Ninja Gaiden Black

 Xbox
  • Publisher: Tecmo
  • Release Date: Sep 20, 2005
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 217 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 184 out of 217
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 217
  3. Negative: 15 out of 217
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  1. Tony
    Oct 5, 2005
    7
    A questionable and rather lacking update to the classic Ninja Gaiden. While adding very little, this game removes successive play, intercept, and nerfs a whole lot of tactics. You're basically paying for the same game, minus some of it's best features. The mission mode, although challenging, can't hold a candle to the story campaign. The best I could find in Black were a A questionable and rather lacking update to the classic Ninja Gaiden. While adding very little, this game removes successive play, intercept, and nerfs a whole lot of tactics. You're basically paying for the same game, minus some of it's best features. The mission mode, although challenging, can't hold a candle to the story campaign. The best I could find in Black were a few improved weapons, the Lunar and the Kitetsu.… Expand
  2. CargoM.
    Oct 6, 2005
    7
    It's not a bad game, just overrated. The popular praises of "..oh it's so pretty" and "..oh it's so difficult" do not merit perfect 10's. The gameplay is repetitive at best and the story is boring and predictable to say the least. Plus, what the hell's the deal the S&M costumes and why does Ryu look as though he's been taking steroids? I thought he was a It's not a bad game, just overrated. The popular praises of "..oh it's so pretty" and "..oh it's so difficult" do not merit perfect 10's. The gameplay is repetitive at best and the story is boring and predictable to say the least. Plus, what the hell's the deal the S&M costumes and why does Ryu look as though he's been taking steroids? I thought he was a ninja, not a linebacker for NY Giants. I really hope Tecmo hands this franchise over to another developer to return it to it's former frantic-paced, platform glory.… Expand
  3. Bob
    Sep 22, 2005
    7
    Ninja Gaiden Black is a great purchase for gamers who missed out on the original Xbox version of Ninja Gaiden, which many critics hailed as an instant-classic and one of the greatest action games of all time. The game is popular for its aggressive enemy A.I. and unrelenting, fast-paced action sequences. Definitely not for the weak-hearted gamers out there.
  4. RedRose
    Sep 24, 2005
    7
    Fine, if you have set aside 80 hours to complete the game and don't mind going over the same bit over and over and over and over and over again because the game is so UNFORGIVING. Good graphics though ;)
  5. I.Caliban
    Sep 21, 2005
    6
    Am I the only one who thinks that making Ninja Gaiden more difficult is akin to forcing doctors to wear blindfolds and tapdance during brain surgery? Making an already difficult game even harder isn't my idea of a good time. Particularly as I couldn't even halfway through the game on the easiest setting of the original. Either that or to quote Sgt. Riggs, "I'm getting too Am I the only one who thinks that making Ninja Gaiden more difficult is akin to forcing doctors to wear blindfolds and tapdance during brain surgery? Making an already difficult game even harder isn't my idea of a good time. Particularly as I couldn't even halfway through the game on the easiest setting of the original. Either that or to quote Sgt. Riggs, "I'm getting too old for this sh@t."… Expand
  6. DBone
    Sep 28, 2005
    5
    Pretty visuals and an overall impressive production do not make up for the fact that the camera placement in this game is atrocious. Half the time you simply cannot see who's slicing or throwing a fireball at you, making the already challenging gameplay that much harder ruining any of the fun I might have otherwise been having. Also, I'm surprised nobody ever mentioned that it Pretty visuals and an overall impressive production do not make up for the fact that the camera placement in this game is atrocious. Half the time you simply cannot see who's slicing or throwing a fireball at you, making the already challenging gameplay that much harder ruining any of the fun I might have otherwise been having. Also, I'm surprised nobody ever mentioned that it doesn't feel like you're in control at all when you start hacking away. You let up on the button pressing and it seems like the character has a mind of his own while he continues for a second or two afterwards.… Expand
  7. neomoonsevin
    Feb 24, 2023
    5
    frustrating i gave up playing this plus the way it looks is stupid looking so nah not a fan
  8. VLG
    Aug 23, 2023
    6
    Too hard to really enjoy. Every enemy felt like a boss, and bosses were absolutely frustrating.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Xbox Game of 2005
5
#5 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2005
4
#4 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. DarkStation
    100
    The hard-as-nails Ninja Gaiden is back, with improved camera system, a new mission mode and bonus game. At a budget price, you'd be crazy not let own this gem.
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  2. NTSC-uk
    70
    On the technical side of things, Ninja Gaiden Black has a problem that wasn't present in the original release. The game is prone to bouts of slowdown at impromptu moments and these aren't particularly hectic instances either.
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  3. 1UP
    100
    If it were simply the original Ninja Gaiden with just some mission modes tacked on, it would still be worth full price. But chiming in at around $30 with new missions, new difficulty settings, new cinemas and new costumes to unlock -- on top of the already-awesome, original game -- it's practically a steal. Uncompromising and unabridged, Ninja Gaiden Black shows you how reissues could and should be done.
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