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Ninja Gaiden demo strikes the Store
Every Thursday, the PLAYSTATION Store updates with this or that. Ninja Gaiden, the butt-kickingly awesome game from Team Ninja, will be available for play in today's update. The demo will feature multiple weapons, visuals running at 1080p and 60fps, and some mad ninja action. The demo is also supposed to have some unlockable stuff -- that's nice. We recall there being some kind of ninja-esque scoreboard for the demo, so we'll cross our fingers for that. Make sure that when you play it, your PS3 doesn't start to puff out smoke. Also included in today's update is a demo for Virtua Tennis, and various trailers.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Virtua Tennis demos assault US PS Store
Without warning, like the shadowy figures known only through whispers in the night, Ninja Gaiden Sigma has made its presence known on the PlayStation Store. The demo will be available today in the US, one day prior to its Japanese release, alongside a demo for Virtua Tennis. Also coming out today are trailers for Gauntlet II, The Wheelman, John Woo's Stranglehold and The Godfather. The full version of Ninja Gaiden Sigma is set for a June release (on disc). [Via SCEA news release]
Today's ninja-swordfighting-motorcycliest video: Ninja Gaiden Sigma
You've got motorcycles, ninjas, swords, and funky magic lightning-like powers. What more do you need? Ninja Gaiden Sigma manages to roll up things everyone likes into one game. Now, if they could work pirates into the game somehow, they might really have something. Especially if they were all on fire.
Eidos will distribute Ninja Gaiden Sigma in Europe
Europe, you've not been forgotten. No, Tecmo simply won't let you wait for Ninja Gaiden Sigma any longer than you have to. In fact, they've enlisted Eidos to distribute the game around Europe so that you won't have to wait months after the Japanese and American releases. You'll be getting it this summer, as will Japan and the US. If you want to estimate, take a look at our release date schedule and wiggle in about two, three weeks. We've talked enough about this game, really. It's going to be a great showcase as to how much a game has changed over just a few years -- visually and otherwise. It may also be a great showcase for the PS3 in general. This summer is going to be fantastic for gamers seeking a next-gen thrill on their beloved Sony console. Perhaps it will have a use other than a mirror to make sure you got the pizza off your face. Not that I did that.
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?
Ninja Gaiden Sigma kicks the crap out of dev kits
Along with explaining why Ninja Gaiden Sigma isn't a "remake" or "port", Yosuke Hiyashi talks about his experience with the PlayStation 3 and what he planned to do with the title in a recent interview with Game Informer. While we'd love to make a list describing the main points of the interview, we're going to abstain this time -- not much is brand new to our ears. But we did catch wind of one question that caused us to grin with anticipation. Game Informer asked: Dead or Alive 4 blew up a couple of XBox 360's during testing because it pushed the system too far. Have you blown up any PS3 devkits with NGS? Hiyashi responds: "We've made a couple of devkits smoke, but we haven't had any actually blow up yet...it's really a matter of having a certain goal and then you try to see what you can get the hardware to do to achieve that goal, and by the time you look around you have smoke throughout the entire R&D floor." Awesome! So the PS3 doubles as a type of fog machine, too? Sounds like a win-win situation. If you'd like to catch up on all the NGS news, take a few minutes and read the entire interview -- it's not exactly a short stop, but it's worth it if you want to gather all the current knowledge on the title.
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.
Japan's VC announcements for April: Boxers, ninjas, and punkic cyborgs
We're jealous of the Japanese Virtual Console selection already. It's even worse now that we've seen the newly-announced games for April. There is some really great stuff coming out next month-- at least it means there's a chance we'll get it at some point. The new games include awesome selections like Final Fight (SNES), Puyo Puyo Tsuu (Genesis), Punch-Out!! (NES), and Star Fox 64 (N64). Really, the whole list is packed with awesomeness. Of special interest to us: Ninja Gaiden (NES), which we pretty much don't need to say anything about, because who hasn't played Ninja Gaiden, and Air Zonk, the futuristic Bonk spinoff that exemplifies the term "cute-'em-up".
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 Sigma demo hitting Japanese PSN in April
Are you in the mood to run on walls, acrobatically decapitate your enemies and wear skintight leather, but all too aware that these activities are generally frowned upon by the greater part of society? If you answered "yes" or managed to emit any sort of monosyllabic response, then Ninja Gaiden Sigma is a game that just might appeal to you. If, like this blogger, you're slightly stunned by your preparation to buy the once Xbox classic for a third time, you'd do well to note the April 27 release of a demo on the Japanese PlayStation Network store. With no confirmation of an American or European demo just yet, you might choose to wait until Ninja Gaiden Sigma's June release. Then again, there are other tactics you might use in gaining access to Ryu's PS3 debut. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Ninja Gaiden Sigma demo coming in four-ish weeks
There's nothing like downplaying poor calendar/mathematical skills with the addition of -ish. Addition, get it? Oh, arithmetic, you have so many applications. That aside, there's some good news coming for those demo-starved individuals hopelessly scanning the PS Store for something new to nourish their next-gen gaming needs. The news is thus: Ninja Gaiden Sigma demo -- April 27th. This is no "play the first half of the first level" demo, either. Worldwide scoreboards will dictate your mastery of the ninja arts. The level is completely unique and new, not in the final version of the game. You are graced with a multitude of weaponry to play around with. Does this not sound like a lot of fun? Maybe not, but we know it will be. For those skeptics of the game, you can now at least give it a shot! Let's get ready for some ninja fun!
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]
Ninja Gaiden Sigma -- more details to chew on
So, we got a lot of ridiculous flack for posting a comparison of what Ninja Gaiden was and what Ninja Gaiden Sigma has become -- a whole new, gorgeous gaming experience for those who did not get to enjoy the titles on the XBox. Now, don't complain about how it should stay on the 'Box (technically it should stay on Nintendo if that's a concern), you'll probably get this iteration eventually. Possibly bundled with a, gasp, sequel? With that in mind, we're going to present some new details about the game, as told by director Yosuke Hayashi. About graphics: "we more or less are recreating Ninja Gaiden with the most up-to-date graphic techniques in order to take advantage of the hardware...One of the best ways to do that was to have a game that runs at a 1080p with a constant 60 fps, and utilizes real-time self-shadowing. No other game as accomplished all three of these goals at once." About enemy AI: "it's about making sure they have goals they are fulfilling and that they can work together with existing enemies. That's really our philosophy. As far as A.I. goes people have played our game before will see that we've made some subtle improvements. A lot of it has to do with using all the Cell's SPU processors." New dual-wield swords? "We've succeeded in making a weapon that has a ton of moves and is as useful as the single sword you start the game with. We wanted the dual swords to be the second standard weapon. You don't start out with them, but acquire them early on." Difficult to develop for PS3? "The developers that say it's too hard to develop for and complain about it are missing the point. It sounds like an excuse to the consumer to us...If we can do it then other people will be able to do it as well." Online features? "Karma ranking, which is like a leader board for your score. That's something we had back on Xbox but we're going to expand it more to include more detailed statistics on how you played." Working with PS-HOME? "If you wanted to wait for the game to come out for a few more moths we'd be able to, but I don't think anybody wants that." Whew. It's shaping up to be a completely awesome experience -- one that few action-game lovers should pass up. If we can get our mitts off of God of War 2, which is awesome. Haven't laughed maniacally as I kill a boss in ages (Theseus, on the Steeds of Time). Awesome.
