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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]
Itadaki says PSP too powerful for Ninja Gaiden
We're certainly impressed by Team Ninja's upcoming DS Ninja Gaiden game. But why is a hardcore 3D action game being developed for Nintendo's admittedly weaker handheld, especially when it comes from the typically technology-savvy team at Team Ninja? GamePro questioned the infamously opinionated Tomonobu Itagaki on why they avoided the PSP platform. "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," he said. The PSP can display console-quality graphics, unlike the DS. It seems as though Itagaki would be far more interested in creating a new game for a home console rather than a portable, especially if it would take a similar amount of effort. Puzzlingly, he believes that hardcore gamers wouldn't want a Ninja Gaiden game to appear on Sony's handheld. "I think if I were to develop this game on the PSP, most of my fans would be upset." Sorry to prove you wrong Itagaki, but we're more than a little upset that you think that way.
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.
Ninja Gaiden DS and 360 "similarities"
Speaking to CVG, Team Ninja head honcho, Tomonobu Itagaki, revealed a teeny tiny little tidbit about the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 2. Those of you who venture outside the safe and comforting walls of X3F may have heard that Ninja Gaiden is making its way to the Nintendo DS. Cleverly titled Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword (get it? Dragon Sword?), the game utilizes the stylus to pull off all of Ryu's sick ninja moves. When asked about possible similarities between Dragon Sword and Ninja Gaiden 2, Itagaki responded, "Well... I am personally overseeing the development of everything from the story through to the gameplay elements for both games, so if you're observant you may be able to extrapolate some similarities between the two, yes, and not just in the area of story." We're assuming that Ninja Gaiden 2 won't magically turn any HDTV into a touch screen, so it's likely that the two games will share some other gameplay related features. We have no idea what those would be, and Ninja Gaiden: DS doesn't arrive until the end of this year, so we'll have quite a while to guess. Any ideas?
Footage from the Ninja Gaiden press event
Remember that press event where Tecmo gave us our first glimpse of Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword? Sure you do, wasn't so long ago, but we were only able to gawk at some stills from the event. Well, that is no more as the folks at Game Brink have uploaded video from the event, giving us all a better look at how fluid and graceful the end product is sure to be. As usual, check out the video past the post break.
Direct feed Ninja Gaiden screens
We found some non-scanned screenshots of Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword on Tecmo's website, and we are officially convinced. It looks great. The DS isn't exactly the most powerful system for 3D, but this does a pretty good job of making things look like real things and not piles of jaggies. The graphics actually recall the look and color scheme of the Xbox Gaiden well enough for us to maybe give the stylus-based control scheme the benefit of the doubt for a while. Too bad the nice graphics are all for a game that will cause us to jam our stylus into the freaking screen and stab over and over again, if it's anything like the brutally difficult Xbox version. We loved Ninja Gaiden, but it sure didn't love us.
Itagaki demonstrates Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword for DS
Revealed earlier this week, Team Ninja's Head Developer Corey Hart Tomonobu Itagaki took the stage today in Tokyo to demonstrate Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword for the Nintendo DS. With the controls consisting almost entirely within the touch screen, a live demonstration of this ambitious action title is exactly what we needed after the initial scans left us somewhat baffled. IGN, who was on-hand for the event, walked away fairly impressed with Hayabusa's moves as they say he "dart[ed] about the screen just like his Xbox and PS3 counterpart, performing all the expected moves, right down to leaping between walls to get to higher ground." A bold statement considering the pedigree the series has built on nigh perfect controlling action. With single taps for movements, double taps for jumps and slashes of the stylus for attacks, we're still somewhat skeptical of just how well this will work out, but if anyone can pull it of it's Itagaki and company.
The Dragon Sword deluge continues: screenshots
If you can't seem to get enough of Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, then you're in luck -- because the good folks from Team Ninja are all about giving up the goods. May they never, ever stop. While we've seen a few of these in with the scans, it's nice to look at them all by their lonesome ... and envision how we'll be spending all our free time in the future. Check 'em out after the jump.
Tecmo gives us a first-hand look at Dragon Sword
In gathering up various press representatives in Tokyo today, Tecmo formally announced their upcoming DS entry in the Ninja Gaiden franchise in Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. The event confirms that the game is going to be primarily driven with the stylus, charging the player with performing just about every in-game action in this way. Itagaki was also on-hand at the event and unveiled the game through a brisk play through one of the game's levels, killing a few enemies and ending the level at a spider-like boss. Itagaki also explained that the focus of this DS title is not the usual demographic, as previous titles in the series were meant for men over the age of 18 and westerners, Itagaki is seeking for Dragon Sword to be more accessible to players of all ages and genders (even the Gelgameks?). And from these early looks, the game is going to do just that. We can't wait.
A better look at Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword
The idea of playing a handheld adaptation of one of the most difficult games in recent memory is one so big and glorious our measly little shoulders can bearly hold it up. Thankfully the blurry phone camera picture represented in the previous post didn't provide us the most clear and crisp look, for we would've undoubtedly been crushed to death under the wonderful possibilities of this game. That time, however, is now, considering the crisp and clear scans of the Japanese magazine article available over at Go Nintendo. We've included them after the break.
Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword unsheathed for DS
Captured in a blurry, poorly-framed celly shot are the first details of Ninja Gaiden DS -- er, "Dragon Sword." Rumor of this Team Ninja project has been lurking for years, last resurfacing during a 1UP interview with Itagaki this past October. Now Famitsu has the scoop. The blurb indicates that Dragon Sword will play out with the DS oriented like a book, Brain Age-style. Another game gone digital comic? Probably not. Itagaki has suggested that Dragon Sword will be an action title; though Famitsu reports the game is controlled on the touch screen (except for blocking). So much for a classic 2D Gaiden... (Perhaps the dual-nature of the touch screen -- simple, yet limitless -- provides Team Ninja with a better shot at perfection.) [Via DS Fanboy]
Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword announced, will be really hard
Way back in October, we reported on a rumor that Team Ninja was at work on a DS game of some kind, and we hoped that it was a Ninja Gaiden game. Five months later, that rumor has graduated to a blurry cellphone picture of a page from a Japanese magazine! Blurry and definitive. The new game is called Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword-- another "DS" subtitle like so many other DS games. We can't tell much from the scan, except that it uses the sideways Brain Age-style orientation, and it is controlled with the stylus. Check after the break to see if you can decipher anything else from the image. This announcement is great news for anyone who thought Trauma Center was too easy! [Via NeoGAF]
