Studios have been dev partners since the 1980s
Nintendohas announcedthat it is officially putting the stamp of ownership on its long-time development partner SRD Co. Ltd — a studio that has worked on Nintendo titles since the 1980s.
Originally founded in Tokyo in 1979, SRD has worked alongside Nintendo ever since the company’s golden NES age. SRD was involved in the design and development of classics such asDonkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., andThe Legend of Zelda. Having helped lead Nintendo the glory, the two companies remained in close proximity for the following four decades, most recently working on Switch hitsRing Fit AdventureandAnimal Crossing New Horizons, as well as the experimentalGame Builder Garage.
The acquisition is part of a wider effort by Nintendo to increase the size of its internal development resources. Always keeping its cards close to its chest, it is unsurprising that Nintendo will first reach out to the studios that it has worked alongside and trusted the longest. The deal is expected to close on June 27, 2025, and marks the first acquisition made by Nintendo since its purchase ofLuigi’s Mansion 3developer Next Level Gamesback in January 2021.
