Julio Neves
The gaming world is abuzz with speculation as reports emerge that Sony may be in the process of acquiring Kadokawa Corporation, a major Japanese media conglomerate with strong ties to both gaming and entertainment. This development could have far-reaching implications, especially for fans of beloved Nintendo franchises like Mario & Luigi and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon.
Kadokawa Corporation has acknowledged these reports in a recent company statement. According to the statement, Sony has issued a letter of intent to purchase the company’s shares. However, no decision has been finalized as of now. Kadokawa assured that an official announcement will follow once a decision is made.
The potential acquisition was first reported by Reuters, which revealed that Sony is currently in talks to purchase Kadokawa. This move could significantly reshape the gaming landscape, as Kadokawa owns several notable game developers, including Spike Chunsoft, Acquire, Gotcha Gotcha Games, and FromNetworks. Kadokawa also holds a majority stake in FromSoftware, the acclaimed studio behind Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Dark Souls, and the Armored Core series—a major draw for Sony.
For Nintendo fans, the possible acquisition raises concerns about the future of studios that have historically collaborated with Nintendo. Acquire, for instance, has worked on projects like Octopath Traveler in partnership with Square Enix, and more recently, the team developed Mario & Luigi: Brothership for the Nintendo Switch. If Sony gains control, it’s hard to imagine them allocating resources to develop a new Mario & Luigi game, potentially forcing Nintendo to seek a new developer for the series.
Spike Chunsoft represents an even greater potential loss for Nintendo loyalists. Best known for franchises like Danganronpa and Master Detective Archives, the studio also has deep roots with Nintendo through the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series. Before rebranding as Spike Chunsoft in 2012, the studio, under the name Chunsoft, developed several entries in the franchise, including 2020’s Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX for the Switch. If acquired, it’s unclear whether Spike Chunsoft would continue working on Nintendo titles or become exclusively integrated into PlayStation Studios.
At the moment, neither Sony nor Kadokawa has provided further comments on the situation. According to Reuters, negotiations are ongoing, and a deal could be finalized within weeks if all parties come to an agreement. While there’s a possibility that Sony could allow Kadokawa’s studios to maintain existing collaborations, history suggests that they would likely become exclusive to the PlayStation ecosystem.
For now, fans of Mario & Luigi and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon can only watch and wait, hoping these beloved franchises don’t become casualties of this high-stakes corporate maneuver.
