Ninja Kiwi

Ninja Kiwi is a New Zealand game developer and publisher founded in Auckland in 2006 by brothers Chris and Stephen Harris. Best known for the Bloons franchise, the studio creates strategy, tower defense, action and puzzle games for mobile, PC, console and web platforms, with newer work extending into spatial computing and animation.

The company began developing browser-based Flash games under its original legal name, Kaiparasoft Limited. Its debut title was Cash Sprint, followed in April 2007 by the balloon-popping physics puzzle game Bloons. That concept subsequently expanded into Bloons Tower Defense, establishing the strategy franchise that remains central to the studio's work.

Games and ongoing development

Ninja Kiwi's portfolio includes Bloons TD 5, Bloons TD 6, Bloons TD Battles, Bloons Monkey City and the action series SAS: Zombie Assault. Released in 2018, Bloons TD 6 became a major focus for continuing development, supported through regular content updates and player-created maps. The studio combines full-cycle game production with publishing, live operations, seasonal events and community support.

Its development capabilities span progression and simulation systems, cooperative multiplayer, competitive matchmaking and tools for player-created content. Across its catalogue, Ninja Kiwi works with premium purchases, free-to-play releases and in-app purchases. It also undertakes selected third-party publishing, including Rose and Locket, developed by Whistling Wizard.

Growth and new formats

A mobile development partnership with Scotland's Digital Goldfish led to its acquisition in 2012 and subsequent integration as Ninja Kiwi's European studio. Modern Times Group acquired Ninja Kiwi in 2021. In 2024, Ninja Kiwi expanded its strategy-game interests through the acquisition of AutoAttack Games, the separately branded developer of Legion TD 2.

More recent work includes the card-battler Bloons Card Storm, the Apple Vision Pro adaptation of Bloons TD 6+, and development of Zombie Assault: Resurgence. The animated series Bloons Monkey Tales extends the franchise beyond games, while Bloons Adventure Time TD represents a collaboration with Cartoon Network.