The Ninja Gaiden series has a dedicated fanbase, and for good reason. It has been a major classic since the 1990s. Spanning from arcade machines to mobile devices and now next-gen consoles, the series has been everywhere. In 2025 alone, three new titles are set to be released, with a new game called Ninja Gaiden Ragebound launching later this month. Let’s explore its release date, features, and more.
Ninja Gaiden Ragebound Overview
Developed by The Game Kitchen and published by Dotemu and Joystick, Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is a new side-scrolling entry in the Ninja Gaiden series. It’s a retro-style action game that combines old-school gameplay with modern polish. The game features two powerful ninjas, Kenji Mozu and Kumori, whom players can control simultaneously, uncovering their interconnected stories with new depth.
A 14-minute gameplay video was released on YouTube, featuring commentary from the game’s director, David Jaumandreu, and game designer, Oriol Tartarin. The footage highlights a nostalgic aesthetic focused on an early level of the game. It showcases classic 2D action mechanics such as traversing environments while dodging enemy attacks and screen-spanning energy blasts, along with combat. Key features include:
- Classic 2D Style: The game uses side-scrolling pixel art inspired by old-school Ninja Gaiden games.
- Two Playable Characters: Play as Kenji, a swift swordsman, or Kumori, a stealthy ninja with magic.
- Fast Combat: Battles are quick and intense, with smooth controls for slashing, jumping, and dodging.
- Character Swapping: Switch between characters mid-mission to utilize their unique skills.
- Challenging Boss Fights: Each level ends with a tough boss that tests your timing and reflexes.
- Upgrade System: Earn points to unlock new moves, boost health, or learn magic attacks.
- Hidden Paths and Secrets: Levels contain secret areas, upgrades, and shortcuts to discover.
- Multiple Paths: Some missions feature branching routes leading to different challenges and rewards.
2025: Year of the Ninja
2025 has been officially declared as Koei Tecmo’s ‘Year of the Ninja’. Koei Tecmo is a major developer and publisher of the Ninja Gaiden series. This year, the series is receiving three new titles. It kicked off with Xbox’s third annual Developer Direct in January, where Team Ninja shadow-dropped Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a remaster of the 2008 original, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Followed by Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, set to launch later this month, and Ninja Gaiden 4, scheduled for release on 21 October 2025 on the same platforms as Ninja Gaiden 2 Black.
Ninja Gaiden Ragebound Release Date & Platforms
The 2D action-adventure game Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is releasing on July 31, 2025. Fans can try out the demo, which was released on June 9, 2025. The demo features a full level, culminating in an intense boss fight, basic combat tutorials, a hard mode difficulty, and more. The full game will be available in two editions: Standard and Special Edition. It will release on the following platforms:
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
- PC
Summary
Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is a new 2D side-scrolling action game releasing on 31 July 2025. Developed by The Game Kitchen and published by Dotemu, it features classic pixel art, fast-paced combat, two playable characters, and tough boss battles. A free demo is already available. The game will launch on various consoles and PC and is one of three Ninja Gaiden titles arriving in 2025.
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