About six years ago, Xbox threw its weight behind the idea of reviving Ninja Gaiden, leading to a collaboration with Team Ninja and Platinum Games that resulted in the anticipated resurrection of the series. Phil Spencer, renowned for his leadership at Microsoft Gaming, voiced his excitement over bringing back the Ninja Gaiden franchise. He emphasized Xbox’s burgeoning relationship with Japanese developers, which has only grown stronger. For fans of the series, there’s more on the horizon with both a sequel and a spinoff game expected in 2025, promising a variety of gameplay experiences.
Phil Spencer, who helms Xbox’s parent company Microsoft Gaming, has revealed that the company’s journey towards creating Ninja Gaiden 4 began over six years ago. This upcoming title will serve as the eagerly awaited sequel to 2012’s Ninja Gaiden 3 and is set for release in 2025 across Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
After a thrilling lineup in 2024, capped off with the release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Xbox seems poised to maintain its momentum. As seen during the latest Developer Direct event, Xbox fans were treated to a glimpse of the much-touted Doom: The Dark Ages gameplay alongside major announcements for the Ninja Gaiden franchise. In addition to a surprise launch of a remastered Ninja Gaiden 2 from 2008, developer Team Ninja also lifted the curtain on Ninja Gaiden 4, marking the series’ first mainline entry in 13 years. It seems, however, that at least one of these developments originated from proposals Xbox made years ago.
During a chat on Gamertag Radio, Phil Spencer disclosed that he has been in communication with the developers behind Ninja Gaiden 4—Team Ninja and Platinum Games—for quite some time. He mentioned how Xbox initiated the conversation about creating a new entry in the beloved series “about six or seven years ago.” Spencer is clearly thrilled to finally unveil this long-running project and appreciates the positive fan reactions, calling the experience “fantastic.”
Xbox’s commitment to rejuvenating Ninja Gaiden has played a significant role in its growing collaboration with Japanese developers, a relationship Spencer is particularly proud of. Reflecting on the company’s engagement with studios in Japan, Spencer stated, “I love to see the progress that we’ve made.” While acknowledging there’s still work to be done, he reaffirmed his dedication to strengthening these partnerships.
Fans can look forward to two new Ninja Gaiden titles slated for release in 2025. Apart from the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 4, they can expect Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a spin-off that was spotlighted at The Game Awards 2024. While the remaster and sequel boast cutting-edge graphics, the spinoff game embraces a nostalgic, pixel-based aesthetic.
The much-anticipated return of Ninja Gaiden promises fans a thrilling blend of nostalgia and innovation. Ninja Gaiden 4 is set to redefine the hack and slash genre with its intense gameplay that harmonizes Team Ninja’s established combat style with PlatinumGames’ dynamic approach. Players will wield a mix of classic techniques like the Izuna Drop and new skills aimed at maximizing destruction.
Set in a futuristic Tokyo plagued by an ancient curse, the story centers around Yakumo, a young ninja prodigy. With the legendary Ryu Hayabusa as his ally, Yakumo is tasked with battling cybernetic threats to lift the city’s dark curse, making for an adrenaline-charged narrative.
Scheduled for release in 2025, Ninja Gaiden 4 is positioned to grace the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 platforms, alongside a PC launch, under the banner of Xbox Game Studios. As the release date nears, enthusiasm continues to build among fans eager to dive into this high-stakes, action-packed saga.
