Dive into the thrilling details of Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, both unveiled at the Xbox Developer Direct 2025. Discover the gameplay innovations and anticipated release dates of these exciting titles.

Ninja Gaiden Games Revealed As Surprise During Xbox Developer Direct 2025

Team Ninja Declares 2025 As The Year Of The Ninja

The Xbox Developer Direct 2025 unveiled two thrilling titles: Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. These games were the eagerly awaited surprise Japanese IP showcased at the event. As Team Ninja celebrates its 30th anniversary, they've declared 2025 as "The Year of the Ninja." Fumihiko Yasuda, the Head of Team Ninja and Ninja Gaiden 4 Producer at Koei Tecmo, expressed his excitement and hopes that fans will embrace the evolution of the series.

Ninja Gaiden 4, developed in collaboration with PlatinumGames, marks the first mainline entry since Ninja Gaiden 3 in 2012. This direct sequel promises to maintain the series' signature challenging yet rewarding gameplay. The reveal at an Xbox event is fitting, given Team Ninja's long history with the platform, including exclusive releases like the Dead or Alive series and Ninja Gaiden 2 on Xbox 360.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Features New Protagonist

Ninja Gaiden 4 introduces a fresh protagonist, Yakumo, a young ninja from the rival Raven clan aspiring to become a Master Ninja. Tomoko Nishii, Art Director at PlatinumGames, shared that the team crafted Yakumo to be a figure who could stand alongside the iconic Ryu Hayabusa, symbolizing the pinnacle of ninja prowess.

Yuji Nakao, Ninja Gaiden 4’s Producer and Director from PlatinumGames, elaborated on the new hero. "Given the time since the last game, we aimed to make the series more accessible with a new protagonist while ensuring that long-time fans enjoy Ryu Hayabusa's significant role in the story, acting as both a challenge and a mentor to Yakumo," Nakao explained. Fans can rest assured that Ryu Hayabusa remains playable, bringing his legendary skills to the forefront of Ninja Gaiden 4.

Ninja Gaiden 4 New Combat Style

Ninja Gaiden 4 will feature exhilarating, fast-paced combat with the brutal intensity fans expect. The game introduces the Bloodbind Ninjutsu Nue Style, complementing Yakumo's Raven Style. Masazaku Hirayama, Director at Team Ninja, stated, "Yakumo’s dual combat styles set him apart from Ryu, yet we are confident that the action will resonate well within the Ninja Gaiden series."

Nakao emphasized the team's commitment to the series' challenging gameplay, enriched with PlatinumGames' signature speed and dynamic expression. With the game currently 70-80% complete and in the polishing phase, Nakao promises more details soon. Yasuda reiterated that Ninja Gaiden 4 remains a true action game at heart, eagerly anticipating fan engagement through hands-on experiences.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Coming Fall 2025

Ninja Gaiden 4 is slated for release in Fall 2025, as announced in the game's trailer. In an Xbox Wire interview, Yasuda shared Team Ninja's long-held desire to revive the series. "The close relationship between Koei Tecmo’s President, Hisashi Koinuma, and PlatinumGames’ CEO, Atsushi Inaba, paved the way for this collaborative effort," Yasuda noted. "PlatinumGames' expertise was exactly what we needed for Ninja Gaiden."

The game will launch on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. You can wishlist it now and visit our [ttpp]Ninja Gaiden 4 page[ttpp] for more details.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Available Now On Multiple Platforms And Xbox Game Pass

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a remake of the 2008 Xbox 360 classic, is now accessible on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5, and is included in Xbox Game Pass. This version introduces additional playable characters like Ayane, Momiji, and Rachel, previously featured in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

The idea for the remake stemmed from feedback during the Ninja Gaiden Master Collection release in 2021, where fans expressed a desire for an experience akin to Ninja Gaiden 2. Yasuda explained, "We wanted to give players something to enjoy while they await Ninja Gaiden 4. This version is designed to appeal to both veterans and newcomers as a current-generation action game."

Explore more about Ninja Gaiden 2 Black on our [ttpp]Ninja Gaiden 2 Black page[ttpp].