Here’s why several fans are unhappy with how theNinja Gaiden Master Collectionis shaping up.Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja announcedNinja Gaiden: Master Collectionon theNintendo Direct February 2021. The game is coming toSwitch, but alsoPS4,Xbox One, andPCvia Steam.Ninja Gaiden: Master Collectionwill release on August 05, 2025.The game will compile the adventures of Ryu Hayabusa fromNinja Gaiden Sigmareleased in 2007.Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2from 2009. AndNinja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edgefrom 2012.Theofficial sitespecifies the female characters of the series, Rachel, Ayane, Momiji, and Kasumi, will appear as they did in the original version of the games. Which means there’s no need to worry about costumes censorship. In addition, most of the DLCs from the original games including DLC costumes will be available from the get-go too.Some functions will be removed however: There’s no online multiplayer for the Tag Missions inNinja Gaiden Sigma 2. Moreover,Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge’s Clan Battle for Shadows of the World was removed. And there’s no online for Ninja Trials.
However, it’s important to note theNinja Gaiden Sigmagames are already ports, different than the originalNinja Gaidengames.
Ninja Gaidenwast first released on Xbox in 2004, and then the PS3 portNinja Gaiden Sigmahappened in 2007. Similarly,Ninja Gaiden 2first launched on Xbox 360 in 2008, and was later ported asNinja Gaiden Sigma 2on PS3.
The series' main designer Tomonobu Itagaki - the main creator ofDead or AliveandNinja Gaiden- and Team Ninja, really went all out with the blood and gore inNinja Gaiden 2specifically. In comparison,Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, while adding new content most notably with Ayane, Rachel, and Momiji being playable, also heavily censored the game.
But censorship is not the most important issue by far. The biggest change to note and what makes many fans unhappy are direct gameplay changes. Some of the stages ofNinja Gaiden 2are completely different inNinja Gaiden 2 Sigma. The maps and layout are the same, but the enemies' placements and waves are like night and day.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2also has several changes to the item system, the weapon system, bosses, etc as well. Some are enhancements, but some can also be considered downgrades.
At the end of the day,Ninja Gaiden 2andNinja Gaiden Sigma 2are pretty much different games instead of an original and its port. Fans are unhappy and sad that even with these new remasters, the only way to play the originalNinja Gaiden 2is still having access to an Xbox 360.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2Compared ToNinja Gaiden 2
As such, it’s understandable why many fans are unhappy thatNinja Gaiden Master Collectioncontains theSigmaversion instead of the original.
Personally speaking, I’m pretty bummed as well, but at the end of the day this collection is better than nothing. Beggars can’t be choosers, and at least this shows Koei Tecmo is not forgetting about theNinja Gaidenseries and still pushes the series forward. I’m all for trying to make the best out of a situation that didn’t turn out like you expected.
Fumihiko Yasuda mentioned he’d definitely like to make a sequel one day in the press release for theMaster Collection. Though the current head of Team Ninja also stressed out it’s not in development.
