Ninja-Gaiden posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Tecmo sees 'opportunity' in expanding audience, pursuing women

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 28th 2010 at 3:00PM }

Speaking to Edge, Tecmo's Quantum Theory development team had a few things to say about the Japanese game market, expanding its audience and, of course, Quantum Theory. According to producer Yasuo Egawa, the Japanese game market is shrinking, though the global gaming audience is expanding. "We've been trying to target customers who haven't bought Tecmo games before," says Egawa, "specifically women." Given Tecmo's offerings over the last few years, it's hard not to find that just a little hilarious.

Regarding Quantum Theory itself, the company sees the game as its "third pillar" alongside Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. Character designer Hiroyuki Yazaki notes that Quantum Theory is a departure from other shooters thanks to its AI-controlled female sidekick, Filena. Yazaki states that most shooters are "full of men; big, sweaty men," which lead Tecmo to design a "softer character" for the game. Yazaki adds, "We're Tecmo – we're good at female characters!" Again, just a little hilarious.

More Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce media than you can shake a Dragon Sword at

by JC Fletcher { Jan 7th 2010 at 2:45AM }

If you only play games with Ryu Hayabusa in them, then Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce is likely to be your first experience with Koei's historical-ish brawler franchise. If you only play games with the ancient Chinese ruler Fu Xi in them, however, you're likely to be much better versed in the series. In either case, there's a Strikeforce for you: as reported, Fu Xi (and other characters from the Warriors Orochi series) appear in the Xbox 360 version, and Ryu in the PS3 version, both with exclusive missions that grant you the use of their "signature weapon" when completed.

New galleries give you a look at Fu Xi and the extra-beefy crossover ninja. And a new trailer (above) does what it can to get you pumped about Strikeforce, the Dynasty Warriors game with not only characters from other franchises, but giant tigers in it!

Gallery: Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce (Fu Xi)

Gallery: Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce (Ryu)

VC in Brief: Super Smash Bros. (N64) and Ninja Gaiden (Arcade)

by David Hinkle { Dec 21st 2009 at 10:00PM }

What a day for Virtual Console fans. For one, we've got the ultra-aggressive coin-op classic, Ninja Gaiden, to check out. Then, on top of that, the game that spawned one of Nintendo's most beloved franchises: Super Smash Bros. for the N64. If that doesn't put a smile on your face, then you just may be one of the most depressed people on Earth. We suggest consulting a doctor.

Super Smash Bros. (N64, 1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points)
Ninja Gaiden (Arcade, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points)

Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.

NintendoWare Weekly: Super Smash Bros., Ninja Gaiden, Dragon's Lair

by JC Fletcher { Dec 21st 2009 at 10:07AM }

Nintendo announced its 500th downloadable Wii game today, reserving the honor for Super Smash Bros. Or, we suppose, for any of the other Virtual Console or WiiWare games released today. But Nintendo says it's Super Smash Bros., and that certainly seems like a more special way to celebrate a milestone than, say, the arcade version of Ninja Gaiden. See all the WiiWare, Virtual Console, and DSiWare releases after the break.

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European Nintendo downloads: My Zoo, Ninja Gaiden, Rock N' Roll Climber

by JC Fletcher { Nov 13th 2009 at 1:15PM }

Today, on the European Wii Shop, Hudson follows up its surprisingly successful My Aquarium with more animals to take care of. Also on WiiWare, Nintendo's still-weird Balance Board-equipped Rock N' Roll Climber, whose rock-climbing/air-guitar concept, and whose non-standard apostrophe use we'll never get used to.

The big draw for us is the arcade brawler version of Ninja Gaiden, which seems fresh to us after 20 years of dodging eagles in the NES game.

My Zoo (WiiWare, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
Rock N' Roll Climber (WiiWare, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
Ninja Gaiden (Arcade, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
A Little Bit Of .... Nintendo Touch Golf (DSiWare, 800 DSi Points)

Ninja Gaiden crosses over into ZEN Pinball

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 5th 2009 at 8:15PM }

We're not sure how the ZEN Pinball team does it, but they've managed to create another crossover DLC table for the popular PSN pinball game. The follow-up to the Street Fighter table pays tribute to Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden series. The official details will be revealed on the PlayStation.Blog soon, but we're pretty sure it'll be similar to the last DLC offering.

[Thanks, HeavyToka!]

Ninja Gaiden characters to appear in Dynasty Warriors, vice versa

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 23rd 2009 at 4:57PM }

Merged game companies rarely fuse their franchises together, but when the two partnered entities' action-genre focus overlaps as much as Koei and Tecmo's do, inter-brand cameos come naturally. That's why we weren't shocked to hear that Ninja Gaiden's Ryu Hayabusa and Warriors Orochi's Nu Wa would make appearances in the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, respectively, of Dynasty Warriors Multi Raid. In addition, Multi Raiid's Sun Shang Xiang and Zhao Yun will appear as costumes in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

At this rate, we expect the many, many ninjas from Koei and Tecmo's respective properties will soon be thrown into a "ninja pool," which players of any their titles will be able to choose from. For the record, we're strong advocates for this ninja unionization. Fairer wages for our shiruken-slinging brethren!

Video: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 interview (plus: screenshot comparisons)

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 18th 2009 at 1:00PM }

Given an extra year of development, it's no wonder why the Sigma version of Ninja Gaiden 2 is so far improved over the original. The upcoming PS3 exclusive adds a ton of new features, ranging from awesome to downright ridiculous. GamesWire took screenshots of the original Xbox 360 Ninja Gaiden 2 and compared them with the new Sigma edition, noting, "The lighting and textures are just so much better this time around and there's much more detail to be seen now too."

Additionally, the PlayStation.blog took some time (10 minutes, actually) to show off the various features of Sigma. You'll get to see the Ultimate Ninpo in action, as well as an extended look at the new co-op mode -- and yes, you'll even see the franchise's notorious Game Over screen. Check that out after the break.

[Thanks, Jeremy B.!]

Source - Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 - PlayStation 3 vs Xbox 360 Comparison
Source - Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Interview and Walkthrough with Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi

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Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 demo hitting US PSN on Sept. 24

by David Hinkle { Sep 16th 2009 at 11:35AM }

We've just received word from Tecmo that Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2's demo will be gracing the US PSN one week after Japan gets it on September 24. Unfortunately, Tecmo wouldn't offer anything on what the demo would entail; the company did not confirm any co-op for the demo, let alone which part of the game it would take place in. But hey, it's a free demo and we certainly aren't complaining -- mostly because we don't want to be on that Ryu cat's bad side.

You'll shake your head at this Ninja Gaiden ad

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 16th 2009 at 5:45AM }

Tecmo's creative team has certainly been churning out memorable ads for the upcoming PS3 release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. The videos have shifted focus from sex to violence to ... more sex. The latest ad promotes the unique SIXAXIS motion controls exclusive to the PS3 version. Like the stars of this commercial, we're certain you'll be shaking your head -- we'll leave it up to you whether it's in approval or disapproval.

[Thanks, Sean!]

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Tecmo: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 demo in Japan September 17, news on other regions coming 'very soon'

by David Hinkle { Sep 11th 2009 at 5:40PM }

Japanese news site Andriasang reported today that those anxious to wet their sword (or gigantic scythe) with demon blood in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 would get a chance through a demo on September 17. We wanted to find out when other regions would get the demo, as well as what would actually be in the demo (we're crossing our fingers for some ~~booby bouncing~~ co-op gameplay), so we hit up Tecmo.

A Tecmo representative said that, while the company plans to release a demo "very soon in the US, Europe and Japan," there's no guarantee the demo will hit regions outside Japan on September 17. Tecmo did say that we "should have news very, very soon." So, mark very, very soon on your calendars, kids. As for content, Tecmo remained tight-lipped.

While you wait on that demo, you can pass the time ogling the new screens in our gallery below:

Gallery: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (9/11/09)

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 ad takes a stab at liberty

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 9th 2009 at 4:15PM }

And by liberty, we mean the Statue of Liberty. This Japanese ad for Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 finally focuses less on breasts and more on what the series is iconic for: ninja action. A mysterious ninja (with absolutely filthy feet!) scampers around town, until he gets to his surprising goal. It's funny, yes, but the ending will undoubtedly make the mainstream media uncomfortable. "Video games teach kids to be terrorists" on CNN? "New PS3 game hates America" on FOX News? We can totally see it happening.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 has the breast use of SIXAXIS ever

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 9th 2009 at 12:00PM }

Ever since the fall of Lair, Sony has been reluctant to tout the SIXAXIS functionality of the PS3 wireless controller. It's no longer a marketing bullet point, and even if developers offer support for motion control, it's usually turn off as a default. (Most recently, Batman: Arkham Asylum let players use SIXAXIS to control Batman's glide.)

While other developers ignore the SIXAXIS, Team Ninja isn't afraid to highlight its unique implementation of motion controls. In the first Ninja Gaiden Sigma game, players were able to cast magic by shaking the controller violently. This time around, the shaking has an entirely different (but equally important!) effect. You probably should have figured it out from the headline and IGN's cleverly constructed image. If not, there's a video after the break.

[Thanks, Sean!]

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ESRB reveals Ninja Gaiden, Rygar, Solomon's Key on Virtual Console Arcade

by JC Fletcher { Aug 14th 2009 at 4:00PM }

If you, like us, were jealous of the Japanese release of the arcade Ninja Gaiden game on Virtual Console, you can dry your ninja eyes (just pull up the front of the ninja mask and dab with that). The ESRB reveals that Tecmo is planning a North American release of the arcade brawler.

Tecmo isn't stopping with Gaiden, either: further ESRB listings have appeared for arcade versions of both Rygar and Solomon's Key (which will be released in Japan next week). Oddly, the company's other upcoming Japanese VC release, Bomb Jack, is absent from the ESRB list.

At the very least, we can all be happy that these are video games that someone wants to release on the Virtual Console.

[Via Siliconera]

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 limited edition is HMV exclusive in Europe

by JC Fletcher { Aug 10th 2009 at 10:35AM }

The announcement of the European version of the Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 limited edition, releasing on October 2, reveals bonuses mostly identical to the North American version -- by which we mean "that one book." The Ninja Gaiden Treasury , as it's called, includes the same strategy guide, comic, and art sections advertised with the American release, though Tecmo Koei Europe offers a bit more detail about it. The comic, for example, is a "prologue comic" designed by Team Ninja. The downloadable costume is also part of the LE.

Europe's version includes one thing the American release doesn't: a complete soundtrack. Other than that, it's identical -- right down to the exclusivity to a single retailer. The Sigma 2 limited edition will only be sold at HMV, for £39.99, though Tecmo's announcement says the RRP is £49.99.