History VideoGame / NinjaGaiden

* HeroesWantRedheads: Irene was a redhead in the original trilogy. [[spoiler:As Sonia, [[EveryoneLovesBlondes her hair (supposedly bleached) is blonde]]]].

The series dates back to 1988 with two simultaneously developed games under the same title: an arcade version that was a side-scrolling BeatEmUp in the vein of ''VideoGame/DoubleDragon'', and a more popular console version for the Usefulnotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem, a [=2D=] action platformer notable for being one of the earliest action games to feature cinematic sequences between stages. The NES version would spawn two sequels, a UsefulNotes/GameBoy prequel, a couple of stand-alone versions for other platforms and an [[AnimeOfTheGame OVA]] set after the events of the NES trilogy before Tecmo discontinued the series after the release of the ''Ninja Gaiden Trilogy'' [[CompilationRerelease compilation]] for the {{UsefulNotes/Super N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES in 1995.

However, Ryu's presence in Tecmo's ''Videogame/DeadOrAlive'' fighting game series helped keep the series alive within the public's consciousness, leading to a revival in 2004 for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} by ''DOA'' developer Team Ninja simply titled ''[[RecycledTitle Ninja Gaiden]]''. Since then, ''Ninja Gaiden'' has become Team Ninja's other major franchise, leading to even further sequels and spinoffs.

There was also a set of licensed versions produced by Sega for their consoles in 1992. Rather than being ports of the previous Tecmo versions, Sega produced three different games that were unique to each platform. The UsefulNotes/GameGear version had the widest release of these versions, being available in North America, Europe and Japan (where it was released under the ''Ninja Gaiden'' banner instead of the usual ''Ninja Ryūkenden''), while the UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem version was available exclusively in Europe. The UsefulNotes/MegaDrive version, which was a beat-'em-up similar to the arcade game, was never released, but was leaked in the form of a pirated version that was still in an unfinished state.

There was also a UsefulNotes/GameBoy prequel game called ''Ninja Gaiden Shadow''. Taking place three years prior to the original trilogy, it has Ryu travelling to New York to battle Emperor Garuda, a servant of Jaquio.

The game was critically acclaimed by all, and considered the best 3D HackAndSlash game of its time. A title that it still keeps in the eyes of a lot of people, specially the ''Black'' version. Many praised its preserved difficulty from the NES trilogy, but without being unfair, alongside gorgeous visuals and attention to detail in combat and environments by pushing the Xbox beyond its hardware limitations. An EnhancedRemake of ''Ninja Gaiden Black'' called ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma'' for the Sony UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 was released in 2007, rounding out the last gameplay additions with a new character ([[ActionGirl Rachel]]), new weapons and enemies, while making it look more pretty with the console's high-defintion capabilities. It also removes or simplifies some puzzles that contained too much back-and-forth.

In 2008, ''Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword'' was released for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS. This GaidenGame sequel set six months after ''Ninja Gaiden'' tells of Ryu and his journey to save his apprentice, Momiji, and find the Dark Dragonstones that can resurrect an ancient Dark Dragon. In the same year, the true sequel ''Ninja Gaiden II'' was released for the Microsoft UsefulNotes/Xbox360, where another ArtifactOfDoom the Dragon Lineage were guarding, the Statue of the Archfiend, is stolen. Ryu must travel the world chasing the Four Greater Fiends as they attempt to resurrect the [[SealedEvilInACan Archfiend itself]]. Both games retain the difficulty of ''Ninja Gaiden'' (''Ninja Gaiden II'' arguably even harder) and the stories are serviceable, yet the latter's almost completely nonsensical, with EverythingTryingToKillYou more aptly applied. For example, at one point a giant armadillo with marginal fire ElementalPowers appears with [[GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere no apparent connection to the villains]].

The game had a re-release in late 2012 on the UsefulNotes/WiiU (January 2013 in Europe) entitled ''Razor's Edge'', with Team Ninja addressing the flaws, such as re-adding back dismemberments, brutal difficulty, fleshed out gameplay, weapon acquisitions and upgrades and additional playable characters (Momiji, Ayane and the first appearance of [[CanonImmigrant Kasumi]] from ''Videogame/DeadOrAlive''). Also, some of the most disliked cutscenes were eliminated. Ports for the [=PS3=] and [=Xbox 360=] were released in April 2013. Both versions include all the downloadable content from the Wii U version already on the disc.

On February 17th, 2021, during a Nintendo Direct it was officially announced that the modern series is getting a collection release titled ''Ninja Gaiden Master Collection'', composed of ''Sigma 1'', ''Sigma 2'' and ''Razor's Edge''[[note]]fans lamented the absence of ''Black'' or the original ''II'' in the collection, but staff members explained that the source codes of those games were unfortunately lost.[[/note]], with most of its DLC, in one pack; released on June 10th, 2021 for UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, and PC - which marked the much anticipated debut of the modern trilogy on the latter platform, and the debut of the first two games on a Nintendo platform.

** For the Xbox ''Ninja Gaiden'', there's ''Black'', ''Sigma'' ([=PS3=]) and ''Sigma Plus'' (UsefulNotes/PlayStationVita).
** For ''Ninja Gaiden II'' (UsefulNotes/Xbox360) there is ''Sigma 2'' ([=PS3=]) and ''Sigma 2 Plus'' (Vita)

** For ''Ninja Gaiden 3'' ([=PS3=][=/=]360) there is ''Razor's Edge'' (UsefulNotes/WiiU, and then to [=PS3=][=/=]360).

* WallJump: The original NES trilogy lacked a wall-jump mechanic, but instead had a wall-clinging mechanic. The first game in the series with a proper wall-jump mechanic was ''Ninja Gaiden'' (1992) on the UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem. The wall-jump mechanic was then adopted by the later 3D ''Ninja Gaiden'' games.

There was also a set of licensed versions produced by Sega for their consoles in 1992. Rather than being ports of the previous Tecmo versions, Sega produced three different games that were unique to each platform. The UsefulNotes/GameGear version had the widest release of these versions, being available in North America, Europe and Japan (where it was released under the ''Ninja Gaiden'' banner instead of the usual ''Ninja Ryūkenden''), while the UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem version was available exclusively in Europe. The UsefulNotes/MegaDrive version, which was a beat-'em-up similar to the arcade game, was never released, but was leaked in the form of a pirated version that was still [[ObviousBeta in an unfinished state]].

* ''Ninja Gaiden Shadow'' (1991)

* RatedMForManly: Especially the modern series.

* FakeDifficulty: The {{Camera Screw}}s were bad enough in the first Xbox game, but the second added some extremely cheap mooks, always in hordes, who have grabs that are way too fast to anticipate, or ones who constantly spam explosive projectiles, mostly from off-screen. Mentor and Master Ninja Modes often takes this straight into BulletHell.

* CameraScrew: In the modern trilogy, specifically the ones released on Microsoft platforms, the camera will often be your toughest opponent, chosing the most impractical angle possible, zooming in without reason and putting {{mook}}s or even Ryu himself off-screen. Surely ''Sigma'' and ''Sigma 2'' have fixed this problem, haven't they? Er...well, no. Fortunately, the camera in ''Ninja Gaiden III'' does its job decently, although still not perfectly. The most frequent problem is that enemies in the foreground obstruct your view because of the low camera angle.

On February 17th, 2021, during a Nintendo Direct it was officially announced that the modern series is getting a collection release titled ''Ninja Gaiden Master Collection'', composed of Sigma 1, Sigma 2 and Razor's Edge[[note]]fans lamented the absence of ''Black'' or the original ''II'' in the collection, but staff members explained that the source codes of those games were unfortunately lost.[[/note]], with most of its DLC, in one pack; set for release on June 10th, 2021, for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch and PC - this marks the much anticipated debut of the modern trilogy on the latter platform.

** One of the Ancient Greater Fiends, Ishtaros, is a powerful evil goddess. She wears black thigh-high high-heeled boots, some weird leather straps on her arms, and that's pretty much it. One of her arms sports FemmeFatalons, the other one is a tentacle she uses like a whip.

* ''VideoGame/NinjaGaidenArcade''
* ''VideoGame/NinjaGaidenNES''
* ''VideoGame/NinjaGaidenIITheDarkSwordOfChaos''
* ''VideoGame/NinjaGaidenIIITheAncientShipOfDoom''
* ''Ninja Gaiden Shadow''
* ''VideoGame/NinjaGaiden2004''
* ''VideoGame/NinjaGaidenDragonSword''
* ''VideoGame/NinjaGaidenII2008''
* ''VideoGame/NinjaGaidenIII2012''
* ''VideoGame/YaibaNinjaGaidenZ''

* NoPronunciationGuide
** A lot of people tend to mispronounce the title as "Ninja Gay Den" (rather than "Ninja Guy Den").
** And despite the fact that the characters call Ryu's name as "Ree-yu", some reviewers and critics ''still'' mispronounce it as "Ra-yu". Just like that other [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ryu]], or any other Ryu for that matter.

* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: LOA's various activities include cloning dinosaurs to sell them as pets, or so says the Regent of the Mask; not sure many people will want a Tyrannosaurus Rex at home.

* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning: Nearly the entire weapon roster in the latter-day Gaiden games abuse the hell out of this. Of particular note is the Lunar, which Ryu mainly uses by spinning it so fast it literally grinds his enemies' limbs off.

* BagOfSpilling: In the modern trilogy, this is averted for Ryu's movelist. The Flying Swallow, Izuna Drop, counter and Guillotine Throw are all unlocked at the start of ''II'', all of which were acquired during the first game. Played straight for the weapons in a strange way: three of them that are found in random places (the Lunar, [[DualWielding Dragon's Claw & Tiger's Fang]] and the [[FightingWithChucks Vigoorian Flail]]) were already acquired in the first game, [[FridgeLogic of which two of them are supposed to be unique…]]

* AwesomeMcCoolname: The name of the stages in the original trilogy were pretty cool. One such name is "Place of Red Execution", where Ryu fights Bloody Malth in the first NES game.

** And despite the fact that the characters call Ryu's name as "Ree-yu", some reviewers and critics ''still'' mispronounce it as "Ra-yu". Just like that other [[StreetFighter Ryu]], or any other Ryu for that matter.

The Xbox version is, as the kids these days say, [[NintendoHard difficult]]... really, ''really'' difficult... as in "throw-your-controller-at-the-screen-and-scare-the-dog '''difficult'''". In contrast to other {{Hack And Slash}}ers, enemies avert MookChivalry and have no compunctions about suffocating the player at every available moment. In fact, beating this game is an achievement. Hell, there was an UpdatedRerelease called ''Ninja Gaiden Black'' which not only fixed gameplay imbalances, placed more enemies and bosses and added in "Combat Missions", it included two new modes: a "[[MercyMode super-duper-mega-easy]]" mode and an "[[UpToEleven even harder]] than HarderThanHard mode"! Unfortunately, it didn't help the "super-duper-mega-easy" mode was quite hard itself, difficult to the point of inducing trauma.

* DualBoss: The NES series has some of this but the modern series is fond of pitting you against two to three bosses at once, sometimes with mooks involve! ''Razor's Edge'' takes it UpToEleven.

However, Ryu's presence in Tecmo's ''Videogame/DeadOrAlive'' fighting game series helped keep the series alive within the public's consciousness, leading to a revival in 2004 for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} by ''DOA'' developer Team Ninja simply titled ''[[RecycledTitle Ninja Gaiden]]''. Since then, ''Ninja Gaiden'' has become Team Ninja's other FlagshipFranchise, leading to even further sequels and spinoffs.

* BagOfSpilling: In the modern trilogy, this is averted for Ryu's movelist. The Flying Swallow, Izuna Drop, counter and Guillotine Throw are all unlocked at the start of ''II'', all of which were acquired during the first game. Played straight for the weapons in a strange way: three of them that are found in random places ([[SimpleStaff the Lunar]], [[DualWielding Dragon's Claw & Tiger's Fang]] and the [[FightingWithChucks Vigoorian Flail]]) were already acquired in the first game, [[FridgeLogic of which two of them are supposed to be unique…]]

* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning: Nearly the entire weapon roster in the latter-day Gaiden games abuse the hell out of this. Of particular note is the [[SimpleStaff Lunar]], which Ryu mainly uses by spinning it so fast it literally grinds his enemies' limbs off.

On February 17th, 2021, during a Nintendo Direct it was officially announced that the modern series is getting a collection release titled ''Ninja Gaiden Master Collection'', composed of Sigma 1, Sigma 2 and Razor's Edge[[note]]fans lamented the absence of ''Black'' or the original ''II'' in the collection, but staff members explained that the source codes of those games were unfortunately lost.[[/note]], with most of its DLC, in one pack; set for release on June 10th, 2021, for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch and PC - that which marks the much anticipated debut of the modern trilogy on the latter platform.

On February 17th, 2021, during a Nintendo Direct it was officially announced that the modern series is getting a collection release titled ''Ninja Gaiden Master Collection'', composed of Sigma 1, Sigma 2 and Razor's Edge[[note]]fans lamented the absence of ''Black'' or the original ''II'' in the collection, but staff members explained that the source codes of those games were unfortunately lost.[[/note]], with most of its DLC, in one pack; set for release on June 10th, 2021, for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch and PC - that which marks the much anticipated debut of the modern trilogy on the latter two platforms.

''Ninja Gaiden'', originally titled ''Ninja Ryūkenden'' ("Ninja Dragon Sword Story") in Japanese is an action game series produced by Creator/{{Tecmo}} (now Creator/KoeiTecmo) centering around Ryu Hayabusa, a {{ninja}} from the Dragon Clan, who gets involved with [[GovernmentConspiracy government conspiracies,]] kicks loads of ass and slaughters legions of supernatural beings along the way.

* ''Ninja Gaiden'' (Literature/WorldsOfPower novelization)