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Itagaki says Dragon Sword is halfway complete
Tomonobu Itagaki has been a busy man, ever since he revealed his fan favorite franchise Ninja Gaiden would be seeing an iteration on the DS in Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword and a sequel on the Xbox 360. He's conducted lots of interviews about the DS game since then, answering the same question as to why he chose the DS over the PSP over and over again. Aside from the almost God-like status he enjoys in the gaming industry, he's quite the unlucky guy. Aside from the quote where he says the game is 50% complete, he also comments on one of our concerns about the handheld title: the elaborate and breathtaking environments. Team Ninja is striving to meet those expectations on the portable platform. Not only that, but the handheld's lead programmer was almost single-handedly responsible for the fighting engine in both Dead or Alive 4 and the first Ninja Gaiden.
New DS trailer blowout!
The non-disclosure agreements have just expired on what was shown at last week's Nintendo of America Media Summit; naturally, within seconds the Internet has become flooded with information about new games. Rather than post each trailer individually, we've decided to embed the newest DS trailers from this event into one roundup post-- because we're Bloggin' Cowboys! Above, obviously, is a new trailer for Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. Check after the break for brand new material on Mario Party DS, Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings, EA Playground, Professor Layton, and Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker.
Ninja Gaiden's REAL Ultimate Scanned Power!!!!
Why, hello there, Ryu Hayabusa. It's been a while since we've seen you outside of the same old recycled screens. We were starting to worry, but here you are again, looking very, uh ... ninja-ish. And awesome. Did we mention that? Our favorite ninja hero was featured in the latest (Chinese?) Famitsu and we were treated to a beautiful two-page spread that reminded us why we must get our hands on this title as soon as possible. But it's not just the look -- it's everything, particularly the creative, no-frills approach Team Ninja is taking with the handheld installment. While we dream of action and adventure, trip gaily past the break and check out the scans for yourself.
Itagaki speaks his mind in this two-part video interview
Itagaki was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule of making great games and shopping for leather to speak with GameTrailers about Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. Of course, they grilled him on just why he would go with the DS instead of the PSP (how many times must this man answer this question?!), but kept the piece interesting by sprinkling gameplay footage throughout the videos. Hit up the second part of the video interview past the post break.
Itagaki sits down for a chat with Joystiq
Our cruel overlords at Joystiq recently got to sit down with gaming icon Tomonobu Itagaki (we hope they brought him gifts of leather and booze). We imagine it only took him mere minutes to sexually assault the interviewing blogger (hawt!), before calmly putting his clothes back on, sitting down calmly and lighting up a smoke. Following that horrible piece of mental imagery, Itagaki and Joystiq's confrontation at the offices of Team Ninja were nothing of the sort. In fact, it was quite casual and professional ... er, as professional as one can be during an interview with one of the most outspoken and blunt members of the gaming industry. And, Itagaki did not fail to be just that while conducting this interview. The focus of the interview mainly revolved around his project for the DS, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. He speaks about why multiplayer wasn't implemented, the pros and cons of a stylus-driven control scheme and even the possibility of bringing other Team Ninja titles to the platform.
Joystiq interviews Team Ninja's Tomonobu Itagaki
It's not too long into our interview with Tomonobu Itagaki before he issues us with an impromptu challenge. "If there's a game out there that is more beautiful, more interactive, faster and has better action than this game, please let me know." The Team Ninja boss has a train of thought that truly exemplifies the bluntest characteristics of that phrase. It's an unstoppable machine barreling down a track without diversion and without apologies -- because it's a train. We conducted (oh dear) an interview with the outspoken developer at the Team Ninja offices shortly after the Tokyo Game Show, focusing on the aforementioned title, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. After the break, you'll find Itagaki's concise thoughts on Dragon Sequels, dual-screen slashing, how the competition stacks up and why multiplayer Ninja Gaiden might just piss you off.
Itagaki: DS is a chance to do something totally original
While Itagaki has spoken about his feelings regarding the PSP and DS in the past, he has gone all out in his latest interview with Gamasutra. See, if he was just going to make a game on the PSP, he could've just made a PS2 game instead. No, to him, the user input is integral in creating a unique and lasting experience. Enter the DS, where the stylus-driven combat of Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword is exactly what Itagaki was referring to. While the graphics might not be up to par for those who've enjoyed his games of late, Itagaki claims that the controls should more than make up for it. It's an incredible interview, one that you should read immediately.
TGS07: The Ninja Gaiden stylus lets you murder your DS
GayGamer's Fruit Brute just posted a picture of the styli he picked up in Tokyo while in town for TGS. Of special interest is the promotional Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword stylus, which he received at a Tecmo party. It's a little sword! With a scabbard and everything. Sure, poking at the touch screen with a plastic finger is okay, but the idea that we could advance through Elite Beat Agents by repeatedly stabbing and slicing at the title characters is disturbingly irresistible. Wait, that came out wrong. We can, and quite frequently do, resist the urge to stab fictional characters.
TGS07: Joystiq goes hands-on with Dragon Sword
As an Itagaki junkie (something we admit we are, as well), Joystiq's Ludwig Kietzmann could barely contain himself as he approached the booth seen above for Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. At least, that's what we imagine given the fact that we are not there with him. Actually, we think about the little guy a lot. Maybe even too much. But, onto the game! As he played it, he found that the stylus-driven controls of the game worked surprisingly well (our greatest fear has dissolved into the ether). The ease-of-use comes with a price, however. Ryu's move list has been incredibly simplified, as his graceful and wide range of attacks found in his latest console offerings is without representation here. We're glad to report that he found nothing else of conflict with the title.
TGS hands-on: Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword
Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword makes for quite the unusual spun-off spokesperson for Team Ninja's flip-out-and-kill-people sim. It exuberantly gushes about frenetic action and superhuman agility, but when you aren't looking, it lounges about in the kitchen sipping herbal tea and playing Sudoku. It's simultaneously an excellent and poor example of what Ninja Gaiden stands for, a strange mixture brought about by placing a decidedly hard-edged experience on a system widely known for its casual lures. For the most part, it seems to work surprisingly well. Constructing a fast-paced action game entirely upon stylus strokes might lead you to think that victory hinges on furiously scratching your screen, but Dragon Sword's inputs are distinct and responsive enough to render battle a calm and intuitive affair. Well, as calm as you can be when being assailed by clawed freaks, disgruntled dragons and, in one instance, a steady stream of menacing boulders.
Dragon Sword scans show off boss fights, art
Well, we're assuming they're boss characters based on how large they are and the descriptions for fighting them. Still, as we've said before, anything we can get our grubby little hands on involving Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword will not only make our day, but make our week. Seriously, we can't wait to get our hands on this game! Head past the break for the scans. %Gallery-4937%
Ryu Hayabusa demands a few minutes of your time
IGN has uploaded an impressive direct-feed video of Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword. And, seriously, we need this game. It looks like it could provide us with some top-notch action on our handheld of choice. We won't waste any more time describing just how awesome this footage is (beautiful, amazing, wonderful) and will instead point you past the post break for the goods.
Ninja Gaiden returns to the series' roots with awesome interstitials
Whether this is intentional or not, Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword is bridging the classic NES Ninja Gaiden games with the newer Xbox/PS3 game. Not necessarily in terms of gameplay, as, except for the stylus control, this looks to play a lot like the Xbox game, but rather, in presentation. The NES Ninja Gaiden got noticed in 1989 in part because of its brilliant anime-style cutscenes. Dragon Sword relies on the same kind of device to tell its story, using startlingly well-drawn comic panels to tell the epic story of whatever the excuse is this time for Ryu Hayabusa to slash at people and monsters with a big sword. It was probably a space-saving decision to use still images to replace full-motion video, and, judging by the results, it was a good one.
Itagaki speaks with Joystiq
It's no secret that we love Tomonobu Itagaki. Just about every game he has been a part of creating has been excellent in our eyes. So, every time he speaks, we listen. That's just the way it goes. And his latest interview, with big poppa site Joystiq, is no exception. Itagaki speaks about Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword and the choice to bring it to the DS. Apparently, he didn't do it because the DS sells like 24K gold hotcakes or because he believes it to be a superior system to the PSP (hint: he does), but because of his children. Yup, his kids wanted a game on the DS, so he obliged. The remainder of the interview focuses on his other projects at the moment, which are for other platforms, but we suggest you read it anyway.
Itagaki's kids want a Wii game
There may be brutally difficult action in the future for the Wii. Joystiq's Kevin Kelly recently interviewed Team Ninja's outspoken leader, Tomonobu Itagaki about his recent games and future plans. Kelly asked about the possibility of a Wii game now that Team Ninja's got a DS game in the works, and Itagaki revealed that his decision to make Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword was based on input from an exclusive focus group: his own children. "We're doing a lot of research, that's about all I can say right now. Although, to add on that note, my kids have been saying they want a game for the Wii. To tell you the truth, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, that's because my kids were asking for one of my titles to be on the DS." We already know that Itagaki's been thinking about Wii games, as has Ninja Gaiden Sigma's Yusuke Hayashi, so this is just further reinforcement of the possibility. Itagaki's kids must have some skillz if Ninja Gaiden games are being designed for them. The good news is that, if Team Ninja is designing what appears to be a real action game in response to these kids, there's a good chance that the Wii game will be similarly hardcore.
Joystiq interview: DOA creator Tomonobu Itagaki, "Tekken sucks"
We caught up with Tomonobu Itagaki at the recent Championship Gaming Series North American World Series Final (try printing that on a hat) in Manhattan Beach recently, and we asked him a few questions. Although he'd had a few beers, we didn't get him to pin down a date or a console for Ninja Gaiden 2, curse you weak American beer! Yes, he was wearing his patent black leather jacket and sunglasses, and no he didn't take them off. Even when it got dark. They might be permanently welded to his face at this point. While he's known for being outspoken and critical to the extreme (especially if your game has the word Tekken in the title), when we asked him about Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, he actually handed over his DS to us and let us play through an early build of the game, more on that soon.
All the Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword details you need (for now)
We've seen a lot on Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, from screenshots to helpful tips on how to control the action, but one burning question remained: how is it? Is it as awesome as a game from Team Ninja should be? Game Daily offered a breakdown of all the elements, and it really seems like this one is coming together in what promises to be an explosive experience on the DS. The folks at Game Daily had only good things to say about the forthcoming title, from the smooth graphics to the controls, and even down to the puzzle elements. It seems this handheld Ninja Gaiden is set to use every ounce of the DS to its advantage. Sign us up for two copies, please. Considering the game is slated for release this year, we hope someone gets their hands on it soon for a more in-depth look, but for now, we'll have to be happy with what we've got. %Gallery-4937%
An updated peek at Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword
Oh, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, how we wish you were out already. Like, yesterday. And then delivered to our doorstep wrapped in pretty pink bows, along with an IV filled with espresso, ready to power us through long gaming sessions. Or maybe that's just our own twisted personal fantasy. What can we say -- we're ready for some handheld Ninja Gaiden action, and this version is just as it should be: no frills, all thrills. For now, we'll just have to settle for sweet new screenshots. Check 'em out in the gallery! %Gallery-4937%
Itagaki speaks, we listen
Whether it's dealing with sexual harassment lawsuits or drinking on the job, Itagaki is always a man that is interesting to hear from. This latest video interview is no different, as Itagaki explains how Hayabusa in Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword is the fastest Hayabusa to date, allowing the player to move him around the game environments quickly using the stylus and touch-screen. Catch the video after the post break.
Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword: no multiplayer, no mic gimmicks
Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword sounds cool; and by cool we mean totally sweet. Game Informer got a chance to play an early version, and they had a great time slashing ninjas and dragon bosses with cool stylus moves, and smashing the face buttons to block. Players will not be able to flip out and kill their friends in-game, as there will be no multiplayer functionality. Team Ninja's larger-than-life Tomonobu Itagaki cited potential issues with "speed and precision on the controls and trying to get it to work" as reasons they didn't pursue online play. On a much happier note, players will not be forced to embarrass themselves in public by blowing on their game systems. Team Ninja considered a microphone gimmick involving yelling, but decided there would be enough going on. That's fine. We're officially tired of the microphone gimmick.
