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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.
Itadaki explains why Tecmo chose DS instead of PSP
When one looks at the recent installments in the Ninja Gaiden franchise, one finds titles that are intense and full of action, but also look really good. The latest game is even being redone on the PS3, complete with full HD graphics. Considering this, why would the folks at Tecmo choose to bring their action series to the DS and not the PSP (aside from the obvious, what with the DS selling like crazy since launch)? Well, apparently the PSP's technology is what stopped the game from being on Sony's handheld. Well, that and what Itadaki thinks his fans want. "The design philosophy for the PSP as a piece of hardware is a home gaming machine ... If we were gonna make it for PSP, it'd be better for us to make it for a powerful home system instead," Itadaki says. He also says what he thinks his fans want, stating "I think if I were to develop this game on the PSP, most of my fans would be upset." [Via PSP Fanboy]
Itagaki: putting Ninja Gaiden on PSP would upset fans
Team Ninja founder Tomonobu Itagaki has always been known for commentary and behavior that, relative to most of the world, is pretty out there. His latest outlandish claim comes from an interview with GamePro where he explains why we'll likely not see a Sony PSP version of Ninja Gaiden. Itagaki said that the design philosophy for the PSP is akin to that of a home console as opposed to, for example, the Nintendo DS' design as a portable platform. In that mindset, he said, the PSP's goal would be to replicate the home experience. The clincher: "I think if I were to develop this game [Dragon Sword for DS] on the PSP, most of my fans would be upset." Using his same logic, consumers who buy the PSP want games that replicate the home console experience for play wherever they go. So no, we don't think fans would be upset if Itagaki gave them a Ninja Gaiden title that felt and played like its home console brethren -- it's exactly what they would want, in fact. Dragon Sword, with its stylus-driven control scheme, is due out this Autumn. [Via PSP Fanboy]
Stylus slash: Ninja Gaiden explained with helpful video
If you can manage to focus on anything other than the amazing footage in the video after the jump, you might notice that there's a great explanation of the controls in Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword. Stylus controls seem to make sense in this fast-paced title. Need to slash a guy in his face? Then do it. It's just that simple. But it's the gameplay footage that's the real star in this video. Even in demo form -- with easier enemies, apparently -- the game looks stunning, and compared to many DS titles, technically amazing. If Ninja Gaiden can look this good, the possibilities for the DS suddenly seem just short of infinite.
Demonstration: Ninja Gaiden DS stylus controls
Captured at Tecmo's recent "Night Out '07" event in Japan, the above video delves into the control scheme of the upcoming stylish and stylus-driven Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. In what could either be a profoundly intuitive adventure or a fundamentally awkward disaster, series protagonist Ryu Hayabusa is controlled entirely by taps and slashes on the DS touch screen, with blocking being handled by any one of the neglected buttons. The demonstration makes jumping, attacking and flipping out seem pretty simple in the face of multiple enemies, but it's impossible to tell just how accurate and responsive stylus strokes really are. Though it's graphically quite a departure from the Xbox and forthcoming PS3 iterations, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword still manages some impressive character models, no doubt enhanced by the use of scrolling, prerendered backgrounds. Static backdrops open up the (trap)door to camera issues and off-screen attacks, but the angles don't seem to be too obtrusive in the demonstration. Outspoken designer Tomonobu Itagaki's appearance at the end of the clip is at least comforting -- we know he's somewhat of an expert at touching hostile targets.
Ninja Gaiden DS out in Autumn, says Itagaki
It seems those eager to sever limbs and engage in increasingly violent stylus shenanigans still have a fair bit of waiting ahead of them. Speaking to CVG, outspoken and occasionally bonkers designer, Tomonobu Itagaki, has said that he hopes to have Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword done sometime in Autumn. With the DS platform targeting everyone and their grandmother, perhaps solace can be taken in the fact that this most touchy-feely entry in the series is also set to be the easiest. "Relax; I don't planning [sic] on making Ninja Gaiden DS as difficult as the Xbox variants," assures Itagaki. "My first priority is giving everyone the chance to try this innovative new control scheme and enjoy how great it feels to manipulate Hayabusa." When asked if there would be a connection between the portable adventure and the proper console sequel, Ninja Gaiden 2, Itagaki explains that you "may be able to extrapolate some similarities between the two, yes, and not just in the area of story." We'll leave you to extrapolate (hint: both feature a ninja killing things) while we fantasize about how great it feels to manipulate Hayabusa. Before he comes out. In the game.
Ninja Gaiden DS to feature "similarities" with upcoming 360 sequel [update 1]
Apparently, the upcoming Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword isn't going to be as independent as we thought, as it is confirmed in an interview with CVG, by none other than Tomonobu Itagaki himself, that the game will have many similarities with Team Ninja's upcoming Ninja Gaiden sequel set to release on the Xbox 360. Itagaki confirms that not only will observant gamers notice some similarities in the two games' stories, but also in other areas as well (we're assuming some of the levels may repeat, etc.). This news does little to sway our excitement for the game, but what about you, fine reader? Update: Whoops, small typo in the headline. It has been fixed.
