Next Level Games
- Open roles
- 3
- Founded
- 2002
- Employees
- 51-200
- Offices
- 1
About Next Level Games
Next Level Games is a Canadian AAA video game development studio focused on first-party Nintendo console titles. Founded in 2002 by former EA Black Box veterans, the Vancouver-based team has built a catalogue spanning sports, action, adventure and multiplayer games, with an emphasis on expressive character work, responsive gameplay and polished console experiences.
The studio’s early releases included NHL Hitz Pro, followed by a long-running creative relationship with Nintendo that began with Super Mario Strikers. That partnership expanded through Mario Strikers Charged, the Wii revival of Punch-Out!!, and the Luigi’s Mansion series. Its work on Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon and Luigi’s Mansion 3 helped establish the studio as a specialist in character-driven Nintendo experiences.
In January 2014, Next Level Games announced that it would develop exclusively for Nintendo platforms. Nintendo subsequently acquired the company in 2021, making it a wholly owned operating subsidiary of Nintendo Co., Ltd. The studio remains active as a first-party development team.
Development capabilities
Next Level Games provides full-cycle game development, from design and systems prototyping through production, optimisation, gold master delivery and post-launch support. Its supported capabilities include:
- AAA console game development for Nintendo platforms
- Gameplay mechanics, systems design and level design
- Character animation and specialised 3D animation pipelines
- 3D environment art, rigging and shading
- Software engineering, gameplay scripting and proprietary tool-pipeline engineering
- Audio production and technical sound direction
Selected work
Its credits include Super Mario Strikers, Mario Strikers Charged, Punch-Out!!, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Metroid Prime: Federation Force, Luigi’s Mansion 3, Mario Strikers: Battle League and Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD. The studio has also worked on projects including Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, Captain America: Super Soldier, Transformers: Cybertron Adventures and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon.
More recently, Next Level Games has contributed technical and animation expertise to Nintendo franchises, including collaborative or assist-development credits on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
More about Next Level Games
Leadership and studio practice
- Alex MacFarlane is President and Managing Director / Studio Director. Co-founder Douglas Tronsgard retired in March 2022; Jason Carr, Eric Randall and David Catlin are identified as co-founders.
- The studio operates a hybrid schedule, with core development staff expected in the studio at least three days per week and initial trial periods conducted on-site.
- Its facility includes an employee gym, an extensive media library and a collaborative pod layout.
Recognition
Luigi’s Mansion 3 received the BAFTA Games Award for Animation in 2020 and Best Family Game at The Game Awards 2019. The report attributes those honours to the game’s critical and commercial success.
Notable credits
12 creditsOffices
Where Next Level Games is based
- 208 Robson Street, 3rd & 4th Floors, Vancouver, BC V6B 6A1, CanadaVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Headquarters & Main Studio
HeadquartersHeadquarters and main studio.
Open roles
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