Nintendo Fully Acquires Xenoblade Developer Monolith Soft After Nearly Two Decades of Platform Exclusivity

Monolith Soft, renowned for spearheading the beloved Xenoblade Chronicles saga and playing a crucial role in supporting major hits like Zelda: Breath of the Wild, is now officially under Nintendo’s full ownership.

Though Monolith Soft has been a fixture in the gaming world for nearly 25 years, it’s in the last decade that it has truly shone, thanks to its work on the Xenoblade Chronicles series. These games are hefty, engaging RPGs that have captured the imaginations of players worldwide. Over the years, Monolith Soft has also lent its expertise to a variety of major titles, including Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and all three Splatoon games. According to a report by Automaton, Nintendo now completely owns Monolith Soft, a move that seems logical even if it might not cause any significant shifts in the industry.

Back in 2011, Nintendo already possessed a commanding 96% share of Monolith Soft, with the remaining 4% held symbolically by the company’s founders. However, as listed on Monolith Soft’s website, Nintendo has now acquired the entirety of the studio. While total ownership might sound monumental, in this case, it’s unlikely to alter much. Monolith hasn’t explored non-Nintendo platforms since releasing Xenosaga Episode 3 on the PS2 in 2006. So, it’s fair to say this news won’t rock the boat too much regarding their future projects.

As for what’s next, there’s no hint of any groundbreaking new titles coming from Monolith just yet. What fans can look forward to, however, is the long-awaited arrival of Xenoblade Chronicles X on the Nintendo Switch next March. This has been a top wishlist item for fans eager to see this game on the popular platform. With the impending release of the so-called Switch 2 next year, Xenoblade Chronicles X might be one of the final major releases for the current Switch.