During the Game Awards 2024, Koei Tecmo and Dotemu announced a brand-new game in theNinja Gaidenseries calledNinja Gaiden: Ragebound. Contrary to what some people expected,Ninja Gaiden: Rageboundwas revealed not to be a mainline title, but rather a 2D side-scrolling action game, similar to the NES-era entries in the franchise. The game, the companies confirmed, was being developed by the creators of theBlasphemousseries, The Game Kitchen, and they said it would target a 2025 release window on all modern platforms, including last-gen consoles.
At the time of its announcement,Ninja Gaiden: Rageboundwas significant because it was the first originalNinja Gaidengame to be produced in more than a decade. However, as many may know by now, it is no longer the only new entry in the franchise that’s being released this year. Two otherNinja Gaidengames,Ninja Gaiden 2 BlackandNinja Gaiden 4, were announced by Koei Tecmo during the Xbox Developer Direct a few months ago. Interestingly,Ninja Gaiden 4andNinja Gaiden 2 Blackwere both revealed as day-one Game Pass games, unlikeNinja Gaiden: Ragebound. Since the game has already been released and can therefore no longer come to Game Pass on day-one, it should follow in the footsteps of its peers by getting added to the service in the future.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Blackwas shadow-dropped during the Xbox Developer Direct, whileNinja Gaiden 4is set to be released in October 2025.
Out of All the Recent Ninja Gaiden Games, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Would Fit Game Pass the Most
Despite Being Cheap, Some People May Be Hesitant to Buy Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
Compared to the other recent games in the series,Ninja Gaiden: Rageboundis not a particularly expensive title. The game costs just $25 on all major storefronts, and there’s even a 10% off sale for it that’s going on for the next few days. Given that the game was developed by an indie team and is nota blockbuster 3D action title, likeNinja Gaiden 4is, its low price tag shouldn’t come as a surprise. However, in spite of its affordable nature, some gamers — especially those who are unfamiliar with theNinja Gaidenseries — may be unwilling to shell out the dough forRagebound.
Ninja Gaidenmay have had an instrumental role in retro gaming history, but the franchise isn’t that well known among younger audiences. The series, as previously mentioned, hasn’t been active for a long time, and even when it was being consistently supportedduring the mid-to-late 2000s, its potential for growth was hampered by various factors.Ninja Gaiden’s notoriously challenging combat, frequent platform exclusivity, and confusing naming conventions have made it hard for the franchise to attract newcomers, in spite of it cultivating a passionate fan base.
SinceNinja Gaidenstill needs to regain the audience it lost over the last decade, it feels like it willbe in Koei Tecmo’s best interest to make the newest installments in the series accessible to as wide a player base as possible. This, of course, can be achieved by putting the newer installments of the franchise on Game Pass. WhileNinja Gaiden 2 BlackandNinja Gaiden 4are already on the service,Ninja Gaiden: Rageboundarguably needs the Game Pass bag the most, because it is inherently more niche than the other two entries in the series. People who are willing to buyNinja Gaiden 4andNinja Gaiden 2 Blackmay not be as interested in gettingNinja Gaiden: Ragebound, simply due to the fact that it’s a 2D platformer with pixel-art graphics.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Would Be a Great Introduction to the Series for Game Pass Subscribers
