NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound Reviews
Paying homage to the classics while simultaneously serving as a breath of fresh air, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound masterfully builds on the side-scrolling format of the older titles while adding its own twists.
Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is a fun, action-packed homage to the classic series that blends retro charm with a few modern twists. While it doesn’t reinvent the formula, it delivers a solid experience that longtime fans will appreciate and newcomers can still enjoy; punishing difficulty, with a bit of cheapness and all.
Furious combat and fiendish difficulty collide in this challenging yet satisfying revival.
NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound is more than a tribute, it's a modernized take built on a sharp understanding of the original. It retains the series' signature challenge and slick combat while introducing fresh elements like dual protagonists, offering a new experience for both veterans and newcomers.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a pitch-perfect revival of the NES classics. It captures the same fun run-and-slash feel of the original games while modernizing enough to be exciting to play, whether you're a returning fan or a newcomer. The fantastic soundtrack and excellent graphics elevate it and make the entire package shine. The closest thing I can come to as a complaint is the somewhat low difficulty level, and that is more in comparison to the franchise as a whole rather than this game being too easy. If you're a fan of action-platformers or a Ninja Gaiden fan in general, you'll find a ton to love in Ragebound.
NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound is a perfect addition to the series. It looks and sounds amazing, and with accessibility options it feels more fair. It's great!
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a genuinely challenging action game with lovely visuals and rewarding fast-paced gameplay. It feels a bit rough in places, though, and often borders on being simply too chaotic for its own good. Assist options mean that anyone can see the journey through to its end, but better balancing or difficulty levels would have been preferred.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a new classic in the series, appealing to retro lovers and new players alike thanks to its fast-paced and addictive gameplay.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is hands-down one of the most enjoyable 2D action games I've played in recent years. It flawlessly merges the classic NES experience with modern refinements, perfectly preserving the spirit of both old and new Ninja Gaiden titles.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a spinoff that revitalizes the series and the genre with its callback to its original side-scrolling gameplay. With well-crafted levels, dynamically engaging combat, and gorgeous pixel art, it uses the simplicity of the side-scrolling gameplay to its maximum potential. It has a few flaws here and there, like its short runtime and balance near the end, but is otherwise a great way to keep the hype for the series’ upcoming title.
NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound embraces its essence and delivers a quality experience beyond expectations, with extremely well-crafted pixel art and a heavy, nostalgic soundtrack. The game captures the essence of the NINJA GAIDEN series for a new generation. Ragebound is simple in its premise and reminds us that, ultimately, video games are about having fun.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a slick and satisfying return to the series’ 2D roots, capturing everything that made the classics so beloved while layering in just enough modern flair to keep things fresh. Its blend of fluid combat, clever dual-character mechanics, inventive stage variety, and additional challenges make for an experience that’ll certainly keep players coming back for more. Whether you’re a long-time fan or completely new to the series, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a thrilling reminder that Ninja Gaiden still knows how to deliver razor‑sharp action across both a 3D AND 2D plane.
It's like a trip back in time, taking you back to the 90s in a demanding and difficult experience that never feels unfair or artificial, with modern controls and methodologies that make it incredibly energetic. It's highly addictive.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
With some strong visuals and a fantastic soundtrack, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a title that has a lot going for it despite some very glaring shortcomings. A lack of combat depth, and even the ability to attack upward or downward, could have really elevated this to be a top-tier experience. While the dynamic between the two protagonists is extremely fun, it is unfortunately overshadowed by Kumori being incredibly sidelined. Ragebound is fun, even great at times, but it lacks the depth needed for replayability, as you’ll see everything the game offers far too early.
NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound is the perfect example of nostalgia done right, with a great score, challenging gameplay, and superb visuals. While the story and repetitive elements do feel noticeable in its nine-hour runtime, The Game Kitchen successfully brings Ninja Gaiden back to the spotlight in all its gory glory.
Anyone who is a fan of the series, especially the first games, or enjoys a simple, non-stop action game will not regret playing NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound brings the series back to its 2D roots with tight controls, sharp level design, and satisfying challenge. The dual-character system, Guillotine Boost, and Hypercharge mechanics add variety without overcomplicating things. Combat and platforming feel smooth and skill-based, with modern touches that respect the NES originals. The campaign is short but focused, and extra modes offer reasons to replay. If you grew up on the classics, this one hits the right notes without feeling stuck in the past.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a triumphant return to 2D for Ninja Gaiden. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait decades to see the series follow up on it. I genuinely loved every single level. The team at The Game Kitchen does a fantastic job of continuing to build upon established mechanics while also finding new ways to twist them and entirely new twists to throw at players through the game’s four acts. Any fan of action games needs to check this one out.
Sometimes, the best scenario lines up for the best possible outcome. I already had some reasonable expectations going in with this game because of what it is and who’s behind it. But it’s always a satisfying thing to see when your expectations are met in the way you expect. I do have my nitpicks, but this isn’t a game I would look over in favor of others. The Game Kitchen shows once again that they’re a very skilled studio, and their efforts in handling a franchise like this is a testament to their own skillset.
NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound is, without a doubt, a fantastic game that modernizes the original formula without losing the soul of what the original games were. Dotemu is quickly becoming the go-to publisher for this kind of retro-modern fusion. If you are a veteran of the NES games, or you’re coming into this one fresh, you’ll be well served by what the game brings to the table.