Formally owned by Atari, Dragon Ball has returned to it’s original publisher, Namco Bandai. This is unfortunate for Atari especially considering their current financial situation.

Bandai says that they will have exclusive rights to the Dragon Ball license 5 years beginning in January 2010. Additionally, they will publish the upcoming titles, Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo, Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans and Dragon Ball: Raging Blast.

Does Atari losing one of it’s biggest franchises mark the end for the aging company? I guess we’ll find out.