A Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Bandai Namco Games on March 31, 2006. Namco was re-established to continue domestic operation of video arcades and amusement parks. Its headquarters are located in Oota, Tokyo. The company's English name is officially often written as NAMCO (in all capital letters).
Namco was a front-runner during the Golden age of arcade video games. Pac-Man, its arguably most famous title, went on to become the best-selling arcade game in history and an international popular culture icon. They went on to create other hit franchises such as Splatterhouse, Steel Gunner, Tekken, SoulCalibur, Ridge Racer, and Ace Combat.
