Nintendo has fully acquired Monolith Soft, the development studio behind the Xenoblade Chronicles series, after purchasing the remaining shares it didn't already own. This news, reported by Automaton and confirmed on Monolith Soft's official website, solidifies Nintendo's ownership of the studio.
Founded in 1999 by Tetsuya Takahashi, the creator of Xenogears, Monolith Soft began its partnership with Nintendo with the release of Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii. This led to Nintendo acquiring 80% of the studio's shares from Namco in 2007, increasing to 96% in 2011. The remaining 4% belonged to founders Hirohide Sugiura, Tetsuya Takahashi, and Yasuyuki Honne.
As Nintendo already held a majority stake, this acquisition is unlikely to drastically change Monolith Soft's operations. The studio has been instrumental in developing Nintendo titles, including contributing to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Monolith Soft's next release is Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, launching on March 20th, 2025. This updated version of the Wii U title features enhanced visuals and a revised post-credit scene that might finally connect the game to the broader Xenoblade Chronicles narrative.