On Thursday, video game publisher DotEmu and devs at The Game Kitchen released Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, an all-new, action-packed 2D side-scroller that evokes the arcade-like hack-n’-slash vibes of early series games.
The retro-inspired new title, first revealed at The Game Awards in December 2024, is now available digitally on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Xbox Series X|S. Gamers in the United States can snag a physical version of the game on September 12, 2025.
Both DotEmu and The Game Kitchen are behind similarly styled 2D hits; the former, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge and MARVEL Cosmic Invasion, and the latter, the Blasphemous series.
New features fans can expect include:
- A Story of Entwined Fates: Join Kenji and his unlikely ally Kumori, a fierce kunoichi from the rival Black Spider Clan, as they overcome generational grudges and unite their unique powers to survive the battles ahead;
- Monstrously Epic Boss Battles: Face off against formidable, boss-caliber behemoths that push your skills and strategy to the limit;
- Revitalized Classic Gameplay: Slash into tense, fast-paced combat paired with the skill-demanding platforming the NINJA GAIDEN series is legendary for, with modern enhancements bolstering exciting, rewarding action;
- A Challenge Fit for a Ninja: Unlock and upgrade powerful abilities while exploring hidden collectibles, secret missions, and optional challenges that test your ninja prowess;
- Stunning 2D Pixel Art: Exquisite pixel art evokes the classic 2D games while bringing lush environments and a menacing cast of enemies to life in intricate detail;
- A Star-Studded Soundtrack: Immerse yourself in a dynamic score featuring guest composers Keiji Yamagishi, Ryuichi Niita, and Kaori Nakabai—the original creators of the NES trilogy’s soundtrack—led by Sergio de Prado, known for his acclaimed work on Blasphemous.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is the second entry in the series so far this year. Ninja Gaiden II Black, released on January 23, 2025, was the first to drop. The game is an Unreal Engine 5 remaster of PlayStation 3’s Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 that brings back that beloved dramatized violence.
If that and the all-new side-scroller spin-off aren’t enough to sate your appetite for the series, there’s still one more entry in the Ninja Gaiden IP arriving later this year. Ninja Gaiden 4, a sleek 3D adventure releasing globally on October 21, 2025, is the seventh mainline game and a direct follow-up to 2012’s Ninja Gaiden 3.
Check out the trailer for Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound for a closer look.
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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