Go ninja, go ninja, go

The resurrection of Ninja Gaiden on the original Xbox is one of my fondest memories of that console. The game was a sublime action title that set the bar to this day for character action games. It has been remastered and re-released so many times over the years and now we finally get the entire collection in one neat package so players can experience these amazing games (well two amazing games and one mediocre attempt) in full remastered glory. While I love the Ninja Gaiden resurrection, this collection brings good with bad and a few quirks that keep it from being definitive.

Let’s start with the elephant in the room. This collection is based on the Sigma versions of Ninja Gaiden 1 and 2. I get it. The original code was unsalvageable according to Team Ninja. Instead of reverse engineering the first two games, the team instead decided to use the Sigma code. Now, as a fan of the original game this is troublesome for a few reasons. The Sigma versions of the games remove costumes, cut scenes, and even unlockable versions of classic games. It did however add the Hero mode, which made the games easier for novice players.

MSRP: $39.99
Platforms: XB1 (reviewed), PS4, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $39.99

Ninja Gaiden is a hard series of games. The first title was one of my proudest gaming accomplishments back in the day. I finished it, and I am not embarrassed to say that all these years later, there is no way I could do that again. So, these versions contain the easy mode which enables auto blocking when player health is low. Basically, it means you can’t die, and for older and less skilled players, it is a must.

The third game has always been mediocre at best. It was developed by an Itagaki-less Team Ninja alongside a bunch of his team. It shows. The game is ripe with new features, but lacks that smooth game play the first two were famous for. Still, it is impossible to cobble together the perfect collection of these games, and this Master Collections is about as close as we are likely to ever get.

Bringing these games into a new generation does come with benefits though. For example, they are all remastered and cleaned up, looking excellent running in 4K and at 60fps if you have one of the new consoles, or the mid-gen refreshes of last gen. I was instantly taken back as I made my way through the opening level of the first title. It looks and plays so sublime even to this day. Sadly, that is about all there is with this collection. Each game is installed separately and has their own set of Trophies/Achievements, but they are bare bones. No museums or behind the scenes footage. Just raw versions of each game remastered and running smooth.

The Ninja Gaiden Master Collection is a great collection of games and the only way a lot of players can even access these titles. The first and second game are still classics. The third is fine, but just doesn’t stand on the same shoulders as its predecessors. Also, that t-rex fight is still ridiculous. Still, it is nice to have all the games in one place. Don’t sleep on these games. They are still pillars of the character action genre and worth playing to this day.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.

Good
  • Action is still sublime
  • Visual upgrades look slick
Bad
  • Sigma versions for 1 and 2
  • Nothing extra in vanilla version
7.5
Good
Written by
Ken is the Editor-in-Chief of this hole in the wall and he loves to troll for the fun of it. He also enjoys long walks through Arkham Asylum and the cool air of Shadow Moses Island. His turn-ons include Mortal Kombat, Metal Gear Solid and StarCraft.