Namco Bandai teams with Power Rangers

The Power Rangers franchise has been largely dormant on gaming systems since 2007, when Disney Interactive Studios released Power Rangers: Super Legends for the PlayStation 2, PC, and DS. Soon, that dry spell will be coming to an end, as Namco Bandai announced today that it has acquired the North American publishing rights to publish games based on the nearly two-decade-old TV series across all major consoles and handhelds.

As part of its announcement, Namco Bandai said that it was primarily interested in Saban Brands' Power Rangers Samurai series, which will represent the 19th season for the martial-arts-meets-mechs live-action kids' series. The Samurai storyline follows five new rangers as they seek to master the elements of fire, water, sky, forest, and earth, and in the process save the world from the Netherworld forces led by Master Xandred. Morphing of the mighty sort also occurs, periodically.

Namco Bandai did not reveal any specific titles that are under production. The publisher also did not reveal a release date or platforms for its first effort with the popular kids' brand.

The Power Rangers Samurai TV series will debut next week on Nickelodeon.