Pac-Man collaboration including a themed level. You'll be able to experience this play test between 18th - 20th July 2024, with the full game then...
Feature Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Lands On Switch Today In A Port Two Years In The Making
Smoke me a kipper
Originally launching nearly five years after Ace Combat: Infinity and four years after the 3DS release Assault Horizon Legacy+, 2019's Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown was the first game in the mainline series for over a decade and brought the series back to Strangereal, the franchise's fictionalised Earth stand-in. Now, five years...
News Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Datamine Supposedly Uncovers Evidence Of New DLC
Spoiler alert
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot recently celebrated eight million downloads since its original release, so what's next for this ever-growing experience? According to a new datamine, Goku and friends might be getting some DLC based on...spoiler...Dragon Ball Daima. If you're not familiar with Dragon Ball Daima, it's the new series coming out...
Round Up Bandai Namco Summer Showcase 2024 - Every Switch Game Featured
SAO, Dragon Ball, One Piece and much more
Alongside Anime Expo 2024 this week, Bandai Namco hosted its 'Summer Showcase' for 2024. The main show and pre-show were packed with all sorts of anime-related announcements, and many of the games featured are coming to the Switch. While the majority of games and release dates have already been confirmed...
News Bandai Namco's Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Reaches Another Sales Milestone
"Over 8 million of you have shown your support"
Bandai Namco has provided a sales update on its Dragon Ball title Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot since its initial release in 2020. It's now shifted more than eight million copies worldwide. This includes the sales across multiple platforms including the Switch. As part of the celebrations, the developer has...
News Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream Lands On Switch This October
Kickin' it with Kirito
After being revealed in the February 2024 Partner Showcase, Bandai Namco has today announced that SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream will be heading to Switch on 4th October. The new trailer (above) tells you everything that you need to know about the Fractured Daydream story. It looks like your standard multiverse affair...
Random Sakurai Demonstrates The Importance Of The Finer Details
Breaking the fourth, fifth, sixth wall
Masahiro Sakurai is known for his keen eye for detail and staunch perfectionism, but his latest YouTube video demonstrates just how many revisions are required for even the smallest details. The majority of the video focuses on one particular example of this. He discusses the Mishima Dojo stage from Super...
News Little Nightmares III Has Been Delayed To 2025
"Quality is a top priority for us"
After being revealed at last year's Gamescom Opening Night Live with a 2024 date attached, Little Nightmares III has today been delayed to 2025. The announcement from developer Supermassive Games and publisher Bandai Namco Europe stated that the delay has been made so that the team can "give the game the care and...
News Watch The Opening Movie For Upcoming 'That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime' RPG
Coming to Switch this August
Last month, Bandai Namco unveiled a first look at That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles, an upcoming RPG based on the popular anime series. The game isn't set to come our way until 8th August, but to keep us going until then, the publisher has revealed the opening movie in
News Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash For Switch Receives DLC And Free Update This Week
New playable characters, maps and more
Following its arrival on the Switch earlier in February, the two-on-two fighting game Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash is now getting some new content. Bandai Namco will be releasing new DLC - adding the new playable characters Satoru Gojo (Student), Sugero Geto (Student), and Toji Fushiguro. This will come with an...
News Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 'Future Saga' Chapter 1 DLC Launches This Week
"Expect a ton of new content"
Update [Thu 23rd May, 2024 03:45 BST]: Bandai Namco has now confirmed Chapter 1 of 'Future Saga' for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 will arrive on 24th May 2024. This first chapter will include the following playable characters: Broly (Restrained), Goku Black (Super Saiyan Rose) Ultra Supervillain, Vegeta (Super Saiyan God)...
Video Bandai Namco Shows Off One Piece Odyssey Switch Opening
The Deluxe Edition comes with a new outfit set
In case you missed the original announcement in April, Luffy and his pirate crew are sailing onto the Nintendo Switch this July in One Piece Odyssey. In the leadup to the game's release, Bandai Namco has now shared the "in-game opening movie" straight from the Switch version. This includes another look...
News Gundam Breaker 4 Blasts Onto Nintendo Switch This August
Here's a new trailer
Update [Sun 12th May, 2024 15:00 BST]: In a new "release date trailer" earlier this week, Bandai Namco revealed Gundam Breaker 4 will be launching locally on 29th August 2024. In the latest trailer, you can get the rundown on how to break, build and battle "like never before". "Build your personal Gunpla with parts from a...
News Localiser '8-4' Offers To Help Translate 'Retro Game Challenge 1 + 2 Replay'
Game currently not planned for Western release
Tokyo-based localiser 8-4, Ltd. has offered to assist in translating Retro Game Challenge 1 + 2 Replay after Bandai Namco had confirmed that the game was not being planned for a Western release. Likely due to soft sales of the original Retro Game Challenge on DS (which publisher XSEED had previously...
News 'That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime' Anime Gets The RPG Treatment This August
Brings two additional storylines
Bandai Namco has today revealed that the anime and manga series That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime will be heading to Switch as a side-scrolling RPG on 8th August. The catchily titled That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles will mark the first game adaptation of the series and it promises to...
News One Piece Odyssey Is Finally Sailing To Nintendo Switch
Out this summer
Bandai Namco has announced that One Piece Odyssey, the turn-based RPG set in the hugely popular Shōnen Jump manga series One Piece, is coming to Nintendo Switch on 26th July 2024. One Piece Odyssey was first released on the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in January 2023, and the Switch version comes with the post-game scenario 'Reunion...
News Pac-Man's New Battle Royale Game Chomps Its Way To Switch Next Month
Waka waka
After being revealed last October, Bandai Namco has today announced that the catchily-titled Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs will be bringing even more Pac-Man-based battle royale action to Switch on 9th May. Mega Tunnel Battle originally launched on Google Stadia back in 2020, though the game has obviously disappeared in the...
News Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 'Future Saga' DLC Reveals New Playable Characters
Android 18 and Videl join the battle
Last month, Bandai Namco announced the 'Future Saga' DLC for Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2, adding new scenarios and playable characters. Now, in a small update on social media, it's lifted the lid on two new playable characters which will be available in the first of four chapters "coming soon". It's the Dragon Ball...
News Sony's PlayStation Vita Exclusive Freedom Wars Is Getting Remastered For Switch
Bandai Namco steps up
Bandai Namco has announced it will be releasing Freedom Wars Remastered for the Nintendo Switch and multiple other platforms on 10th January 2025. This HD remaster of Japan Studio's PlayStation Vita exclusive is in celebration of the action RPG's 10th anniversary, with "every beloved feature" of the original game returning...
News Surprise! Dragon Ball FighterZ Is Getting A Massive Balance Patch On Switch
Read the 21 pages of patch notes now!
Although Bandai Namco is busy preparing for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero's release in October, this week there's actually been a new balance adjustment patch rolled out for its 2018 title Dragon Ball FighterZ. Yes, despite ending major content updates for the game some time ago, it's still making changes b
News Tales Of Graces F Remastered Revealed For Switch, Coming January 2025
Good graces
Bandai Namco's long-running Tales series will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year, in December 2025. And to commemorate the occasion, the developer has revealed Tales of Graces f Remastered, which launches on Switch on 17th January 2025. Tales of Graces is the 12th mainline game in the Tales series — the originally actually...
News Pac-Man Sure Looks Different In Amazon's New "Adult-Animated Anthology Series"
Mega Man and other video game icons to also feature
There were all sorts of game announcements at Opening Night Live earlier this week, and a few other reveals along the way included Amazon's new "adult-animated anthology" series 'Secret Level' from the "creative minds" behind LOVE, DEATH + ROBOTS. This series will focus on "original stories set...
News Baten Kaitos Soundtracks Now Available On Various Music Platforms
Listen to 118 songs
The Baten Kaitos games made a return last September, and if you enjoy the music from this JRPG series by Monolith Soft, you might be interested in Bandai Namco's latest announcement. The soundtracks for Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean as well as Baten Kaitos: Origins are now available on "various music platforms"...
Rumour 'Tales Of Xillia Remastered' Switch Release Spotted Online
Could an announcement be on the way?
Bandai Namco could be gearing up for a remaster of the 2011 fantasy role-playing game Tales of Xillia, according to a new rumour doing the rounds online. Some Reddit users have supposedly discovered possible retailer leaks, with Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox listings surfacing on three European websites (owned...
Video Digital Foundry Gives Its Tech Verdict On Ace Combat 7 For Switch
Flyin' high?
Bandai Namco's Ace Combat 7 is finally out on Nintendo Switch, and by all accounts, it seems like it's a pretty successful port. In our own review, we called it the "absolute pinnacle of the series" and the "most comprehensive portable experience", awarding it a hefty score of 9/10. If you want to read more of our thoughts, check out...
News Gundam Breaker 4 X Pac-Man Collaboration Announced
Update: The open network test starts today
Update [Thu 18th Jul, 2024 00:30 BST]: Here's your reminder that the open network test for Gundam Breaker 4 starts today. Once again, it features a special Pac-Man collaboration including a themed level. You'll be able to experience this play test between 18th - 20th July 2024, with the full game then...
Feature Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Lands On Switch Today In A Port Two Years In The Making
Smoke me a kipper
Originally launching nearly five years after Ace Combat: Infinity and four years after the 3DS release Assault Horizon Legacy+, 2019's Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown was the first game in the mainline series for over a decade and brought the series back to Strangereal, the franchise's fictionalised Earth stand-in. Now, five years...
News Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Datamine Supposedly Uncovers Evidence Of New DLC
Spoiler alert
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot recently celebrated eight million downloads since its original release, so what's next for this ever-growing experience? According to a new datamine, Goku and friends might be getting some DLC based on...spoiler...Dragon Ball Daima. If you're not familiar with Dragon Ball Daima, it's the new series coming out...
Round Up Bandai Namco Summer Showcase 2024 - Every Switch Game Featured
SAO, Dragon Ball, One Piece and much more
Alongside Anime Expo 2024 this week, Bandai Namco hosted its 'Summer Showcase' for 2024. The main show and pre-show were packed with all sorts of anime-related announcements, and many of the games featured are coming to the Switch. While the majority of games and release dates have already been confirmed...
News Bandai Namco's Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Reaches Another Sales Milestone
"Over 8 million of you have shown your support"
Bandai Namco has provided a sales update on its Dragon Ball title Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot since its initial release in 2020. It's now shifted more than eight million copies worldwide. This includes the sales across multiple platforms including the Switch. As part of the celebrations, the developer has...
News Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream Lands On Switch This October
Kickin' it with Kirito
After being revealed in the February 2024 Partner Showcase, Bandai Namco has today announced that SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream will be heading to Switch on 4th October. The new trailer (above) tells you everything that you need to know about the Fractured Daydream story. It looks like your standard multiverse affair...
Random Sakurai Demonstrates The Importance Of The Finer Details
Breaking the fourth, fifth, sixth wall
Masahiro Sakurai is known for his keen eye for detail and staunch perfectionism, but his latest YouTube video demonstrates just how many revisions are required for even the smallest details. The majority of the video focuses on one particular example of this. He discusses the Mishima Dojo stage from Super...
News Little Nightmares III Has Been Delayed To 2025
"Quality is a top priority for us"
After being revealed at last year's Gamescom Opening Night Live with a 2024 date attached, Little Nightmares III has today been delayed to 2025. The announcement from developer Supermassive Games and publisher Bandai Namco Europe stated that the delay has been made so that the team can "give the game the care and...
News Watch The Opening Movie For Upcoming 'That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime' RPG
Coming to Switch this August
Last month, Bandai Namco unveiled a first look at That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles, an upcoming RPG based on the popular anime series. The game isn't set to come our way until 8th August, but to keep us going until then, the publisher has revealed the opening movie in
News Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash For Switch Receives DLC And Free Update This Week
New playable characters, maps and more
Following its arrival on the Switch earlier in February, the two-on-two fighting game Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash is now getting some new content. Bandai Namco will be releasing new DLC - adding the new playable characters Satoru Gojo (Student), Sugero Geto (Student), and Toji Fushiguro. This will come with an...
News Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 'Future Saga' Chapter 1 DLC Launches This Week
"Expect a ton of new content"
Update [Thu 23rd May, 2024 03:45 BST]: Bandai Namco has now confirmed Chapter 1 of 'Future Saga' for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 will arrive on 24th May 2024. This first chapter will include the following playable characters: Broly (Restrained), Goku Black (Super Saiyan Rose) Ultra Supervillain, Vegeta (Super Saiyan God)...
Video Bandai Namco Shows Off One Piece Odyssey Switch Opening
The Deluxe Edition comes with a new outfit set
In case you missed the original announcement in April, Luffy and his pirate crew are sailing onto the Nintendo Switch this July in One Piece Odyssey. In the leadup to the game's release, Bandai Namco has now shared the "in-game opening movie" straight from the Switch version. This includes another look...
News Gundam Breaker 4 Blasts Onto Nintendo Switch This August
Here's a new trailer
Update [Sun 12th May, 2024 15:00 BST]: In a new "release date trailer" earlier this week, Bandai Namco revealed Gundam Breaker 4 will be launching locally on 29th August 2024. In the latest trailer, you can get the rundown on how to break, build and battle "like never before". "Build your personal Gunpla with parts from a...
News Localiser '8-4' Offers To Help Translate 'Retro Game Challenge 1 + 2 Replay'
Game currently not planned for Western release
Tokyo-based localiser 8-4, Ltd. has offered to assist in translating Retro Game Challenge 1 + 2 Replay after Bandai Namco had confirmed that the game was not being planned for a Western release. Likely due to soft sales of the original Retro Game Challenge on DS (which publisher XSEED had previously...
News 'That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime' Anime Gets The RPG Treatment This August
Brings two additional storylines
Bandai Namco has today revealed that the anime and manga series That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime will be heading to Switch as a side-scrolling RPG on 8th August. The catchily titled That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles will mark the first game adaptation of the series and it promises to...
News One Piece Odyssey Is Finally Sailing To Nintendo Switch
Out this summer
Bandai Namco has announced that One Piece Odyssey, the turn-based RPG set in the hugely popular Shōnen Jump manga series One Piece, is coming to Nintendo Switch on 26th July 2024. One Piece Odyssey was first released on the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in January 2023, and the Switch version comes with the post-game scenario 'Reunion...
News Pac-Man's New Battle Royale Game Chomps Its Way To Switch Next Month
Waka waka
After being revealed last October, Bandai Namco has today announced that the catchily-titled Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs will be bringing even more Pac-Man-based battle royale action to Switch on 9th May. Mega Tunnel Battle originally launched on Google Stadia back in 2020, though the game has obviously disappeared in the...
News Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 'Future Saga' DLC Reveals New Playable Characters
Android 18 and Videl join the battle
Last month, Bandai Namco announced the 'Future Saga' DLC for Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2, adding new scenarios and playable characters. Now, in a small update on social media, it's lifted the lid on two new playable characters which will be available in the first of four chapters "coming soon". It's the Dragon Ball...