As if the news of Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword being delayed until next March wasn't disappointing enough (news that was super-officially confirmed by a Tecmo press release today, by the way), the boxart for the game is ... well, not necessarily bad, but certainly underwhelming. Not ninjatastic. It might just be us, but the whole thing comes across as a bit half-assed, the kind of design a Tecmo work experience lackey might churn out on Photoshop during his lunch break. We really hope that didn't happen, Tecmo.
Here's hoping the game, which we're immenselylookingforward to, makes more of an impact than its packaging.
Tomonobu Itagaki has been a busy man, ever since he revealed his fan favorite franchise Ninja Gaiden would be seeing an iteration on the DS in Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword and a sequel on the Xbox 360. He's conductedlots of interviews about the DS game since then, answering the same question as to why he chose the DS over the PSP over and over again. Aside from the almost God-like status he enjoys in the gaming industry, he's quite the unlucky guy.
Aside from the quote where he says the game is 50% complete, he also comments on one of our concerns about the handheld title: the elaborate and breathtaking environments. Team Ninja is striving to meet those expectations on the portable platform. Not only that, but the handheld's lead programmer was almost single-handedly responsible for the fighting engine in both Dead or Alive 4 and the first Ninja Gaiden.
Itagaki was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule of making great games and shopping for leather to speak with GameTrailers about Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. Of course, they grilled him on just why he would go with the DS instead of the PSP (how many times must this man answer this question?!), but kept the piece interesting by sprinkling gameplay footage throughout the videos.
Hit up the second part of the video interview past the post break.
Our cruel overlords at Joystiq recently got to sit down with gaming icon Tomonobu Itagaki (we hope they brought him gifts of leather and booze). We imagine it only took him mere minutes to sexually assault the interviewing blogger (hawt!), before calmly putting his clothes back on, sitting down calmly and lighting up a smoke.
Following that horrible piece of mental imagery, Itagaki and Joystiq's confrontation at the offices of Team Ninja were nothing of the sort. In fact, it was quite casual and professional ... er, as professional as one can be during an interview with one of the most outspoken and blunt members of the gaming industry. And, Itagaki did not fail to be just that while conducting this interview.
The focus of the interview mainly revolved around his project for the DS, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. He speaks about why multiplayer wasn't implemented, the pros and cons of a stylus-driven control scheme and even the possibility of bringing other Team Ninja titles to the platform.
As an Itagaki junkie (something we admit we are, as well), Joystiq's Ludwig Kietzmann could barely contain himself as he approached the booth seen above for Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. At least, that's what we imagine given the fact that we are not there with him. Actually, we think about the little guy a lot. Maybe even too much.
But, onto the game! As he played it, he found that the stylus-driven controls of the game worked surprisingly well (our greatest fear has dissolved into the ether). The ease-of-use comes with a price, however. Ryu's move list has been incredibly simplified, as his graceful and wide range of attacks found in his latest console offerings is without representation here.
We're glad to report that he found nothing else of conflict with the title.
Whether this is intentional or not, Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword is bridging the classic NES Ninja Gaiden games with the newer Xbox/PS3 game. Not necessarily in terms of gameplay, as, except for the stylus control, this looks to play a lot like the Xbox game, but rather, in presentation.
The NES Ninja Gaiden got noticed in 1989 in part because of its brilliant anime-style cutscenes. Dragon Sword relies on the same kind of device to tell its story, using startlingly well-drawn comic panels to tell the epic story of whatever the excuse is this time for Ryu Hayabusa to slash at people and monsters with a big sword. It was probably a space-saving decision to use still images to replace full-motion video, and, judging by the results, it was a good one.
We've seen a lot on Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, from screenshots to helpful tips on how to control the action, but one burning question remained: how is it? Is it as awesome as a game from Team Ninja should be? Game Daily offered a breakdown of all the elements, and it really seems like this one is coming together in what promises to be an explosive experience on the DS.
The folks at Game Daily had only good things to say about the forthcoming title, from the smooth graphics to the controls, and even down to the puzzle elements. It seems this handheld Ninja Gaiden is set to use every ounce of the DS to its advantage. Sign us up for two copies, please.
Considering the game is slated for release this year, we hope someone gets their hands on it soon for a more in-depth look, but for now, we'll have to be happy with what we've got.
Oh, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, how we wish you were out already. Like, yesterday. And then delivered to our doorstep wrapped in pretty pink bows, along with an IV filled with espresso, ready to power us through long gaming sessions. Or maybe that's just our own twisted personal fantasy. What can we say -- we're ready for some handheld Ninja Gaiden action, and this version is just as it should be: no frills, all thrills. For now, we'll just have to settle for sweet new screenshots. Check 'em out in the gallery!
Posted May 31st 2007 3:00PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News
Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword sounds cool; and by cool we mean totally sweet. Game Informer got a chance to play an early version, and they had a great time slashing ninjas and dragon bosses with cool stylus moves, and smashing the face buttons to block.
Players will not be able to flip out and kill their friends in-game, as there will be no multiplayer functionality. Team Ninja's larger-than-life Tomonobu Itagaki cited potential issues with "speed and precision on the controls and trying to get it to work" as reasons they didn't pursue online play. On a much happier note, players will not be forced to embarrass themselves in public by blowing on their game systems. Team Ninja considered a microphone gimmick involving yelling, but decided there would be enough going on. That's fine. We're officially tired of the microphone gimmick.
If you can manage to focus on anything other than the amazing footage in the video after the jump, you might notice that there's a great explanation of the controls in Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword. Stylus controls seem to make sense in this fast-paced title. Need to slash a guy in his face? Then do it. It's just that simple.
But it's the gameplay footage that's the real star in this video. Even in demo form -- with easier enemies, apparently -- the game looks stunning, and compared to many DS titles, technically amazing. If Ninja Gaiden can look this good, the possibilities for the DS suddenly seem just short of infinite.
Apparently, the upcoming Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword isn't going to be as independent as we thought, as it is confirmed in an interview with CVG, by none other than Tomonobu Itagaki himself, that the game will have many similarities with Team Ninja's upcoming Ninja Gaiden sequel set to release on the Xbox 360. Itagaki confirms that not only will observant gamers notice some similarities in the two games' stories, but also in other areas as well (we're assuming some of the levels may repeat, etc.).
This news does little to sway our excitement for the game, but what about you, fine reader?
Update: Whoops, small typo in the headline. It has been fixed.
If you can't seem to get enough of Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, then you're in luck -- because the good folks from Team Ninja are all about giving up the goods. May they never, ever stop.
While we've seen a few of these in with the scans, it's nice to look at them all by their lonesome ... and envision how we'll be spending all our free time in the future. Check 'em out after the jump.
During an interview with 1UP, Team Ninja's Tomonobu Itagaki implied that work on a DS action title is underway. He doesn't outright say that a Ninja Gaiden title is set to release on the platform, or a version of his incredible fighting franchise Dead or Alive is destined to be a part of DS gamers' lives (highly unlikely), but we'd like to believe that a Ninja Gaiden title is in the works.
Tomonobu Itagaki has been a busy man, ever since he 
Our cruel overlords at Joystiq recently got to sit down with gaming icon Tomonobu Itagaki (we hope they brought him gifts of leather and booze). We imagine it only took him mere minutes to sexually assault the interviewing blogger (hawt!), before calmly putting his clothes back on, sitting down calmly and lighting up a smoke.
We've seen a lot on Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, from 
Oh, 
If you can manage to focus on anything other than the amazing footage in the video after the jump, you might notice that there's a great explanation of the controls in 
During an interview with 1UP, Team Ninja's Tomonobu Itagaki implied that work on a DS action title is underway. He doesn't outright say that a Ninja Gaiden title is set to release on the platform, or a version of his incredible fighting franchise Dead or Alive is destined to be a part of DS gamers' lives (highly unlikely), but we'd like to believe that a Ninja Gaiden title is in the works.
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