and assisted in its parent company's sales programs and product distribution. Unifive, a producer of merchandiser games, became a wholly-owned subsidiary in March as part of the company's continuing expansion in the arcade industry. Banpresto began to spread its operations throughout other parts of Asia; Banpresto H.K. was founded in Hong Kong in June to import and distribute Banpresto-developed goods across the country. Restructuring and continuing expansion (1996–2005) In January 1996, Banpresto assisted in the founding of the Computer Entertainment Software Association (CESA), an organization funded by other game companies to allow for firm communications between each other. The company continued to publish games by external companies, including Gazelle's Air Gallet and Fill-in-Cafe's Panzer Bandit. Bandai Namco takeover and dissolution (2005—2008) In September 2005, Bandai merged with fellow game company Namco to establish a new entertainment conglomerate, Namco Bandai Holdings. Namco and Bandai's video game operations were merged and transferred to a new subsidiary, Namco Bandai Games, in March 2006. Banpresto became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings upon the formation of Namco Bandai Games, however the merge had little effect on the company itself. The company reported considerable financial success following the merge in April, as its net income forecast exceeded the expected 1.6 billion to 2.1 billion. The company continued to produce games based on licensed properties, notably Crayon Shin-Chan, as well as selling arcade game equipment and maintaining its video arcade chains. In November 2007, Namco Bandai Holdings announced that Banpresto's video game development would be merged with Namco Bandai Games, with the latter assuming control of all Banpresto-owned franchises. The merge took place on April 1, 2008, with Banpresto being reorganized as a producer of toys and prize machines for Japan. Pleasure Cast and Hanayashiki subsequently became subsidiaries of Namco, while Banpresoft became a wholly-owned division of Namco Bandai Games. Until February 2014, Namco Bandai Games continued using the Banpresto label on several of its games to signify the brand's legacy. The Banpresto name continued to be used as the name of a Bandai Namco division until 2019, when it was absorbed into the then-recently formed Bandai Spirits division of Bandai, relegating it into a brand of high-end figures based on licensed products. Games Hoei/Coreland Banpresto See also Notes References External links Japanese companies established in 1977 Amusement companies of Japan Companies disestablished in 2008 Entertainment companies of Japan Former Bandai Namco Holdings subsidiaries Japanese