Here’s a first for me. A game and a topic for an article. Ninja Gaiden is a first for me, but I relish the new and unexplored games, topics and movies. I must admit though. I’ve never been much of a fan of the genre. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a fan of action movies (which you can read all about here). But ninja movies? Not so much. So, this piece of writing is certainly an interesting journey for me. Indeed. It’s quite a novelty, but I’m happy to learn as I go.
OK. Back to the topic at hand. Ninja Gaiden. Yup. Before I could go on with this article, I think it’s only fair to give you a proper introduction to the game itself. You know… The game that inspired this article.
So, without further ado…
What’s Ninja Gaiden All About?
[NINJA GAIDEN: Master Collection] NINJA GAIDEN Σ is the proper title, and it’s a collection of three games from the iconic series. Indeed, it’s one of the long-lasting and iconic video game series of all time and [NINJA GAIDEN: Master Collection] NINJA GAIDEN Σ offers you a great deal.
Each title is still just as fun as you remember while providing the same high-speed action of the original releases. Look forward to heated battles with fearsome opponents!
Furthermore, all of the previously released game modes and DLC costumes for each title are included in this one set. And in addition to Ryu Hayabusa, each of the other characters also have many different costumes to choose from. Thus, allowing you to enjoy action-packed battles in whichever outfit you prefer.
Oh! And in addition to Ryu Hayabusa, 4 other characters… Ayane, Rachel, Momiji, and Kasumi, are also playable. You can create a tag team with your favorite characters and freely swap out the playable character during battles.
[NINJA GAIDEN: Master Collection] NINJA GAIDEN Σ is available for purchase here. Get it now. And if you’re not a fan of this particular series… Don’t worry! We have plenty of great titles to choose from IndieGala’s offerings. Just click here.
But what Are The Steam User Comments Saying About Ninja Gaiden?
*Chavskiller says Best Ninja game 4 me for sure!
*While Hero adds: If you’re old school like me, this game comes highly recommended for it is very brutal and challenging.
Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Movies: They Really Go Hand In Hand?
Well, here they do. And why wouldn’t they go hand in hand? Both of them have ninjas and both of them are cool. However, you’re not going to find solely Asian movies on this list. Oh no. This is a rather peculiar list of ninja movies and we’re all about that diversity. Which movies made the cut? Scroll down to find out.
The Challenge of the Lady Ninja
A ninja classic from the early ’80s. An oldie but a true goldie. And a movie with a female ninja no less. The aforementioned Lady Ninja from the title of course. But in it, Lady ninja Wong Siu Wai returns to China. And subsequently discovers that her fiancé betrayed her father. So, she trains a gang of sexy female warriors to rebel against the samurai warriors, and… The rest is history. It’s a fun and slightly ridiculous movie, but it fits perfectly in the era in which it came out.
Fun fact: The Japanese occupation in the movie seems to be around WW II (including a vaguely Nazi underling). But cars, much of the wardrobe, and many hairstyles were pure 1970s-80s.
The Hunted
And now we move to the ’90s. To the mid-90 to be precise and with an American production. Christopher Lambert, John Lone, Joan Chen, Yoshio Harada and Yoko Shimada star in The Hunted. And in it, the French actor is in fact. The Hunted. Yes. He’s Paul Racine in here. A businessman who by accident earns the wrath of a ninja clan led by Lone’s character, Kinjo. So, he teams up with a friendly samurai couple. And joins in on a two-centuries-old blood feud with the Ninja. He struggles to survive, but survival isn’t easy when you’re the hunted.
Fun fact: John Lone and Joan Chen previously appeared in The Last Emperor (1987).
The Killer Elite
A Hollywood movie with some of the most acclaimed actors of Tinseltown? James Caan and Robert Duvall star as a pair of elite mercenaries who become bitter rivals. And in the rest of the cast, you’ll be able to find the likes of Mako, Arthur Hill, Bo Hopkins, Burt Young and Gig Young. But in essence, this is a revenge story for the ages. After a betrayal from his friend and nearly left for dead, a man will go after his so-called friend. And here’s something cool to know about it. In 1977, James Caan said he only made the film because his advisers told him to work with Peckinpah. He rated the movie a zero on a scale of ten though.
Fun fact: The Killer Elite is one of the first American films to feature ninjas.
Ninja: Shadow of a Tear
And we end this list with the most recent movie to date. The 2013 Ninja: Shadow of a Tear. With Scott Atkins in the lead role, this movie holds 100% on Rotten Tomatoes now. But this is a sequel to Florentine’s 2009 film Ninja. And in it, we see the Ninjitsu master Casey back in action. He’s also back and out for revenge when his pregnant wife is murdered. This is a great pick for every ninja movie fan. And for every Scott Atkins fan as well.
Fun fact: The fight scene with Ron Smoorenburg in the dojo is one single take.
But the question remains…
Are You A Ninja Gaiden Fan?
Let us know what’s your favorite ninja movie as well. Should our next ninja take be on anime ninjas such as Naruto/Boruto or Speed-o’-Sound Sonic from One Punch Man? We’d love to know.
