01
B
Bandai Namco
Tekken, Pac-Man, Dark Souls publishing, Tales of — Bandai Namco's breadth from arcade classics to modern RPG publishing makes it one of Japan's most important gaming companies.
▲ Steady·Score +20
Japan
Best Japanese Video Game Companies of All Time
Japan built the video game industry as we know it. These are the studios and publishers whose creativity, technical mastery, and artistic vision gave the world its most beloved games and franchises.
Pick your favorites · Every vote moves the ranking · Results update live
02
N
Nintendo
The house that Mario built — Nintendo's philosophy of fun-first design has produced more timeless franchises than any other company in gaming history.
▲ Steady·Score +18
03
Atlus
The creator of the Persona series — Atlus's JRPG titles combine social simulation, dungeon crawling, and mature themes in games unlike anything else in the industry.
▲ Steady·Score +12
04
N
Namco (Classic Era)
Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug — Namco's golden age arcade output defined the early gaming era and gave the world some of its most universally recognised gaming icons.
▲ Steady·Score +11
05
S
Square Enix
Home of Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts — Square Enix has defined the JRPG genre and brought Japanese narrative storytelling to a global gaming audience.
▲ Steady·Score +11
06
S
Sony Interactive Entertainment
PlayStation's first-party studios have delivered some of the most acclaimed exclusive titles in gaming — from God of War to The Last of Us to Spider-Man.
▲ Steady·Score +11
07
P
Platinum Games
Bayonetta, Nier: Automata, Vanquish — Platinum's action game pedigree is unmatched, producing the most kinetic, stylish, and mechanically satisfying character action games ever made.
▲ Steady·Score +10
08
S
Sega
Sonic, Yakuza, Total War, Persona — Sega's portfolio spans arcade classics to prestige narrative RPGs, making it one of gaming's most eclectic and beloved publishers.
▲ Steady·Score +10
09
K
Konami
Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, Castlevania, Pro Evolution Soccer — Konami's golden era produced some of gaming's most influential titles and beloved franchises.
▲ Steady·Score +10
10
Level-5
Professor Layton, Ni no Kuni, and Yo-Kai Watch — Level-5's talent for whimsical, story-driven games has made it one of Japan's most beloved independent studios.
▲ Steady·Score +9
11
C
Capcom
Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry — Capcom's portfolio of iconic franchises is arguably the most diverse and consistently excellent in the industry.
▲ Steady·Score +8
12
F
FromSoftware
Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Elden Ring — FromSoftware redefined difficulty, atmosphere, and world-building in games, inspiring an entire generation of developers.
▲ Steady·Score +4
Predict the rank
“Bandai Namco”
Currently ranked #1. Where will it be in 7 days?
More in Japan
JapanBest Things to Do in Japan Travel Guide
From Kyoto's temples and Tokyo's neighborhoods to Mount Fuji, Osaka street food, and Hiroshima — Japan's extraordinary cultural journey.
12 items102 votesUpdated 13 hours ago
JapanBest Japanese Sweets and Wagashi to Try
Japanese confectionery is an edible art form rooted in centuries of tradition and seasonal beauty. From delicate tea ceremony sweets to beloved festival treats, these are the wagashi and Japanese sweets every food lover must experience.
12 items86 votesUpdated 1 day ago
JapanBest Japanese Izakaya Dishes to Order
The izakaya is Japan's answer to the pub — a warm, casual place for drinks, small plates, and conversation after work. These are the dishes that make a great izakaya night, from crispy karaage to silky dashimaki tamago.
12 items108 votesUpdated 1 day ago