Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound released on July 31, 2025, across all platforms. Published by Emu and developed by The Game Kitchen, best known for the Blasphemous series, the game connects directly to the story of the NES titles. Instead of Ryu Hayabusa, players control Kenji, a guardian of the Hayabusa village. His path eventually crosses with Kamori, a kunoichi of the Spider Clan. Once rivals, the two clans form an uneasy alliance to face threats that push them into a shared struggle.
The narrative captures the style of the original series with new characters that bring a fresh perspective. Story cutscenes nod to the iconic NES sequences while blending in a modern presentation that helps flesh out both Kenji and Kamori’s arcs.
Gameplay and Controls in Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
The gameplay embraces side-scrolling action reminiscent of the 8-bit Ninja Gaiden titles while layering in mechanics drawn from later ninja games. Movement emphasizes speed and fluidity, with players chaining wall climbs, ceiling grabs, and aerial strikes. The standout mechanic is the guillotine boost, a double jump that springs off enemies or projectiles, often saving players from falling into hazards.
Combat expands further with hypercharge, a timed power-up that grants extra strength or one-hit kills depending on enemy type. Special stages, accessible through the R button, push difficulty higher with tighter platforming and tougher opponents. The control scheme feels sharp and responsive, though color-coded aura enemies require specific weapons, adding brief moments of adjustment.
A major shift comes two hours in when Kenji fuses with Kamori. This transformation allows shadow realm traversal, puzzle unlocking, and a screen-clearing ultimate attack. The mechanic enhances speed-focused gameplay while adding variety. Collectibles like golden scarabs act as currency for shop upgrades, giving players options to tweak survivability and combat strength.
Boss Fights, Visuals, and Performance
Boss battles demand learning patterns, but fairness remains the core principle. Large enemies fill the screen, testing reactions while keeping deaths from feeling cheap. Classic Ninja Gaiden knockback is present, but players can toggle it off in the options, a thoughtful accessibility choice.
Visually, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound shines. The Game Kitchen uses pixel art to deliver what feels like a lost 16-bit entry in the series. Enemy designs, backgrounds, and cutscenes echo the NES originals while updating them with modern flourishes. Audio, featuring contributions from NES-era composers, builds atmosphere without overwhelming the action, striking a balance between intensity and flow.
Performance differs significantly by platform. On Nintendo Switch 1, frame pacing issues create stutters that impact smooth play. These vary in severity depending on the stage. On Switch 2, the game runs far more consistently with only minor interruptions. Other platforms deliver stable performance, leaving the first Switch as the outlier.
Replay Value & Accessibility
Stages encourage replayability through combo scoring, secret paths, and hidden collectibles. Accessibility options allow extended guillotine boosts or reduced knockback, making the game approachable for players who may find the challenge overwhelming. With an average completion time of 5–6 hours and extended play up to 15 hours for 100% runs, the value remains solid, though slightly impacted by Switch 1 issues.
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Priced at £20.99, with a physical release scheduled for September 12, 2025, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound delivers both nostalgia and modern refinements. It captures the essence of the NES originals while introducing mechanics that make the action flow even faster. On Switch 1, the experience suffers from technical setbacks, but on Switch 2 and other platforms, the game earns praise as a faithful yet fresh take on the franchise.
