Bandai and Namco were founded in the 1950s, one as a toy manufacturer (Bandai) and the other as an amusement park ride distributor (Namco). When the two merged in 2006 into Namco Bandai and, later, Bandai Namco. The merge has combined the extensive game catalogs of two massive names in video game history.
Between the two of them, Bandai Namco is known for everything from Pac-Man to Elden Ring. Plenty of titles are household names to gamers, like Tekken, the Tales of series, Katamari, and so many more. But many Bandai Namco titles aren’t as well-known and still deserve recognition.
Though Bandai Namco is a prolific publisher today, I’ll focus instead on the games that were developed by Bandai, Namco, or the two together.
10
The Ace Combat Franchise Features Approachable Flight Simulation
Realistic Flight With Anime Plots
The Ace Combat series started in 1995 and has since released nearly eight mainline games and many spinoffs. The arcade combat fight and flight simulator was a great mix of realistic combat flying and entertaining, anime-like storytelling.
This combination makes the games appealing to both flight sim enthusiasts and gamers who prefer a story-driven game. The mix also made it stand out from other flight simulators of the time, which were hyper-focused on hyper-realism. The arcade-style missions and engaging stories make the Ace Combat series a must-check out, even for people who don’t typically play flight sims.
9
Eternal Sonata Is a Beautiful Symphony
A Surprising Intersection Of Fandoms
Eternal Sonata is the only game on this list that wasn’t developed by Bandai Namco, but rather by Tri-Crescendo. But the RPG is so under-appreciated that it’s worth a mention here.
The title combined classical music and composers with the JRPG format for a beautiful symphony of combat and story. The fantasy tale took place in the mind of real-world composer Chopin as he succumbed to tuberculosis.
Every element of the game is inspired by classical music and Chopin’s life, from the characters to the attacks and, of course, the soundtrack. It’s a unique RPG that isn’t remembered nearly enough today.
8
The Taiko no Tatsujin Titles Are The Cutest Rhythm Games
Drum Controllers Before They Were Cool
You probably know Taiko no Tatsujin, even if you don’t remember its name. It stars a memorable, adorable version of a Japanese Taiko drum, a massive kind of drum that you beat with large drumsticks. More notably, the arcade version of the game is accompanied by literal drum peripherals so you can play the drums to play the game.
Similar to the the dance-pads of Dance Dance Revolution, Taiko no Tatsujin launched in 2001 as an arcade game and on home consoles. This was a full four years before the Guitar Hero franchise took off.
But unlike Guitar Hero, which forced players to use the bulky guitar peripheral, Taiko can be played with just the controllers you have on hand. Over 24 years later, the game is still going strong, both on consoles and in Japanese arcades. It’s also incredibly fun, and worth a try if you ever get a chance to play its arcade version!
7
The Super Robot Wars Games Are A Robot Lover’s Dream Come True
Anime Mechs, Unite!
Who would win in a battle, a Gundam, a Mazinger, or a Tengen Toppa? If you don’t know what any of those are, then you’re probably not the intended audience of the Super Robot Wars franchise.
The Super Robot Wars games unite mechas, robots, and super robots from different anime and manga in tactical battles. This means you can pit robots and mechs from beloved series like Gundam, Mazinger, Gurren Lagan, Evangelion, Aldnoah.Zero, and many more.
The niche appeal is probably why these games aren’t talked about that much. Even if you’re not a mecha fan, the sheer volume of series represented deserves recognition.
6
The Idolmaster Arcade Game Started A Phenomenon
Train The Most Successful Pop idols
I always thought that Idolmaster was an anime first and then a game. It turns out that The Idolmaster (stylized as THE iDOLM@STER) got its start as a Bandai Namco rhythm arcade game, released in 2005.
The game burst in popularity and went on to spawn a huge multimedia franchise across more games, anime, and music albums. And they all have the first arcade game to thank for it. The arcade title also got a 2007 Xbox 360 port in Japan, but it’s rarely talked about as the title that spawned a global phenomenon.
5
The God Eater Games Are Like Anime Monster Hunter
Story-Driven, Fast-Paced Combat
God Eater was Bandai Namco’s answer to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, if Monster Hunter were a JRPG. The similarity between the two might have led to God Eater’s downfall, as fans can’t help but compare the two.
The three games in the series never made it as big as Monster Hunter, but they had their own spins on the game style. God Eater featured a faster, more streamlined combat, and a more anime-inspired storyline and style. You could also literally eat the monster you defeat to gain its powers, which was a cool mechanic.
4
Scarlet Nexus Had Hidden Potential
Dual Protagonists And A Brand-New IP
Creating completely new games not based on existing names or franchises is always a risk, even for big companies like Bandai Namco. Scarlet Nexus was a brand-new 2021 JRPG that tried something new and, mostly, succeeded.
The game lets players choose one of two protagonists in the middle of a war against psychic “Others” bent on devouring human brains. According to critics, the game’s fast-paced, action-packed combat system was bogged down by slow-paced, visual-novel style storytelling and a convoluted story.
Still, players who made it to the end of both protagonists’ storylines were rewarded with a neat story that wrapped up nicely and a fun hidden gem of a game that’s rarely talked about today.
3
Ridge Racer Is Straightforward Fun
A True-To-Its-Origins Arcade Racer
In recent years, there’s been a push to create more realistic racing games, with titles racing (pardon the pun) to one-up each other in how true-to-life they can get. Ridge Racer takes a different track.
Starting as an arcade racer in 1993, the Ridge Racer games remained true to their arcade roots all the way through to the last game in 2016. The games are addictive and simply fun to play, and feature memorable soundtracks. If you’re not sure where to start, the 1998 Ridge Racer Type 4 is still widely considered to be the best game in the bunch.
2
Klonoa Is A Charming Tale With Wide Appeal
It Remains Many Fans’ Favorite To This Day
The cute-looking Klonoa was created by Hideo Yoshizawa—a name you might better recognize as the creator of Ninja Gaiden. In a 1997 interview, posted to Shmuplations, Yoshizawa said that he wanted to make an action game that was “playable for both children and adults at the same time.“
Klonoa achieved this, creating a charming tale with a surprising amount of depth. It starred the titular Klonoa, an anthropomorphic rabbit-like creature who could travel between dreams. Fans who played it remember it fondly, but it never reached the popularity of Namco’s other series.
1
Xevious Put Namco On The Map In Japan
The Biggest Hit Since Space Invaders
If you live in North America, you might know Xevious as an Atari game. In fact, the arcade title was developed and published by Namco. The 1983 game was such a huge hit that its success surpassed even Space Invaders in Japan, bringing Namco to the forefront of the gaming industry.
The title changed the way vertical scrolling shooters look, with detailed backgrounds and, surprisingly, a story. Most gamers know about Space Invaders, while Xevious remains more obscure and less talked about. But, thanks to hits like Xevious and Pac-Man, Namco rose to fame as a video game company to be counted on, eventually making way for Bandai Namco to form.
