Over the past few months, fans have seen numerous games leak thanks to large part to games rating boards publishing their classification too early or video game retailers listing titles far before their release. Now, it seems another retailer has given us a peek at a title very likely to be announced within the coming weeks, a brand new HD remastered collection of one of the most brutal action game series of all time,Ninja Gaiden.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has been an infamous year for both delayed video game announcements and leaks, such as the Xbox Series S leak, which forced Microsoft to announce the system earlier than it likely wanted. This year, the surge in the amount of video game leaks also gave fans a much earlier look at games likeCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Timefrom the Taiwan classification board as well asNeed For Speed: Hot Pursuit HDfrom Australian retailer Mighty Ape.
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Due to the current track record from this year, the newest leak ofNinja Gaiden Sigma Trilogyfrom a Hong Kong retailer, spotted by an r/PS4 user yesterday, may have a bit more credence. The retailer lists the collection as a compilation ofNinja Gaiden Sigma,Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, andNinja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edgefor both the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, with a release window of March 2021.
What’s surprising is that this collection seems to be forgoing an Xbox One or Xbox Series X release, however this may be because Microsoft’s consoles perform the weakest in certain Asian territories. Therefore, many companies avoid releasing games on Xbox platforms in these areas to cut manufacturing costs, such as how Bandai Namco passed on the Xbox version ofDragon Ball Z: Kakarotin Japan.
Given that theNinja Gaidenreboot series started out as an Xbox exclusive franchise, it would come as a shock if Koei Tecmo decided against releasing this remastered collection on any of Microsoft’s platforms. Furthermore, if Koei Tecmo chooses not to bring the title to Xbox platforms, it may be because theNinja Gaidentrilogy isavailable on them already through backwards compatibility.
While theNinja Gaidenseries has not seen any major releases sinceNinja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, the series has not yet died off either, with many of the franchise’s characters making appearances in Koei Tecmo’sDead or Alivefranchise and fans frequently requesting protagonist Ryu Hayabusa make his way toSuper Smash Bros., however aNinja Gaiden Sigma Trilogycollection could be exactly what the series needs to lead into a revival on the next generation of consoles. Given the resurgence in action franchises such asDevil May Cry,Bayonetta, andGod of War,Ninja Gaidencould rival the likes ofSekiro: Shadows Die Twiceand even Team Ninja’s ownNiohwith a return to its brutalizing take on reflex-heavy action combat.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma Trilogyis rumored to release on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in March 2021.
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