Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection

Still sporting tough as nails gameplay and brimming with the fast-paced ninja action the series is known for, picking up the Ninja Gaiden Ultimate Collection is a safe recommendation based on the strength of the first two titles alone. Ninja Gaiden 3 may still be the low point in this trilogy, but that shouldn’t deter those new to the series to give Sigma and Sigma 2 a fair shake. Both of those games still withstand the test of time, and in the case of the Switch version is something fun to play portably as well. In the grand scheme of remakes and ports, you could do a lot worse than these three games. If Team Ninja finally decides to work on a fourth entry in the series, I’m hoping those who end up devouring this collection will be well rewarded.

This Collection is a decent tip of the hat to games of old, though it’s a shame that NG3 is still as bad as it is. The Master Collection is also priced fairly at $40, but it’s too bad that these games did not get more love on this release — the Master Collection is about as barebones as you can get for a compilation release. Still, if this is maybe an indication that the door to a whole new NG adventure is forthcoming, one that embraces the design of the first two, then that’s great news. Anyway — speculation aside — if you’re looking to relive these games or want to get into the franchise for the first time, this is very good way to do it.

Sure, it’s a shame Bluepoint Games weren’t drafted to take care of this collection of and give it some real love, but what the hell. I still had a great time revisiting them, and my only real criticism is that Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 was a poor pick in a world where Ninja Gaiden 2 exists. It’s a shame that more of an effort wasn’t made to jazz these up, but it’s still great that the classics are finally on PC.

Quality-of-life improvements here and there, preserving its online modes, and additional content would have made this the “ultimate” trilogy fans may have been hoping for. Instead, newcomers will enjoy playing one of the best, if not most challenging, action games ever made and older fans will remember why they fell in love with the series in the first place, all of its flaws included.

The Ninja Gaiden Master Collection is a solid collection of three games that are enjoyable, but are also showing their age. If you're coming here for a challenge, then you'll likely be very happy with what you find, but times have changed a lot since these games released. As long as you're fine with that, then you should pick up the mantle of the Hayabusa Clan and start chopping off arms.

If you have never touched the Ninja Gaiden saga, but you like the experiences raised, or if you are a big fan of the license of Koei Tecmo, this Master Collection is for you! Despite the years, the trilogy remains an excellent vintage made up of two wonderful experiences and a spectacular third title. However, keep in mind that this new compilation brings nothing new other than the addition of the sacrosanct 4K / 60fps on PlayStation 4 Pro, PlayStation 5, Xbox One X and Xbox Series X and S. Three excellent games therefore, which are unfortunately grouped together in a compilation which is satisfied with the minimum union. Now that you are warned, it is up to you to decide whether or not to take out the katana or not to pour out gallons and gallons of hemoglobin.

Ninja Gaiden is an amazing, trailblazing series that set new action game standards, but this collection offers nothing new for longtime fans. In fact, this bare-bones port lacks the original games' multiplayer modes.

Packed with plenty of hours of great gameplay, but a far cry from what it could have been, Ninja Gaiden Master Collection is both worth playing and worth being pretty mad about.

Master Collection opens one of the greatest slasher series of all time to a new audience. Unfortunately, the chosen versions of these games and weak efforts to spruce them up will leave you disappointed.