The Last Ninja Collection + Bonus Games, published by System 3, marks a significant return for a cult-classic franchise as it makes its way to the Nintendo Switch and PC.
On September 10, 2024, System 3 launched a Kickstarter campaign to support the release, and the response from retro gaming enthusiasts was both immediate and enthusiastic.
Within just forty minutes of going live, the campaign exceeded its initial funding target, raising over £10,000 from fans eager to preserve and revisit these iconic titles. This ambitious collection curates every installment of The Last Ninja series originally released for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Commodore Amiga.
That includes the pioneering titles The Last Ninja, Last Ninja 2, Last Ninja 3, and Ninja Remix.
Additionally, classics like Bangkok Knights, International Karate, and International Karate + are included for the first time, broadening the appeal for fans of vintage action and martial arts games. System 3 CEO Mark Cale underscored the importance of this project in a recent press statement, noting that the original Last Ninja titles predated and helped shape the mechanics now celebrated in modern Souls-like games.
Cale emphasized the legacy of renowned developer Archer Maclean, stating that bringing these games—alongside the celebrated International Karate series—to contemporary hardware like the Nintendo Switch and PC honors Maclean’s contributions to gaming and champions the crucial need for video game preservation. Enthusiasts backing The Last Ninja Collection on Kickstarter at the Diamond Ultimate tier will unlock access to never-before-released content.
This includes work-in-progress versions of Last Ninja 4 from 2002 and 2018, as well as a previously cancelled International Karate remaster, IK++.
These rare materials provide a unique window into the development history of System 3's most beloved franchises. Interest in the collection remains high following the Kickstarter surge, and System 3 has now confirmed an official release date.
The Last Ninja Collection + Bonus Games is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch on March 5, 2026, with a retail price of $29.99.
The release underscores System 3’s ongoing commitment to bringing retro classics to modern audiences, ensuring that timeless titles remain accessible both digitally and, where possible, in physical formats. With this comprehensive release, The Last Ninja Collection + Bonus Games offers both nostalgic fans and new players a chance to experience a definitive slice of gaming history.
For those interested in securing exclusive content or supporting game preservation, the Kickstarter campaign remains accessible with various backer tiers available.
On September 10, 2024, System 3 launched a Kickstarter campaign to support the release, and the response from retro gaming enthusiasts was both immediate and enthusiastic.
Within just forty minutes of going live, the campaign exceeded its initial funding target, raising over £10,000 from fans eager to preserve and revisit these iconic titles. This ambitious collection curates every installment of The Last Ninja series originally released for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Commodore Amiga.
That includes the pioneering titles The Last Ninja, Last Ninja 2, Last Ninja 3, and Ninja Remix.
Additionally, classics like Bangkok Knights, International Karate, and International Karate + are included for the first time, broadening the appeal for fans of vintage action and martial arts games. System 3 CEO Mark Cale underscored the importance of this project in a recent press statement, noting that the original Last Ninja titles predated and helped shape the mechanics now celebrated in modern Souls-like games.
Cale emphasized the legacy of renowned developer Archer Maclean, stating that bringing these games—alongside the celebrated International Karate series—to contemporary hardware like the Nintendo Switch and PC honors Maclean’s contributions to gaming and champions the crucial need for video game preservation. Enthusiasts backing The Last Ninja Collection on Kickstarter at the Diamond Ultimate tier will unlock access to never-before-released content.
This includes work-in-progress versions of Last Ninja 4 from 2002 and 2018, as well as a previously cancelled International Karate remaster, IK++.
These rare materials provide a unique window into the development history of System 3's most beloved franchises. Interest in the collection remains high following the Kickstarter surge, and System 3 has now confirmed an official release date.
The Last Ninja Collection + Bonus Games is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch on March 5, 2026, with a retail price of $29.99.
The release underscores System 3’s ongoing commitment to bringing retro classics to modern audiences, ensuring that timeless titles remain accessible both digitally and, where possible, in physical formats. With this comprehensive release, The Last Ninja Collection + Bonus Games offers both nostalgic fans and new players a chance to experience a definitive slice of gaming history.
For those interested in securing exclusive content or supporting game preservation, the Kickstarter campaign remains accessible with various backer tiers available.
