Team Ninja has been developing games since the mid-90s, starting with the ongoingDead or Alivefighting game series. In 2004, Team Ninja released theNinja Gaidenreboot, bringing a classic 2D action game to 3D and rebooting a franchise that had been dormant for eight years.
TheNinja Gaidenreboot series was a big success at first, but things fell off the rails and there hasn’t been a new game in the series for quite some time. But even thoughNinja Gaidenis once again on a lengthy hiatus andTeam Ninja is not working on a newNinja Gaidengame, now is really the perfect time to bring the franchise back from the dead (again).
Here is why it’s time for a newNinja Gaidengame.
Ninja Gaiden 3 Was Nine Years Ago
From 1988 to 1995,Ninja Gaidengames released on a fairly regular basis. During this era, the most popularNinja Gaidengames were quite easily the original trilogy on the Nintendo Entertainment System, often hailed as some of the best 2D action games ever made for the platform. Unfortunately forNinja Gaidenfans, the franchise then went dormant from 1996 to 2003, finally making a massive comeback in 2004.
In 2004, Team Ninja, led byfamed developer Tomonobu Itagaki, released aNinja Gaidenreboot, serving as a prequel to the original games. Released as an Xbox exclusive game, theNinja Gaidenreboot was a huge success and succeeded in revitalizing the franchise. Its popularity ensured that newNinja Gaidengames were once again released consistently from the 2004 to 2014, with new main series games, spin-offs, enhanced re-releases, and more.
Ninja Gaiden’s momentum was going strong, with 2008’sNinja Gaiden 2also proving to be a hit with fans, and the spin-off gameNinja Gaiden: Dragon Swordon the Nintendo DS earning strong reviews as well. TheNinja Gaiden Sigmagameswere also relatively well-received by the community, and Ryu Hayabusa had his profile boosted by his appearances in other games, like theDead or Alivefighting game series, for instance.
However, 2012 saw the release ofNinja Gaiden 3without Itagaki at the helm, and the result was a game that was not well-received by critics or fans. TheNinja Gaiden 3release was improved somewhat when it wasre-released asNinja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, but the damage had basically been done at that point, hurting the franchise’s near-spotless reputation.
The final nail in the coffin for theNinja Gaidenreboot series wasYaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z, which released in 2014. A zombie spin-off of theNinja Gaidenfranchise,Yaibawas panned by critics and is considered by many to be the worst game in the series to date.
It’s been nine years since the launch of the last main series game and seven years since the launch of the lastNinja Gaidenspin-off game. Needless to say, fans are well overdue for a new game in theNinja Gaidenseries.
A Chance to Reboot
While someNinja Gaidenfans are undoubtedly disappointed with how long it’s been between entries, this does represent a unique opportunity for the franchise. Similarly to how theNinja Gaidenfranchise was rebooted after its previous hiatus, it can be rebooted yet again. This way, theNinja Gaidenseries can divorce itself from the storyline of both the reboot series and the NES originals and try something completely different.
A reboot would also allow theNinja Gaidenfranchise to wipe the slate clean, putting the poorly-receivedNinja Gaiden 3andYaiba: Ninja Gaiden Zgames well behind it to focus on its future.
New Hardware
The last main seriesNinja Gaidengame wasNinja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, which released in 2012 for the PlayStation 3, Wii U, and Xbox 360. An entire console generation has come and gone since that game’s release, with no new main seriesNinja Gaidengame released for the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One during their lifespans. Video game technology has advanced significantly since then, with the next-generation consoles the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X now available.
A newNinja Gaidengame would presumably be aiming for release on the PS5 and Xbox Series X, meaning that there could be a massive power leap betweenNinja Gaiden 3and the new game. This would allow the newNinja Gaidengame to feel truly fresh, employing brand new gameplay mechanics that weren’t possible on previous consoles while also improving the graphics significantly.
These Types of Games Are Still Popular
TheNinja Gaidenreboot games fit in the “extreme combat action game” category innovated by Capcom’sDevil May Cry. These types of character-driven games may not be quite as prevalent as they once were, but they are still incredibly popular to this day. One just has to look at the success of Sony’sGod of Warfranchise for proof, as well asCapcom’sDevil May Cry 5, which was one of 2019’s highest-rated and best-selling games.
With this genre of games still popular in the gaming community, a newNinja Gaidengame could appeal to that audience, especially since there are far fewer games like it released when compared to a decade ago. Despite the strong sales these games enjoy, there are hardly any major new games in this genre currently announced, with one of the only ones that comes to mind being the Nintendo Switch exclusive gameBayonetta 3.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Crossover
Rumors have persisted for some time thatRyu Hayabusa is joining theSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateroster. When one considers the longevity of theNinja Gaidenfranchise, how it was popularized on the NES, and Nintendo’s long history working with Team Ninja, Hayabusa really seems like a perfect fit for the crossover fighting game. Nothing official has been announced to date, but if Ryu Hayabusa is coming toSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateas rumored, a newNinja Gaidengame could really capitalize on that momentum.
