Developer The Game Kitchen are best known for the Blasphemous series and are now taking their action-platformer expertise to the NINJA GAIDEN series in the first 2D game in decades with NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound.

Although Ragebound appears to have plenty of challenge and difficulty the series is known for, it looks markedly different than classic NES-era NINJA GAIDEN in its visuals and gameplay. From the developer commentary, the weapon system will be much more robust and customizable, with even the ability to create different builds for repeated playthroughs. The enemies are relentless in the demo, so it looks like you’ll have to bring your A-game, and they’re also promising a hard mode, plus in-game challenges as well. The Game Kitchen wants to bring the combat intensity of Team NINJA’s 3D games with the story and lore from the 2D games – the best of both worlds essentially.

The demo features a full playthrough of a level at a construction site with a boss fight at the end. You’ll be able to play as both Kenji, who is Ryu Hayabusa’s student, and Kumori.

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound releases for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC on July 31, 2025. Check out the gameplay overview below:

A NEW TWIST TO THE SIDE-SCROLLING NINJA GAIDEN SERIES EXPERIENCE

From the acclaimed team behind Blasphemous, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound successfully unites the classic lore and gameplay of the Tecmo-developed (now KOEI TECMO GAMES) NINJA GAIDEN series from the 8-bit era with the depth and intensity of the modern 3D entries. The best of both eras come together to create an epic and thrilling adventure.

DIVE INTO AN UNTOLD CHAPTER OF THE NINJA GAIDEN SAGA

Our story begins when Ryu Hayabusa journeys to America to honor his father’s will. While he is away, the barrier between the human and the demon worlds suddenly shatters, unleashing a terrifying army upon the Hayabusa Village, which now faces an unprecedented threat in Ryu’s absence.

To stand against this new threat, Kenji Mozu, a young ninja from the Hayabusa Village, rises to the challenge!

OLD SCHOOL GAMEPLAY WITH A BRAND-NEW POLISH

Combining old-school feeling with modern precision, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound retains the pick-up-and-play action of the classic titles, while introducing new layers of depth.

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound features impeccable mechanics that are easy to learn but hard to truly master, inviting players to challenge the limit of their player skills to satisfy the fans of the NINJA GAIDEN series!

A SPECTACULAR PIXEL ART SHOWDOWN

Step into a reimagined version of the classic NINJA GAIDEN universe, brought to life through stunning, meticulously crafted visuals. Every enemy is recreated with a level of detail that was once impossible.

The brutal, nostalgia-filled aesthetic of NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound pays homage to the past while pushing the boundaries of modern pixel art, making every battle a feast for the eyes.

Do you have what it takes to become a true ninja master?

[Steam]