Bandai Namco remains a powerhouse in the gaming world, known for owning hit franchises like Dark Souls, Pac-Man, Tales, and Tekken. Yet, 2024 was a rollercoaster ride for the company. On the positive side, they gifted us with standout titles like Gundam Breaker 4, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero!, and the highly praised Tekken 8. However, not all of their releases hit the mark this year. Critics didn’t hold back on Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash and Unknown 9: Awakening, while Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream and Death Note: Killer Within sparked mixed feelings among fans and reviewers alike.
Looking ahead, Bandai Namco’s roadmap appears exciting. They’ve unveiled plans for seven games, including intriguing titles like Little Nightmares 3, a horror platformer by Supermassive Games, and Dawnwalker, a dark action RPG developed by Rebel Wolves. While specific launch dates for these two are still under wraps, four other games are slated to drop in the first half of 2025. Assuming no unforeseen hold-ups, Bandai Namco seems set to kick off 2025 with a bang.
Come January 2025, Bandai Namco isn’t just focusing on new titles but also bringing enhanced versions of classics. Fans of Freedom Wars can look forward to a remastered version of this action RPG, which is stepping out from its PlayStation Vita exclusivity to hit PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC on January 10. Right on its heels, Tales of Graces f is also getting a remaster, landing on multiple platforms such as PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC by January 17. Originally a Wii exclusive in Japan, Tales of Graces got a PlayStation 3 release in the West. Now, with this remaster, it’s ready to conquer contemporary gaming systems everywhere.
Adding to their lineup, Bandai Namco is set to launch Synduality: Echo of Ada in January, a fresh entry in their gaming collection for 2025. This title blends the sci-fi PvPvE extraction shooter genre with action RPG elements, featuring massive playable mechs. It’s a part of Bandai Namco’s larger multimedia franchise that encompasses an anime, manga, light novel, and even a serialized novel. Developed by Game Studio Inc., this game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC starting January 27.
We shouldn’t forget about Bleach: Rebirth of Souls either, another thrilling game from Bandai Namco expected in early 2025. Like other anime-inspired games the company has developed, this one is a 3D arena fighter. What sets it apart is its unique one-hit-kill mechanic, adding a fresh twist to the fighting genre. Notably, it marks the return of Bleach to home consoles after more than a decade. Although a specific release date is pending, fans can anticipate its release in the early months of 2025.
Expectations are high for the potential early 2025 releases of Little Nightmares 3 and Fate/EXTRA Record. Little Nightmares 3 was due for a 2024 release but faced a delay into 2025. Meanwhile, the JRPG Fate/EXTRA Record has been percolating for nearly five years. While there’s no official word from Bandai Namco yet, these anticipated games could potentially surprise fans with an earlier-than-expected launch.
Bandai Namco, founded on March 31, 2006, with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, under the parent company Namco Bandai, continues to leave a significant mark on the gaming landscape. As we head into 2025, there’s a lot for gamers to look forward to from this industry giant.
