Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Grasshopper Manufacture became independent again on October 1, 2026, ending five years under NetEase Games. CEO Goichi “Suda51” Suda framed the move as a chance to make games in a wider range of styles—not as a break with NetEase—and signed off with “NEXT FUCKING ADVENTURE.” The phrase is a celebratory sign-off, not an announcement of a new game.
What Grasshopper’s return to independence means
The change is about ownership: Grasshopper Manufacture said it would operate as an independent developer again from October 1, 2026, after five years under NetEase. AUTOMATON WEST reports that the change followed an equity transfer involving former parent GungHo Online Entertainment. AUTOMATON WEST
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
No More Heroes 3 | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
No More Heroes 3 – Day 1 Edition - Xbox Series X | $21.79 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise - Playstation 3 | $69.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
No More Heroes 3 – Day 1 Edition - PlayStation 4 | $29.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
No More Heroes (Renewed) | $27.13 | Buy on Amazon |
In his statement, Suda said that after completing an all-hands project, the studio reflected on its next stage and wanted to deliver games in a wider variety of styles. “As such, Grasshopper Manufacture has chosen to move forward as an independent developer once again,” he said. Video Games Chronicle
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →That is the studio’s stated rationale. The announcement does not say NetEase prevented Grasshopper from pursuing particular ideas, so the ownership change should not be read as evidence of a creative dispute.
#1 Best Overall
- Earn money to enter ranked battles!To enter into each subsequent ranked battle, you’ll need to pay a pretty steep fee. Travis must take on various missions around town to make the money he needs to fight
- Use your skills to dominate opponents! Enjoy even more hardcore slash-‘em-up action than ever before as you use the Joy-Con’s intuitive controls to wield Travis Touchdown’s trusty Beam Katana along with a slew of pro wrestling techniques!
- Also, featured for the first time in the series, Travis can now use his Death Glove to activate a variety of skills, allowing for more strategic battles
Why “NEXT FUCKING ADVENTURE” is not a game announcement
Suda’s emphatic phrase captures his excitement about what comes next, but it names no project. The studio has not announced a next game, its platform, a release date, or a publishing partner. Video Games Chronicle
The immediate context is the completion of Romeo Is a Dead Man, which Suda described as an all-hands project preceding the studio’s decision about its future. The statement does not identify a follow-up title. Nintendo Life
Rank #2
- Day 1 Edition contains a 5.3” x 7.3” softcover 70-page art book, a CD featuring select songs from the soundtrack, and a 7” x 4” Santa Destroy commemorative biker license plate, all in a custom box with an original illustration
- Grow Your Galactic Legend - In classic No More Heroes style, the Galactic Superhero Rankings are packed with outrageous boss battles, each oozing with personality; Soar through the ranks and prove you're the baddest in the universe
- Old Dog, New Tricks - From beam katana boss to wrestling pro, Travis can do it all; Take violence to new extremes with the customizable Death Glove, and punish those deadly invaders with combat that suits your style
- Superheroic Side Hustles - Explore Santa Destroy on Travis’ Demzamtiger to pick up odd jobs, from Coast Guard missions to toilet cleaning, then hit the road to unique locales like Neo Brazil and Thunderdome to keep the cash rolling in
- Bolder, Badder, and Better Than Ever - Thanks to sharper visuals, No More Heroes 3 has never looked better; Add in improved load times and better responsiveness, and you’ll be dishing out eye-popping ultra-violence in no time
Grasshopper says its relationship with NetEase remains open
The studio said it reached the decision after “thorough discussions with NetEase Games, and with their generous cooperation.” It also said the companies value their relationship and that future collaboration could happen when an opportunity arises. That makes this an ownership change, not a stated severing of ties or public falling-out. Video Games Chronicle
What the studio has said about publishing
Grasshopper says it has improved its self-publishing know-how and now has a broad range of options. That signals greater flexibility, but the statement does not say every future game will be self-published or name a publisher for its next release. Nintendo Life
Rank #3
- Play through a myriad of missions and part-time jobs as you make your way to the top of the United Assassins Association
- Use Travis's Beam Katana skills with Playstation Move's accurate movement recognition technology and cut through waves of enemies
- Enter "Rebout Mode" to challenge your former foes and compare your scores with players around the world
- Enjoy crystal-clear HD graphics as you slash your way through the original 10 bosses from No More Heroes
- Customize your game with new content including exclusive customizations and upgrades
How the 2026 move differs from the 2021 arrangement
NetEase announced the equity-transfer agreement on October 22, 2021, after the agreement had been signed on May 31 of that year. Its announcement described NetEase as providing business-planning advice and sufficient development funding, while Grasshopper retained creative and production responsibility. NetEase
| Area | 2021 arrangement, as described at the time | 2026 announcement |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Grasshopper joined NetEase through an equity transfer agreement. NetEase | Grasshopper said it would operate independently again from October 1, 2026. AUTOMATON WEST |
| Funding and business support | NetEase said it would provide sufficient development funding and business-planning advice. NetEase | The 2026 statement does not specify a funding arrangement. Video Games Chronicle |
| Creative and production responsibility | Grasshopper retained creative and production responsibility, according to NetEase’s announcement. NetEase | The studio says it wants to make titles in a wider variety of styles; it does not detail internal decision-making arrangements. Video Games Chronicle |
| Publishing | The 2021 announcement did not state a specific publishing arrangement for individual games. NetEase | Grasshopper says improved self-publishing know-how gives it a broad range of options, without naming a publisher for a future game. Video Games Chronicle |
NetEase’s 2021 announcement also set out an ambition to develop three higher-quality Grasshopper games over the following ten years. That was a plan announced at the start of the ownership period; the 2026 statement does not renew or restate it. NetEase
Rank #4
- Day 1 Edition contains a 5.3” x 7.3” softcover 70-page art book, a CD featuring select songs from the soundtrack, and a 7” x 4” Santa Destroy commemorative biker license plate, all in a custom box with an original illustration
- Grow Your Galactic Legend - In classic No More Heroes style, the Galactic Superhero Rankings are packed with outrageous boss battles, each oozing with personality; Soar through the ranks and prove you're the baddest in the universe
- Old Dog, New Tricks - From beam katana boss to wrestling pro, Travis can do it all; Take violence to new extremes with the customizable Death Glove, and punish those deadly invaders with combat that suits your style
- Superheroic Side Hustles - Explore Santa Destroy on Travis’ Demzamtiger to pick up odd jobs, from Coast Guard missions to toilet cleaning, then hit the road to unique locales like Neo Brazil and Thunderdome to keep the cash rolling in
- Bolder, Badder, and Better Than Ever - Thanks to sharper visuals, No More Heroes 3 has never looked better; Add in improved load times and better responsiveness, and you’ll be dishing out eye-popping ultra-violence in no time
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered and Romeo Is a Dead Man are among the titles associated with Grasshopper’s NetEase period, according to AUTOMATON WEST. The studio itself specifically cited the completion of Romeo Is a Dead Man in explaining its decision. AUTOMATON WEST
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Help people in fixing things (repair piping, build and clean up the city)
- Collect awards and tools
- Customize your vehicle - change the wheels, the hood, the bumper, and the painting
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
