Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection Reviews
The dormant juggernaut of video game heritage that is Ninja Gaiden makes its way onto modern hardware with this adrenaline-fueled collection featuring three critically acclaimed titles from the series. Ryu Hayabusa is back, but is the collection a celebration of what made these games fantastic, or just another cash-grab?
Team Ninja have succeeded in bringing back Ryu in 2021 and while it doesn't offer anything new, this collection is a lean mean fighting machine and with the inclusion of 4K graphics running at 60 frames per second, revisiting Ninja Gaiden is a blast from the past with a modern twist and while the first game feels a little dated, this collection excels with the later two games.
The Master Collection for Ninja Gaiden is an enjoyable look at two and a half great games, but not in their best forms. It has much of the DLC and extra bits thrown in, but nothing new that makes this collection worthwhile, except to new fans.
Having been a fan of the Ninja Gaiden series in its vintage incarnations I'd always heard good things about the modern series but hadn't ever had the pleasure...
Good gameplay is evergreen, it can remain good, no matter how many years pass.
Review in Greek | Read full review
NINJA GAIDEN: Master Collection bundles three good action games that are still fun to play years after their original release dates, and have made a pretty smooth transition over to Nintendo Switch, despite some of the hiccups I mentioned earlier. While some aspects didn’t age well, like Sigma‘s camera issues, I still think these three titles are solid action games and worth picking up. I think that NINJA GAIDEN fans, and fans of action games in general, will still find a lot to love here. The games still have fun combat, good music, beautiful character models, and the baddest ninja in the world, Ryu Hayabusa. A standard edition copy will cost $39.99 on the Nintendo eShop, and I feel this bundle is definitely worth that. If you want something extra, you can also get the deluxe edition for $49.99 which comes with a digital art book and soundtrack. Are you ready to fulfill your ninja fantasy and step into the shoes of the world’s strongest ninja?
Overall, the Ninja Gaiden Master Collection is possibly worth considering. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 1 is still a fantastic game, and Sigma 2 is not a bad game, despite being a downgrade. You are still being lugged with Razor’s Edge of course, but that may be a tax worth paying. Unless you’re on Switch. Switch owners should stay far, far away from this collection. Ryu Hyabusa deserved better and we can only hope he gets it on the other platforms.
Ninja Gaiden Master Collection is a fun adventure and a great collection for those that love action games! Excellent opportunity for someone looking to get into the series for the first time!
Even 15 years after the release of the first Ninja Gaiden it is easy to appreciate its majesty and all the nuances of the combat system proposed by Itagaki: it takes a few minutes to "regroup" again how to parry a shot, activate a devastating combo or decapitate an enemy and be conquered by the tight pace of play. It takes very little for a newb to appreciate the superb qualities of a combat system and gameplay that still manage to keep up with the best exponents of the action category. Because Ninja Gaiden also means secrets, areas to explore and puzzles to solve. Overall, the gameplay and level design of the two Sigmas also make a sniff in 2021, while the weaker of the three is confirmed to be the usual Razor's Edge.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Ninja Gaiden Master Collection is a barebones port of two of the greatest action games ever made and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge. The fact that these are the Sigma versions, and that Team Ninja has done nothing to iron out the weaker moments of these games, drags this collection down, but it's still a good way to play Ninja Gaiden on modern hardware.
The grandmaster of difficult action games is back. The Ninja Gaiden Master Collection pulls no punches, nor does it change or cater to modern sensibilities. It’s as classic as it was in 2004, with some crow’s feet doing little to tarnish it. It’s still absolutely nails, but if you’re a fan, you can’t go wrong with Ninja Gaiden Sigma 1 & 2. Oh, and the third game is in there too.
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.
The Ninja Gaiden Master Collection is a solid collection of three games that are enjoyable, but are also showing their age. If you're coming here for a challenge, then you'll likely be very happy with what you find, but times have changed a lot since these games released. As long as you're fine with that, then you should pick up the mantle of the Hayabusa Clan and start chopping off arms.
In this analysis I wanted to summarize my opinion after having played this compilation and the original games. If you are a fan of the saga you can surely enjoy the complete trilogy again in its most complete versions. If it's the first time you've been introduced to Ninja Gaiden I definitely think you'll enjoy this universe and three great action games and with some good doses of gore and violence.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection consists of two great and one really average games. Visually it's hard not to notice how old they are, even in 4K. It would be great if the developers took their time to update some of the textures and models, but even still, the gameplay remains the king. If great high speed action is something you can enjoy, and you can live with outdated graphics, then considre picking this collection up.
Review in Russian | Read full review
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.