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Ninja Gaiden 2 official, Rez and Ikaruga XBLA-bound

Microsoft publishing Team Ninja-developed sequel for 360 in 2008; two Dreamcast classics coming to download service; Sakaguchi dates Lost Odyssey.

Well, that didn't take long. Just hours after Ninja Gaiden 2 screens appeared on the Japanese edition of Xbox.com, Microsoft has officially unveiled the game. Set for a worldwide release in 2008, it is being worked on by Team Ninja, developer of the 2004 Xbox Ninja Gaiden, the 2005 Xbox rework Ninja Gaiden Black, and the 2007 enhanced rework Ninja Gaiden Sigma for the PlayStation 3.

Ninja Gaiden II

First look at Ryu's 360 debut.

Currently, Ninja Gaiden 2 is set for a worldwide release on the Xbox 360 sometime in 2008. However, unlike its predecessors, it won't be ported to other consoles down the line. Instead of being published by Tecmo, holder of the Ninja Gaiden license, the game is being bankrolled and distributed directly by Microsoft Game Studios. Exact terms of the publishing deal were not made public as of press time, nor were any details on the title's story or gameplay.

Tomonobu Itagaki, head of Tecmo-owned Team Ninja, was on hand at a pre-Tokyo Game Show event this morning in Japan to make the Ninja Gaiden 2 announcement. He was joined on stage by Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of the Final Fantasy series and founder of Mistwalker, the publisher of the 360-exclusive role-playing game Blue Dragon.

Though Blue Dragon hasn't been a commercial or critical hit in the US or Japan, Sakaguchi used the event to tout--and date--his latest 360 RPG, Lost Odyssey. The game will be released on December 6 in Japan, where the 360 runs a distant third to the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii in terms of market share. Lost Odyssey will then ship in the rest of Asia in January 2008, with a North American and European release the following month.

"Call my screens fake, will ya?"

Another famed Japanese game designer enlisted by Microsoft is Q Entertainment head Tetsuya Mizuguchi, creator of Ninety-Nine Nights and fan favorite Space Channel 5. Today Microsoft announced that another Mizuguchi-developed classic, Rez, is coming to Xbox Live Arcade. Though not dated or priced, when Rez does arrive, it will join two other Mizuguchi-developed games on the service: Lumines Live and the forthcoming Every Extend Extra Extreme.

Though it eventually was ported to the PlayStation 2, Rez was originally released for the Sega Dreamcast. Microsoft also announced today that another Dreamcast classic, Ikaruga, is coming to Xbox Live Arcade. Available "soon" according to Microsoft, the game will sport a "slow-motion" training mode and online co-op play for two persons.

Finally, Microsoft revealed two other titles for Xbox Live Arcade: a port of the PSP puzzler Exit (Taito) and the arcade shooter Triggerheart Exelica (Warashi). Three other games--the puzzle-platformer Braid (Number None Inc.), four-player RPG Castle Crashers (The Behemoth), and co-op focused actioner Schizoid (Torpex Games)--were confirmed for early 2008 launches.

"We continue to evolve our strong relationships with Japan's best and most innovative developers, and we're looking forward to delivering exclusive high-definition titles for consumers worldwide, this year and beyond," said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division, in a statement.

[UPDATE] For more on the game, check out GameSpot's on-the-scene report of the Ninja Gaiden II unveiling at Microsoft's Xbox 360 event in Tokyo.

795 Comments

  • Franzkill

    Posted Jan 2, 2008 3:07 am PT

    Still waiting for Chu Chu Rocket to be released on XBLA.

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  • skee_uk

    Posted Dec 30, 2007 12:43 pm PT

    oh well i have to say this is the only game im pissed that wont come to ps3, looks like il have to buy it for my (makeshift footrest) *ahem 360 i mean

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  • xxTact1kzxx

    Posted Dec 23, 2007 1:58 pm PT

    Can't wait till this game

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  • Furan-San

    Posted Dec 9, 2007 4:26 pm PT

    NGII is GOD and I shall wait for ti as I'm waiting for NGDS.
    I'm playing Ikaruga for the GC and I'm getting my arse kicked. LOL

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  • jake63

    Posted Nov 9, 2007 8:57 am PT

    Balls. After I spent forever finding Ikaruga on DC, now I can play it on HD (fingers crossed) and with a training mode? Again...balls.

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  • 1337cole1337

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 10:51 am PT

    this and dmc4 = my life

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  • hellpolice

    Posted Sep 29, 2007 11:20 pm PT

    I think this one will be a killer game! and quite possibly way better than Devil May Cry 4.

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  • DarkSaGe654

    Posted Sep 28, 2007 2:13 am PT

    I'll state this without any hesitation, and all those gamers who played through and finished it, will undoubtedly back me up when i say that it f*cking felt damn good, like you'd accomplished something after you finished Ninja Gaiden/ Ninja Gaiden Black. It makes my blood boil, just imagining decapitating foes then dismembering the limbs in their own pool of blood in Ninja Gaiden 2. Definitely will be taking some days off of work when this comes out.

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  • thomasonfa

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 12:54 pm PT

    Come on GIF, This is only the second build. Tomonobu Itagaki wanted to show the game was real. It going to be sweet, plus don't let your PC monitor lie to you, most people don't own HD PC monitors so you will not see the true quality of the videos. You should always keep that in mind about any game.

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  • loljeroen

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 11:14 am PT

    Ninja Gaiden 2, FINALY the first one waz amazing and remember the games got a nother years worth of time to get finished, so hopefuly the grafics will get better

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  • L2YoungGun

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 11:02 am PT

    Well I'm sure they will take your demands to heart.

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  • GIF

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 10:56 am PT

    They aren't using the hardware, it looks no different than Ninja Gaiden on the first Xbox yet here they have 3 processors and a 512 mb video card. What is the problem here? I expect visuals close to if not on par with their cinematics.

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  • BigDaddy973

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 10:32 am PT

    Meh!

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  • hashmanalum

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 8:12 am PT

    It's like Kratos meets Manhunt with ninjas... Bloody =D

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  • princeofgames90

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 5:04 am PT

    yeah its still early to judge the game visuals

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  • Royboy58

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 3:35 am PT

    Septimus, you just stink, and this game is in its very early stages, so the visuals now wont do the game justice when it releases

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  • Septimus

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 1:26 am PT

    Not impressed by the look of Ninja Gaiden 2. It seems as though they can't improve on the look they managed on the remake for PS3.

    I like the idea of Ninja Gaiden, owned the XBOX and PS3 one, may get this even, but when it actually comes to playing it, it eventually just pisses me off by having some really crap game mechanics, especially around boss fights (and respawning enemies is a pet hate).

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  • KamalR

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 11:32 pm PT

    This game looks good can't wait to get this game for my XBOX 360

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  • playstation_wii

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 5:43 pm PT

    I wish it was on the PS3.

    Oh well, the screen are still awesome!

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  • TranceKuja925

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 5:04 pm PT

    looks cool. just need a 360 and i can play when it comes out. and damn stop *****ing over whether the 360 is better or the PS3 is. keep your opinion to your self, i doubt anyone cares.

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  • Dreski83

    Posted Sep 18, 2007 8:18 pm PT

    as always, the game is looking great, but I wish they showed more footage of interacting with the environment rather than pure hack and slash... is it just me or does there look like a LOT more blood in this one

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  • Evinco_DX

    Posted Sep 18, 2007 12:49 pm PT

    This is great, can't wait to play it. We 360 owners get a true sequel and it's only going to be for the 360. Sorry PS3 fanboys you guys just got a remake of a remake.

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  • lorcan1989

    Posted Sep 17, 2007 12:51 pm PT

    Ikaruga 800 or 1200 points? would definately get it for 800!

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  • kemar7856

    Posted Sep 17, 2007 12:34 pm PT

    wow

    • Login to rate this comment
  • uk_beny

    Posted Sep 17, 2007 8:41 am PT

    carnt wait

    • Login to rate this comment
  • r0ger_d70r

    Posted Sep 17, 2007 7:55 am PT

    action was incredible in the first game i hope they keep the gameplay and just change some minor stuff like add an online or co-op or just make some use of live...

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  • MortorVos

    Posted Sep 17, 2007 3:07 am PT

    this wont be on PS3 because microsoft will be publishing it!!!
    I hope they keep the amazing combat system like the first game but add more environments and stop with the back tracking stuff!

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  • hafaholo

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 3:54 pm PT

    cant wait.

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  • sierrita2

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 12:06 pm PT

    I LOVE NINJA GAIDEN BUT I HOPE THIS GUYS DON'T PLAY STUPID AND RELEASE IT FOR PS3.

    • Login to rate this comment
  • maraxus94

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 11:14 am PT

    I love Ninja Gaiden...but I dislike Itagaki so much....

    • Login to rate this comment
  • saquib_h

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 10:20 am PT

    Excellent news! 2 thumbs of for all the producers and of course to MS.
    MS really doing what the X360 users want this time... keep it up! awesome... really looking forward to the Ninja Gaiden 2 now...

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  • WhiteSnake5000

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 10:03 pm PT

    This ****'s eventually gonna end up on the PS3 for those who are concerned, named something like Ninja Gaiden: Omega Edition or something like that , you know how it is. They eventually just want more money. Unfortunately for me I don't have either platform so the possibility of me getting to play this looks rather bleak.

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  • Themilkman418

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 9:52 pm PT

    PS3 owned.

    It's not that fact that i love the 360 but the fact that I hate SONY and the ps3

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  • Testament

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 8:10 pm PT

    Its sad to say but i have to repeat the statement AGAIN FOR THE SLOWER PEOPLE, SO HERE IT GOES......AGAIN; For the people who are very slow at understanding i will type in big letters. I SAID NG AND GOW; BOTH ARE GOOD GAMES!!!!! I like them both, but i felt more action in Gow of war due the the HUGE level design, INTENSE boss fights, and excellent story. I own NG black too, dont get me wrong, NG black is a very good game, but i found myself having to see the DAMMMMMMM game over screen way tooooooooo many times which can be frusterating. playing NG black on hard was like sucide.

    thekey "And I was wondering if you would make the same foolish comment if Ninja Gaiden 2 was PS3 exclusive?"

    the answer is yes, if you would of saw my previous comments you would have seen that i said i owned BOTH NG AND GOW. They are both very good games, but all i'm saying is that NG difficulty challege made it less enjoyable to me. that's all

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  • badman11226

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 6:24 pm PT

    I personally like GOW slighty more than NG because of level design and boss fight and in-cutscene action. But NG i will admit is harder than GOW espically when you fighting multiple enemies. Its more challenging but GOw have better puzzle solvng and story than NG but not by much. But i really excited to hear that there will be NG2 because i wont able to play GOW 3 because i have a 360

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  • Ninjak

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 1:35 pm PT

    God of war series will not be on x360 because it is a SONY published title.
    NG 2 will not be PS3 or any other console because MS is publishing it.
    I doubt NG2 would be on any other platform anyways even before MS decided to publish it. Team Ninja has been very good to xbox owners. those that can't deal with it go buy a x360 or go without!

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  • alsha3er78

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 11:38 am PT

    what a surprise!!! this is a major blow to the ps3. oh well...they got to play NGS.

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  • RighteousPlank

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 9:36 am PT

    this game is one of the best there is. i have to get this one.

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  • thekey

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 5:05 am PT

    Ok Testament your living a world called fantasy. There is no way the majority of people in the world of gaming are going to agree with you on God of War being better and more intense then Ninja Gaiden. There is no way!

    And I was wondering if you would make the same foolish comment if Ninja Gaiden 2 was PS3 exclusive?

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  • Lord_Polverston

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 4:53 am PT

    I hope they dont ban the dismembering of human enemies like they did in the first xbox one.

    • Login to rate this comment
  • Delgun82

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 2:59 am PT

    Limbs.... Torsos.... Severed heads.... how can you not love ninja gaiden?

    • Login to rate this comment
  • chianatrotos

    Posted Sep 15, 2007 12:45 am PT

    ninja gaiden 2...lets see who can beat it in hard mode..xaxaaxax the challenge begins now

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  • Lordofultima

    Posted Sep 14, 2007 8:49 pm PT

    Ikaruga! This is the biggest news for sure, forget this Ninja Gaiden stuff.

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  • Nickgansta

    Posted Sep 14, 2007 5:01 pm PT

    NINJASM
    REPITITIVE
    NOT REPETETIVE

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  • Nickgansta

    Posted Sep 14, 2007 4:58 pm PT

    Testament why are you posting stuff about god of war on a ninja gaiden news story
    oh and id rather play Mysims than gow 3 this soon it needs time to like be announced P.S. sure its in development thats why the whole team from the first two are making Chains of olympus and last time i checked they didnt didnt announce it yet

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  • Azhar85

    Posted Sep 14, 2007 1:32 pm PT

    both system are good....

    • Login to rate this comment
  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Sep 14, 2007 1:31 pm PT

    Does Sega count as one of those Developers???

    I'm asking because, apparently Sega is NOT going to release Virtua Fighter 5 in Japan for the Xbox 360...and that is TERRIBLE, because that is where it would have had the largest impact, since Virtua Fighter 5 is the #1 3D Fighting games series in Japan.

    Microsoft, if Sega doesn't want to Publish Virtua Fighter 5 in Japan, then allow Microsoft Game Studios to volunteer to do it for them!!!

    Allowing a game that has been Developed to not be Published in the market where consumers want it the most is a sin that does NOT deserve to be forgiven!!!

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  • Spooky_Otaku

    Posted Sep 14, 2007 12:44 pm PT

    Delgun82 God of War II was released on the 13th of March this year. As for comparisons between the two, I'd say they are both AAA titles, that God of War has a better storyline and that Ninja Gaiden is a much more challenging game.

    • Login to rate this comment
  • gaz-420

    Posted Sep 14, 2007 9:03 am PT

    About time. This will be Sweet...

    • Login to rate this comment
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