Hand-drawn 2D action is seeing a major resurgence in the gaming industry, spearheaded this year by two standout releases rooted in iconic '80s ninja franchises: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance.
Developed by teams with strong retro credentials—including DotEmu, Sega, The Game Kitchen, and Lizardcube—these games bring back the classic challenge and stylings that defined their legendary predecessors, captivating both nostalgic fans and genre newcomers alike. This wave of ninja action has made a considerable impact across platforms, with both Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance available for Nintendo Switch, Steam, and PlayStation 5.
To the delight of fans, DotEmu, Sega, The Game Kitchen, and Lizardcube have collaborated on a special Path of the Ninja bundle, knocking 10% off the total price for players looking to experience the best of both worlds.
The Steam page for the bundle proclaims, "More ninjas, more action, more incredible gameplay," highlighting the crossover appeal and adrenaline-pumping excitement that these two seminal series deliver.
It continues, "Two iconic ninja franchises, SHINOBI and NINJA GAIDEN, come together in this bundle, proving you can never have too much ninja action.
Whether embracing your rage or showing the art of your vengeance, play as two legendary ninjas and challenge yourself in these thrilling 2D platformer games." Critical response to both titles has been robust.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance received high praise from Push Square, which called it "hard to fault." Awarding the game a 9 out of 10 on PlayStation 5, their review notes that despite some minor narrative and level pacing issues, it stands out as an exceptional 2D action platformer.
The outlet commended the game’s vibrant visuals and kinetic combat, suggesting that if this is indicative of Sega's approach to reviving other classic franchises, fans can look forward to strong future entries. On the Nintendo Switch front, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound earned an 8 out of 10 from Nintendo Life.
The review commended its engaging mechanics and challenging level design, remarking that the game encourages players to master its balletic combat flow.
However, reviewers did mention occasional frame rate drops as a drawback but emphasized that the overall ninja action delivers a satisfying and authentic arcade experience. Both titles reaffirm a growing trend: the return of beloved franchises via modern 2D platformers, supported by top-tier development teams and welcomed by critical acclaim.
With the Path of the Ninja bundle available now on Nintendo Switch and PC via the eShop and Steam, it’s the perfect opportunity to rediscover two giants of ninja gaming, and experience firsthand the hand-drawn artistry and ferociously rewarding gameplay that put these series on the map.
Developed by teams with strong retro credentials—including DotEmu, Sega, The Game Kitchen, and Lizardcube—these games bring back the classic challenge and stylings that defined their legendary predecessors, captivating both nostalgic fans and genre newcomers alike. This wave of ninja action has made a considerable impact across platforms, with both Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance available for Nintendo Switch, Steam, and PlayStation 5.
To the delight of fans, DotEmu, Sega, The Game Kitchen, and Lizardcube have collaborated on a special Path of the Ninja bundle, knocking 10% off the total price for players looking to experience the best of both worlds.
The Steam page for the bundle proclaims, "More ninjas, more action, more incredible gameplay," highlighting the crossover appeal and adrenaline-pumping excitement that these two seminal series deliver.
It continues, "Two iconic ninja franchises, SHINOBI and NINJA GAIDEN, come together in this bundle, proving you can never have too much ninja action.
Whether embracing your rage or showing the art of your vengeance, play as two legendary ninjas and challenge yourself in these thrilling 2D platformer games." Critical response to both titles has been robust.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance received high praise from Push Square, which called it "hard to fault." Awarding the game a 9 out of 10 on PlayStation 5, their review notes that despite some minor narrative and level pacing issues, it stands out as an exceptional 2D action platformer.
The outlet commended the game’s vibrant visuals and kinetic combat, suggesting that if this is indicative of Sega's approach to reviving other classic franchises, fans can look forward to strong future entries. On the Nintendo Switch front, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound earned an 8 out of 10 from Nintendo Life.
The review commended its engaging mechanics and challenging level design, remarking that the game encourages players to master its balletic combat flow.
However, reviewers did mention occasional frame rate drops as a drawback but emphasized that the overall ninja action delivers a satisfying and authentic arcade experience. Both titles reaffirm a growing trend: the return of beloved franchises via modern 2D platformers, supported by top-tier development teams and welcomed by critical acclaim.
With the Path of the Ninja bundle available now on Nintendo Switch and PC via the eShop and Steam, it’s the perfect opportunity to rediscover two giants of ninja gaming, and experience firsthand the hand-drawn artistry and ferociously rewarding gameplay that put these series on the map.
