If 2025 wasn't jam-packed enough with major releases, Ninja Gaiden fans have recently been given even more to be excited about. Today's Xbox Developer Direct event dropped a bomb-shell announcement right out of the gate, confirming two more NInja Gaiden releases. A new mainline Ninja Gaiden game entitled Ninja Gaiden 4 and a remake of Ninja Gaiden 2 entitled Ninja Gaiden 2 Black add even more exciting launches for fans of the series.
Leading up to the Xbox Developer Direct showcase, rumors were circulating on the internet about a potential mystery game scheduled to be announced. Once the broadcast started, the stream jumped right into a showcase from developer Team Ninja, announcing Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black back to back. It was a wild way to kick off the event, but the excitement didn't stop there. Team Ninja confirmed that Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is immediately available on Xbox Game Pass. With three Ninja Gaiden projects padding out the busy 2025 schedule, fans of the franchise are in for a strong year.
5 Games That Replicate Ninja Gaiden's Combat, Ranked
The combat style in Ninja Gaiden is very influential that some games have tried to replicate it
2025 is Now a Great Year For Ninja Gaiden
Every Confirmed Ninja Gaiden Title
- Ninja Gaiden 4
- Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
- Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
The last on the list, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, was already a compelling project waiting on the horizon. Foregoing the modern third-person approach for a 2D side-scroller promises an exciting return to form that honors the original games. However, it's also refreshing to have confirmation that not only will Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offer a full-blown remake, but Ninja Gaiden 4 is finally a reality. Both veteran fans and lovers of the modern-era series have plenty to look forward to.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is being developed by The Game Kitchen, creators of the Blasphemous series.
Everything Known About Ninja Gaiden 4
- Scheduled to launch in fall 2025
- Introduces a new main protagonist named Yakumo
- Ryu Hayabusa is set to return to the story.
- Team Ninja is collaborating with Bayonetta and Nier: Automata developer PlatinumGames.
- Launching for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
- Day one Xbox Game Pass title
The sneak peek at the Xbox Developer Direct event was filled with the promise of action-packed and bloody gameplay. Working in tandem with the likes of PlatinumGames is another exciting development, as the two studios have a history of crafting strong combat mechanics. One of the most thrilling announcements of all, though, is that Ninja Gaiden 4 will be available on day one for Xbox Game Pass. Between this upcoming release and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black shadow-dropping for the subscription service, the presence of this franchise is a powerful move for Microsoft.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black uses Unreal Engine 5 to bring the original 2008 game to modern audiences.
The Long-Awaited Return of Ninja Gaiden is Here
The last mainline game in the series, Ninja Gaiden 3, was released over a decade ago in 2012. For a long time, Ninja Gaiden 4 felt like a pipe dream, but the Xbox Developer Direct event proved those doubts false. The legacy of Ninja Gaiden has lived on, but many have hoped for the story to continue. Thankfully, it appears as though 2025 will be the year that finally gets to happen.
Although there isn't an official release date to look forward to, the comfort of knowing that fall 2025 is a general target is welcome. While the wait for Ninja Gaiden 4 continues, both longtime fans and newcomers subscribed to Xbox Game Pass can jump into Ninja Gaiden 2 Black right now.
