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Watch Sigma 2-exclusive Momiji slash up some ninjas

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 3rd 2009 at 11:00AM }

You've probably read the laundry list of all the things that are new to the PS3-exclusive version of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. Among the list of three new playable characters is Momiji, first introduced in Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword on Nintendo DS. Check out the footage after the break and watch as a proficient player (ie. not us) slashes through a horde of ninjas -- and don't miss her sweet bow & arrow.

We're still a bit miffed that his version is missing the gore that made the original Ninja Gaiden 2 notorious. Guess we'll have to stick with this improved -- and artsier -- version.

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Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 box art revealed, Only For PlayStation

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 26th 2009 at 3:00PM }

Click to see the PS3 box in high resolution.

My, my how things have changed. The former Xbox 360-exclusive Ninja Gaiden 2 is now the PS3-exclusive Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. Is this the first game that's been able to wear the "Only On" stickers for both the PS3 and 360? Perhaps. While Sigma 2 may be an enhanced port of the original Ninja Gaiden 2, it features a number of new features that are, as the box says, "only on PlayStation."

Most exciting of the new features are the new playable characters: Ninja Gaiden's Rachel, Dead or Alive's Ayane, and Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword's Momiji. The PS3 version will also feature a new online co-op mode not found in the original that lets you and a friend take on ten different stages. Finally, the game is touting "variable AI," which allows "the gameplay [to differ] each time you appear in a level as enemies engage in a variety of different actions as they assess the situation." Whatever that means.

Gallery: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2

Tecmo/Koei crossover games possible [update]

by JC Fletcher { Jun 18th 2009 at 12:55PM }

According to what Gigazine claims to be scans from the Nikkei Corporate Quarterly (a book that provides snapshots of information about Japanese companies), the new Tecmo Koei Holdings is planning to combine IP in at least one new game.

Andriasang translated the relevant blurb: "New Games: Will release games that combine Tecmo and Koei titles. The aim is to reach fans of both." The identity (or number) of games, and the identity of the titles that Tecmo and Koei plan to merge are unknown, which means we can amuse ourselves briefly by coming up with our own, like Dead or Alive: Xtreme Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Rygar's Ambition, Dynasty Monster Ranchers, Gitaroo-Man Gaiden Sigma, and Mighty Bomb Genghis Khan.

We've checked in with the North American branches of both Koei and Tecmo in an effort to find any additional details about the plan.

[Update: Tecmo declined to comment, indicating that the US office didn't know any more than we did about this.]

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 trailer is wet and wild

by David Hinkle { Jun 1st 2009 at 11:15PM }

Tecmo once again proves that sex sells through its latest trailer for Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. Rachel, the buxom, barely clothed hammer-wielding warrior returns in this trailer, putting evil demons in their place during a rain storm. It's like a Sports Illustrated swimsuit shoot without the beaches and heavy breathing.

Okay, maybe some heavy breathing.

Shocker: Team Ninja to work on more Ninja Gaiden games

by Griffin McElroy { May 16th 2009 at 2:30PM }

For those of you curious whether a game development studio named Team Ninja would continue to create exclusively ninja-based games, you can now rest easy. In a recent interview with Kikizo, Team Ninja's (relatively) new Commander-in-Chief, Yosuke Hayashi, confirmed that Team Ninja would continue to work towards "the future of an outstanding series." Said series being, of course, Monster Rancher. Or, wait, no -- Ninja Gaiden. Yeah, that one.

Hayashi explained the demand for a Ninja Gaiden III had reached a fever pitch, claiming, "what the consumers, the gamers are looking for is going to be the next chapter," and, "that we're in a position of being able to make that call, and to provide pure entertainment that's going to be enjoyed by action gamers and our fans." Hopefully we'll find out more about the series' future when we sit down with Hayashi at E3 in two weeks (and some change).

VC/WiiWare Tuesday: Phantasy World of Goo

by JC Fletcher { Apr 21st 2009 at 11:00AM }

Today would be an incredible day on the Japanese Wii Shop even if World of Goo weren't debuting. In addition to one of the best games on Wii, the Virtual Console is updated with four high-quality titles. In fact, Phantasy Star alone would ensure that today was a winner. It's hard to imagine a better deal than Phantasy Star for just 600 Wii Points.

Other VC games available in Japan today include Castlevania 3 (awesome), the PC Engine version of the NES Ninja Gaiden (quite the curiosity!) and an arcade rail shooter from Namco Bandai. The other WiiWare game, and basically the only unknown property, is Hajitte! Block Rush, which looks like a radial Breakout in which the paddle is in the middle of the screen. We'd try that!

Virtual Console:

Akumajou Densetsu (Castlevania 3) (Famicom, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
Phantasy Star (Master System, 1 player, 600 Wii Points)
Ninja Ryukenden (Ninja Gaiden) (PC Engine, 1 player, 600 Wii Points)
Starblade (Arcade, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)

WiiWare:

Hajitte! Block Rush (1 player, 500 Wii Points)
World of Goo (1-4 players, 1,500 Wii Points)

Team Ninja 'bored' of hyper violence, wants Gaiden to evolve

by Xav de Matos { Apr 10th 2009 at 4:00PM }

Team Ninja wants Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 to be "sleek and sexy," rather than focused on ultra violence, a major selling point for the original Xbox 360 sequel. Speaking with CVG, Sigma 2 producer and director Yosuke Hayashi said the team working on the upcoming PlayStation 3 revamp wants to shy away from retreading the waters of the Xbox version because the team is "kind of egoistic" and gets "bored with the same continuous concept."

That doesn't mean Hayashi wants to turn Sigma 2 into Flower, but that the team would rather pursue a different direction for the franchise and "start evolving this game." As long as the first piece of the evolutionary Ninja Gaiden puzzle is a working camera, we're all in.

Majora's Mask, Phantasy Star on Japanese Virtual Console in April

by JC Fletcher { Mar 27th 2009 at 1:00PM }

Wow! This has been a really great week to be a Nintendo fan. It's been a really great week to be a Virtual Console fan in particular -- when was the last time we could say something like that? The week has just gotten a lot better with the release of the list of upcoming Virtual Console releases for Japan.

Why? Two reasons. First: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Like Ocarina of Time, it costs a painful 1,200 Wii Points -- and like Ocarina of Time, it will probably drop to the usual 1,000 in North America. Second, and possibly even more exciting: Phantasy Star! The Sega Master System RPG masterpiece is also coming to the Virtual Console. Maybe it's not a big deal to those of you with Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, but personally, it's awesome news.

We fully expect to see both of these games in North America soon. Neither SMS games nor N64 games seem to take long to make it overseas. Also of interest: Hudson's PC Engine port of the NES Ninja Gaiden. And the arcade version of Space Invaders, which marks the third time the "original" Space Invaders has been released on VC.

The full list is after the break.

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GDC09:�Tecmo talks Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 DLC, exclusivity, 'loss of face'

by Christopher Grant { Mar 25th 2009 at 3:00AM }

At Tecmo's totally super secret game unveiling (yeah, it was Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2) at the soon-to-be-no-more PlayStation Store in San Francisco, Joystiq got the opportunity to ask Team Ninja's fresh new face, Yosuke Hayashi (who, with his buttoned-down appearance, can be thought of as the Richie Cunningham to Itagaki's Fonzie) some hard-hitting questions.

First up, the 800-lb ninja in the room: Is Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 "a loss of face for everyone involved," as Itagaki said it would be? Hayashi-san carefully sidestepped directly addressing Itagaki's inflammatory remark, instead focusing on the game's development origins. As if to defuse Itagaki's pre-release remark, Hayashi explained though a translator, "Development began only after we read and heard about fan feedback ... after Ninja Gaiden 2 came out last summer." To add some street cred, he explained that the game's development team was "comprised of the Ninja Gaiden 2 team as well as the [original Ninja Gaiden] Sigma team."

As for DLC, we broached the topic two ways. First, will the PS3 release have any? Hiyashi said they were "very serious about coming up with new content to be available as DLC" and that he hopes to share "more details soon." And second, can current owners of Ninja Gaiden 2 on Xbox 360 expect to find any of the new enhancements – notably the "refined camera" and new multiplayer co-op functionality – available as DLC in the future? Hiyashi didn't need the translation for this one. Sorry, early adopters, but Tecmo's "ultimate" Ninja Gaiden experience is "only on PlayStation."

Gallery: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2

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Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 coming this fall, new info March 25

by Randy Nelson { Mar 18th 2009 at 10:00PM }

We knew it was coming -- Tecmo has just made official Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (though our photochopped "logo" is admitedly far from legit). According to a release issued by the publisher, the game is set to hit North America and Japan this fall, with a European debut to follow.

More details on the spruced-up PS3 version of Team Ninja's befitting ninja action game are coming next Wednesday, March 24. Joystiq will be on-hand at the Sigma sequel's Game Developers Conference unveiling, being held at the Metreon's soon-to-be-closed PlayStation Store in San Francisco, CA.

Famitsu reveals Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 for PS3

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Mar 17th 2009 at 7:30AM }

Though Ryu Hayabusa and his reckless vendetta against all manner of attached limbs might be contrary to the more ... subtle approaches employed by a traditional ninja, we don't recall anybody complaining too vehemently while they were jumping off a wall and decapitating a hundred demonic spider things. According to a recent issue of Japanese mag Famitsu, PlayStation 3 owners are set to get another taste of Team Ninja's action franchise, in the form of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

Much like the original Sigma reworked the Xbox's Ninja Gaiden (to former Team Ninja designer Tomonobu Itagaki's chagrin), Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 appears to be a modified version of the Xbox 360's Ninja Gaiden 2. Images depict several familiar environments and characters, along with some new shots of Dead or Alive's Ayane, who may be a playable character.

Expect more details to be formally announced over the next week, including confirmation on whether this is "a loss of face for everyone involved." We certainly expect monster faces to get the worst of it.

[Thanks, Robert]

Real Ultimate Buying Power today on Amazon [update]

by JC Fletcher { Dec 31st 2008 at 4:15PM }

"One skilled in the art of stealth -- Nintendo DS". That's the hint Amazon is offering for a Gold Box deal that will go up today at 6PM PST. We don't know the exact identity of the offer, but we can speculate!

Our guess is Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, which just happens to be one of the best games of 2008. What a delight it would be to get it at one of the best prices of 2008! Other ninja-related games we can think of offhand include N+ (another honoree!), Ninjatown (wow, a lot of ninja games in our top 10), Tenchu: Dark Secret (not so great), various Naruto releases, the Izunas, Ninja Reflex, and Taito's Legend of Kage 2 -- which you can get for cheap right now.

[Update: it's Ninjatown for $20!]

Top 5: RETRO REVIVAL PLZ!

by Kaes Delgrego { Sep 15th 2008 at 11:46AM }

As the release of Mega Man 9 looms closer, the so-called "old school gamers" are about 17 pixels away from exploding out of their skin with anticipation. This is the retro gamer equivalent of a "Phan" witnessing a Phish reunion. The kid inside all of us, having been smothered behind flabby beer guts for years, is beginning to crawl towards the surface. I imagine there's quite a few younger gamers who scratch their heads at all of the love for comparatively prehistoric graphics and gameplay. However, if one were to wipe off the thick coat of nostalgia emblazoned onto the games of long ago, they'd often find enjoyable and satisfying titles. They're not definitively better or worse; just different from much of what is released today. Some prefer that, and they're hungry for more.

The biggest hurdle for those folks is commercial success. Not too long ago, retro revivals were rarely considered serious. After all, it would be silly to have Mega Man 9 released on a retail DVD disc. Yet with the success of downloadable services, the floodgates are now blown wide open. The slightly less hyped but similarly retro-themed Gradius: Rebirth was just released in Japan, and cowboy hat-clad developer Igarashi has stated that he's "very much looking into [WiiWare]." Perhaps the style of retro gaming is seeping into the bloodstream of major retail releases. Despite the beautiful hand-drawn graphics and cutscenes of Wario Land: Shake It!, the gameplay is heavily grounded in 2D. Perhaps we're experiencing a retro-renaissance, if I may quote Mr. Greenhough.

With this in mind, here's a few more dusty franchises we're nominating to be reborn through the birth canal of Nintendo's online service (wow, gross). These range from the unexpected to painfully obscure, so don't be offended if your favorite was not included. A small note: I excluded some IPs due to either a retro-esque presence on the GBA/DS or because they are likely destined for WiiWare. These include Mario, Castlevania, Contra and Metroid.

NEXT >>

The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.

Devil May Cry director hearts God of War, Ninja Gaiden not so much

by Randy Nelson { Sep 4th 2008 at 9:30PM }

There was a time – when he was working at Capcom, creating the likes of Resident Evil 2, Devil May Cry, and Viewtiful Joe – that Hideki Kamiya didn't say much. In fact, he hated doing interviews. Something's changed, because now that he's at Platinum Games, the historically low-key director is letting his true feelings out – about action games, at least.

Speaking to EGM, Kamiya said that, "I've never played Ninja Gaiden, and to be honest, I'm not that interested." Itagaki could not be reached for comment on whether or not he felt that epic burn.

So, what does the master designer actually like? God of War. "There's one game that I am paying really close attention to, that I think is a rival game, a good game, which is called God of War 3," he revealed, boasting, "I want to make a game that exceeds God of War's sequel." That game, he hopes, is his next: Bayonetta. In particular, Kamiya credits Sony's series with being "Very carefully made," saying, "Devil May Cry was a bit rough, but I think that there's no roughness in God of War." Pretty nice words, eh, Mr. Jaffe?

Square Enix proposes Tecmo buyout

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Aug 29th 2008 at 11:30AM }

It seems Dead Fantasy might just becomes a living reality after all. Square Enix has announced its intention to purchase a majority stake in Tecmo, the Japanese company which recently bid farewell to both its president and most recognizable rockstar developer. As detailed in a press release issued this morning (via IGN), the house that built Final Fantasy (and vice versa) is offering Tecmo shareholders a 30% premium over the company's closing price on August 28th. If successful, the deal would see Tecmo fall under Square Enix Holdings, while retaining its brand and corporate structure.

Yoichi Wada, president of Square Enix, expressed hope that both developers would benefit from the deal, with the RPG maker gaining some inspiration from Tecmo's expertise in the action genre. Presumably, the folks at Tecmo would gain some pointers on in-game cameras in return.

We'll let you know what happens as soon as the suits are done talking.