9th June 2026; 10:33 IST
Quick Answer: PlatinumGames — the studio behind Bayonetta and NieR: Automata — is developing TMNT: The Last Ronin as a AAA action-adventure game for PC and consoles, published by the newly formed Paramount Games Studio. Announced at Summer Game Fest 2026, the project replaces the cancelled THQ Nordic version with no release date confirmed yet.
One of gaming's most exciting surprise announcements from Summer Game Fest 2026 has sent shockwaves through the community: Paramount Games Studio has partnered with legendary Japanese developer PlatinumGames to create a fully rebooted, AAA version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin. The news answers years of uncertainty surrounding the previously troubled game adaptation of the beloved dark TMNT comic series.
Alongside the game announcement, Paramount revealed the creation of Paramount Games Studio — a newly unified gaming division that brings all of Paramount's studios, including the post-merger Skydance Games operation, under a single brand. According to Tony Driscoll, President of Paramount Games Studio, the division marks a significant shift in how the company views games: no longer as a side business, but as a core pillar of its content strategy alongside film, television, and streaming.
The studio's mandate is to transform Paramount's deep library of IP into immersive, high-quality franchise experiences. In addition to The Last Ronin, the new division is working on titles including Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, an untitled Star Wars game, and Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game.
The road to this announcement has been rocky. A previous version of TMNT: The Last Ronin had been in development at Black Forest Games, published by THQ Nordic, and was originally announced back in 2023. However, before the Skydance-Paramount merger was finalised, development on that version was quietly halted. Paramount's representative confirmed to Gematsu that the Black Forest/THQ Nordic version is no longer in development.
Rather than abandon the project, Paramount Games Studio chose to restart it from scratch — this time with one of the world's most celebrated action game developers at the helm.
The choice of PlatinumGames — the Osaka-based studio behind Bayonetta, NieR: Automata, and Astral Chain — was far from arbitrary. According to Dan Prigg, Executive Vice President and Head of Games at Paramount, PlatinumGames had expressed genuine interest in the TMNT franchise early in the process and demonstrated a deep understanding of what The Last Ronin story demands. The studio's reputation for fast-paced, technically precise, and emotionally resonant action made it a natural fit for the source material.
The game is being rebuilt from the ground up, with heavy gameplay inspiration drawn from Sony's modern God of War titles — aiming to capture the same blend of weighty combat and heavy emotional storytelling that made those games genre-defining.
For those unfamiliar with the source material: The Last Ronin is a critically acclaimed, five-issue TMNT comic book miniseries written by Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz. Set in a dark, dystopian future version of New York City, the story follows the last surviving Ninja Turtle — haunted by the deaths of his brothers and allies — on a relentless, brutal quest for vengeance against the Foot Clan. The story is notably darker, more mature, and more emotionally raw than typical TMNT fare, making it ideal for a serious, cinematic game adaptation.
As of the Summer Game Fest 2026 announcement, specific platforms have not been confirmed, though the game is heading to consoles and PC. No release date has been provided yet, which is unsurprising given the project is being rebuilt from scratch. Given PlatinumGames' typical development timelines and the scale of the project, a 2027 or 2028 release window seems most realistic.
In tandem with the game reveal, Paramount Games launched a limited-edition BossLogic merchandise collection at thelastronin.com, featuring themed apparel and collectible poster art. Fans were also treated to an exclusive 10-page preview of a new comic one-shot, The Last Ronin: Training Day by Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz, arriving in stores on July 9, 2026. The preview is accessible by signing up for email alerts on the game's official site.
The pairing of PlatinumGames' mastery of action combat with the grim, emotionally powerful world of The Last Ronin is one of the most exciting gaming collaborations announced in years. After years of uncertainty about this adaptation, fans of both the comic and the developers have genuine reason to be excited. With Paramount Games Studio now established as a serious games publisher, this announcement signals that the company intends to treat its IP with the level of craft it deserves. Stay tuned for platforms, release date, and first gameplay reveals.
