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Bandai Namco Entertainment
Bandai Namco Entertainment is actively releasing multiple major titles across the second half of 2026, including Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad, Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters, and Tekken 8's third season pass, while also launching the NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 retro initiative and facing the departure of Tekken director Kohei Ikeda.
Synthesized from 11
Yomimono stories · updated
19h ago
Bandai Namco Entertainment is in the middle of a dense release window in mid-2026, with several high-profile games launching within weeks of each other. The action RPG Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad releases July 9 in Japan and July 10 worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with a demo covering the beta test chapter already available and save data carrying over to the full game. The opening movie, featuring the theme song "Live to Survive" by Aimer, was released on June 30. The mobile game Bleach Mirrors High was revealed at Anime Expo 2026 with original player characters designed by series creator Tite Kubo, and a closed beta test runs from July 22 to 29.
On the console side, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches October 2 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc. on Unreal Engine 5, with a port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War included as a pre-order bonus. Pre-orders for two special editions opened on June 3. Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters launches August 28 on Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, featuring 22 national teams and over 110 playable characters. Tekken 8's third season pass continues with Bob entering early access on August 19, alongside Kunimitsu, Roger Jr., and crossover guest Yujiro Hanma from the Baki series. The Gundam action game Gundam Rogue Orbit is set for 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Bandai Namco also launched the NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 project on June 1, bundling five anniversary titles including Galaga (45th), The Adventure of Valkyrie, Genpei Tōma Den, and Family Stadium (all 40th), and Time Crisis (30th) into a sustained retro product line with merchandise and a pop-up shop. The free-to-play battle royale My Hero Ultra Rumble added Mirko as a playable character in Season 17 on May 27. Meanwhile, the company saw a significant leadership departure: Kohei Ikeda, director of Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, left Bandai Namco after 20 years, following former Tekken project producer Katsuhiro Harada's exit at the end of 2025.
Key facts
- Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad release dates
- July 9 in Japan, July 10 worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam ↗
- Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve release date
- October 2 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam ↗
- Ace Combat 8 developer and engine
- Developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc. on Unreal Engine 5 ↗
- Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters release date
- August 28 on Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam ↗
- Tekken 8 Season 3 character Bob early access
- August 19, with full release August 24 ↗
- Kohei Ikeda departure
- Left Bandai Namco Entertainment after 20 years ↗
- NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 project launch
- Announced June 1, covering five anniversary titles: Galaga (45th), The Adventure of Valkyrie, Genpei Tōma Den, Family Stadium (all 40th), and Time Crisis (30th) ↗
- Bleach Mirrors High closed beta test
- July 22 to 29, applications open until July 13 ↗
- Gundam Rogue Orbit release window
- 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC ↗
- My Hero Ultra Rumble Season 17 new character
- Mirko added as a playable character on May 27 ↗
Timeline
- Jul 5, 2026 Bleach Mirrors High Trailer Reveals Two Original Player Characters
- Jun 30, 2026 Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad Opening Movie Previews Aimer Theme Song
- Jun 29, 2026 Tekken 8 Reveals Bob's August 19 Early Access Release in Gameplay Trailer
- Jun 16, 2026 Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad Demo Launches With Beta Test Chapter
- Jun 8, 2026 Bandai Namco Releases First Screenshots for Gundam Rogue Orbit
- Jun 3, 2026 Ace Combat 8 Collector's Box and Ace of Aces Box Pre-Orders Open at Premium Bandai
- Jun 2, 2026 Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Launches October 2, Includes Zero as Pre-Order Bonus
- Jun 2, 2026 Tekken 7 and Tekken 8 Director Kohei Ikeda Leaves Bandai Namco
- Jun 1, 2026 Bandai Namco Launches NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 Project With Five Anniversary Titles
- May 25, 2026 My Hero Ultra Rumble Season 17 Adds Mirko as a Playable Character
- May 19, 2026 Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters Soccer Game Launches August 28
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Facts
- Announced
- launch of the NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 project · 2026-06-01
- Release
- game · May 27, 2026 · 2026-05-25
Connections
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Claim activity
When a claim about Bandai Namco Entertainment was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against
open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
- Confirmed Bandai Namco Entertainment staff change Kohei Ikeda Jun 22 · source
- Confirmed Bandai Namco Entertainment produces Galaga Jun 14 · source
- Confirmed Bandai Namco Entertainment produces Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Jun 3 · source
- Confirmed game May 27, 2026 May 28 · source
- Confirmed bandai namco entertainment produces captain tsubasa May 27 · source
All coverage
19h ago
Bandai Namco Entertainment unveiled a new trailer for the smartphone game Bleach Mirrors High at Anime Expo 2026 on July 4. The trailer introduces two original player characters, Shirin Migishima and Shirane Sanari, both designed by Bleach creator Tite Kubo. Players will choose one of the two and experience a story set after the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. The trailer also shows the characters in action and includes their voices, though the voice cast has not yet been announced. Alongside the trailer, Bandai Namco opened recruitment for a closed beta test. Applications run until July 13, with approximately 20,000 participants selected. The closed beta test is scheduled from July 22 to 29 according to one source, or July 23 to 30 according to another; data will not carry over to the full release. The game is an action title for iOS and Android, described as a Gotei 13 Experience Action game. Kubo is credited with production cooperation, character concept, and character design. Cast information for the two protagonists is expected at a later date.
6d ago
Bandai Namco Entertainment America released the opening movie for the action RPG Echoes of Aincrad, featuring the theme song "Live to Survive" by Aimer. The song launches digitally Wednesday in English and Japanese. The game launches July 9 in Japan and July 10 worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Jun 29
Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed at EVO 2026 a gameplay trailer for Bob, the next Season 3 character for Tekken 8. Bob enters early access on August 19 with a full release on August 24. Other Season 3 characters include Kunimitsu, Roger Jr., and Yujiro Hanma from the Baki series.
Jun 16
Bandai Namco Entertainment released the demo for Echoes of Aincrad, the new action RPG set in the Sword Art Online universe, on June 16. The demo covers the entire beta test chapter that opens the full game, letting players experience the period before the official service of the in-game MMO Sword Art Online becomes a death game. Playtime is roughly three to four hours, and save data carries over to the full release. Players control a fixed young swordsman avatar during the beta test, then customize their real appearance when the main story begins. The demo includes five missions, all weapon types, and a tutorial for the combat system, which features light and heavy attacks, sword skills, guarding, dodging, parrying, and a severance mechanic that lets players destroy enemy limbs. Partner character Iori, a hardcore beta tester, accompanies the player and can be ordered into Switch Mode or Free Mode. The full game launches July 9 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and July 10 on PC via Steam. Aimer performs the theme song "Live to Survive." Streaming guidelines restrict full-game streaming to Very Hard difficulty with Death Game Mode enabled until July 17.
Jun 8
Bandai Namco Entertainment has released official screenshots for the new action game Gundam Rogue Orbit, set for release in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game's official website and X account are now live. Players pilot the Gundam Helix as protagonist Rex alongside partner Haro Vee.
Jun 3
Bandai Namco Entertainment opened pre-orders on June 3 for two special editions of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve at Premium Bandai. The Collector's Box costs 15,730 yen and the Ace of Aces Box costs 39,600 yen, both shipping in September ahead of the game's October 2 release.
Jun 2
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced during Sony's State of Play livestream on June 3 that Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will launch on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The game is the latest entry in the Ace Combat series, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Players take the role of a fighter pilot rescued at sea by the aging aircraft carrier Endurance, belonging to the Federation of Central Usea. The player is entrusted with the legendary ace known as the Wings of Seave, a symbol of hope, and must reclaim lost territory alongside three new companions. The game is developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc., a studio formed in July 2022 by Bandai Namco Entertainment and ILCA, and is built on Unreal Engine 5. A port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War will be included as a pre-order bonus for the digital version and as an early purchase bonus for the physical version. Early access for the Deluxe Edition begins on September 29.
Jun 2
Kohei Ikeda, game director for Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, announced on Monday that he has left Bandai Namco Entertainment after 20 years at the company. His departure follows that of former Tekken project producer Katsuhiro Harada, who left at the end of 2025 and now leads SNK's new studio.
Jun 1
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on June 1 the launch of the NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 project, an initiative to develop content from classic Namco games. The project centers on five titles marking anniversaries this year: Galaga (45th), The Adventure of Valkyrie, Genpei Tōma Den, and Family Stadium (all 40th), and Time Crisis (30th). Alongside game releases, the project includes a pop-up shop called Namco Game Selection Summer Market at Hakuhinkan TOY PARK in Ginza, Tokyo, running from July 11 to August 6, featuring goods from Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Mappy, and others. A demo version of the 3D puzzle game Namco Legendary Mountains, developed by B-Side, is available on Steam for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and Mac. A plug-and-play gun controller from Tassei Denki, which includes Time Crisis, Gun Bullet, Steel Gunner, and Steel Gunner 2, is also on sale. Additional merchandise includes the second wave of Classic Game Blankets from KADOKAWA Game Linkage, featuring designs from The Adventure of Valkyrie and Mappy, releasing September 16 at 3,300 yen each, as well as Galaga pins and family cassette cases. The project aims to make Namco titles more accessible to both longtime fans and new generations.
May 25
Bandai Namco Entertainment released a trailer for My Hero Ultra Rumble Season 17, which launches May 27. The season adds Mirko as a new playable character, several new costumes, and a new battle style for Present Mic arriving after June. The game is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
May 19
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced that Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters will launch on August 28 for Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The game features 22 national teams and over 110 playable characters. Pre-orders include a 2026 Japan National Team Jersey cosmetic and other bonuses.