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Team Ninja: no Ninja Gaiden Sigma for you!
We hope you weren't holding your breath for an Xbox 360 port of Ninja Gaiden Sigma. Team Ninja's Tomonobu Itagaki has confirmed that the team has no plans to port the PS3 title. Of course, Xbox 360 owners can play both Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden Black, the games on which Sigma is based, but it's somewhat disheartening to know that 360 owners won't get a taste of Sigma's additions. According to Itagaki, Sigma was designed for Playstation followers who never had a chance to experience the game on the original Xbox. Not to worry though, as he assures the world that Team Ninja is "taking new challenges" on the Xbox 360. Here's hoping that these challenges are related to an actual Ninja Gaiden sequel and not the next generation of breast physics.
Play Ninja Gaiden Sigma demo, earn essence in retail release
The upcoming Ninja Gaiden Sigma for PlayStation 3 will reward players with Yellow Essence, the game's currency, based on the amount of time you played the demo, currently available via the PlayStation Network. With just under a month to go before Sigma sneaks onto North American PS3s (and even less for Japan and European gamers), Team Ninja is giving you a reason to play through the demo over and over again. The series has in all its iterations has attempted to up the ante in difficulty, so starting out with a bit of extra money for health potions couldn't hurt.
This week's crazy Japanese ads
The Japanese sure have crazy advertisements. Our favorite this week? The ad for FolksSoul (aka Folklore). The newly released demo highlights the title's unique SIXAXIS controls, where shaking your control can suck the soul out of a monster. But, what happens when that concept becomes too real? Check out this commercial, and a strange Ninja Gaiden Sigma ad, after the cut.
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.
13 minute Ninja Gaiden speedrun: We are all inadequate
Not all speedruns are worth covering on Wii Fanboy, but when the game is Ninja Gaiden, we think everybody should know about it. We were happy the one time we made a run of Ninja Gaiden, and that took like a week. But not only did Tommy Montgomery complete Ninja Gaiden, but he did so in a record-setting 13:49. That's it. We quit gaming. You guys can go watch the video after the break, then download Ninja Gaiden on the Virtual Console and try it yourselves.Check the link for videos of other Ninja Gaiden speedruns too. We're just going to sit for a minute, and reevaluate our lives.
Ninja Gaiden speed runs set new records
A new round of Ninja Gaiden speed runs have set a number of records in the Speed Demos archives. Player Tommy Montgomery, who blazed through the original Ninja Gaiden in 13:49, never really liked the game (and likes it even less after doing the run), but few attempt speed runs for these frustrating games, which was as good of a reason as any to give it a shot. No tricks or shady shortcuts, just straight-up "OMG they memorized the game" action. If you've got the time to spare (admit it, you do), check out the speed runs and wish you could get half as far in any of these games...
European PS3 owners give Sony important feedback
ThreeSpeech recently asked European PS3 owners how they Sony did for their recent March launch, asking if there were any surprises, good or bad, what gamers liked and didn't like about the system, and finally inquiring if they would recommend the system to friends. So far, over 130 comments have been posted and most responses are similar to what we've already heard over here. We want games! Comments suggest the PlayStation Store needs additional content and more frequent updates. While impressions of Motorstorm and Resistance are very positive, it seems everyone is still clamoring for a system-killer title. Lair, Heavenly Sword and Ninja Gaiden seem to be on many European PS3 wish lists, as well as the Sony online community Home. Although currently, North American PS3 owners are receiving almost weekly updates to the PlayStation Store, it wasn't until late February that the updates started to pick up. So perhaps in a few weeks, three months after the European launch to be exact, content will start to arrive at a more steady and constant pace. And as for that one game, destined to sell PS3 systems along with it, be patient. As recent impressions from the Sony Gamer's Day imply, we may soon have more than just one system-killer title to choose from. [Via PSXExtreme]
Ryu Hayabusa apparently enjoys the Virtual Console
Our sleeveless-ninja-suit-wearing friend from Tecmo is already planning his return, according to new listings found on the ESRB's site. Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos was released in 1990 in the U.S., just one year after Tecmo presented the first game. It features the same kind of side-scrolling action as the original, with the addition of shadow-ninja clones like the ones found in Ninja Spirit. The box warns that the game is "hard to beat!!" and we can in fact confirm this. Also newly rated is Sega's Shining in the Darkness, the first game in the Shining series. Don't be discouraged by the fact that the series has been thoroughly ruined by countless mediocre spinoffs and sequels-- while Shining in the Darkness isn't as well-regarded as the Shining Force games, it can still be fun for people who are into hardcore dungeon crawling. [Via GoNintendo]
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]
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.
SGD '07: Ninja Gaiden: Sigma screenshots - Eight of them
New screenies! Pretty ones, at that. I loved this game on the Xbox and I have a feeling I'm going to love it again on the PS3 when it's released on July 3rd. In the meantime, be sure to check out these screenshots for your Ninja Gaiden fix. Including one which shows some Rachel gameplay. Those blood and fire effects look great. I could go on, but I'll let you look at them for yourselves. Enjoy. %Gallery-3230%
Two ninjas and a Pac-Man walk into a Virtual Console
The first ninja turns to his partner in decapitation and says, "You know, I could sneak in and out of this place like a ghost." The second ninja rolls his eyes and replies, "I could sneak in and out of this place like the ghost of a ghost." Pac-Man looks up, shakes his head and says, "WAKKA WAKKA WAKKA!" Guess you had to be there. With the ice now thoroughly broken, we're free to tell you about this week's American Virtual Console releases: Ninja Gaiden (NES, 500 Wii Points) -- Accompany one Ryu Hayabusa in the quest to avenge his father's death. A deadly blade and a handful of shurikens await those that oppose the Tecmo ninja's will. Ninja Spirit (TG-16, 600 Wii Points) -- Accompany one Moonlight in the quest to, well, avenge his father's death. His adventure imparts significant advice to those hoping to father a ninja of their own. Pac-Man (NES, 500 Wii Points) -- Not having a father to be avenged, Pac-Man fills the emotional void with delicious pellets.
Ninja Gaiden: Sigma is complete, will sneak into American stores 7/3
Tecmo held a press event in Japan earlier today titled 'Tecmo's Nite Out 07,' where they announced their upcoming line-up of games. Like the other recent Gamer's Days, this was held as a kind of company-specific alternative to the now defunct E3, which would normally be held about now. A number of new titles were announced, and even though there was nothing new announced for the PlayStation 3, we did get some good news. According to IGN, the director of Ninja Gaiden: Sigma, Yosuke Hayashi, took the stage to announce to the assembled press that they had recently wrapped up development on the highly anticipated re-make of the Xbox classic. They also announced release dates of June 14th in Japan and July 3rd in North America. Unfortunately, no European date was announced. Guess we'll have to wait on Eidos for more details on that. This means that I have approximately two months to polish up my Ryu skills. I never really played the Xbox ones, so I have been getting my ass handed to me by the demo. The plethora of health items is helpful, but the lack of saves is annoying. Good lord, is it pretty though.
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.
The Joystiq Weekend: May 5 - 6, 2007
Awesome Ninja Gaiden cosplay from Tokyo Game Show 2006, as seen by kev:kev. He's missing his trusty Dragon Sword, and there's a good chance he has no martial arts training whatsoever, but we still wouldn't risk messing with him. Check out the highlights for the weekend: Joystiquery Podcast Rodeo for May 6: Ear's Mud in Your Eye Today's most vulgar video: Old Grandma Hardcore plays Paper Mario Today's slingingest video: Spider-Man Wii Weekly Webcomic Wrapup: comical review edition News TimeShift isn't complete vaporware, now with trailer PS3 beats Xbox 360 in console (folding) war Indie developers argue their way into selling a game EA's Skate video shows off "Flickit" controls Virtual Console videos let you at least see the game Rumors & Speculation Xbox 360 Rayman hints at Rabbid return Ultra Rumor: CVG says Blizzard announcing Starcraft MMO Culture & Community John Facenda pitching Madden today, condoms tomorrow? Rosie and Pogo.com helping the children First Person Shooter premieres tonight in San Francisco World of Warcraft credit card, chaaaaaaarge! Gears of War multiplayer problems: where is everyone? Sunday video game theater presents Mario: Game Over
Turtle power envy
Seeing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game on the ESRB's list of upcoming Virtual Console titles should bring joy to our nostalgia-ruled hearts, but we're finding it hard to not be pessimistic about this particular release. We've put more hours into Konami's beat'em up than you can shake a bo staff at, so it's not the actual game that we have problems with. No, it's just outright jealousy over the XBLA port of the arcade version. While we're stuck with 8-bit graphics and support for only two players, the 360's turtle fans have the original cut scenes, arcade graphics, and online co-op for up to four players! Inconceivable! To add insult to injury, we might have to shell out 600 Wii points for the NES game instead of the usual 500 because of licensing issues. If that'll be the case, we would actually be spending more than what 360 gamers are paying! We can at least find solace in the NES version's extended levels, extra stages, and Pizza Hut advertising. Also, TMNT II wasn't the only new ninja release spotted on the ESRB's Virtual Console catalog. Ninja Gaiden, Tecmo's 1989 platformer, will also be stabbing its way onto the Wii. Let's see the Xbox try to top us with a game like that! Oh wait...
Final Ninja Gaiden Sigma boxart appears
Lately, we've had a lot of posts about pictures, or screenshots, or scans, or trailers without much actual news. The trend continues here, as the final boxart for Ninja Gaiden Sigma has arrived on the scene for some much-needed "oh, so that's what I'll look for in the store"-ism. As you can tell from the box, it's rated M (for Mothers, Protect Thy Young) and has a neat little fire going on in the background. Some ninja person is in the forefront, but we don't care about lil' ol' Ryu. We want to see that fire! It looks pretty nice, for boxart. There have been some awful boxarts in the past. Just awful. Anyway, this just goes to show you how near the release of this title truly is.
The golden age of ninjas
We won't look down on you if Tecmo's announcement for Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword was the first time you'd ever heard of ninjas sneaking onto a handheld console. The stealthy assasins carry out their orders so efficiently and silently, most people aren't even aware of a ninja's presence until they see their own blood on the wall sprayed from an expert slash across their necks. Modojo has a lengthy feature tracking portable appearances by ninjas like Shinobi and Goemon, following their shuriken-throwing adventures from the Game Boy all the way up to the Nintendo DS. Our favorite game from the bunch is Ninja Five-O, a Bionic Commando-esque side scroller that was released for the GBA. If there's one thing terrorists fear, it's ninja cops swinging through their defenses!
