Ninja Gaiden 4 Was the Surprise Reveal at Xbox Developer Direct 2025

Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black were both unveiled during the Xbox Developer Direct 2025, marking a thrilling moment for fans of the iconic series. Dive in to discover more about the gameplay of the new title and the anticipated release dates.

Ninja Gaiden Games Revealed As Surprise During Xbox Developer Direct 2025

Team Ninja Declares 2025 As The Year Of The Ninja

The Xbox Developer Direct 2025 brought an exciting surprise with the announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, revealing them as the much-anticipated Japanese IP. As Team Ninja celebrates its 30th anniversary, they've declared 2025 as "The Year of the Ninja." Fumihiko Yasuda, the Head of Team Ninja and Producer of Ninja Gaiden 4 at Koei Tecmo, expressed his gratitude and excitement about the evolution of the series.

Developed collaboratively by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, Ninja Gaiden 4 marks the first mainline entry since Ninja Gaiden 3 in 2012. This direct sequel promises to uphold the series' tradition of challenging yet immensely rewarding gameplay.

Given Team Ninja's long-standing relationship with Xbox, it's no surprise that the game was revealed at an Xbox event. The company has a history of releasing exclusive titles like the Dead or Alive series on Xbox and Xbox 360, and Ninja Gaiden 2 was published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Features New Protagonist

Ninja Gaiden 4 introduces a fresh protagonist, Yakumo, a young ninja from the Raven clan, who aspires to become a Master Ninja. Tomoko Nishii, Art Director at PlatinumGames, shared their vision for Yakumo, designed to be a character who can stand alongside the legendary Ryu Hayabusa.

Yuji Nakao, Producer and Director of Ninja Gaiden 4 at PlatinumGames, explained the decision to introduce a new hero. "With a significant gap since the last game, we wanted to make the series more accessible to new players while ensuring long-time fans enjoy it. Ryu Hayabusa remains a pivotal figure in the story, serving as a major challenge and growth milestone for Yakumo," Nakao stated.

Yakumo will face formidable foes, including Ryu Hayabusa himself. Fans of the original protagonist can rest assured, as Ryu will still be playable, with his presence and prowess deeply integrated into Ninja Gaiden 4.

Ninja Gaiden 4 New Combat Style

Ninja Gaiden 4 promises fast-paced, brutal combat, introducing a new style alongside Yakumo: the Bloodbind Ninjutsu Nue Style. Masazaku Hirayama, Director at Team Ninja, highlighted that "Yakumo distinguishes himself with two combat styles: Raven Style and Nue Style," ensuring that the action remains true to the Ninja Gaiden series.

Nakao emphasized the team's commitment to the series' core elements, stating, "We're staying true to the challenge and deep action that defines Ninja Gaiden, while incorporating the speed and dynamic expression of PlatinumGames."

Currently, the game is 70-80% complete and in the polishing phase. More details will be shared soon, and Yasuda reiterated that Ninja Gaiden 4 is fundamentally an action game, with opportunities for fans to experience it hands-on.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Coming Fall 2025

Ninja Gaiden 4 is set to launch in Fall 2025, as announced in the game's trailer. In an Xbox Wire interview, Yasuda shared Team Ninja's long-standing desire to revive the series. He noted the close relationship between Koei Tecmo's President, Hisashi Koinuma, and PlatinumGames' CEO, Atsushi Inaba, which facilitated this collaborative effort. "PlatinumGames had the expertise we felt was ideal for working on NINJA GAIDEN," Yasuda stated.

The game will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5, and will be a day one Xbox Game Pass launch title. You can wishlist it now and find more information on our NINJA GAIDEN 4 page.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Available Now On Multiple Platforms And Xbox Game Pass

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a remake of the original Ninja Gaiden 2 from 2008, is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5, and is included in Xbox Game Pass. This version features additional playable characters like Ayane, Momiji, and Rachel, who were also playable in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

The idea for the remake emerged during the release of the Ninja Gaiden Master Collection in 2021, driven by fan demand for an experience similar to Ninja Gaiden 2. Yasuda explained, "We wanted to give players something to enjoy as they wait for the release of NINJA GAIDEN 4. This version is crafted to satisfy both those who played the original and newcomers discovering it as a current-generation action game."

For more details, visit our NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black page.