KAGE Shadow of the Ninja Remake Unveiled by Tengo Project: Coming to Nintendo Switch and More in Spring 2024

Tengo Project, acclaimed for their expert remakes of retro classics, has officially announced their next major project: a full HD remake of the 1990 Natsume NES title Shadow of the Ninja.

Now rebranded as KAGE Shadow of the Ninja, this beloved side-scrolling action platformer is set for release in Spring 2024 across multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The unveiling comes after a Japanese trailer was made available, highlighting updated visuals, reimagined soundtracks, and classic run-and-slash gameplay.

Spotted and reported by both Gematsu and Nintendo Life, this announcement cements months of speculation following teasing by Tengo Project at the 2022 Tokyo Game Show. Tengo Project is no stranger to the world of retro revivals.

The team previously drew widespread acclaim for their efforts on Pocky & Rocky: Reshrined, The Ninja Warriors Once Again, and Wild Guns Reloaded, each earning praise for faithfully modernizing their source material while maintaining the spirit of the originals.

With KAGE Shadow of the Ninja, the developer continues its mission to bring classic action experiences to a new generation on modern hardware like the Nintendo Switch and current-gen consoles. The new trailer features Tengo Project composer Hiroyuki Iwatsuki visiting Iku Mizutani, the co-composer of the original game, and inviting him to collaborate on the upcoming remake.

Mizutani’s guitar riffs on the prologue theme serve as a bridge connecting nostalgic fans to the new version, while fresh animation sequences give a taste of updated character designs and environments. Shadow of the Ninja, originally released in Japan under the title Yami no Shigotonin Kage (and known as Blue Shadow in Europe and Australia via Taito), quickly earned a reputation as a standout two-player NES game.

Players could team up as Hayate or Kaede, two ninjas fighting through a futuristic New York City to challenge a tyrannical emperor and his robotic army.

Its cooperative gameplay and intense action made it a memorable addition to the NES library. Tengo Project’s decision to remake Shadow of the Ninja comes after the team subtly hinted at the project during last year’s Tokyo Game Show, distributing promotional materials referencing the game’s original tagline.

This new, fully-voiced trailer and the confirmed multi-platform release are clear indicators of Tengo Project’s commitment to classic game preservation and revitalization. KAGE Shadow of the Ninja is poised for launch in Spring 2024 and will be available digitally on the Nintendo Switch eShop, as well as on PlayStation, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.

Further details, including gameplay features and release schedules, are expected in the coming months.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo PlayStation NES PC Xbox Series X Xbox Switch Xbox Series X|S Xbox Series Shadow X Tengo Project S developer Natsume Shadow of the Ninja Steam Gematsu Nintendo Life Taito Pocky & Rocky: Reshrined The Ninja Warriors Once Again Wild Guns Reloaded Hiroyuki Iwatsuki Iku Mizutani Gosokkyu