Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection Reviews
Overall, if you liked the Ninja Gaiden reboots, you should pick up this collection. While the PC port is not worth bothering with, the games themselves certainly are on other platforms and get a big recommendation from me.
On Switch, Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection can only be recommended for playing the first two Sigma games. Even then, the port quality is a bit on the rough side for Sigma 2. The first game is the undisputed champion of the bunch, and will test the mettle of any action game fan. As far as compilations go, Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is very bare-bones and reeks of laziness.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is a double-edged Dragon Sword. On one hand, it's hard to overlook the omission of both Black titles. On the other hand, the Sigma duology and Razor's Edge make for a compelling, if at times uneven, action trilogy. What the first Sigma loses from puzzles, platforming, and exploration, it makes up for with streamlined set pieces that highlight combat above all else. Sigma 2 lacks almost all the style that defined Ninja Gaiden II, but it's undeniably a smoother experience that challenges a different set of skills than its predecessor. Razor's Edge is the clear weak link of the bunch on a design level, but the mechanics are incredibly fun to experiment with. It may not be the ideal compilation for hardcore franchise fans, but Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is a great entrypoint for new fans and a solid trilogy in its own right.
Bare minimum ports with performance issues they may be, but Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is a most welcome release that hopefully fuels the flame for a fourth in the 3D series. The lack of polish or any real noteworthy adjustments or additional content, as well as the third game losing its way following the first two great entries, put a dampener on the package, but there is still good value for money here that fans of challenging games will do well to check out.
With Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection, Nintendo fans finally can experience the entire contemporary Ryu Hayabusa saga. The games themselves are each grueling challenges that deliver a unique sense of accomplishment after players learn to master Ryu’s move sets and become discerning combatants. In terms of performance, Master Collection is at its best docked, but Nintendo’s version of the compilation has unmistakably had the most sacrifices made to get it running.
A competent collection of ports that does the bare minimum to bring the series to modern systems. The games themselves are still fantastic action classics but it's a shame all versions couldn't be included.
Return of reliable, but archaic ninja warrior without improvements.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
This should not have been the way for PC players to meet the Ninja Gaiden Sigma series, all these port-related problems shouldn't have overshadowed the fun of the game. It seems that we will continue to be skeptical when the words Koei Tecmo and PC come together.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
The games in the Ninja Gaiden Master Collection still hold up, but the remaster falters on bringing new quality of life features and fixing some of the trilogy's more glaring issues.
Each of 3 games in Ninja Gaiden Master Collection are one of the best hack and slash games and even in 2021 there are not much hack and slash and hardcore games better than these 3. Of course Graphics are old and there are still camera issues in these games, but Ninja Gaiden never has been about Graphics, because intense hardcore gameplay doesn't give you many chances to focus on other things! Joining legendary Ryu Hayabusa in its difficult journey, is still really fun and experiencing 3 beautiful Ninja Gaiden games in one collection absolutely worth your time.
Review in Persian | Read full review
As it stands now, even with the Day1 patch released, the Master Collection is lacking on every front. The games are still enjoyable, but there is nothing masterful in this collection, the publisher being content releasing a mere port instead of a remaster or alas, a remake.
Years after the release of the first Ninja Gaiden game, it's core gameplay mechanisms and level design still seem fresh and satisfying. The Master Collection puts together Sigma, Sigma 2 and Razor's Edge games in a thrilling Hack and Slash package that the fans of the genre just can't miss. Ryu Hayabusa is back; fast as a lightning bolt and sharp as a dagger.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Although the Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection could have been much more, the three games included run better than ever and should still be satisfying enough for returning fans. The bloody and brutal gameplay is just as exhilarating and will keep you coming back for more, and the collection is a great way for newer audiences to learn about Ryu Hayabusa's history.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection brings back to life 3 great classics of the genre. Some graphical aspects can be improved and the lack of new additions and arrangements makes it feel that the work on the adaptation has been minimal possible. In addition, the serious control problems in the third title tarnish the impeccable gameplay of the first two. Still, the title offers a lot of mostly good quality content at a reduced price, making it hard not to recommend it to any action game lover.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Ryu Hayabusa returned in full glory to silence demons and other mascaras from the abyss of hell again. It should be remembered, however, that these games from a completely different era than modern slashers - small archaisms can give a bone.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection includes the Sigma version of ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden 2 games, which continue to be engaging and fun.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is a great package that any fan of action games will enjoy. Ryu Hayabusa still stands as one of the most memorable and bad ass video game protagonists even all these years later. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is the best one in this package in my opinion but all three are worth experiencing. Mastering the combat and Ryu’s moveset is so rewarding and you’ll easily get hours and hours of enjoyment out of this. Hopefully this collection will bring in plenty of new fans so that Team Ninja will give Ryu Hayabusa some new work soon.
While little has been done to make these games truly shine on new, more powerful formats, they’re all still highly enjoyable action games – Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 in particular. It’s just a shame that Ryu Hayabusa hasn’t been shown a little more love.
With two artifacts that belong in the video game hall of fame, and one curiosity that highlights Itagaki’s genius by showing what happened when he wasn’t involved in Ninja Gaiden, this collection stands the test of time. So many modern action video games are either self-serious or desperately eager to make sure you laugh when they tell you to. It’s weird, given how bloodthirsty the Ninja Gaiden series is, but the laconic, droll approach that they take to everything they do almost comes across as subtle and classy these days, and I’ve loved revisiting that.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is a must-have collection for those who have never played one of the best action series. However, it is clear that many aspects have aged badly, such as the camera and graphics, and could have been polished in this collection. In that light, Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection offers only the bare minimum you would expect from a remaster.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review