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* JumpPhysics: Remember, kids -- you can change directions and accelerate multiple times while mid-air, and maintain yourself in the air by maiming an enemy!
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** Not really. The third game has no dismemberments and no decapitation, so it's nowhere near the second in terms of gratuitous gore.
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* FlunkyBoss: Marbus in the first Xbox game; Zedonius and Dagra Dai, as well as the second fights against Rasetsu, Genshin and Volf in ''2''. And in ''Black'', ''Sigma'' and ''2'', [[OhCrap every single boss turns into this in higher difficulties.]]
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* FlunkyBoss: Masakado and Marbus in the first Xbox game; Zedonius and Dagra Dai, as well as the second fights against Rasetsu, Genshin and Volf in ''2''. And in ''Black'', ''Sigma'' and ''2'', [[OhCrap every single boss turns into this in higher difficulties.]]
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* FlunkyBoss: Marbus in the first Xbox game; Zedonius and Dagra Dai, as well as the second fights against Rasetsu, Genshin and Volf in ''2''. And in ''Black'', ''Sigma'' and ''2'', [[OhCrap every single boss turns into this in higher difficulties.]]
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* HeadsIWinTailsYouLose: The first fight against the Regent of the Mask in ''Ninja Gaiden 3''. You stab him for what seems to be the finishing blow... but instead he grabs Ryu's sword and fuses it into his arm, giving him a RedRightHand for the rest of the game.
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--> "Failure to surrender will result in your complete destruction. You have seven days. Exactly the number of days it took God to create this world." [[hottip:*:It's six days actually…]]
* FetchQuest
* FieldOfBlades
* FightingWithChucks: Ryu can buy and use nunchucks.
* FetchQuest
* FieldOfBlades
* FightingWithChucks: Ryu can buy and use nunchucks.
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--> "Failure to surrender comply will result in your complete immediate destruction. You have seven days. Exactly the number of days it took God to create this world." [[hottip:*:It's six days actually…]]
*FetchQuest
FetchQuest: The golden scarabs in the first Xbox game and the crystal skulls in the second. The latter is especially bad: when you collect the 30 hidden skulls you are rewarded with... a giant crystal skull. That seems to be of no use whatsoever. It ''might'' have some sort of effect, but the description of the object is too crytpic to determine what.
*FieldOfBlades
FieldOfBlades: In ''2'', the last part of the infamous [[MarathonLevel chapter 11]].
* FightingWithChucks: Ryu canbuy pîck up and use nunchucks.
*
*
* FightingWithChucks: Ryu can
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* LighterAndSofter: ''Sigma 2'' is this compared to the second Xbox game, graphically speaking. Most of the blood and gore is removed and it use noticeably brighter color tones and a bloom effect.
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* NewGamePlus: Used in the second Xbox game. Sigma 2 suverts this a bit with Chapter Challenge mode: once you beat a difficulty, you can redo the chapters individally with all your weapons and ninpo upgraded. So it's not ''technically'' a NewGamePlus but functions as one, except your life bar's length depends on the chapter you play. The game is also slightly more difficult in that mode.
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* NewGamePlus: Used in the second Xbox game. Sigma 2 suverts this a bit with Chapter Challenge mode: once you beat a difficulty, you can redo the chapters individally with all your weapons and ninpo upgraded.upgraded (not unlike ''DevilMayCry''). So it's not ''technically'' a NewGamePlus but functions as one, except your life bar's length depends on the chapter you play. The game is also slightly more difficult in that mode.
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** As well as Ryu's father in the modern series.
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It\'s already on the character tab, no need to repeat tropes if the example is not expanded further.
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* FanService: The cutscene before the boss fight with Elizabet in ''Ninja Gaiden 2''. EvilIsSexy, indeed.
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* FacelessGoons: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2hYya_IyS1k Averted]] in ''Ninja Gaiden 3'' for a full dollop of WhatMeasureIsAMook.
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* FanService: The cutscene before the boss fight with Elizabet in ''Ninja Gaiden 2''. EvilIsSexy, indeed.
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* DidNotDoTheResearch: InUniverse, there's a plaque on Liberty Island on which Ryu remark, "They are teaching the ways of the ninja...unfortunately, their information is all wrong."
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, but Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''. Contrary to his predecessor, Hayashi wants to make the game "more accessible" with the inclusion of the optional "hero play-style", which provides an auto-guard at low health for beginning players. Long time fans are quite displeased with this choice, although the game itself still seems to be harder than average. For the first time in the series, ''Ninja Gaiden III'' will feature CompetitiveMultiplayer. Set some time after ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Ryu receives a request from the Japanese government, after terrorists in London take the British Prime Minister hostage, demanding his appearance. He travels to London and faces the mysterious terrorists, led by the enigmatic "Regent of the Mask". The man places a curse on Ryu's right arm, making him feel the pain of the people he killed.
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, but Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''. Contrary to his predecessor, Hayashi wants to make the game "more accessible" with the inclusion of the optional "hero play-style", which provides an auto-guard at low health for beginning players. Long time fans are quite displeased with this choice, although the game itself still seems to be harder than average. For the first time in the series, ''Ninja Gaiden III'' will feature CompetitiveMultiplayer. Set some time after ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Ryu receives a request from the Japanese government, after terrorists in London take the British Prime Minister hostage, demanding his appearance. He travels to London and faces the mysterious terrorists, led by the enigmatic "Regent of the Mask". The During their fight, the man places a curse on Ryu's right arm, making him feel the pain of the people he killed.
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, but Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''. Contrary to his predecessor, Hayashi wants to make the game "more accessible" with the inclusion of the optional "hero play-style", which provides an auto-guard at low health for beginning players. Long time fans are quite displeased with this choice, although the game itself still seems to be harder than average. For the first time in the series, ''Ninja Gaiden III'' will feature CompetitiveMultiplayer. Set some time after ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Ryu receives a request from the Japanese government, after terrorists in London take the British Prime Minister hostage, demanding his appearance. He travels to London and faces the mysterious terrorists, led by the enigmatic "Regent of the Mask".
to:
''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, but Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''. Contrary to his predecessor, Hayashi wants to make the game "more accessible" with the inclusion of the optional "hero play-style", which provides an auto-guard at low health for beginning players. Long time fans are quite displeased with this choice, although the game itself still seems to be harder than average. For the first time in the series, ''Ninja Gaiden III'' will feature CompetitiveMultiplayer. Set some time after ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Ryu receives a request from the Japanese government, after terrorists in London take the British Prime Minister hostage, demanding his appearance. He travels to London and faces the mysterious terrorists, led by the enigmatic "Regent of the Mask".
Mask". The man places a curse on Ryu's right arm, making him feel the pain of the people he killed.
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, but Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''. Contrary to his predecessor, Hayashi wants to make the game "more accessible" with the inclusion of the so-called "hero play-style", which provides an auto-guard at low health for beginning players. Long time fans are quite displeased with this choice, although the game itself still seems to be harder than average. For the first time in the series, ''Ninja Gaiden III'' will feature CompetitiveMultiplayer. Set some time after ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Ryu receives a request from the Japanese government, after terrorists in London take the British Prime Minister hostage, demanding his appearance. He travels to London and faces the mysterious terrorists, led by the enigmatic "Regent of the Mask".
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, but Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''. Contrary to his predecessor, Hayashi wants to make the game "more accessible" with the inclusion of the so-called optional "hero play-style", which provides an auto-guard at low health for beginning players. Long time fans are quite displeased with this choice, although the game itself still seems to be harder than average. For the first time in the series, ''Ninja Gaiden III'' will feature CompetitiveMultiplayer. Set some time after ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Ryu receives a request from the Japanese government, after terrorists in London take the British Prime Minister hostage, demanding his appearance. He travels to London and faces the mysterious terrorists, led by the enigmatic "Regent of the Mask".
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, but Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''. Contrary to his predecessor, Hayashi wants to make the game "more accessible" with the inclusion of the so-called "hero play-style", which provides an auto-guard at low health for beginning players. Long time fans are quite displeased with this choice, although the game iself still seems to be harder than average. For the first time in the series, ''Ninja Gaiden III'' will feature CompetitiveMultiplayer. Set some time after ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Ryu receives a request from the Japanese government, after terrorists in London take the British Prime Minister hostage, demanding his appearance. He travels to London and faces the mysterious terrorists, led by the enigmatic "Regent of the Mask".
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, but Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''. Contrary to his predecessor, Hayashi wants to make the game "more accessible" with the inclusion of the so-called "hero play-style", which provides an auto-guard at low health for beginning players. Long time fans are quite displeased with this choice, although the game iself itself still seems to be harder than average. For the first time in the series, ''Ninja Gaiden III'' will feature CompetitiveMultiplayer. Set some time after ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Ryu receives a request from the Japanese government, after terrorists in London take the British Prime Minister hostage, demanding his appearance. He travels to London and faces the mysterious terrorists, led by the enigmatic "Regent of the Mask".
* LivingStatue: In ''Sigma 2'' you fight a giant Buddha statue as a WarmUpBoss, and a few chapters later ''the freaking StatueOfLiberty''.
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* LudicrousGibs: Every weapon in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' can dismember and dice opponents, [[OnlyAFleshWound not that this deters them from fighting]]. Some enemies will even pick up stray body parts and throw them at you.
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* LudicrousGibs: Every weapon in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' can dismember and dice opponents, [[OnlyAFleshWound not that this deters them from fighting]]. Some Werewolf enemies will even pick up stray body parts and throw them at you.
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* PainfullySlowProjectiles: Averted in [=NG2=] − white ninja archers fire explosive arrows that are so fast you can't possibly dodge them in time. They are unblockable. They can hit you underwater. Oh, and in Master Ninja mode you will fight them right at the beginning, waiting for you across gaps or targetting you while you're running on water. [[FakeDifficulty Everyone's got their four-leaf clovers?]]
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* PainfullySlowProjectiles: PainfullySlowProjectile: Averted in [=NG2=] − white ninja archers fire explosive arrows that are so fast you can't possibly dodge them in time. They are unblockable. They can hit you underwater. Oh, and in Master Ninja mode you will fight them right at the beginning, waiting for you across gaps or targetting you while you're running on water. [[FakeDifficulty Everyone's got their four-leaf clovers?]]
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* PainfullySlowProjectiles: Averted in [=NG2=] − white ninja archers fire explosive arrows that are so fast you can't possibly dodge them in time. They are unblockable. They can hit you underwater. Oh, and in Master Ninja mode you will fight them right at the beginning, waiting for you across gaps or targetting you while you're running on water. [[FakeDifficulty Everyone's got their four-leaf clovers?]]
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* OneHitKill: Master Ninja mode's ungodly difficulty in Sigma 2 relies on the fact that the player has very little room for mistake. Several enemy attacks like fire geysers, and any grab from bosses or suicide attack will kill you instantly regardless of your lifebar's length.
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* OncePerEpisode: In the modern series, every single instalment has the Hayabusa village attacked at the beginning − by Doku in the first, by the Black Spider clan in ''Dragon Sword'' and ''2''. And judging by screenshots, the Black Spider Ninjas make a comeback in ''3'', so this may be the case ''again''.
* OneHitKill: Master Ninja mode's ungodly difficulty in Sigma 2 relies on the fact that the player has very little room for mistake. Several enemy attacks like fire geysers, and any boss grabfrom bosses or suicide attack will kill you instantly regardless of your lifebar's length.
* OneHitKill: Master Ninja mode's ungodly difficulty in Sigma 2 relies on the fact that the player has very little room for mistake. Several enemy attacks like fire geysers, and any boss grab
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*** Very hard, not really. You can stun them with shuriken before finishing them off, or just stay away from them.
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''Ninja Gaiden'' is a series of video games originally developed by {{Tecmo}}. Released first as an arcade title, it made its way to the NintendoEntertainmentSystem, Nintendo GameBoy, PCEngine and SegaMasterSystem, then was {{reviv|al}}ed for the {{Microsoft}} {{Xbox}} under Tomonobu Itagaki's "Team Ninja", the same creators and designers behind the ''DeadOrAlive'' series. The NES games are hailed for being among the first to use a video game as a vehicle to tell an elaborate story.
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''Ninja Gaiden'' is a series of video games originally developed by {{Tecmo}}. Released first as an arcade title, it made its way to the NintendoEntertainmentSystem, Nintendo GameBoy, PCEngine and SegaMasterSystem, then was {{reviv|al}}ed for the {{Microsoft}} Microsoft {{Xbox}} under Tomonobu Itagaki's "Team Ninja", the same creators and designers behind the ''DeadOrAlive'' series. The NES games are hailed for being among the first to use a video game as a vehicle to tell an elaborate story.
story.
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''. Contrary to his predecessor, Hayashi wants to make the game "more accessible" with the inclusion of the so-called "hero play-style", which provides an auto-guard at low health for beginning players. Long time fans are quite displeased of this choice, although the game iself still seems to be harder than average. Ninja Gaiden III also marks the return of scriptwriter [[ChronoTrigger Masato]] [[FinalFantasyVII Kato]] to the series, which both fans and Team Ninja themselves hopes will bring back the sort of deep narrative seen in the NES trilogy.
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, but Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''. Contrary to his predecessor, Hayashi wants to make the game "more accessible" with the inclusion of the so-called "hero play-style", which provides an auto-guard at low health for beginning players. Long time fans are quite displeased of with this choice, although the game iself still seems to be harder than average. Ninja For the first time in the series, ''Ninja Gaiden III III'' will feature CompetitiveMultiplayer. Set some time after ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Ryu receives a request from the Japanese government, after terrorists in London take the British Prime Minister hostage, demanding his appearance. He travels to London and faces the mysterious terrorists, led by the enigmatic "Regent of the Mask".
''Ninja Gaiden III'' also marks the return of scriptwriter [[ChronoTrigger Masato]] [[FinalFantasyVII Kato]] to the series, which both fans and Team Ninja themselves hopes will bring back the sort of deep narrative seen in the NEStrilogy.
trilogy. Hayashi has also made mention that characters from the NES trilogy will make an appearance, which may effectively tie this trilogy into overall continuity.
''Ninja Gaiden III'' also marks the return of scriptwriter [[ChronoTrigger Masato]] [[FinalFantasyVII Kato]] to the series, which both fans and Team Ninja themselves hopes will bring back the sort of deep narrative seen in the NES
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* NonDubbedGrunts: ''Dragon Sword'' has no english voice track, apparently Tecmo Toei felt not need to hire english voice actors as the game only has grunts and a few words uttered through the whole adventure. Still it's quite impressive that all sounds and grunts alike are performed by the all original japanese voice actors, and actually recorded for production, not recycled tracks from the console versions.
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The game was critically acclaimed by all, with many praising its preserved difficulty from the NES trilogy, alongside gorgeous visuals and attention to detail in combat and environments by pushing the Xbox beyond its hardware limitations. An EnhancedRemake of ''Ninja Gaiden Black'' called ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma'' for the Sony PlayStation3 was released in 2006, rounding out the last gameplay additions with a new character, new weapons and enemies, while making it look more pretty with the console's high-defintion capabilities.
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The game was critically acclaimed by all, with many praising its preserved difficulty from the NES trilogy, alongside gorgeous visuals and attention to detail in combat and environments by pushing the Xbox beyond its hardware limitations. An EnhancedRemake of ''Ninja Gaiden Black'' called ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma'' for the Sony PlayStation3 was released in 2006, 2007, rounding out the last gameplay additions with a new character, new weapons and enemies, while making it look more pretty with the console's high-defintion capabilities.
capabilities. It also removes or simplifies some puzzles that contained too much back-and-forth.
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Following the release of ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Itagaki stepped down from Team Ninja and left the now merged Tecmo Koei. Current series director and producer Yosuke Hayashi took over and released an UpdatedRerelease of ''Ninja Gaiden II'' on the PS3 as ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma II''. Notably, the game partly resolves the nonsensical nature of the plot in the 360 original, but also throws in new characters and scenarios, a co-op mission mode, a "Chapter Challenge" mode and a prologue that links ''Dragon Sword'' to current continuity (''Ninja Gaiden II'' never makes a mention of ''Dragon Sword''). It also significantly tones down the 360 game's gore.
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Following the release of ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Itagaki stepped down from Team Ninja and left the now merged Tecmo Koei. Current series director and producer Yosuke Hayashi took over and released an UpdatedRerelease of ''Ninja Gaiden II'' on the PS3 as ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma II''. Notably, the game partly resolves the nonsensical nature of the plot in the 360 original, but also throws in new characters and scenarios, a co-op mission mode, a "Chapter Challenge" mode and a prologue that links ''Dragon Sword'' to current continuity (''Ninja Gaiden II'' never makes a mention of ''Dragon Sword''). It also significantly tones down the 360 game's gore.
gore and the number of enemies, making them more resilient instead.
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''. This also marks the return of scriptwriter [[ChronoTrigger Masato]] [[FinalFantasyVII Kato]] to the series, which both fans and Team Ninja themselves hopes will bring back the sort of deep narrative seen in the NES trilogy.
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''. This Contrary to his predecessor, Hayashi wants to make the game "more accessible" with the inclusion of the so-called "hero play-style", which provides an auto-guard at low health for beginning players. Long time fans are quite displeased of this choice, although the game iself still seems to be harder than average. Ninja Gaiden III also marks the return of scriptwriter [[ChronoTrigger Masato]] [[FinalFantasyVII Kato]] to the series, which both fans and Team Ninja themselves hopes will bring back the sort of deep narrative seen in the NES trilogy.
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* MarathonLevel: Many in the first Xbox game, notably those with long puzzles. In [=NGII=], nearly every single chapter is this, but chapter 6, 8 and 11 are the most notable. Especially the latter.
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* MookBouncer: The black laser fiends in the first Xbox game are already [[DemonicSpiders very annoying in themselves]]. But in the tower section of the last but one chapter, they can use a really nasty grab move that drags you underground and sends you back at the level below, forcing you to go through the previous wave of enemies again ''and'' through a wave of ghost fishes. Even more infuriating if you are doing a [[SelfImposedChallenge Karma run]] since it prevents you from getting any more points in that fight (it's counted as if you had fled the fight)
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* MookBouncer: The black laser fiends in the first Xbox game are already [[DemonicSpiders very annoying in themselves]]. But in the tower section of the last but one chapter, they can use a really nasty grab move that drags you underground and sends you back at the level below, forcing you to go through the previous wave of enemies again ''and'' through a wave of ghost fishes.fish. Even more infuriating if you are doing a [[SelfImposedChallenge Karma run]] since it prevents you from getting any more points in that fight (it's counted as if you had fled the fight)
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* NoSidepathsNoExplorationNoFreedom: Used moderately in the first XBox game where you can still explore a bit or find a few secret paths, as well as stroll in previously visited areas; this is helped by the fact that 90% of the game takes place inside or near the same city. In the second game however, the levels are ridiculously linear and [[PointOfNoReturn Points of No Return]] are ''very'' frequent. Especially egregious in the last but one chapter, which begins with a long, narrow, perfectly straight corridor.
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* NoSidepathsNoExplorationNoFreedom: Used moderately in In the first XBox game where game, you can still explore a bit or find a few secret paths, as well as stroll in previously visited areas; this is helped by the fact that 90% of the game takes place inside or near the same city. In the second game however, the levels are ridiculously linear and [[PointOfNoReturn Points of No Return]] are ''very'' frequent. Especially egregious in the last but one chapter, which begins with a long, narrow, perfectly straight corridor.
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* EarnYourFun: Itagaki isn't the page quote for nothing.
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''.
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''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''.
Edge''. This also marks the return of scriptwriter [[ChronoTrigger Masato]] [[FinalFantasyVII Kato]] to the series, which both fans and Team Ninja themselves hopes will bring back the sort of deep narrative seen in the NES trilogy.
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** Looking the other way around, Ayane would be the biggest immigrant in the series. Kasumi also had a cameo in ''Sigma 2'', although way smaller. See TheFaceless below.
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* TheFaceless: Kasumi in ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2''.
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** Also used for the girls in ''Sigma 2'': Rachel is the MightyGlacier, Ayane the FragileSpeedster, while Momiji is balanced.
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** Also used for the girls in ''Sigma 2'': Rachel is the MightyGlacier, Ayane the FragileSpeedster, while Momiji is balanced.JackOfAllStats.
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*** Though to be fair, a number of enemies in [=NG2=] were taken directly from ''Dragon Sword'' (the Rasetsu ninjas and the red dragons, among others).
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''Ninja Gaiden'' is a series of video games originally developed by {{Tecmo}}. Released first as an arcade title, it made its way to the NintendoEntertainmentSystem, Nintendo GameBoy, PCEngine and SegaMasterSystem, then was {{reviv|al}}ed for the {{Microsoft}} {{Xbox}} under Tomonobu Itagaki's "Team Ninja", the same creators and designers behind the ''DeadOrAlive'' series. The NES games are hailed for being among the first to use a video game as a vehicle to tell an elaborate story.
The main character is Ryu Hayabusa, a {{ninja}} and member of the Dragon Clan, who gets into government conspiracies, kicks loads of ass and slaughters legions of supernatural beings along the way.
!!'''Ninja Gaiden Trilogy'''
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In the first game, Ryu receives a letter from his father Joe Hayabusa, saying that should he not return, Ryu is to journey to America and contact a man named Walter Smith. Believing his father dead, Ryu goes to America to carry out this request. After battling a large man with an axe in a bar, he is subdued by a woman with a tranquilizer gun. He awakens in a prison cell, where the woman (Irene Lew) frees him and gives him a mysterious, grotesque statue. Ryu is puzzled by this, but presses onward. He meets with Smith, who identifies the statue as one of the Demon Statues, a pair of [[ArtifactOfDoom Artifacts of Doom]] he and Joe discovered and vowed to protect. As Ryu and Smith talk, the statue is stolen by another ninja. Ryu gives chase, and recaptures the statue, but returns to find Smith dying. Ryu vows to carry on his work, protecting the Demon Statues.
However, Ryu is captured by the CIA and brought before A. Foster, the head of the agency. Foster reveals that Irene is one of their agents, and that she is tracking down a man known as Jaquio, who seeks to release [[SealedEvilInACan the powerful demon sealed in the statues]]. Foster orders Ryu to take out Jaquio; Ryu, remembering his oath to Smith, complies. Air-dropped into the jungles of Brazil, he makes his way to Jaquio's fortress, where he finds Jaquio has Irene at gunpoint. Jaquio reveals he has the second Demon Statue already, and [[HostageForMacGuffin demands Ryu's statue in exchange for Irene's life]]; Ryu, being new at the whole hero thing, complies. Jaquio's an old hand at villainy, however, and simply absconds with the statues and the girl -- but not before sending Ryu hurtling down a {{trapdoor}} to the catacombs below.
Undaunted, Ryu fights his way to the top of the fortress, where he again encounters Jaquio and Irene... as well as Ryu's father, who, [[NotQuiteDead while not dead]], is under Jaquio's mind control. Ryu gets the better of Jaquio in battle, and in desperation, Jaquio launches a magic bolt at Ryu, but his father comes to his senses, [[TakingTheBullet intercepts the bolt]], and dies. The enraged Ryu proceeds to kill Jaquio... but he's too late, for [[OhCrap Jaquio has released the demon from the statues]]!
Ryu bravely fights the demon, sealing it once more. After the battle, Foster radios Irene and orders her to assassinate Ryu and take the statues. Irene hesitates, and Ryu takes her radio and tells Foster the next time they meet, it will be as enemies.
Quite a bit more elaborate than the SaveThePrincess plots of the day, isn't it?
''Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos'' and ''Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom'' both had similarly complex plots, centered around their titular {{MacGuffin}}s. Due to space considerations, we won't get much more into detail here; however, they offer just as many, if not more, twists and turns as the first game.
As for the gameplay that takes place between the {{cutscene}}s? ''Ninja Gaiden'' played a lot like ''{{Castlevania}}'' -- only on steroids and speed. The games were the very epitome of NintendoHard, with enemies coming at you from every direction at once. Gamers didn't seem to mind, however -- even those who found the challenge to be too much suffered through it anyway to see the next chapter in Ryu's saga.
Aside for a compilation of the trilogy on the SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem, the Ninja Gaiden series was silent, until Ryu was added to the roster for Team Ninja's ''Dead or Alive'' series, where Ryu's basically the only ''male'' character people seem to like as much as the girls.
!!'''Ninja Gaiden Trilogy (Post-2004)'''
[[quoteright:306:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ninja-gaiden-xbox-cover_6902.jpg]]
Sometime in 1999, Itagaki and Team Ninja began work on their first "action" title, aside from their on-going ''Dead or Alive'' series. Although then-Tecmo wanted a tie-in for this new revival with the NES trilogy, this Xbox version of ''Ninja Gaiden'', released in 2004, involves none of the elements. In an interview, Itagaki mentioned he "prefer not to be influenced by or base it on the original story". While Ryu's still the protagonist, none of the above elements are ''explicitly'' mentioned.
The story establishes Ryu's a member of the Dragon Ninja Clan, charged with protecting the Dark Dragon Blade, a {{BFS}} imbued with some pretty extraordinary powers. After the game's tutorial level, he's informed that the Hayabusa village has been destroyed. When Ryu investigates, a samurai pledged to the Holy Vigoor Emperor, Doku, kills him with the Dark Dragon Blade.
Don't worry, [[BackFromTheDead he gets better]].
Thus, the game embarks Ryu upon a [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge ferocious quest for revenge]] and the retrieval of the Dark Dragon Blade. The details of the plot are convoluted and don't add up to anything particularly extraordinary, but Ryu slices and dices his way through Vigoorian soldiers, tanks, zombies, ninjas and ghost piranhas.
The Xbox version is, as the kids these days say, [[NintendoHard difficult]]...really, ''really'' difficult...as in "throw-your-controller-at-the-screen-and-scare-the-dog '''difficult'''". In contrast to other {{Hack And Slash}}ers, enemies avert MookChivalry and have no compunctions about suffocating the player at every available moment. In fact, beating this game is an achievement. Hell, there was an UpdatedRerelease called ''Ninja Gaiden Black'' which not only fixed gameplay imbalances. placed more enemies and bosses and added in "Combat Missions", it included two new modes: a "[[MercyMode super-duper-mega-easy]]" mode and an "[[BeyondTheImpossible even harder]] than HarderThanHard mode"! Unfortunately, it didn't help the "super-duper-mega-easy" mode was quite hard itself, difficult to the point of inducing trauma.
The game was critically acclaimed by all, with many praising its preserved difficulty from the NES trilogy, alongside gorgeous visuals and attention to detail in combat and environments by pushing the Xbox beyond its hardware limitations. An EnhancedRemake of ''Ninja Gaiden Black'' called ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma'' for the Sony PlayStation3 was released in 2006, rounding out the last gameplay additions with a new character, new weapons and enemies, while making it look more pretty with the console's high-defintion capabilities.
In 2008, ''Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword'' was released for the NintendoDS. This GaidenGame sequel set six months after ''Ninja Gaiden'' tells of Ryu and his journey to find the Dark Dragonstones that can resurrect an ancient Dark Dragon. In the same year, the true sequel ''Ninja Gaiden II'' was released for the {{Microsoft}} Xbox360, where another ArtifactOfDoom the Dragon Lineage were guarding, the Statue of the Archfiend, is stolen. Ryu must travel the world chasing the Four Greater Fiends as they attempt to resurrect the [[SealedEvilInACan Archfiend itself]]. Both games retain the difficulty of ''Ninja Gaiden'' (''Ninja Gaiden II'' arguably even harder) and the stories are serviceable, yet the latter game's almost completely nonsensical, with EverythingTryingToKillYou more aptly applied. For example, at one point a giant armadillo with marginal fire ElementalPowers appears with [[GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere no apparent connection to the villains]].
Following the release of ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Itagaki stepped down from Team Ninja and left the now merged Tecmo Koei. Current series director and producer Yosuke Hayashi took over and released an UpdatedRerelease of ''Ninja Gaiden II'' on the PS3 as ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma II''. Notably, the game partly resolves the nonsensical nature of the plot in the 360 original, but also throws in new characters and scenarios, a co-op mission mode, a "Chapter Challenge" mode and a prologue that links ''Dragon Sword'' to current continuity (''Ninja Gaiden II'' never makes a mention of ''Dragon Sword''). It also significantly tones down the 360 game's gore.
''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''.
'''Now with a good [[Characters/NinjaGaiden Character Sheet]], character tropes go there.'''
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!!The ''Ninja Gaiden'' video game series provides examples of:
* AbsurdlySpaciousSewer: The tenth level of the Xbox title, oddly named "the Aquaduct" (sic).
* AdaptationDyeJob: Irene Lew, brunette in the classic NES trilogy and OriginalVideoAnimation, blonde as of ''Dead or Alive'': [[Nintendo3DS Dimensions]] and the Xbox series too under her alias [[spoiler:Sonia, as they were eventually confirmed to be the same person]].
* AnachronicOrder: Some ContinuitySnarl and FlipFlopOfGod aside, the series goes like this, from a young 18 years old Ryu to a 23 years old Master Ninja:
** Ninja Gaiden ([[VideoGames Arcade]]) --> Ninja Gaiden Shadow (Game Boy) --> Ninja Gaiden (Xbox) --> Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword (NDS) --> Ninja Gaiden II (Xbox 360) --> Ninja Gaiden III ([=PS3=]/Xbox 360) --> Ninja Gaiden (NES) --> Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (NES) --> Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (NES) --> Ninja Gaiden (OVA) --> ''Dead or Alive'' series.
* AndYourRewardIsClothes: Beating any of the difficulty levels in the Xbox series rewards the player with a new costume.
* AnimeAnatomy: When she shows up in one cutscene wearing nothing but [[{{Squick}} blood]], Elizabét appears to be missing something...
* AntiFrustrationFeature: For each difficulty, Ninja Gaiden 3 allows the player to chose a "Hero mode" equivalent. The game plays the same, but when health is under 30%, guard and evading become automatic.
* AntiHero: Ryu in the new games is pretty much established as this, although he does have a strong sense of justice in his mission to punish all evil, it also shows that Ryu has no qualms about killing ninjas from other clans and soldiers alike, in fact it is made clear he ''has no hatred nor even a slight dislike'' towards any of them (only some fiends gets to provoke Ryu's hatred). Ryu faces this as the harsh reality of a ninja's upbringing, death is part of their world even against friendly rivals.
** Mention goes to the first ''Ninja Gaiden'' for Xbox, the very first mission is about Ryu ''killing'' as many ninjas as he can find for his training routine, and they were from a ''friendly clan'', [[spoiler:Murai turned out to be a real enemy, but Ryu didn't take this into consideration back then]]; the first ninja Ryu ambushes is also his first kill in the game, Ryu's reaction to his fallen foe is that of simple acceptance, it was the right thing to do since the fallen ninja wouldn't live much longer anyway if he was that weak.
** The sequel for the Xbox 360 shows again Ryu's position as the one who kills without mercy but even so does not hate anyone, after mowing down against hordes of Spider Clan ninjas and then proceeding to slaughter real fiends, Ryu in the end still pays his condolences to all the fallen ninjas who went against his clan and then walks away for his next mission.
** The upcoming ''Ninja Gaiden 3'' will tell us more about this. WordOfGod describes Ryu as a "Japanese dark hero."
* ArtifactOfDoom: The Dragon Ninja clan apparently exists to look after these, keeping the lids on various [[SealedEvilInACan cans of Evil]]
** They ain't too good at it though, considering how [[RedshirtArmy everybody but Ryu gets pwned. Twice]].
* AttackDrone: The Shadow Clones from ''The Dark Sword of Chaos'', which follow in Ryu's footsteps ''precisely'' and attack when he does, at no cost. He can have up to two Clones out at a time.
* AutoRevive: Talisman of Rebirth.
* AwesomeButImpractical: The Unlabored Flawlessness. It's the wooden sword upgraded some 7 times (most other weapons peak at 3 or 4) with no discernable change until it becomes a giant wooden paddle. It's a surprisingly powerful weapon, able to wreak havoc at about the same power as the upgraded War Hammer, but it's high upgrade cost and very restrictive secret to its power (when you're low on health it becomes exceptionally vicious) makes it difficult to use.
** The Falcon's Talons Ultimate Technique is generally regarded as one of the worst in the entire game, (the talons themselves are very restrictive to close combat as well) but it is awesome to see [[{{Badass}} Ryu Hayabusa]] go berserk on an enemy with claws attached to his hands and feet.
** Projectile weapons in the first Xbox game start bouncing off of enemies when you get near the end (so much for your giant shuriken and stocks of gunpowder laced kunai...). The bow is an exception, but standing around for Ryu to take it out and fire gets you killed pretty quickly.
* AwesomeMcCoolname: The name of the stages in the original trilogy were pretty cool. One such name is Place of Red Execution, in which Ryu fights Bloody Malth in the first NES game.
* BackForTheDead: [[spoiler:Ken Hayabusa]] in the NES games.
* BackFromTheDead / DisneyDeath:
** Ryu after being killed by Doku in the Xbox game.
** Irene Lew after being sacrificed for Jacquio's goal in ''The Dark Sword of Chaos'', she gets resurrected by the Dragon Sword's magic.
* BagOfSpilling: In the Xbox games, it is averted for Ryu's moves − you start NG 2 with the Flying Swallow, the Izuna Drop, the counter and the Guillotine Throw, all of which were acquired during the first game. Played straight for the weapons in a strange way: three of the weapons you find in random places (the Lunar, Dragon's Claw & Tiger's Fang and the Vigoorian Flail) were already found in the first game, [[FridgeLogic and the first two are supposed to be unique…]]
* BattleCouple: Ryu Hayabusa the {{Badass}} OneManArmy {{Ninja}} and Irene Lew/[[spoiler:Sonia]] [[TheGunslinger the Girl With Guns]] then later ''MissionControl''; still together in the ''Dead or Alive'' series.
* {{Badass}}: [[NintendoHard You have to be one in order to be able to beat the game.]]
* BadassLonghair: Ryu's first appearance in the ''DOA'' series had him long haired enough to keep a ponytail, he showed up like this again in ''Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword'' which also marked his debut unmasked appearance in the ''new'' series.
* BeamSpam: Dagra Dai, so much.
* {{BFS}}: Dabilahro from the Xbox title; also, cleavers used by Fiend Nightmares; then, there's Spirit Doku's nodachi. And of course there's the Dark Dragon Blade itself.
** The final boss in the unjustly-overlooked arcade original had a pair of these.
*** Ninja Gaiden II features a scythe that, through upgrades, is about the size as Ryu himself.
** Dagra Dai {{Dual Wield|ing}}s these.
* BigBad
** Jaquio in the first NES game.
** Ashtar in ''The Dark Sword of Chaos'', the second NES game, and [[TheChessmaster the orchestrator]] of the events of the first. [[TheManBehindTheMan His position gets hijacked]] when [[spoiler:the Demon is revived (twice!) inside Jaquio's body by the Dark Sword of Chaos]].
** [[spoiler:Clancy]] in ''The Ancient Ship of Doom'', the third NES game, after doublecrossing [[TheDragon his]] [[UnwittingPawn boss]].
* {{Bishonen}}: Ryu's design for ''Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword'', add to the fact it was the first time he appeared unmasked outside the ''Dead or Alive'' series after Itagaki's new direction of keeping Ryu always masked in his main games. The ninja became a pretty boy, albeit still with a toned body and packing a strong voice, in the DS release.
* BlindIdiotTranslation: ''Basaquer'', ''Kelbeross'', ''Malth'', and even BigBad ''Jaquio'' fall pray to this in the original NES trilogy --their actual names were supposed to be "Berserker," "Cerberus", "Mars", and "Devil King" (Jakiō.) The mistranslated names do have plenty of charm, though...
* BloodBath: The female villain in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' for the Xbox 360 is seen bathing in a pool of blood at one point and is even named "Elizabet" as a ShoutOut to [[TropeMaker Elizabeth Bathory]].
* BloodierAndGorier: ''Ninja Gaiden 2'' for 360. [[BeyondTheImpossible As if the first wasn't gory enough...]]
** Seemingly taken UpToEleven [[SequelEscalation in the 3rd game...]]
* BloodyBowelsOfHell: In ''NinjaGaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos'', the last stages take place in the Realm of Chaos. They steadily become more organic, with pulsing organs and faces on the walls, dripping ooze, and veins running across every surface.
* BoobsOfSteel: As a playable character in ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma'', Rachel relies far more on sheer brute strength than Ryu, and also handles larger weapons better than the initially clumsy Ryu. Her bust size is accordingly massive.
* BoringButPractical: For the array of awesome weapons that you have stashed in {{Hammerspace}}, you'll probably end up being forced to use the Dragon Blade to beat bosses and higher-tier enemies.
* BossDissonance: The first NES game was a Mario type. Barbarian, Bomberhead, and Basquer were all ridiculously easy once you got the pattern down, an easily-exploitable glitch could make Kelbeross a pushover, Bloody Malth is just a matter of getting close to him and mashing buttons, and the Masked Devil just requires you to hit the giant clown-nose thing in the middle. Jaquio, however, is ungodly hard, and the Demon is largely luck based. The sequels evened it out quite a bit.
** This is also the case in Xbox 360 ''Ninja Gaiden II''. While the levels are basically massive gauntlets with endless hordes of cheap mooks, most bosses are surprisingly easy to take down. Even the four Greater Fiends and the final boss pose little threat. The UpdatedRerelease Sigma 2 balanced things by reducing the amount of mooks but making most of the bosses harder, improving their AI and their health.
* BossInMookClothing: Good lord, the Vigoorian Berserkers. They are armed with a [[{{BFS}} Dabilahro]], [[LightningBruiser are fairly fast for their build]], [[ImplacableMan have a solid guard but are also very resilient]], and on top of that have nothing but powerful close range ''and'' distance attacks. Of course if you try to use a Flying Swallow, [[KungFuProofMook you will be promptly dissuaded]] [[HoistByHisOwnPetard to try again]]. Manage to deal them enough damage? To reward you, they [[TurnsRed turn red]] and become even more dangerous. Granted, there is a simple tactics to take them down (let them attack at close range and use a counter) [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard but it doesn't work so well when there are two or three of them]] (which is, 90% of the time).
* BossRush: Sort of at the end of the first Xbox game. You first fight two previously beaten bosses, then Marbus, the two forms of the Emperor and the Dark Disciple. In Very Hard and Master Ninja however, [[OhCrap the two fairly easy bosses are replaced by the]] ''[[OhCrap much]]'' [[OhCrap more challenging ancient fiends Nicchae and Ishtaros]], making this a BossRush with only new bosses!
* {{Bowdlerise}}: While ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma II'' for [=PS3=] brought great additions such as new playable characters, game modes and multiplayer option to warrant its deserved critical acclaim, it also got some vocal criticism from some due the direction of removing all the blood bath present in the Xbox 360 version, instead all gallons of blood were turned into purple smoke, which creates a rather odd effect because Ryu still performs brutal actions against his enemies only to see them gush out purple essence. Another less discussed issue was the removal of all the already few puzzles present in the Xbox 360 version, turning ''Sigma II'' into a non-stop action party.
* BraggingRightsReward: In the first Xbox/[=PS3=] game, The Plasma Saber Mk. II (in Normal) or the Black Dragon Sword (Hard and above), sort of. You get them by gathering the 50 gold scarabs, but the last one is so close to the end of the game that they won't be of much use. Add to this that you have to bring the scarabs to Muramasa, and there is no shop at the top of the Emperor's tower (where you get the last scarab). That means you have to go back all the way down and go though several tough enemies and swarms of [[DemonicSpiders ghost piranhas]] just to find a shop where you can get the damn sword. Only to discover that the Plasma Saber is every bit identical to the True Dragon Sword and that you can't use the BDS against the final boss (since he's the one who uses it). So except for some fiend challenges like the ones with many {{B|ossInMookClothing}}erserkers, it's not really worth the trouble. This trope is averted with the highest difficulty Master Ninja Mode, which rewards you with… nothing!
* CameraScrew : In both Xbox titles, the camera will often be your toughest enemy, chosing the most impractical angle possible, zooming without reason and putting the Mooks or even Ryu himself off screen. Surely the [=PS3=] {{Updated Rerelease}}s have fixed this problem, haven't they? Er… [[StatusQuoIsGod well, no]].
* CanonImmigrant: The fact Ryu married with Irene and opened up a Curio/Antique Shop to run it together in the OVA carries over to the ''Dead or Alive'' series which is set after everything that happened in his solo series. After Igakaki's re-imagination for the ''Ninja Gaiden'' series on the Xbox, it looked this fact got {{retcon}}ned for good, it took his departure from Team Ninja and Yosuke Hayashi's intervetion as the new director to put the pieces back together in ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions''.
* CatsAreMean: And those of the first Xbox game are DemonicSpiders!
* CelibateHero: Ryu in the present games, Rachel and Sonia are obviously interested on him, Momiji and Ayane might be runner ups, still Ryu shows no response towards any of them. It might be a case of respecting continuity and Ryu will eventually fall in love with Irene later, [[spoiler:especially now that Sonia and Irene were confirmed to be the same person]], or it's an entirely new continuity and Ryu won't fall for anyone since there's some FlipFlopOfGod in regard the present games being {{prequel}}s for the original trilogy or it is a completely [[AlternateUniverse new setting]] with no relation to previous titles.
** Worthy noting that most of the FlipFlopOfGod came from Itagaki, now that he has no relation to the series and Yosuke has given some {{continuity nod}}s to the original trilogy. Irene, indeed, might be on the way for Ryu.
* ChainReactionDestruction: Either that or bosses in NES games carry a set of firecrackers which activate upon the death of the boss.
* ChainsawGood: Zombies with chainsaws and cannons for arms? Yep, we got 'em.
* ChargedAttack: Collect type only in the first Xbox game. Upgraded to Collect ''and'' Hold type in all subsequent games and remakes.
* ChargeMeter: Ryu glows brighter and more fiercely as the charge levels up (accompanied by an explosion).
* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: "My strength comes from training, not from some curse in my blood." Play the game, get all upgrades.
** [[spoiler:Subverted. His clan ''is'' in fact descended from fiends, hence why Doku almost succeeds in turning him into one. Probably doesn't do much to the fact that he's still a super ninja.]] Also, he wields a massive battle {{a|nAxeToGrind}}xe/[[DropTheHammer hammer]], a [[{{BFS}} great sword]] explicitly said to be 100 pounds in weight, and a [[SinisterScythe gigantic scythe]] that he steals from a demon twice his height.
** Also, he's [[spoiler:dead. And the dead tend to be much tougher than the living in the recent games.]]
* CheckPointStarvation: ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2'' has a few passages where you have to go through several long and tough fights without the possibility to save in-between. Most notably the last parts of chapter 13 (including the very grueling stairway fight), 14 (the graveyard fights), and the first half of chapter 16 (the very long straight corridor). The latter two get BonusPoints for having an appearance of {{Recurring Boss}}es out of nowhere without the usual auto-save. These passages are stressing in Normal but get ''really'' sadistic in Master Ninja.
* CherryTapping: [[http://iberiansngrealm.com/Wooden_Sword.html Wooden Sword School]].
* ChestMonster: [[MemeticMutation We found some ghost fish - in a chest! Instead of a box of "cash"!]]
* {{Chickification}}: Irene Lew went through this in the OVA, in the NES trilogy she would straddle between ActionGirl and FauxActionGirl status frequently but at least she would end up aiding Ryu in one form or another; in the OVA however, Irene is a DistressedDamsel from start to finish, you just can't tell she was CIA agent not long ago before settling down with Ryu and becoming an Antique Shop owner, Irene is in need for help at every opportunity and somehow became afraid of handling guns properly as by the time she shoots a ninja in the face, Irene is terrified like someone who just got a gun in her hands for the first time ever.
* CollapsingLair: A staple of the series once the BigBad [[LoadBearingBoss is defeated]].
* CompetitiveBalance: The weapons in the Next-Gen series use some combination of [[NecessaryDrawback range, damage, combo potential and the power of the Ultimate Attack]]. The Dragon Sword is the most balanced but in the first game there are several weapons that mostly play the same way (War Hammer, Dihilabhro and the Unlabored Flawlessness are all heavy blunt weapons, as well as the Dark Dragon Sword in bonus-quests). The second game has a bit more variety in that regard, no two weapons play quite the same.
** Also used for the girls in ''Sigma 2'': Rachel is the MightyGlacier, Ayane the FragileSpeedster, while Momiji is balanced.
* ConservationOfNinjutsu: Ryu, a lone Ninja, will slice his way through veritable armies of Ninja Mooks.
* ContinuityCameo: Ayane from ''Dead or Alive'' shows up in both Xbox games, as Ryu appears in ''DOA'' itself.
** Irene Lew makes a cameo appearance in ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'' as Ryu's CIA contact during the story mode. [[spoiler: The cameo doubles as confirming Sonia from the Xbox ''Ninja Gaiden II'' game as being Irene Lew under an alias.]]
* ContinuityNod: With ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'' it seems Yosuke Hayashi is trying to fix some of Itagaki's mess, Irene Lew [[spoiler:(confirming that Sonia and Irene are the same person)]] making a [[TheCameo cameo]] in particular seems to be an attempt at settling Ryu's appearance in the DOA series again as being placed years after his solo adventures.
** In the ''Ninja Gaiden'' series itself, ''Sigma II'' for [=PS3=] gives many throwbacks to both ''Ninja Gaiden'' for Xbox and ''Dragon Sword'' for NDS with the inclusions of Rachel and Momiji respectively, something that the original release for Xbox 360 didn't trouble itself with.
* ContinuitySnarl: Ryu's appearance in the ''Dead or Alive'' series, since the first installment it was made clear in his character bio that the available Ryu is, {{canon}}ically, the one who already has ventured through all his solo games so far, reinforced by stating that he is a Curio Shop owner, something that would only happen after the end of the NES series with Ryu married with Irene and everything, namely in the OVA; then Itagaki envisioned the ''new'' ''Ninja Gaiden'' series for the Xbox and kind of made the continuity unstable, ever since in the DOA series Ryu has his Xbox costume as the default one, and there's no mention of him being married with Irene nor his Curio Shop ''in-game''; it makes one think that Ryu in DOA now is the same one in the ''new'' series.
** As of ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'', with Yosuke Hayashi in charge ever since Itagaki left, he might be trying to fix things with a few cameos then and there.
* ConvectionSchmonvection: In the next-gen [=NG2=] Ryu can run on lava! And swim in it for that matter, although it starts to hurt then.
** This could be averted by the fact that he constantly set's himself on fire every time he uses ninpo (and not just fire) and by the fact that he's a {{badass}}.
* CosmeticAward: Karma system.
* CueTheSun: The {{happy ending}} of the first and third NES games.
* CutSong: "Inevitable" in the second NES game, which can only be heard with an NSF player.
* {{Cutscene}}: One of the first games, if not the first game, to incorporate these in between levels to tell a cohesive story.
* DamnYouMuscleMemory: In ''Sigma 2'', the bow is aimed and fired with the triggers instead of O in [=NG1=] and 2. Justified since it allows to fire shurikens even with the bow equipped but it does take a bit of time to get used to it. The opposite way is even worse: in [=NG2=], many a Sigma 2 player will try to throw shurikens mid-jump and fire an arrow. [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard And get killed.]]
** Same deal with the guard button: in the Xbox games it's on the left trigger, in the PS3 ones it's on L1. Considering the consequences of letting your guard down for one second in NG2, this can be a problem.
* DeathFromAbove: A gameplay mechanics in the next gen [=NG3=]. You can jump from a high building and [[ArtisticLicensePhysics glide in the air]] towards the poor mook, before impaling him as you land.
* DesperationAttack: Unlaboured Flawlessness.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu
* DifficultyByRegion: The NES version of ''Ninja Gaiden III'' increased the damage sustained from enemies by twice the amount compared to the its Famicom counterpart, while limiting the number of times the player can continue after a Game Over and removing the password system. Moreover, if the player loses a life in the NES version, he will respawn at the beginning of the entire stage instead of the last area he was like in the Famicom version.
* DownTheDrain: The "aqueduct" chapter in the first Xbox game.
* DualBoss: Curse you, Giants of the Underworld!
** Also, the "Dragons" pro wrestling duo in the arcade version.
** Plus the Tengu brothers in ''Sigma II''. Although it's an odd example since you alternatively fight them alone and together several times throughout the game (see RecurringBoss below).
** The Quetzalcoatl in [=NG2=] (360 version only).
** In the original trilogy, it's the Kelbeross in the first two games, followed by Great Koganei in the third.
* DualWielding: Kitetsu, Dragon's Fang and Tiger's Claw, Falcon's Talon, Tonfa, [[spoiler:True Dragon Sword and Blade of the Archfiend]].
** The Tonfas were, historically speaking, supposed to be used two at a time. However, they add tungsten tips -- and then BLADES on them.
* EasyModeMockery: In Ninja Gaiden Black, you unlock easy mode if you die too many times on the first level, but not before Ayane admonishes you for being so weak. She then proceeds to give you a purple ribbon powerup, and all the power bracelets become ribbons as well.
* EldritchLocation: The Realm of Chaos, the Labyrinth of Shadows, and the Ancient Ship of Doom.
* ElevatorActionSequence: Rachel's chapter in Sigma 2 has one of these.
* EliteMooks: The Underworld versions of the Incendiary Shuriken ninja deal much more damage than their normal counterparts who were already [[FakeDifficulty cheap enemies]], but they also feature a quasi-suicide attack where they stab you in the chest with one of their claws and then detonate an Incendiary Shuriken attached to their impaled-arm to deal massive damage.
* EmpathicWeapon: The Dragon Sword.
* EpicFlail: Nunchaku, Vigorian Flail, and Kusari-Gama. The latter two cross over with SinisterScythe.
* EvilIsVisceral: Almost everything related to demons and fiends, especially the NES games.
* EyepatchOfPower: Genshin.
* FakeDifficulty: The {{Camera Screw}}s were bad enough in the first Xbox game, but the second added some extremely cheap mooks, always in hordes, who have grabs that are way too fast to anticipate, or ones who constantly spam explosive projectiles, mostly from off-screen. Mentor and Master Ninja Modes often takes this straight into BulletHell.
* FanServicePack: ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions''[='=] inclusion of [[spoiler:Irene's cameo]] and revealing that [[spoiler:Sonia was her alias in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' for the Xbox 360]], pretty much "upgraded" all of [[spoiler:Irene's previously known portrayal in the classic trilogy]].
* FauxActionGirl: Irene, despite being a badass CIA agent, finds herself captured in both the first and second games. Played with both ways in the third game, which begins with Irene being [[StuffedInTheFridge apparently murdered by a Ryu clone during the opening credits]] while spying on a secret lab. However, she later has a BigDamnHeroes moment when she rescues Ryu from the same clone with a machine gun.
** In the XBOX version, Rachel, who kills a random fiend when she's introduced and then spends the rest of the game getting captured, thrown around Vigoor and being strung up for a sacrifice. Lovely outfit, however.
** This gets fixed in ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma''; Rachel becomes a fully playable character in that edition, and is thusly promoted to full-on ActionGirl status.
*** Who still gets constantly captured and thrown around in the {{cutscene|Incompetence}}s. Aside from being promoted to a playable character, her role in the story didn't change.
** Sonia, in ''Ninja Gaiden II'', plays the badass CIA agent a little more convincingly. Whilst she manages to get captured and needs rescuing at the start of the game, she repays the favour by showing up like a {{big damn hero|es}} and saving Ryu from a battle against impossible odds, and later by strolling around the enemy's flying fortress casually dispatching ninja mooks with a rocket launcher.
*** And then she subsequently gets demoted by getting captured ''again'', put into a dress that is marginally ''less'' {{Stripperific}} than her regular attire, and fails to do anything useful from that point on (although admittedly, it's kinda hard to do anything [[spoiler: in the Underworld]] if you're not a {{Badass}} {{Ninja}}.
* FauxSymbolism: The Regent of the Mask has some fancy lines.
--> "Failure to surrender will result in your complete destruction. You have seven days. Exactly the number of days it took God to create this world." [[hottip:*:It's six days actually…]]
* FetchQuest
* FieldOfBlades
* FightingWithChucks: Ryu can buy and use nunchucks.
* FinishingMove: Obliteration Techniques, Fiend Sealer and variants
* FlashStep: Several charge attacks emulate this. Most ultimate attacks in the second game rely on this to continue the attack. The True Dragon Sword's ultimate attack upgrades this into outright TeleportSpam.
* ForMassiveDamage: In ''Ninja Gaiden (Sigma) II'', the Tonfa's Ultimate Technique is ''devastating'', more than those of any other weapon. Even the extremely resilient Underworld clawed Ninjas of Sigma 2's Master Ninja mode fall apart instantly with only a half-charged UT. It's surprising since apart from that the Tonfa are arguably the weakest weapon of the game… Then in the first Xbox game, there is the [[DesperationAttack Unlaboured Flawlessness on low health]], capable of near [[OneHitKill One-Combo Kills]] on the weaker bosses ([[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIBguVheGyw see for yourself]]).
* FourIsDeath: The Malice Four in the first NES game.
* FranchiseZombie: Tomonobu Itagaki wanted ''Ninja Gaiden II'' (Xbox 360) to be the last NinjaGaiden game, at least for the Xbox continuity, it only took his leave from Tecmo Koei to Yosuke Hayashi, his replacedment as Team Ninja's Executive Producer/Director, to keep going with ''Ninja Gaiden III''. Still, it's unclear if Itagaki really meant that, he made this statement when he was already at odds with Tecmo Koei, very close to his eventual departure from the company.
* FrickinLaserBeams: Paz Zuu's laser, oddly enough, doesn't damage you directly; instead, it traces a path, which ignites shortly afterwards.
** Unfortunately, the black pincer fiends aren't so kind-hearted with their own eye-beam. [[DemonicSpiders Which has infuriated more than one player]].
* GameplayAndStoryIntegration: Ninja Gaiden 3 makes a point of eliminating elements that "break the immersion" apparently. No HyperspaceArsenal, no statues that teleport you to a shop, no healing items, no orbs coming out of dead enemies, and the save point statues are replaced by a hawk following Ryu.
* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: The ankylosaurus at the end of ''Ninja Gaiden II'' chapter 7 would seem to fit, but it's actually seen and referred to at least once before you fight it. The two you eventually face in the Underworld, however, fit this trope.
** And really, a good portion of the minibosses fit this as well. The Rasetsumaru-class ninja show up in the oddest of places...
** The most egregious example in NG II is the metallic horned centipede… [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot thing]] at the end of chapter 3.
* GratuitousJapanese: The original Japanese version was titled ''Ninja Ryûkenden'' (''Ninja Dragon Sword Story''), so the English version's title almost makes it seem like a GaidenGame when it isn't at all.
* GrenadeLauncher: Some mooks have these in the first Xbox game, and ''Black'' gave the tanks these to counter an easy means of defeating them, which was to get so close that it could only circle without being able to fire its main gun, only a mounted machine gun with a suppressable gunner.
* GunsAkimbo: Gamov is essentially a MysteriousWatcher throughout the game and even [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness outlives his usefulness]] at the end, but when you fight him as a boss in Sigma, he turns out to be a [[TheGunslinger Gunslinger]] who is also very capable in close combat. He may not be the hardest boss of the game but not the easiest either.
* HappilyMarried: Ryu and Irene after the NES trilogy, during the OVA and carried over to the DeadOrAlive series, this fact stopped being mentioned in DOA after Itagaki envisioned the ''new'' NG series for Xbox, possibly in an attempt to discart the idea of his creation being a long {{prequel}} for the original NES trilogy, turning into a [[AlternateContinuity new continuity]] altogether and leaving Ryu free for new [[LoveInterest interests]]. It took a DOA game without his involvement to fix the timeline again, namely ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'' brought Irene Lew back to make things stable.
* HarderThanHard: Very Hard/Path of the Mentor and Master Ninja/Path of the Master Ninja.
** ''Ninja Gaiden II'' (Xbox) was this on any difficulty...[[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard for questionable reasons.]]
** Players who became proficient on Path of Acolyte/Warrior would end up dying in the first battle of Path of the Mentor. All enemies are upgraded to those you previously encounter later on and you start out with no upgrades.
* HeelFaceTurn: Awakened Alma saving Rachel.
* {{Hellgate}}: Mt. Fuji is one, apparently
* HeroesWantRedheads: Irene Lew is a redhead in the original trilogy. As Sonia, [[EveryoneLovesBlondes her hair (supposedly bleached) is blonde.]]
* HeroicSacrifice: Awakened Alma saving Rachel, as said above.
** And in ''The Dark Sword of Chaos'', ''the Dragon Sword itself'' makes a sacrifice to revive Irene at the end.
* HighPressureBlood: While ''NinjaGaiden II'' went for the LudicrousGibs option, it seems that [=NG3=] will take the HighPressureBlood one.
* HighlyVisibleNinja: Who said ninja games need a stealth mechanic?
** Sadly, there's the one time in Xbox Gaiden II where they make it ''seem'' like you could be stealthy for once..... It gets retracted in about three seconds. How fast can you replace a searchlight that seemingly '''exploded''' for no reason?
** However, ''Ninja Gaiden 3'' will introduce stealth kills mechanics. Whether it is a good thing or not is up for debate.
* HopelessBossFight : There are two in ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma''. In chapter 2 against [[spoiler:Doku]], when you have only a level 1 Dragon Sword and a rachitic lifebar. And in chapter 14 with Rachel when you fight [[spoiler:the ancient greater fiends Nicchae and Ishtaros]]. In both cases, a normal player will likely get his ass handed to him before understanding what's going on. It ''is'' technically possible to win those fights but that requires insane skill, and even if you do your character gets beaten in the cutscene anyway.
* HyperspaceArsenal
* IdiosyncraticDifficultyLevels: In ''Ninja Gaiden II'' the difficulty runs Acolyte, Warrior, Mentor, Master Ninja - and, of course, Master Ninja came from the ''Black'' version of the Xbox series' first game.
* IHaveTheHighGround
* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Ryu versus his brainwashed father in the first NES game.
* ILetYouWin: Murai.
* ImmuneToBullets: Many higher-level enemies in the Xbox games are immune to standard shuriken or can block them if you throw them off-the-cuff instead of as part of a combo. In the weapon description of Rachel's sidearm in Sigma 2, it states outright that high-level fiends are immune to her magic-laden ammunition, crafted specifically to give her an edge in fighting the damned things in the first place.
* ImpossiblyCoolWeapon: The Vigoorian Flail is solidified awesomeness, but in RealLife it would be more dangerous for the user than for the target. And it probably wouldn't swing as easily a nunchaku either. Then there is the Plasma Saber Mk. II. Most projectiles are also this: the Incendiary [[InsistentTerminology Kunai]], the FuumaShuriken, the Gatling Spear Gun and Sigma 2's Howling Canon. YourMileageMayVary for the Unlaboured Flawlessness: the weapon itself could be usable with enough physical strength, [[CaptainObvious but it probably wouldn't become more powerful as you are about to die]].
* InfiniteSupplies: Ryu has an endless supply of standard shuriken. Also, enemies with small arms have to periodically reload (it's most evident with the MSAT), but they never run out of magazines.
* {{Interquel}}: ''Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom'' takes place after the events of the first NES game, but before the events of ''Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos'', which is why Ryu is still in possession of the Dragon Sword, despite having lost it at the end of ''II''. The Japanese manual makes the game's setting clear, but the American manual only implies it subtly.
-->After Ryu's victorious duel with Jaquio, Ashtar returned to the bowels of darkness and bided his time. But another evil creature was already on its way as another adventure awaits the unsuspecting Ryu Hayabusa...
** Same deal with Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword for the NDS, it happens after ''Ninja Gaiden'' (Xbox) but before ''Ninja Gaiden II'' (Xbox 360); you can tell it definitely happens after the first Xbox game but looking at how the original ''NGII'' for Xbox 360 [[ContinuityLockOut handled]] its storyline, there was no way to tell its place after ''Dragon Sword'' without looking for information outside the game's material, it was only made clear that ''Dragon Sword'' happened before the original ''NGII'', in ''Sigma II'' for [=PS3=] with the inclusion of Momiji and Sanji in the game.
* InstantDeathRadius: The Xbox games have the Gleaming Blade move and its Ultimate Technique versions, which eat {{Mooks}} for breakfast.
* InvulnerableAttack: Ninpo, off-the-wall attacks, throws, Obliterations and Ultimate Techniques in the Xbox games.
* JigglePhysics: Itagaki is very fond of this trope in his games. Sigma 2 gives us the ability to control this with Sixaxis motion sensing...
* [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown Fiend-Sealer Them While They Are Down]]: Also at least two of Ryu's Obliterations involve brutally kicking them in the face before delivering a vicious dismembering...
* LargeHam: Volf, all the way.
** The Regent of the Mask, the BigBad of [=NG3=], takes his share too.
* LedgeBats: The birds.
* TheLegionsOfHell: What will pour out of the Gate of Darkness to the [[{{Hell}} Realm of Chaos]] if Ashtar's ritual is completed. Many foes in the games already hail from there.
* LeParkour
* LifeDrain: A special ability of Kitetsu, Doku's demonic sword in the first Xbox game. You can do it to minor mooks the same way Doku does it to you − and regain quite a bit of health that way. However, the rest of the time you use it, the blade drains ''your own health''. In Sigma ([=PS3=]), holding the sword doesn't deplete your lifebar, but the effect of the LifeDrain attack is also considerably nerfed.
** The Alchemist enemies in ''3'' also have a grab move like this.
* LoveAtFirstSight: Both Ryu and Irene in the first NES game, after an entire adventure without any proper build up for romance, Ryu took the fact he was able to meet Irene as a fitting payment for all the trouble they went through the course of the game, Irene too seems to have the same mindset on this matter as she disregarded Foster's direct orders to kill Ryu, the result is the couple kissing in the end; as of ''Dead or Alive'' they are HappilyMarried and running their Antique Shop together.
* LudicrousGibs: Every weapon in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' can dismember and dice opponents, [[OnlyAFleshWound not that this deters them from fighting]]. Some enemies will even pick up stray body parts and throw them at you.
* LockAndLoadMontage: Cutscene between Chapters Two and Three in the Xbox version where Ryu is shown tightening the straps on his outfit and bringing three kunai with him while Murai chatters in the background.
* LostTechnology: Twin Serpents Plaza statue
* MacrossMissileMassacre: Thanks to some {{BFG}} toting ninjas in the later levels of ''Ninja Gaiden II'', you get to be on the receiving end of these.
* MagikarpPower: Xbox's Wooden Sword is pathetic until the final upgrade level, where it becomes the Unlabo(u)red Flawlessness, a GameBreaker for those skilled enough to use it.
* TheManBehindTheMan: Doku -> Vigoorian Emperor -> [[spoiler:The Dark Disciple]]
** Original version: Jacquio --> Ashtar --> Jacquio. Trust me, it makes sense in context.
* MaskPower: Inverted with the Ogres from the Xbox remake, who grow stronger after Ryu breaks their masks.
* MercyMode: Ninja Dog.
* MightyGlacier[=/=]StoneWall: The purple zombies of the first Xbox game. They carry enormous bayonet guns, their attacks are pretty damaging, but they are so slow you have to be really careless to get killed. And they just ''never'' go down. It takes three full Ultimate Techniques of the [[GameBreaker low health Unlaboured Flawlessness]] to make them bite the dust − meaning they have more health than some ''bosses''.
* MookBouncer: The black laser fiends in the first Xbox game are already [[DemonicSpiders very annoying in themselves]]. But in the tower section of the last but one chapter, they can use a really nasty grab move that drags you underground and sends you back at the level below, forcing you to go through the previous wave of enemies again ''and'' through a wave of ghost fishes. Even more infuriating if you are doing a [[SelfImposedChallenge Karma run]] since it prevents you from getting any more points in that fight (it's counted as if you had fled the fight)
* MookChivalry: Chivalwhat?
* MostDefinitelyNotAVillain: Murai starts off the first Xbox/[=PS3=] game by sending dozens of his men at you to be killed. Then he sends you a letter encouraging you kill as many people as you can, including civilians, because their blood will make the Dark Dragon Blade stronger. Yeah, good luck guessing who the "surprise" final boss will be.
* MultiMookMelee: The so-called fiend challenges in NG1 and Sigma and the Tests of Valor in NG2, removed in Sigma 2. NG2/S2 also has the famous stairway fight in chapter 10/13, where you face a ridiculous number of enemies at the same time and take down a good hundred of them. Hell, in NG II's Master Ninja mode, the game is pretty much a 12 hour long MultiMookMelee!
* MultipleChoicePast: It all comes down to TECMO simply establishing an official timeline without producers stating their own versions, untill is made clear what game represents Ryu's true first known adventure: be either the Arcade game, the NES series or the Xbox series; as of now Ryu Hayabusa and the world around him does not have a consistent past, and the timeline itself for that matter.
* MysteriousWatcher: Ayane and Gamov from the Xbox title.
* {{Nerf}}: The Flying Swallow in the first version of Ninja Gaiden on {{XBox}} was toned down in the re-release, Black, because you could spam it on pretty much everything with success. Black featured enemies that were specifically designed to punish you for using it, i.e. block the attack entirely and counter it. You definitely did not want to be caught using that on the advanced MSAT soldiers.
** The SpinAttack from the first NES game was removed from the sequels. The [[SuperStar Invincible Fire Wheel]], an equippable (albeit expensive) Ninja Art was turned into a limited, single-use powerup for the third game.
*** The Fire Wheel is further nerfed for the Xbox remake. It creates a flaming shield around Ryu, but it knocks away most enemies on contact which severely limits its usefulness (continuous damage is impossible and it knocks them out of your melee weapon's effective range). You are also far from invincible.
* NewGamePlus: Used in the second Xbox game. Sigma 2 suverts this a bit with Chapter Challenge mode: once you beat a difficulty, you can redo the chapters individally with all your weapons and ninpo upgraded. So it's not ''technically'' a NewGamePlus but functions as one, except your life bar's length depends on the chapter you play. The game is also slightly more difficult in that mode.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: A minor example in next-gen [=NG2=] (minor in that Ryu [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu fixes it pretty fast]]) [[spoiler: While escaping the underworld with Sonia, a drip of Ryu's cursed Dragon Clan/Fiend blood revives the arch-fiend in OneWingedAngel form.]]
* [[CaptainObvious Ninja]]
* NintendoHard: And the guys at Team Ninja know it. You get an achievement for continuing enough times!
** And the X-Box games are actually ''easier'' than the older 8-bit games, which range from "Brutal" to "Devour your controller in frustration" in difficulty.
* NoPronunciationGuide: A lot of people tend to mispronounce the title as "Ninja Gay Den" (rather than "Ninja Guy Den").
** Lampshaded in both the NG episode of ''TheAngryVideoGameNerd'' and its HilariousOuttakes, when the ninja thinks of calling it "Ninja ''Homosexual''-den" in one scene.
* NorioWakamoto: Robert T. Sturgeon, the Special Forces operative who aids Ryu throughout ''Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos'', gets blessed with Wakamoto's voice in the OVA.
* NoSidepathsNoExplorationNoFreedom: Used moderately in the first XBox game where you can still explore a bit or find a few secret paths, as well as stroll in previously visited areas; this is helped by the fact that 90% of the game takes place inside or near the same city. In the second game however, the levels are ridiculously linear and [[PointOfNoReturn Points of No Return]] are ''very'' frequent. Especially egregious in the last but one chapter, which begins with a long, narrow, perfectly straight corridor.
* NumericalHard: In the original Xbox game, the difference between Normal and Hard was barely noticeable; there were more, slightly tougher enemies, but that was pretty much it. Like so many other things, [[UpdatedRerelease Black and Sigma]] corrected this by replacing basic mooks with new, much tougher ones, and turning every boss into a FlunkyBoss.
* ObstructiveForeground: Used in the second NES game intentionally, with infuriating results.
* ObviousBeta: The Mega Drive version. Subverted, because it was never actually released at all. How it got leaked through the internet has never been completely clear.
* OmnicidalManiac: The Dark Dragon in the DS game, according to Nicchae, would have annihilated both humans AND fiends had Ryu not destroyed it soon after its birth.
* OneHitKill: Master Ninja mode's ungodly difficulty in Sigma 2 relies on the fact that the player has very little room for mistake. Several enemy attacks like fire geysers, and any grab from bosses or suicide attack will kill you instantly regardless of your lifebar's length.
* OneManArmy
* OneTimeDungeon: In the first Xbox title, you can't go back to the Ninja fortress of chapter 1 nor in chapter 3's airship since it crashes.
* OneWingedAngel: For the Xbox title: Alma -> Awakened Alma, Doku -> Spirit Doku, Vigoorian Emperor forms one and two. And the final boss in the sequel.
** In the original version, Jacquio in the first two games and Clancy in the third.
* OnlyAFleshWound: Game mechanic in [=NG2=] for 360; enemies act differently depending on how they've been dismembered.
** And in some ways they become even more dangerous when they've lost a limb; they do grab/suicide attacks that are very hard to avoid and heavily damaging.
* OnlyIdiotsMayPass: Subverted in the remake.
* PlatformHell: The NES series. If it wasn't bad enough that Tecmo forced you to use the wall cling ability and jump across tiny platforms over pits, but they decided to throw in the GoddamnBats, eagles, and even the ''grunts'' on full force. And in the first two games, they respawned infinitely.
* PlayingWithFire: Most of Ryu's Ninja Arts in the NES trilogy revolve around flinging fireballs --or encasing yourself in them with the [[SuperStar Invincible Fire Wheel]].
** Then you get Art of the Inferno, Fire Wheel, and Phoenix in the Xbox titles.
* PowerGlows: After you upgrade to the True Dragon Sword, it gains a purple aura.
* PrecisionGuidedBoomerang: The Windmill Throwing Star in the NES games.
* PressXToNotDie: If you've just watched the E3 2011 gameplay demo of the next-gen Ninja Gaiden 3, then get ready for some Quick-Time Events!
** Actually subverted. WordOfGod states that they're more of tutorial button prompts. Infuriated players who mistook the concept for QTE can now calm down and relax.
** Which leads to wonder what is exactly the difference… apparently the only thing that infuriates some players is the fact that buttons pop up and thus that it ''looks'' like QTEs, more than the mecanics itself.
* PrettyInMink: Ayane's alternate costume in Sigma 2.
* {{Prequel}}: The X-Box games and the DS Game Dragon Sword compared to the NES originals.
* AProtagonistIsRyu
* PunchClockVillain: Arguably the Special Forces and Vigoorian Military, the journals found in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' show the Black Spider ninjas to be something of this as well.
* RaceAgainstTheClock: In Act 7 of Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom, should you make it to the FinalBoss without dying, you will notice that the timer is '''very close''' to zero once you reach Clancy.
* RecurringBoss: Genshin
** [[RedOniBlueOni The Tengu Brothers]] in Sigma 2: first you fight one alone early in Chapter 5, who flees in the middle. You fight them together at the end of the same chapter. Then in the beginning of chapter 14 you fight the two but one of them escapes in the middle. You kill the other, and the one that escaped reappears at the end of the chapter, [[FlunkyBoss with a few other ninjas]]. And finally you fight the two in chapter 16. What's interesting is that you almost ''always'' have to fight them after going through several long and harsh fights, [[CheckPointStarvation with no possibility to save between the fights]], meaning you will rarely confront them at full health.
* RedRightHand: In the third game [[spoiler: Ryu. After fighting the BigBad, he has his Dragon Sword absorbed into his right arm, making it red. It's apparently some kind of "punishment" to make him feel the pain of the people he killed.]]
* RefugeInAudacity: The boob-jiggling feature in Sigma II. You can even do it during ''cutscenes''.
* ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated: In The Ancient Ship of Doom, Irene is supposedly killed by Ryu's doppelganger on Foster's orders. In truth, she had faked her death and was working with the U.S. Army to uncover evidence on Foster's crimes.
* RespawningEnemies: Yup. And often you'll hate it.
* {{Retcon}}: Some worth of mention, Tecmo passed the series around to just about any willing developer and producer: Natsume, Team Ninja, Tomonobu Itagaki, Yosuke Hayashi & etc; of course they had their own visions for the series:
** The very first ''Ninja Gaiden'' for Arcades, Ryu Hayabusa is said to be 18 years old in his mission against the Cult of Nostradamus and the Masked Cult, then ''Ninja Gaiden Shadow'' for Game Boy is said to be set one year after the Arcade adventure but three years before the NES series, the ages don't match up, Ryu is in his early 20s in the NES series so ''three years ago'' he should be 17 (Game Boy) and one year before that 16 (Arcade).
** The fact Ryu Hayabusa is in his early 20s in the NES series don't match up with the Xbox series either, this is the major factor why FlipFlopOfGod is heavy in regard the Xbox series being a {{Prequel}} to the NES one. NES Ryu from 20 to 23 ventured through the trilogy and settled in the ''Dead or Alive'' series just as Xbox Ryu from 21 to 22 ventured trough the present series and settled in ''Dead or Alive'' series at 23 years old. The only way to reconcile this is saying that Ryu has ventured through the NES and Xbox series for about the same time.
** Irene Lew became a walking {{Retcon}} herself when Sonia was revealed to be just another one of her codenames she uses on the field as of ''Dead or Alive''. Now it seems that Ryu actually knew Irene before the NES series in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' (Xbox 360), while in the first NES game he certainly doesn't find Sea Swallow familiar to a certain Sonia he met before. Also Irene's appearance [[SarcasmMode of course was always]] that of a blond buxom babe with pale skin instead of a brunette with modest body proportions; maybe she was [[WildMassGuessing wearing a disguise]] in the NES series?
** Ryu and Irene's marital status, the first ''Dead or Alive'' game says that they are HappilyMarried and Irene dutifully runs their Antique Shop while Ryu is away fighting in the tournament, then in the very next ''Dead or Alive'' game their marriage became a mysterious subject, Ryu still is an Antique Shop owner but Irene is not mentioned in his bio anymore, in fact, it was doubtful that Irene even existed from the 2nd tournament (game) to the 4th tournament. Later ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'' is released, it serves as a recap to the first four tournaments and brought Irene Lew back into the fray... but Ryu and Irene's marriage still is a mystery and suddenly she is a CIA agent again, the plot just goes as far as to imply they are romantically involved.
** Joe/Ken Hayabusa's whereabouts as a living person, Ryu's father dies in the NES trilogy, and yet he is alive and kicking in the Xbox series but that's okay since it is supposed to be a {{Prequel}} series; then comes ''Dead or Alive'' and make things difficult, even the first game of that series doesn't mention Ryu's father at all, in fact, it doesn't touch upon the Hayabusa Clan as a whole; it only shows that Ryu is taking the position of Leader for the moment... and doesn't say anything since his father was always fond of leaving Ryu taking care of the clan's leadership while he spent seasons training on top of mountains.
* RetiredBadass: Muramasa, the doddering old shopkeeper, makes carving up ninjas look effortless.
** Which makes it quite hilarious when he says just after that that his old legs won't allow him to go at the top of Mount Fuji. This is dubious since he apparently managed to build [[DungeonShop statues of himself in the Underworld…]]
* {{Revival}}: NES -> Xbox
** Also counts as a {{Video Game 3D Leap}}.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge
* RockBeatsLaser: [[BaldursGate Vigoorian forces, meet Dragon Sword! Dragon Sword! Meet! Vigoorian forces!]] Also subverted against the tanks and helicopter, which Ryu needs to use modern arrows to beat.
** Partially subverted at least. The bow is really outdated since everyone else has at least a machine gun at that point in the game. [[FridgeLogic What sensible person/army would use resources to make special armor piercing/explosive arrows for a weapon as outdated as the bow?]] Especially since the enemies gain increasingly large caliber guns as the game progresses.
* RuleOfCool: The ''entire Xbox series'' in general thrives on this.
* RuleOfThree: In the original trilogy, Ryu has to fight three bosses in succession.
* SayMyName: In the second NES game, multiple times.
* SceneryPorn: Some of the levels in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' are ''gorgeous''. Special mention for the level taking place atop the Tokyo skyscrapers.
** The game also has one of the more beautiful game portrayal's of central Moscow (albeit the city is never named), going through Red Square, the GUM, the Underground, some nearby churches and buildings, before ending in Spaskaya Tower. [[SymbologyResearchFailure St. Basil's Cathedral]] is absent.
* SchmuckBait: The Demon Statues from the first NES title.
* SelfImposedChallenge
* SequentialBoss: All three NES titles, plus Vigoorian Emperor in Xbox.
* SequelDifficultySpike: Rather "rerelease difficulty spike" − the original Xbox game was hard but nothing scream inducing. The UpdatedRerelease Ninja Gaiden Black (and by extension Sigma) cranked the difficulty up a couple notches by introducing new vicious enemies, giving the existent ones a better AI (and a grab move for Black Spider Ninjas), throwing out the window what little MookChivalry they could have, significantly nerfing overly efficient moves like the Counter or the Flying Swallow, and adding the utterly sadistic Master Ninja Mode.
** Ninja Gaiden II is also infamous for being this, [[FakeDifficulty but not always in a good way]].
* SequelEscalation: Between the two Xbox/[=PS3=] games. Ninja Gaiden Black/Sigma sure is NintendoHard but it is moderately gore, has a relatively slow pace, you never fight more than three or four enemies at once and the strongest moves are restricted in use. [=NG2=] takes the gore to [[LudicrousGibs ridiculous levels]], is much faster, much more offensive, you frequently fight insane numbers, and the special moves, combos and weapons are cranked up to the point they would have been absolute {{Game Breaker}}s in the first game. Sigma 2 toned down the gore and number of enemies though.
* SingleStrokeBattle: The opening cutscene of NES Ninja Gaiden, where Ryu's father gets defeated via this. Of course, he later [[spoiler:turns out to be alive...]]
** The attract cinematic of the arcade version features a similar battle between the main character and a random mook. Never bring brass knuckles to a sword fight...
* SinisterScythe: The Vigoorian Flails from the Xbox title are essentially nunchucks with scythes on them, which return in the sequel. As well as the Eclipse Scythe and kusarigama in its sequel.
* SleevesAreForWimps: Ryu's arms are the only skin he bares.
** And his feet, in the "Level Start!" graphic of the first NES game.
* SliceAndDiceSwordsmanship: Both used and averted depending on which move you make Ryu do in the Xbox series.
* SlipknotPonytail: Ryu has been sporting one since the very first ''Dead or Alive'' game, he would only appear like this in his main series as of ''Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword'', it helps to cement Ryu's BadassLonghair status.
* SmashMook: Ogres from the Xbox remake.
* SmokeOut: Smoke bombs are used by both Ryu and enemy ninjas in the Xbox series.
* SpamAttack: Most of the Ultimate Techniques.
* SpinAttack: Ryu's movelist with the Dragon's Claw/Tiger's Fang consists of some hard cuts and a lot of spinning. Most other weapons also have a 360 degree input that usually turns out to be a spin attack.
** And the original NES game had the Jump and Slash Technique, a powerful art which turned Ryu into a flying buzzsaw and had the potential to take out Bosses with one good hit.
* SpinningPiledriver: Ryu is probably the most iconic user of this move in modern action games. Aside from the Izuna Drop, Ninja Gaiden 2 adds two variants: the Blade of the Archfiend's Underworld Drop and the Tonfa's Flower Garland Drop.
* SquishyWizard: In the Xbox games, the mages have annoying and potentially very damaging distance attacks, but are the weakest human enemies in terms of health. Of course, they are only squishy compared to the other Ninja, but still.
* StealthPun: This one's a bit of a stretch, but... "Florentine" is both an Italian identity (via its city) and a term used for dual wielding. Ryu receives the dual katanas in the Venice based chapter (a city in Italy).
** Before anyone starts, yes, I know he gets them in Venice and not Florence.
* {{Stripperiffic}}: Rachel's outfit. Enough said.
** Sonia's outfit in the sequel is just as much, if not more so - to the extent where the diaphanous gown-and-lingerie ensemble she ends up in at the end of the game is probably ''less'' revealing.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: Sonia, a CIA agent tasked to work with Ryu, who frequently straddles between ActionGirl and FauxActionGirl to DistressedDamsel status in the [[{{Xbox}} new]] series replaces Irene Lew, a CIA agent tasked to work with Ryu, who frequently straddles between Action Girl and Faux Action Girl to Distressed Damsel status in the [[{{NES}} classic]] series. In fact, they were so similar that eventually in ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'' [[spoiler:it was revealed that Sonia was Irene's alias during the events of ''[[{{Xbox 360}} Ninja Gaiden II]]'', making Sonia and Irene one and the same for good]].
* SwipeYourBladeOff: Done by Ryu with all of his weapons in ''Ninja Gaiden 2''. ''Great'', more blood to clean up.
* SwordOfPlotAdvancement: Getting the Eye of the Dragon to upgrade the Dragon Sword to the True Dragon Sword.
* TakingYouWithMe: A good deal of the crippled enemies in ''Ninja Gaiden II''
* TeamPet: The Kelbeross are a villainous example, being Jaquio's pet dogs (well, they were before he mutated them into gargantuan monstrosities). This only gets described [[AllThereInTheManual in the manual]], though, leading people who didn't read said manual to consider them a GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere.
* TeleportSpam: Some of Ryu's Ultimate Techniques gained this in the shift between the first and second Xbox franchise titles.
* TenMinuteRetirement: While some elements of the OVA became CanonImmigrant for the ''Dead or Alive'' series (and by proxy the Xbox series), the fact Irene Lew retired from being a CIA agent to run an Antique Shop with Ryu didn't stick, in the {{Retool}} of the ''Dead or Alive'' series as of ''Dimensions'', Irene can be seen acting as MissionControl for Ryu during his mission, it's unclear if she still is involved with their Antique Shop.
* ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill: The combo system allows Ryu to keep mangling decapitated/delimbed enemies.
* ThrivingGhostTown: Tairon, capital of the Vigoor Empire, doesn't seem to have anyone other than a lone shopkeeper and a bunch of military personnel.
** Subverted when there ''are'' people in the nightclub, but they all run screaming when a giant dinosaur-fiend shows up. That, and the Vigoorian military imposes a curfew more or less as soon as Ryu shows up.
* TrapDoor: Ryu's constant nemesis in the NES games. Seriously - Worst. Ninja. Ever.
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: Ryu doesn't learn Agent Sea Swallow's real name until the very end of the first NES game. However, the manual already spoils this fact.
* TrickArrow: Lightly used - Explosive and Armour-Piercing varieties.
* TurnsRed: The Armadillo bosses in Ninja Gaiden II turn red and glow when their health is low, becoming somewhat more dangerous. When finally killed, [[MadeOfExplodium they explode]]. Also, Ogres and Berserkers in ''NinjaGaiden: Black''.
* UpToEleven: The first XBox Ninja Gaiden title was already a violent game, but its sequel makes the first game look pretty tame. Fights against large groups of enemies are essentially guaranteed to turn into bloodbaths as Ryu dismembers enemies and, with the right weapons, can cut enemies in two.
** Forget the clean cuts. Certain weapons can make body parts explode on impact. Extended use of those weapons can leave gibs on the floor as well as the walls everywhere you go.
** The blood and body parts remain on the ground (or walls) for as long as you are playing the level with any enemy that doesn't dissolve upon being defeated. Ah, the wonders of technology.
* UpdatedRerelease: Not one but ''three'' for the first {{Revival}} game, ''Ninja Gaiden: Black'' on Xbox, ''Ninja Gaiden: Sigma'' on [=PS3=], and ''Ninja Gaiden: Sigma Plus on ''Playstaion Vita'', there's also ''Sigma 2'' on [=PS3=]; Then the graphically-enhanced SNES versions of the NES titles can also be sort-of counted. Actually, the SNES versions had the same 8-bit graphics, except a couple levels in ''NGIII'' that had amazing 8-bit multiple parallax scrolling backgrounds became single static scrolling backwards. It was actually a downgrade.
** To be precise, ''Sigma 2'' was not so much an UpdatedRerelease than an almost different game. Because of an exclusivity contract with Microsoft, NG II could not be ported on PS3; the only way to do it after Itagaki left was to add, remove and change so many things that Sigma 2 would be considered an independent game rather than a mere port. It worked: although the levels, combat system and most enemies are the same, the playing experience is quite different.
* TheVerse: ''Ninja Gaiden'' and ''Dead or Alive'' are one in the same universe, with ''Ninja Gaiden'' (Arcade) marking earlier events, ''Ninja Gaiden'' (Xbox) marking early events, ''Ninja Gaiden'' (NES) marking later events, and the ''Dead or Alive'' series marking the latest events.
* VisibleSilence: Made famous by the NES titles, not the case in the Xbox titles where Ryu speaks frequently.
* WakeUpCallBoss: Murai, the boss of the first level of the Xbox game was a classic example of this.
** Almost every subsequent boss serves as this, popping up if only to beat the living shit out of you for thinking the rest of the game would be smooth sailing.
** Alma, easily.
* WallJump
* WallOfWeapons: In Muramasa's shop.
* WarmupBoss: Surprisingly, most of the early bosses in the NES games were this.
* WhatMeasureIsAMook: For a series that took much joy in slicing and dicing opposing mooks, ''Ninja Gaiden 3'' [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYjO2Hs1zRU&feature=player_embedded seems to be turning that]] into a plot point.
* [[OhCrap What the...?!:]] In the original trilogy, this is Ryu's version of an OhCrap Moment. He tends to draw these like a moth to a flame.
** Lampshaded by TheAngryVideoGameNerd when he says, "What was he gonna say? 'What the fuck?'"
** At the final boss battle against Clancy, Ryu instead stutters out Clancy's name upon seeing Clancy's monstrous form.
* WolverineClaws: The Falcon Talons.
* WorldOfBuxom: Only female children are exempt from it.
* WrestlerInAllOfUs: Guillotine Throw and Izuna Drop. Ayane in Sigma 2 has a scissor lock in place of the Guillotine Throw.
* YouDontLookLikeYou: After years in the shadows Irene Lew was brought back into the continuity in Dead or Alive: Dimensions, and she changed '''a lot''', being another character rescued from the classic NES series aside Ryu himself (who didn't change that much) Irene was updated in every single manner from FanServicePack and AdaptationDyeJob to NotAsYouKnowThem; just to hit the point home, you see Sonia from the Xbox series? [[spoiler:Irene Lew and Sonia are one and the same]].
* YouKilledMyFather: Ryu's motivation to fight Jaquio in the first NES game, all the more depressing because [[spoiler:his father, transformed into the Masked Demon by Jaquio, was a boss that Ryu had to fight and although he didn't end up killing him, his father still pulls a HeroicSacrifice from Jaquio's attack, pulling this straight]].
* YourPrincessIsInAnotherCastle: After releasing your father and defeating BigBad Jaquio, you still have to deal with the demon he was trying to release. Much easier than the previous boss fight, fortunately.
* YouShallNotPass: Robert's battle against the demons in the second NES game.
** Actually said by the spider-demon boss that ends the first level of the Xbox ''Ninja Gaiden II''.
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'''[[LampshadeHanging ''HARD TO BEAT!!'']]'''
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''Ninja Gaiden'' is a series of video games originally developed by {{Tecmo}}. Released first as an arcade title, it made its way to the NintendoEntertainmentSystem, Nintendo GameBoy, PCEngine and SegaMasterSystem, then was {{reviv|al}}ed for the {{Microsoft}} {{Xbox}} under Tomonobu Itagaki's "Team Ninja", the same creators and designers behind the ''DeadOrAlive'' series. The NES games are hailed for being among the first to use a video game as a vehicle to tell an elaborate story.
The main character is Ryu Hayabusa, a {{ninja}} and member of the Dragon Clan, who gets into government conspiracies, kicks loads of ass and slaughters legions of supernatural beings along the way.
!!'''Ninja Gaiden Trilogy'''
[[quoteright:302:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/421px-Ninja_Gaiden_NES_6503.JPG]]
In the first game, Ryu receives a letter from his father Joe Hayabusa, saying that should he not return, Ryu is to journey to America and contact a man named Walter Smith. Believing his father dead, Ryu goes to America to carry out this request. After battling a large man with an axe in a bar, he is subdued by a woman with a tranquilizer gun. He awakens in a prison cell, where the woman (Irene Lew) frees him and gives him a mysterious, grotesque statue. Ryu is puzzled by this, but presses onward. He meets with Smith, who identifies the statue as one of the Demon Statues, a pair of [[ArtifactOfDoom Artifacts of Doom]] he and Joe discovered and vowed to protect. As Ryu and Smith talk, the statue is stolen by another ninja. Ryu gives chase, and recaptures the statue, but returns to find Smith dying. Ryu vows to carry on his work, protecting the Demon Statues.
However, Ryu is captured by the CIA and brought before A. Foster, the head of the agency. Foster reveals that Irene is one of their agents, and that she is tracking down a man known as Jaquio, who seeks to release [[SealedEvilInACan the powerful demon sealed in the statues]]. Foster orders Ryu to take out Jaquio; Ryu, remembering his oath to Smith, complies. Air-dropped into the jungles of Brazil, he makes his way to Jaquio's fortress, where he finds Jaquio has Irene at gunpoint. Jaquio reveals he has the second Demon Statue already, and [[HostageForMacGuffin demands Ryu's statue in exchange for Irene's life]]; Ryu, being new at the whole hero thing, complies. Jaquio's an old hand at villainy, however, and simply absconds with the statues and the girl -- but not before sending Ryu hurtling down a {{trapdoor}} to the catacombs below.
Undaunted, Ryu fights his way to the top of the fortress, where he again encounters Jaquio and Irene... as well as Ryu's father, who, [[NotQuiteDead while not dead]], is under Jaquio's mind control. Ryu gets the better of Jaquio in battle, and in desperation, Jaquio launches a magic bolt at Ryu, but his father comes to his senses, [[TakingTheBullet intercepts the bolt]], and dies. The enraged Ryu proceeds to kill Jaquio... but he's too late, for [[OhCrap Jaquio has released the demon from the statues]]!
Ryu bravely fights the demon, sealing it once more. After the battle, Foster radios Irene and orders her to assassinate Ryu and take the statues. Irene hesitates, and Ryu takes her radio and tells Foster the next time they meet, it will be as enemies.
Quite a bit more elaborate than the SaveThePrincess plots of the day, isn't it?
''Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos'' and ''Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom'' both had similarly complex plots, centered around their titular {{MacGuffin}}s. Due to space considerations, we won't get much more into detail here; however, they offer just as many, if not more, twists and turns as the first game.
As for the gameplay that takes place between the {{cutscene}}s? ''Ninja Gaiden'' played a lot like ''{{Castlevania}}'' -- only on steroids and speed. The games were the very epitome of NintendoHard, with enemies coming at you from every direction at once. Gamers didn't seem to mind, however -- even those who found the challenge to be too much suffered through it anyway to see the next chapter in Ryu's saga.
Aside for a compilation of the trilogy on the SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem, the Ninja Gaiden series was silent, until Ryu was added to the roster for Team Ninja's ''Dead or Alive'' series, where Ryu's basically the only ''male'' character people seem to like as much as the girls.
!!'''Ninja Gaiden Trilogy (Post-2004)'''
[[quoteright:306:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ninja-gaiden-xbox-cover_6902.jpg]]
Sometime in 1999, Itagaki and Team Ninja began work on their first "action" title, aside from their on-going ''Dead or Alive'' series. Although then-Tecmo wanted a tie-in for this new revival with the NES trilogy, this Xbox version of ''Ninja Gaiden'', released in 2004, involves none of the elements. In an interview, Itagaki mentioned he "prefer not to be influenced by or base it on the original story". While Ryu's still the protagonist, none of the above elements are ''explicitly'' mentioned.
The story establishes Ryu's a member of the Dragon Ninja Clan, charged with protecting the Dark Dragon Blade, a {{BFS}} imbued with some pretty extraordinary powers. After the game's tutorial level, he's informed that the Hayabusa village has been destroyed. When Ryu investigates, a samurai pledged to the Holy Vigoor Emperor, Doku, kills him with the Dark Dragon Blade.
Don't worry, [[BackFromTheDead he gets better]].
Thus, the game embarks Ryu upon a [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge ferocious quest for revenge]] and the retrieval of the Dark Dragon Blade. The details of the plot are convoluted and don't add up to anything particularly extraordinary, but Ryu slices and dices his way through Vigoorian soldiers, tanks, zombies, ninjas and ghost piranhas.
The Xbox version is, as the kids these days say, [[NintendoHard difficult]]...really, ''really'' difficult...as in "throw-your-controller-at-the-screen-and-scare-the-dog '''difficult'''". In contrast to other {{Hack And Slash}}ers, enemies avert MookChivalry and have no compunctions about suffocating the player at every available moment. In fact, beating this game is an achievement. Hell, there was an UpdatedRerelease called ''Ninja Gaiden Black'' which not only fixed gameplay imbalances. placed more enemies and bosses and added in "Combat Missions", it included two new modes: a "[[MercyMode super-duper-mega-easy]]" mode and an "[[BeyondTheImpossible even harder]] than HarderThanHard mode"! Unfortunately, it didn't help the "super-duper-mega-easy" mode was quite hard itself, difficult to the point of inducing trauma.
The game was critically acclaimed by all, with many praising its preserved difficulty from the NES trilogy, alongside gorgeous visuals and attention to detail in combat and environments by pushing the Xbox beyond its hardware limitations. An EnhancedRemake of ''Ninja Gaiden Black'' called ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma'' for the Sony PlayStation3 was released in 2006, rounding out the last gameplay additions with a new character, new weapons and enemies, while making it look more pretty with the console's high-defintion capabilities.
In 2008, ''Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword'' was released for the NintendoDS. This GaidenGame sequel set six months after ''Ninja Gaiden'' tells of Ryu and his journey to find the Dark Dragonstones that can resurrect an ancient Dark Dragon. In the same year, the true sequel ''Ninja Gaiden II'' was released for the {{Microsoft}} Xbox360, where another ArtifactOfDoom the Dragon Lineage were guarding, the Statue of the Archfiend, is stolen. Ryu must travel the world chasing the Four Greater Fiends as they attempt to resurrect the [[SealedEvilInACan Archfiend itself]]. Both games retain the difficulty of ''Ninja Gaiden'' (''Ninja Gaiden II'' arguably even harder) and the stories are serviceable, yet the latter game's almost completely nonsensical, with EverythingTryingToKillYou more aptly applied. For example, at one point a giant armadillo with marginal fire ElementalPowers appears with [[GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere no apparent connection to the villains]].
Following the release of ''Ninja Gaiden II'', Itagaki stepped down from Team Ninja and left the now merged Tecmo Koei. Current series director and producer Yosuke Hayashi took over and released an UpdatedRerelease of ''Ninja Gaiden II'' on the PS3 as ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma II''. Notably, the game partly resolves the nonsensical nature of the plot in the 360 original, but also throws in new characters and scenarios, a co-op mission mode, a "Chapter Challenge" mode and a prologue that links ''Dragon Sword'' to current continuity (''Ninja Gaiden II'' never makes a mention of ''Dragon Sword''). It also significantly tones down the 360 game's gore.
''Ninja Gaiden III'' [[http://www.gamestooge.com/2011/02/28/gdc-11-ninja-gaiden-3-teaser-trailer/ has been announced]] with a full reveal at {{E3}} 2011. According to Hayashi, the game will not only be available for the 360 and PS3, Team Ninja's also considering a simultaneous release with the Nintendo WiiU, under a new heading ''Ninja Gaiden III: Razor's Edge''.
'''Now with a good [[Characters/NinjaGaiden Character Sheet]], character tropes go there.'''
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!!The ''Ninja Gaiden'' video game series provides examples of:
* AbsurdlySpaciousSewer: The tenth level of the Xbox title, oddly named "the Aquaduct" (sic).
* AdaptationDyeJob: Irene Lew, brunette in the classic NES trilogy and OriginalVideoAnimation, blonde as of ''Dead or Alive'': [[Nintendo3DS Dimensions]] and the Xbox series too under her alias [[spoiler:Sonia, as they were eventually confirmed to be the same person]].
* AnachronicOrder: Some ContinuitySnarl and FlipFlopOfGod aside, the series goes like this, from a young 18 years old Ryu to a 23 years old Master Ninja:
** Ninja Gaiden ([[VideoGames Arcade]]) --> Ninja Gaiden Shadow (Game Boy) --> Ninja Gaiden (Xbox) --> Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword (NDS) --> Ninja Gaiden II (Xbox 360) --> Ninja Gaiden III ([=PS3=]/Xbox 360) --> Ninja Gaiden (NES) --> Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (NES) --> Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (NES) --> Ninja Gaiden (OVA) --> ''Dead or Alive'' series.
* AndYourRewardIsClothes: Beating any of the difficulty levels in the Xbox series rewards the player with a new costume.
* AnimeAnatomy: When she shows up in one cutscene wearing nothing but [[{{Squick}} blood]], Elizabét appears to be missing something...
* AntiFrustrationFeature: For each difficulty, Ninja Gaiden 3 allows the player to chose a "Hero mode" equivalent. The game plays the same, but when health is under 30%, guard and evading become automatic.
* AntiHero: Ryu in the new games is pretty much established as this, although he does have a strong sense of justice in his mission to punish all evil, it also shows that Ryu has no qualms about killing ninjas from other clans and soldiers alike, in fact it is made clear he ''has no hatred nor even a slight dislike'' towards any of them (only some fiends gets to provoke Ryu's hatred). Ryu faces this as the harsh reality of a ninja's upbringing, death is part of their world even against friendly rivals.
** Mention goes to the first ''Ninja Gaiden'' for Xbox, the very first mission is about Ryu ''killing'' as many ninjas as he can find for his training routine, and they were from a ''friendly clan'', [[spoiler:Murai turned out to be a real enemy, but Ryu didn't take this into consideration back then]]; the first ninja Ryu ambushes is also his first kill in the game, Ryu's reaction to his fallen foe is that of simple acceptance, it was the right thing to do since the fallen ninja wouldn't live much longer anyway if he was that weak.
** The sequel for the Xbox 360 shows again Ryu's position as the one who kills without mercy but even so does not hate anyone, after mowing down against hordes of Spider Clan ninjas and then proceeding to slaughter real fiends, Ryu in the end still pays his condolences to all the fallen ninjas who went against his clan and then walks away for his next mission.
** The upcoming ''Ninja Gaiden 3'' will tell us more about this. WordOfGod describes Ryu as a "Japanese dark hero."
* ArtifactOfDoom: The Dragon Ninja clan apparently exists to look after these, keeping the lids on various [[SealedEvilInACan cans of Evil]]
** They ain't too good at it though, considering how [[RedshirtArmy everybody but Ryu gets pwned. Twice]].
* AttackDrone: The Shadow Clones from ''The Dark Sword of Chaos'', which follow in Ryu's footsteps ''precisely'' and attack when he does, at no cost. He can have up to two Clones out at a time.
* AutoRevive: Talisman of Rebirth.
* AwesomeButImpractical: The Unlabored Flawlessness. It's the wooden sword upgraded some 7 times (most other weapons peak at 3 or 4) with no discernable change until it becomes a giant wooden paddle. It's a surprisingly powerful weapon, able to wreak havoc at about the same power as the upgraded War Hammer, but it's high upgrade cost and very restrictive secret to its power (when you're low on health it becomes exceptionally vicious) makes it difficult to use.
** The Falcon's Talons Ultimate Technique is generally regarded as one of the worst in the entire game, (the talons themselves are very restrictive to close combat as well) but it is awesome to see [[{{Badass}} Ryu Hayabusa]] go berserk on an enemy with claws attached to his hands and feet.
** Projectile weapons in the first Xbox game start bouncing off of enemies when you get near the end (so much for your giant shuriken and stocks of gunpowder laced kunai...). The bow is an exception, but standing around for Ryu to take it out and fire gets you killed pretty quickly.
* AwesomeMcCoolname: The name of the stages in the original trilogy were pretty cool. One such name is Place of Red Execution, in which Ryu fights Bloody Malth in the first NES game.
* BackForTheDead: [[spoiler:Ken Hayabusa]] in the NES games.
* BackFromTheDead / DisneyDeath:
** Ryu after being killed by Doku in the Xbox game.
** Irene Lew after being sacrificed for Jacquio's goal in ''The Dark Sword of Chaos'', she gets resurrected by the Dragon Sword's magic.
* BagOfSpilling: In the Xbox games, it is averted for Ryu's moves − you start NG 2 with the Flying Swallow, the Izuna Drop, the counter and the Guillotine Throw, all of which were acquired during the first game. Played straight for the weapons in a strange way: three of the weapons you find in random places (the Lunar, Dragon's Claw & Tiger's Fang and the Vigoorian Flail) were already found in the first game, [[FridgeLogic and the first two are supposed to be unique…]]
* BattleCouple: Ryu Hayabusa the {{Badass}} OneManArmy {{Ninja}} and Irene Lew/[[spoiler:Sonia]] [[TheGunslinger the Girl With Guns]] then later ''MissionControl''; still together in the ''Dead or Alive'' series.
* {{Badass}}: [[NintendoHard You have to be one in order to be able to beat the game.]]
* BadassLonghair: Ryu's first appearance in the ''DOA'' series had him long haired enough to keep a ponytail, he showed up like this again in ''Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword'' which also marked his debut unmasked appearance in the ''new'' series.
* BeamSpam: Dagra Dai, so much.
* {{BFS}}: Dabilahro from the Xbox title; also, cleavers used by Fiend Nightmares; then, there's Spirit Doku's nodachi. And of course there's the Dark Dragon Blade itself.
** The final boss in the unjustly-overlooked arcade original had a pair of these.
*** Ninja Gaiden II features a scythe that, through upgrades, is about the size as Ryu himself.
** Dagra Dai {{Dual Wield|ing}}s these.
* BigBad
** Jaquio in the first NES game.
** Ashtar in ''The Dark Sword of Chaos'', the second NES game, and [[TheChessmaster the orchestrator]] of the events of the first. [[TheManBehindTheMan His position gets hijacked]] when [[spoiler:the Demon is revived (twice!) inside Jaquio's body by the Dark Sword of Chaos]].
** [[spoiler:Clancy]] in ''The Ancient Ship of Doom'', the third NES game, after doublecrossing [[TheDragon his]] [[UnwittingPawn boss]].
* {{Bishonen}}: Ryu's design for ''Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword'', add to the fact it was the first time he appeared unmasked outside the ''Dead or Alive'' series after Itagaki's new direction of keeping Ryu always masked in his main games. The ninja became a pretty boy, albeit still with a toned body and packing a strong voice, in the DS release.
* BlindIdiotTranslation: ''Basaquer'', ''Kelbeross'', ''Malth'', and even BigBad ''Jaquio'' fall pray to this in the original NES trilogy --their actual names were supposed to be "Berserker," "Cerberus", "Mars", and "Devil King" (Jakiō.) The mistranslated names do have plenty of charm, though...
* BloodBath: The female villain in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' for the Xbox 360 is seen bathing in a pool of blood at one point and is even named "Elizabet" as a ShoutOut to [[TropeMaker Elizabeth Bathory]].
* BloodierAndGorier: ''Ninja Gaiden 2'' for 360. [[BeyondTheImpossible As if the first wasn't gory enough...]]
** Seemingly taken UpToEleven [[SequelEscalation in the 3rd game...]]
* BloodyBowelsOfHell: In ''NinjaGaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos'', the last stages take place in the Realm of Chaos. They steadily become more organic, with pulsing organs and faces on the walls, dripping ooze, and veins running across every surface.
* BoobsOfSteel: As a playable character in ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma'', Rachel relies far more on sheer brute strength than Ryu, and also handles larger weapons better than the initially clumsy Ryu. Her bust size is accordingly massive.
* BoringButPractical: For the array of awesome weapons that you have stashed in {{Hammerspace}}, you'll probably end up being forced to use the Dragon Blade to beat bosses and higher-tier enemies.
* BossDissonance: The first NES game was a Mario type. Barbarian, Bomberhead, and Basquer were all ridiculously easy once you got the pattern down, an easily-exploitable glitch could make Kelbeross a pushover, Bloody Malth is just a matter of getting close to him and mashing buttons, and the Masked Devil just requires you to hit the giant clown-nose thing in the middle. Jaquio, however, is ungodly hard, and the Demon is largely luck based. The sequels evened it out quite a bit.
** This is also the case in Xbox 360 ''Ninja Gaiden II''. While the levels are basically massive gauntlets with endless hordes of cheap mooks, most bosses are surprisingly easy to take down. Even the four Greater Fiends and the final boss pose little threat. The UpdatedRerelease Sigma 2 balanced things by reducing the amount of mooks but making most of the bosses harder, improving their AI and their health.
* BossInMookClothing: Good lord, the Vigoorian Berserkers. They are armed with a [[{{BFS}} Dabilahro]], [[LightningBruiser are fairly fast for their build]], [[ImplacableMan have a solid guard but are also very resilient]], and on top of that have nothing but powerful close range ''and'' distance attacks. Of course if you try to use a Flying Swallow, [[KungFuProofMook you will be promptly dissuaded]] [[HoistByHisOwnPetard to try again]]. Manage to deal them enough damage? To reward you, they [[TurnsRed turn red]] and become even more dangerous. Granted, there is a simple tactics to take them down (let them attack at close range and use a counter) [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard but it doesn't work so well when there are two or three of them]] (which is, 90% of the time).
* BossRush: Sort of at the end of the first Xbox game. You first fight two previously beaten bosses, then Marbus, the two forms of the Emperor and the Dark Disciple. In Very Hard and Master Ninja however, [[OhCrap the two fairly easy bosses are replaced by the]] ''[[OhCrap much]]'' [[OhCrap more challenging ancient fiends Nicchae and Ishtaros]], making this a BossRush with only new bosses!
* {{Bowdlerise}}: While ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma II'' for [=PS3=] brought great additions such as new playable characters, game modes and multiplayer option to warrant its deserved critical acclaim, it also got some vocal criticism from some due the direction of removing all the blood bath present in the Xbox 360 version, instead all gallons of blood were turned into purple smoke, which creates a rather odd effect because Ryu still performs brutal actions against his enemies only to see them gush out purple essence. Another less discussed issue was the removal of all the already few puzzles present in the Xbox 360 version, turning ''Sigma II'' into a non-stop action party.
* BraggingRightsReward: In the first Xbox/[=PS3=] game, The Plasma Saber Mk. II (in Normal) or the Black Dragon Sword (Hard and above), sort of. You get them by gathering the 50 gold scarabs, but the last one is so close to the end of the game that they won't be of much use. Add to this that you have to bring the scarabs to Muramasa, and there is no shop at the top of the Emperor's tower (where you get the last scarab). That means you have to go back all the way down and go though several tough enemies and swarms of [[DemonicSpiders ghost piranhas]] just to find a shop where you can get the damn sword. Only to discover that the Plasma Saber is every bit identical to the True Dragon Sword and that you can't use the BDS against the final boss (since he's the one who uses it). So except for some fiend challenges like the ones with many {{B|ossInMookClothing}}erserkers, it's not really worth the trouble. This trope is averted with the highest difficulty Master Ninja Mode, which rewards you with… nothing!
* CameraScrew : In both Xbox titles, the camera will often be your toughest enemy, chosing the most impractical angle possible, zooming without reason and putting the Mooks or even Ryu himself off screen. Surely the [=PS3=] {{Updated Rerelease}}s have fixed this problem, haven't they? Er… [[StatusQuoIsGod well, no]].
* CanonImmigrant: The fact Ryu married with Irene and opened up a Curio/Antique Shop to run it together in the OVA carries over to the ''Dead or Alive'' series which is set after everything that happened in his solo series. After Igakaki's re-imagination for the ''Ninja Gaiden'' series on the Xbox, it looked this fact got {{retcon}}ned for good, it took his departure from Team Ninja and Yosuke Hayashi's intervetion as the new director to put the pieces back together in ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions''.
* CatsAreMean: And those of the first Xbox game are DemonicSpiders!
* CelibateHero: Ryu in the present games, Rachel and Sonia are obviously interested on him, Momiji and Ayane might be runner ups, still Ryu shows no response towards any of them. It might be a case of respecting continuity and Ryu will eventually fall in love with Irene later, [[spoiler:especially now that Sonia and Irene were confirmed to be the same person]], or it's an entirely new continuity and Ryu won't fall for anyone since there's some FlipFlopOfGod in regard the present games being {{prequel}}s for the original trilogy or it is a completely [[AlternateUniverse new setting]] with no relation to previous titles.
** Worthy noting that most of the FlipFlopOfGod came from Itagaki, now that he has no relation to the series and Yosuke has given some {{continuity nod}}s to the original trilogy. Irene, indeed, might be on the way for Ryu.
* ChainReactionDestruction: Either that or bosses in NES games carry a set of firecrackers which activate upon the death of the boss.
* ChainsawGood: Zombies with chainsaws and cannons for arms? Yep, we got 'em.
* ChargedAttack: Collect type only in the first Xbox game. Upgraded to Collect ''and'' Hold type in all subsequent games and remakes.
* ChargeMeter: Ryu glows brighter and more fiercely as the charge levels up (accompanied by an explosion).
* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: "My strength comes from training, not from some curse in my blood." Play the game, get all upgrades.
** [[spoiler:Subverted. His clan ''is'' in fact descended from fiends, hence why Doku almost succeeds in turning him into one. Probably doesn't do much to the fact that he's still a super ninja.]] Also, he wields a massive battle {{a|nAxeToGrind}}xe/[[DropTheHammer hammer]], a [[{{BFS}} great sword]] explicitly said to be 100 pounds in weight, and a [[SinisterScythe gigantic scythe]] that he steals from a demon twice his height.
** Also, he's [[spoiler:dead. And the dead tend to be much tougher than the living in the recent games.]]
* CheckPointStarvation: ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2'' has a few passages where you have to go through several long and tough fights without the possibility to save in-between. Most notably the last parts of chapter 13 (including the very grueling stairway fight), 14 (the graveyard fights), and the first half of chapter 16 (the very long straight corridor). The latter two get BonusPoints for having an appearance of {{Recurring Boss}}es out of nowhere without the usual auto-save. These passages are stressing in Normal but get ''really'' sadistic in Master Ninja.
* CherryTapping: [[http://iberiansngrealm.com/Wooden_Sword.html Wooden Sword School]].
* ChestMonster: [[MemeticMutation We found some ghost fish - in a chest! Instead of a box of "cash"!]]
* {{Chickification}}: Irene Lew went through this in the OVA, in the NES trilogy she would straddle between ActionGirl and FauxActionGirl status frequently but at least she would end up aiding Ryu in one form or another; in the OVA however, Irene is a DistressedDamsel from start to finish, you just can't tell she was CIA agent not long ago before settling down with Ryu and becoming an Antique Shop owner, Irene is in need for help at every opportunity and somehow became afraid of handling guns properly as by the time she shoots a ninja in the face, Irene is terrified like someone who just got a gun in her hands for the first time ever.
* CollapsingLair: A staple of the series once the BigBad [[LoadBearingBoss is defeated]].
* CompetitiveBalance: The weapons in the Next-Gen series use some combination of [[NecessaryDrawback range, damage, combo potential and the power of the Ultimate Attack]]. The Dragon Sword is the most balanced but in the first game there are several weapons that mostly play the same way (War Hammer, Dihilabhro and the Unlabored Flawlessness are all heavy blunt weapons, as well as the Dark Dragon Sword in bonus-quests). The second game has a bit more variety in that regard, no two weapons play quite the same.
** Also used for the girls in ''Sigma 2'': Rachel is the MightyGlacier, Ayane the FragileSpeedster, while Momiji is balanced.
* ConservationOfNinjutsu: Ryu, a lone Ninja, will slice his way through veritable armies of Ninja Mooks.
* ContinuityCameo: Ayane from ''Dead or Alive'' shows up in both Xbox games, as Ryu appears in ''DOA'' itself.
** Irene Lew makes a cameo appearance in ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'' as Ryu's CIA contact during the story mode. [[spoiler: The cameo doubles as confirming Sonia from the Xbox ''Ninja Gaiden II'' game as being Irene Lew under an alias.]]
* ContinuityNod: With ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'' it seems Yosuke Hayashi is trying to fix some of Itagaki's mess, Irene Lew [[spoiler:(confirming that Sonia and Irene are the same person)]] making a [[TheCameo cameo]] in particular seems to be an attempt at settling Ryu's appearance in the DOA series again as being placed years after his solo adventures.
** In the ''Ninja Gaiden'' series itself, ''Sigma II'' for [=PS3=] gives many throwbacks to both ''Ninja Gaiden'' for Xbox and ''Dragon Sword'' for NDS with the inclusions of Rachel and Momiji respectively, something that the original release for Xbox 360 didn't trouble itself with.
* ContinuitySnarl: Ryu's appearance in the ''Dead or Alive'' series, since the first installment it was made clear in his character bio that the available Ryu is, {{canon}}ically, the one who already has ventured through all his solo games so far, reinforced by stating that he is a Curio Shop owner, something that would only happen after the end of the NES series with Ryu married with Irene and everything, namely in the OVA; then Itagaki envisioned the ''new'' ''Ninja Gaiden'' series for the Xbox and kind of made the continuity unstable, ever since in the DOA series Ryu has his Xbox costume as the default one, and there's no mention of him being married with Irene nor his Curio Shop ''in-game''; it makes one think that Ryu in DOA now is the same one in the ''new'' series.
** As of ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'', with Yosuke Hayashi in charge ever since Itagaki left, he might be trying to fix things with a few cameos then and there.
* ConvectionSchmonvection: In the next-gen [=NG2=] Ryu can run on lava! And swim in it for that matter, although it starts to hurt then.
** This could be averted by the fact that he constantly set's himself on fire every time he uses ninpo (and not just fire) and by the fact that he's a {{badass}}.
* CosmeticAward: Karma system.
* CueTheSun: The {{happy ending}} of the first and third NES games.
* CutSong: "Inevitable" in the second NES game, which can only be heard with an NSF player.
* {{Cutscene}}: One of the first games, if not the first game, to incorporate these in between levels to tell a cohesive story.
* DamnYouMuscleMemory: In ''Sigma 2'', the bow is aimed and fired with the triggers instead of O in [=NG1=] and 2. Justified since it allows to fire shurikens even with the bow equipped but it does take a bit of time to get used to it. The opposite way is even worse: in [=NG2=], many a Sigma 2 player will try to throw shurikens mid-jump and fire an arrow. [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard And get killed.]]
** Same deal with the guard button: in the Xbox games it's on the left trigger, in the PS3 ones it's on L1. Considering the consequences of letting your guard down for one second in NG2, this can be a problem.
* DeathFromAbove: A gameplay mechanics in the next gen [=NG3=]. You can jump from a high building and [[ArtisticLicensePhysics glide in the air]] towards the poor mook, before impaling him as you land.
* DesperationAttack: Unlaboured Flawlessness.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu
* DifficultyByRegion: The NES version of ''Ninja Gaiden III'' increased the damage sustained from enemies by twice the amount compared to the its Famicom counterpart, while limiting the number of times the player can continue after a Game Over and removing the password system. Moreover, if the player loses a life in the NES version, he will respawn at the beginning of the entire stage instead of the last area he was like in the Famicom version.
* DownTheDrain: The "aqueduct" chapter in the first Xbox game.
* DualBoss: Curse you, Giants of the Underworld!
** Also, the "Dragons" pro wrestling duo in the arcade version.
** Plus the Tengu brothers in ''Sigma II''. Although it's an odd example since you alternatively fight them alone and together several times throughout the game (see RecurringBoss below).
** The Quetzalcoatl in [=NG2=] (360 version only).
** In the original trilogy, it's the Kelbeross in the first two games, followed by Great Koganei in the third.
* DualWielding: Kitetsu, Dragon's Fang and Tiger's Claw, Falcon's Talon, Tonfa, [[spoiler:True Dragon Sword and Blade of the Archfiend]].
** The Tonfas were, historically speaking, supposed to be used two at a time. However, they add tungsten tips -- and then BLADES on them.
* EasyModeMockery: In Ninja Gaiden Black, you unlock easy mode if you die too many times on the first level, but not before Ayane admonishes you for being so weak. She then proceeds to give you a purple ribbon powerup, and all the power bracelets become ribbons as well.
* EldritchLocation: The Realm of Chaos, the Labyrinth of Shadows, and the Ancient Ship of Doom.
* ElevatorActionSequence: Rachel's chapter in Sigma 2 has one of these.
* EliteMooks: The Underworld versions of the Incendiary Shuriken ninja deal much more damage than their normal counterparts who were already [[FakeDifficulty cheap enemies]], but they also feature a quasi-suicide attack where they stab you in the chest with one of their claws and then detonate an Incendiary Shuriken attached to their impaled-arm to deal massive damage.
* EmpathicWeapon: The Dragon Sword.
* EpicFlail: Nunchaku, Vigorian Flail, and Kusari-Gama. The latter two cross over with SinisterScythe.
* EvilIsVisceral: Almost everything related to demons and fiends, especially the NES games.
* EyepatchOfPower: Genshin.
* FakeDifficulty: The {{Camera Screw}}s were bad enough in the first Xbox game, but the second added some extremely cheap mooks, always in hordes, who have grabs that are way too fast to anticipate, or ones who constantly spam explosive projectiles, mostly from off-screen. Mentor and Master Ninja Modes often takes this straight into BulletHell.
* FanServicePack: ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions''[='=] inclusion of [[spoiler:Irene's cameo]] and revealing that [[spoiler:Sonia was her alias in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' for the Xbox 360]], pretty much "upgraded" all of [[spoiler:Irene's previously known portrayal in the classic trilogy]].
* FauxActionGirl: Irene, despite being a badass CIA agent, finds herself captured in both the first and second games. Played with both ways in the third game, which begins with Irene being [[StuffedInTheFridge apparently murdered by a Ryu clone during the opening credits]] while spying on a secret lab. However, she later has a BigDamnHeroes moment when she rescues Ryu from the same clone with a machine gun.
** In the XBOX version, Rachel, who kills a random fiend when she's introduced and then spends the rest of the game getting captured, thrown around Vigoor and being strung up for a sacrifice. Lovely outfit, however.
** This gets fixed in ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma''; Rachel becomes a fully playable character in that edition, and is thusly promoted to full-on ActionGirl status.
*** Who still gets constantly captured and thrown around in the {{cutscene|Incompetence}}s. Aside from being promoted to a playable character, her role in the story didn't change.
** Sonia, in ''Ninja Gaiden II'', plays the badass CIA agent a little more convincingly. Whilst she manages to get captured and needs rescuing at the start of the game, she repays the favour by showing up like a {{big damn hero|es}} and saving Ryu from a battle against impossible odds, and later by strolling around the enemy's flying fortress casually dispatching ninja mooks with a rocket launcher.
*** And then she subsequently gets demoted by getting captured ''again'', put into a dress that is marginally ''less'' {{Stripperific}} than her regular attire, and fails to do anything useful from that point on (although admittedly, it's kinda hard to do anything [[spoiler: in the Underworld]] if you're not a {{Badass}} {{Ninja}}.
* FauxSymbolism: The Regent of the Mask has some fancy lines.
--> "Failure to surrender will result in your complete destruction. You have seven days. Exactly the number of days it took God to create this world." [[hottip:*:It's six days actually…]]
* FetchQuest
* FieldOfBlades
* FightingWithChucks: Ryu can buy and use nunchucks.
* FinishingMove: Obliteration Techniques, Fiend Sealer and variants
* FlashStep: Several charge attacks emulate this. Most ultimate attacks in the second game rely on this to continue the attack. The True Dragon Sword's ultimate attack upgrades this into outright TeleportSpam.
* ForMassiveDamage: In ''Ninja Gaiden (Sigma) II'', the Tonfa's Ultimate Technique is ''devastating'', more than those of any other weapon. Even the extremely resilient Underworld clawed Ninjas of Sigma 2's Master Ninja mode fall apart instantly with only a half-charged UT. It's surprising since apart from that the Tonfa are arguably the weakest weapon of the game… Then in the first Xbox game, there is the [[DesperationAttack Unlaboured Flawlessness on low health]], capable of near [[OneHitKill One-Combo Kills]] on the weaker bosses ([[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIBguVheGyw see for yourself]]).
* FourIsDeath: The Malice Four in the first NES game.
* FranchiseZombie: Tomonobu Itagaki wanted ''Ninja Gaiden II'' (Xbox 360) to be the last NinjaGaiden game, at least for the Xbox continuity, it only took his leave from Tecmo Koei to Yosuke Hayashi, his replacedment as Team Ninja's Executive Producer/Director, to keep going with ''Ninja Gaiden III''. Still, it's unclear if Itagaki really meant that, he made this statement when he was already at odds with Tecmo Koei, very close to his eventual departure from the company.
* FrickinLaserBeams: Paz Zuu's laser, oddly enough, doesn't damage you directly; instead, it traces a path, which ignites shortly afterwards.
** Unfortunately, the black pincer fiends aren't so kind-hearted with their own eye-beam. [[DemonicSpiders Which has infuriated more than one player]].
* GameplayAndStoryIntegration: Ninja Gaiden 3 makes a point of eliminating elements that "break the immersion" apparently. No HyperspaceArsenal, no statues that teleport you to a shop, no healing items, no orbs coming out of dead enemies, and the save point statues are replaced by a hawk following Ryu.
* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: The ankylosaurus at the end of ''Ninja Gaiden II'' chapter 7 would seem to fit, but it's actually seen and referred to at least once before you fight it. The two you eventually face in the Underworld, however, fit this trope.
** And really, a good portion of the minibosses fit this as well. The Rasetsumaru-class ninja show up in the oddest of places...
** The most egregious example in NG II is the metallic horned centipede… [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot thing]] at the end of chapter 3.
* GratuitousJapanese: The original Japanese version was titled ''Ninja Ryûkenden'' (''Ninja Dragon Sword Story''), so the English version's title almost makes it seem like a GaidenGame when it isn't at all.
* GrenadeLauncher: Some mooks have these in the first Xbox game, and ''Black'' gave the tanks these to counter an easy means of defeating them, which was to get so close that it could only circle without being able to fire its main gun, only a mounted machine gun with a suppressable gunner.
* GunsAkimbo: Gamov is essentially a MysteriousWatcher throughout the game and even [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness outlives his usefulness]] at the end, but when you fight him as a boss in Sigma, he turns out to be a [[TheGunslinger Gunslinger]] who is also very capable in close combat. He may not be the hardest boss of the game but not the easiest either.
* HappilyMarried: Ryu and Irene after the NES trilogy, during the OVA and carried over to the DeadOrAlive series, this fact stopped being mentioned in DOA after Itagaki envisioned the ''new'' NG series for Xbox, possibly in an attempt to discart the idea of his creation being a long {{prequel}} for the original NES trilogy, turning into a [[AlternateContinuity new continuity]] altogether and leaving Ryu free for new [[LoveInterest interests]]. It took a DOA game without his involvement to fix the timeline again, namely ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'' brought Irene Lew back to make things stable.
* HarderThanHard: Very Hard/Path of the Mentor and Master Ninja/Path of the Master Ninja.
** ''Ninja Gaiden II'' (Xbox) was this on any difficulty...[[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard for questionable reasons.]]
** Players who became proficient on Path of Acolyte/Warrior would end up dying in the first battle of Path of the Mentor. All enemies are upgraded to those you previously encounter later on and you start out with no upgrades.
* HeelFaceTurn: Awakened Alma saving Rachel.
* {{Hellgate}}: Mt. Fuji is one, apparently
* HeroesWantRedheads: Irene Lew is a redhead in the original trilogy. As Sonia, [[EveryoneLovesBlondes her hair (supposedly bleached) is blonde.]]
* HeroicSacrifice: Awakened Alma saving Rachel, as said above.
** And in ''The Dark Sword of Chaos'', ''the Dragon Sword itself'' makes a sacrifice to revive Irene at the end.
* HighPressureBlood: While ''NinjaGaiden II'' went for the LudicrousGibs option, it seems that [=NG3=] will take the HighPressureBlood one.
* HighlyVisibleNinja: Who said ninja games need a stealth mechanic?
** Sadly, there's the one time in Xbox Gaiden II where they make it ''seem'' like you could be stealthy for once..... It gets retracted in about three seconds. How fast can you replace a searchlight that seemingly '''exploded''' for no reason?
** However, ''Ninja Gaiden 3'' will introduce stealth kills mechanics. Whether it is a good thing or not is up for debate.
* HopelessBossFight : There are two in ''Ninja Gaiden Sigma''. In chapter 2 against [[spoiler:Doku]], when you have only a level 1 Dragon Sword and a rachitic lifebar. And in chapter 14 with Rachel when you fight [[spoiler:the ancient greater fiends Nicchae and Ishtaros]]. In both cases, a normal player will likely get his ass handed to him before understanding what's going on. It ''is'' technically possible to win those fights but that requires insane skill, and even if you do your character gets beaten in the cutscene anyway.
* HyperspaceArsenal
* IdiosyncraticDifficultyLevels: In ''Ninja Gaiden II'' the difficulty runs Acolyte, Warrior, Mentor, Master Ninja - and, of course, Master Ninja came from the ''Black'' version of the Xbox series' first game.
* IHaveTheHighGround
* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Ryu versus his brainwashed father in the first NES game.
* ILetYouWin: Murai.
* ImmuneToBullets: Many higher-level enemies in the Xbox games are immune to standard shuriken or can block them if you throw them off-the-cuff instead of as part of a combo. In the weapon description of Rachel's sidearm in Sigma 2, it states outright that high-level fiends are immune to her magic-laden ammunition, crafted specifically to give her an edge in fighting the damned things in the first place.
* ImpossiblyCoolWeapon: The Vigoorian Flail is solidified awesomeness, but in RealLife it would be more dangerous for the user than for the target. And it probably wouldn't swing as easily a nunchaku either. Then there is the Plasma Saber Mk. II. Most projectiles are also this: the Incendiary [[InsistentTerminology Kunai]], the FuumaShuriken, the Gatling Spear Gun and Sigma 2's Howling Canon. YourMileageMayVary for the Unlaboured Flawlessness: the weapon itself could be usable with enough physical strength, [[CaptainObvious but it probably wouldn't become more powerful as you are about to die]].
* InfiniteSupplies: Ryu has an endless supply of standard shuriken. Also, enemies with small arms have to periodically reload (it's most evident with the MSAT), but they never run out of magazines.
* {{Interquel}}: ''Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom'' takes place after the events of the first NES game, but before the events of ''Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos'', which is why Ryu is still in possession of the Dragon Sword, despite having lost it at the end of ''II''. The Japanese manual makes the game's setting clear, but the American manual only implies it subtly.
-->After Ryu's victorious duel with Jaquio, Ashtar returned to the bowels of darkness and bided his time. But another evil creature was already on its way as another adventure awaits the unsuspecting Ryu Hayabusa...
** Same deal with Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword for the NDS, it happens after ''Ninja Gaiden'' (Xbox) but before ''Ninja Gaiden II'' (Xbox 360); you can tell it definitely happens after the first Xbox game but looking at how the original ''NGII'' for Xbox 360 [[ContinuityLockOut handled]] its storyline, there was no way to tell its place after ''Dragon Sword'' without looking for information outside the game's material, it was only made clear that ''Dragon Sword'' happened before the original ''NGII'', in ''Sigma II'' for [=PS3=] with the inclusion of Momiji and Sanji in the game.
* InstantDeathRadius: The Xbox games have the Gleaming Blade move and its Ultimate Technique versions, which eat {{Mooks}} for breakfast.
* InvulnerableAttack: Ninpo, off-the-wall attacks, throws, Obliterations and Ultimate Techniques in the Xbox games.
* JigglePhysics: Itagaki is very fond of this trope in his games. Sigma 2 gives us the ability to control this with Sixaxis motion sensing...
* [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown Fiend-Sealer Them While They Are Down]]: Also at least two of Ryu's Obliterations involve brutally kicking them in the face before delivering a vicious dismembering...
* LargeHam: Volf, all the way.
** The Regent of the Mask, the BigBad of [=NG3=], takes his share too.
* LedgeBats: The birds.
* TheLegionsOfHell: What will pour out of the Gate of Darkness to the [[{{Hell}} Realm of Chaos]] if Ashtar's ritual is completed. Many foes in the games already hail from there.
* LeParkour
* LifeDrain: A special ability of Kitetsu, Doku's demonic sword in the first Xbox game. You can do it to minor mooks the same way Doku does it to you − and regain quite a bit of health that way. However, the rest of the time you use it, the blade drains ''your own health''. In Sigma ([=PS3=]), holding the sword doesn't deplete your lifebar, but the effect of the LifeDrain attack is also considerably nerfed.
** The Alchemist enemies in ''3'' also have a grab move like this.
* LoveAtFirstSight: Both Ryu and Irene in the first NES game, after an entire adventure without any proper build up for romance, Ryu took the fact he was able to meet Irene as a fitting payment for all the trouble they went through the course of the game, Irene too seems to have the same mindset on this matter as she disregarded Foster's direct orders to kill Ryu, the result is the couple kissing in the end; as of ''Dead or Alive'' they are HappilyMarried and running their Antique Shop together.
* LudicrousGibs: Every weapon in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' can dismember and dice opponents, [[OnlyAFleshWound not that this deters them from fighting]]. Some enemies will even pick up stray body parts and throw them at you.
* LockAndLoadMontage: Cutscene between Chapters Two and Three in the Xbox version where Ryu is shown tightening the straps on his outfit and bringing three kunai with him while Murai chatters in the background.
* LostTechnology: Twin Serpents Plaza statue
* MacrossMissileMassacre: Thanks to some {{BFG}} toting ninjas in the later levels of ''Ninja Gaiden II'', you get to be on the receiving end of these.
* MagikarpPower: Xbox's Wooden Sword is pathetic until the final upgrade level, where it becomes the Unlabo(u)red Flawlessness, a GameBreaker for those skilled enough to use it.
* TheManBehindTheMan: Doku -> Vigoorian Emperor -> [[spoiler:The Dark Disciple]]
** Original version: Jacquio --> Ashtar --> Jacquio. Trust me, it makes sense in context.
* MaskPower: Inverted with the Ogres from the Xbox remake, who grow stronger after Ryu breaks their masks.
* MercyMode: Ninja Dog.
* MightyGlacier[=/=]StoneWall: The purple zombies of the first Xbox game. They carry enormous bayonet guns, their attacks are pretty damaging, but they are so slow you have to be really careless to get killed. And they just ''never'' go down. It takes three full Ultimate Techniques of the [[GameBreaker low health Unlaboured Flawlessness]] to make them bite the dust − meaning they have more health than some ''bosses''.
* MookBouncer: The black laser fiends in the first Xbox game are already [[DemonicSpiders very annoying in themselves]]. But in the tower section of the last but one chapter, they can use a really nasty grab move that drags you underground and sends you back at the level below, forcing you to go through the previous wave of enemies again ''and'' through a wave of ghost fishes. Even more infuriating if you are doing a [[SelfImposedChallenge Karma run]] since it prevents you from getting any more points in that fight (it's counted as if you had fled the fight)
* MookChivalry: Chivalwhat?
* MostDefinitelyNotAVillain: Murai starts off the first Xbox/[=PS3=] game by sending dozens of his men at you to be killed. Then he sends you a letter encouraging you kill as many people as you can, including civilians, because their blood will make the Dark Dragon Blade stronger. Yeah, good luck guessing who the "surprise" final boss will be.
* MultiMookMelee: The so-called fiend challenges in NG1 and Sigma and the Tests of Valor in NG2, removed in Sigma 2. NG2/S2 also has the famous stairway fight in chapter 10/13, where you face a ridiculous number of enemies at the same time and take down a good hundred of them. Hell, in NG II's Master Ninja mode, the game is pretty much a 12 hour long MultiMookMelee!
* MultipleChoicePast: It all comes down to TECMO simply establishing an official timeline without producers stating their own versions, untill is made clear what game represents Ryu's true first known adventure: be either the Arcade game, the NES series or the Xbox series; as of now Ryu Hayabusa and the world around him does not have a consistent past, and the timeline itself for that matter.
* MysteriousWatcher: Ayane and Gamov from the Xbox title.
* {{Nerf}}: The Flying Swallow in the first version of Ninja Gaiden on {{XBox}} was toned down in the re-release, Black, because you could spam it on pretty much everything with success. Black featured enemies that were specifically designed to punish you for using it, i.e. block the attack entirely and counter it. You definitely did not want to be caught using that on the advanced MSAT soldiers.
** The SpinAttack from the first NES game was removed from the sequels. The [[SuperStar Invincible Fire Wheel]], an equippable (albeit expensive) Ninja Art was turned into a limited, single-use powerup for the third game.
*** The Fire Wheel is further nerfed for the Xbox remake. It creates a flaming shield around Ryu, but it knocks away most enemies on contact which severely limits its usefulness (continuous damage is impossible and it knocks them out of your melee weapon's effective range). You are also far from invincible.
* NewGamePlus: Used in the second Xbox game. Sigma 2 suverts this a bit with Chapter Challenge mode: once you beat a difficulty, you can redo the chapters individally with all your weapons and ninpo upgraded. So it's not ''technically'' a NewGamePlus but functions as one, except your life bar's length depends on the chapter you play. The game is also slightly more difficult in that mode.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: A minor example in next-gen [=NG2=] (minor in that Ryu [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu fixes it pretty fast]]) [[spoiler: While escaping the underworld with Sonia, a drip of Ryu's cursed Dragon Clan/Fiend blood revives the arch-fiend in OneWingedAngel form.]]
* [[CaptainObvious Ninja]]
* NintendoHard: And the guys at Team Ninja know it. You get an achievement for continuing enough times!
** And the X-Box games are actually ''easier'' than the older 8-bit games, which range from "Brutal" to "Devour your controller in frustration" in difficulty.
* NoPronunciationGuide: A lot of people tend to mispronounce the title as "Ninja Gay Den" (rather than "Ninja Guy Den").
** Lampshaded in both the NG episode of ''TheAngryVideoGameNerd'' and its HilariousOuttakes, when the ninja thinks of calling it "Ninja ''Homosexual''-den" in one scene.
* NorioWakamoto: Robert T. Sturgeon, the Special Forces operative who aids Ryu throughout ''Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos'', gets blessed with Wakamoto's voice in the OVA.
* NoSidepathsNoExplorationNoFreedom: Used moderately in the first XBox game where you can still explore a bit or find a few secret paths, as well as stroll in previously visited areas; this is helped by the fact that 90% of the game takes place inside or near the same city. In the second game however, the levels are ridiculously linear and [[PointOfNoReturn Points of No Return]] are ''very'' frequent. Especially egregious in the last but one chapter, which begins with a long, narrow, perfectly straight corridor.
* NumericalHard: In the original Xbox game, the difference between Normal and Hard was barely noticeable; there were more, slightly tougher enemies, but that was pretty much it. Like so many other things, [[UpdatedRerelease Black and Sigma]] corrected this by replacing basic mooks with new, much tougher ones, and turning every boss into a FlunkyBoss.
* ObstructiveForeground: Used in the second NES game intentionally, with infuriating results.
* ObviousBeta: The Mega Drive version. Subverted, because it was never actually released at all. How it got leaked through the internet has never been completely clear.
* OmnicidalManiac: The Dark Dragon in the DS game, according to Nicchae, would have annihilated both humans AND fiends had Ryu not destroyed it soon after its birth.
* OneHitKill: Master Ninja mode's ungodly difficulty in Sigma 2 relies on the fact that the player has very little room for mistake. Several enemy attacks like fire geysers, and any grab from bosses or suicide attack will kill you instantly regardless of your lifebar's length.
* OneManArmy
* OneTimeDungeon: In the first Xbox title, you can't go back to the Ninja fortress of chapter 1 nor in chapter 3's airship since it crashes.
* OneWingedAngel: For the Xbox title: Alma -> Awakened Alma, Doku -> Spirit Doku, Vigoorian Emperor forms one and two. And the final boss in the sequel.
** In the original version, Jacquio in the first two games and Clancy in the third.
* OnlyAFleshWound: Game mechanic in [=NG2=] for 360; enemies act differently depending on how they've been dismembered.
** And in some ways they become even more dangerous when they've lost a limb; they do grab/suicide attacks that are very hard to avoid and heavily damaging.
* OnlyIdiotsMayPass: Subverted in the remake.
* PlatformHell: The NES series. If it wasn't bad enough that Tecmo forced you to use the wall cling ability and jump across tiny platforms over pits, but they decided to throw in the GoddamnBats, eagles, and even the ''grunts'' on full force. And in the first two games, they respawned infinitely.
* PlayingWithFire: Most of Ryu's Ninja Arts in the NES trilogy revolve around flinging fireballs --or encasing yourself in them with the [[SuperStar Invincible Fire Wheel]].
** Then you get Art of the Inferno, Fire Wheel, and Phoenix in the Xbox titles.
* PowerGlows: After you upgrade to the True Dragon Sword, it gains a purple aura.
* PrecisionGuidedBoomerang: The Windmill Throwing Star in the NES games.
* PressXToNotDie: If you've just watched the E3 2011 gameplay demo of the next-gen Ninja Gaiden 3, then get ready for some Quick-Time Events!
** Actually subverted. WordOfGod states that they're more of tutorial button prompts. Infuriated players who mistook the concept for QTE can now calm down and relax.
** Which leads to wonder what is exactly the difference… apparently the only thing that infuriates some players is the fact that buttons pop up and thus that it ''looks'' like QTEs, more than the mecanics itself.
* PrettyInMink: Ayane's alternate costume in Sigma 2.
* {{Prequel}}: The X-Box games and the DS Game Dragon Sword compared to the NES originals.
* AProtagonistIsRyu
* PunchClockVillain: Arguably the Special Forces and Vigoorian Military, the journals found in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' show the Black Spider ninjas to be something of this as well.
* RaceAgainstTheClock: In Act 7 of Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom, should you make it to the FinalBoss without dying, you will notice that the timer is '''very close''' to zero once you reach Clancy.
* RecurringBoss: Genshin
** [[RedOniBlueOni The Tengu Brothers]] in Sigma 2: first you fight one alone early in Chapter 5, who flees in the middle. You fight them together at the end of the same chapter. Then in the beginning of chapter 14 you fight the two but one of them escapes in the middle. You kill the other, and the one that escaped reappears at the end of the chapter, [[FlunkyBoss with a few other ninjas]]. And finally you fight the two in chapter 16. What's interesting is that you almost ''always'' have to fight them after going through several long and harsh fights, [[CheckPointStarvation with no possibility to save between the fights]], meaning you will rarely confront them at full health.
* RedRightHand: In the third game [[spoiler: Ryu. After fighting the BigBad, he has his Dragon Sword absorbed into his right arm, making it red. It's apparently some kind of "punishment" to make him feel the pain of the people he killed.]]
* RefugeInAudacity: The boob-jiggling feature in Sigma II. You can even do it during ''cutscenes''.
* ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated: In The Ancient Ship of Doom, Irene is supposedly killed by Ryu's doppelganger on Foster's orders. In truth, she had faked her death and was working with the U.S. Army to uncover evidence on Foster's crimes.
* RespawningEnemies: Yup. And often you'll hate it.
* {{Retcon}}: Some worth of mention, Tecmo passed the series around to just about any willing developer and producer: Natsume, Team Ninja, Tomonobu Itagaki, Yosuke Hayashi & etc; of course they had their own visions for the series:
** The very first ''Ninja Gaiden'' for Arcades, Ryu Hayabusa is said to be 18 years old in his mission against the Cult of Nostradamus and the Masked Cult, then ''Ninja Gaiden Shadow'' for Game Boy is said to be set one year after the Arcade adventure but three years before the NES series, the ages don't match up, Ryu is in his early 20s in the NES series so ''three years ago'' he should be 17 (Game Boy) and one year before that 16 (Arcade).
** The fact Ryu Hayabusa is in his early 20s in the NES series don't match up with the Xbox series either, this is the major factor why FlipFlopOfGod is heavy in regard the Xbox series being a {{Prequel}} to the NES one. NES Ryu from 20 to 23 ventured through the trilogy and settled in the ''Dead or Alive'' series just as Xbox Ryu from 21 to 22 ventured trough the present series and settled in ''Dead or Alive'' series at 23 years old. The only way to reconcile this is saying that Ryu has ventured through the NES and Xbox series for about the same time.
** Irene Lew became a walking {{Retcon}} herself when Sonia was revealed to be just another one of her codenames she uses on the field as of ''Dead or Alive''. Now it seems that Ryu actually knew Irene before the NES series in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' (Xbox 360), while in the first NES game he certainly doesn't find Sea Swallow familiar to a certain Sonia he met before. Also Irene's appearance [[SarcasmMode of course was always]] that of a blond buxom babe with pale skin instead of a brunette with modest body proportions; maybe she was [[WildMassGuessing wearing a disguise]] in the NES series?
** Ryu and Irene's marital status, the first ''Dead or Alive'' game says that they are HappilyMarried and Irene dutifully runs their Antique Shop while Ryu is away fighting in the tournament, then in the very next ''Dead or Alive'' game their marriage became a mysterious subject, Ryu still is an Antique Shop owner but Irene is not mentioned in his bio anymore, in fact, it was doubtful that Irene even existed from the 2nd tournament (game) to the 4th tournament. Later ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'' is released, it serves as a recap to the first four tournaments and brought Irene Lew back into the fray... but Ryu and Irene's marriage still is a mystery and suddenly she is a CIA agent again, the plot just goes as far as to imply they are romantically involved.
** Joe/Ken Hayabusa's whereabouts as a living person, Ryu's father dies in the NES trilogy, and yet he is alive and kicking in the Xbox series but that's okay since it is supposed to be a {{Prequel}} series; then comes ''Dead or Alive'' and make things difficult, even the first game of that series doesn't mention Ryu's father at all, in fact, it doesn't touch upon the Hayabusa Clan as a whole; it only shows that Ryu is taking the position of Leader for the moment... and doesn't say anything since his father was always fond of leaving Ryu taking care of the clan's leadership while he spent seasons training on top of mountains.
* RetiredBadass: Muramasa, the doddering old shopkeeper, makes carving up ninjas look effortless.
** Which makes it quite hilarious when he says just after that that his old legs won't allow him to go at the top of Mount Fuji. This is dubious since he apparently managed to build [[DungeonShop statues of himself in the Underworld…]]
* {{Revival}}: NES -> Xbox
** Also counts as a {{Video Game 3D Leap}}.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge
* RockBeatsLaser: [[BaldursGate Vigoorian forces, meet Dragon Sword! Dragon Sword! Meet! Vigoorian forces!]] Also subverted against the tanks and helicopter, which Ryu needs to use modern arrows to beat.
** Partially subverted at least. The bow is really outdated since everyone else has at least a machine gun at that point in the game. [[FridgeLogic What sensible person/army would use resources to make special armor piercing/explosive arrows for a weapon as outdated as the bow?]] Especially since the enemies gain increasingly large caliber guns as the game progresses.
* RuleOfCool: The ''entire Xbox series'' in general thrives on this.
* RuleOfThree: In the original trilogy, Ryu has to fight three bosses in succession.
* SayMyName: In the second NES game, multiple times.
* SceneryPorn: Some of the levels in ''Ninja Gaiden II'' are ''gorgeous''. Special mention for the level taking place atop the Tokyo skyscrapers.
** The game also has one of the more beautiful game portrayal's of central Moscow (albeit the city is never named), going through Red Square, the GUM, the Underground, some nearby churches and buildings, before ending in Spaskaya Tower. [[SymbologyResearchFailure St. Basil's Cathedral]] is absent.
* SchmuckBait: The Demon Statues from the first NES title.
* SelfImposedChallenge
* SequentialBoss: All three NES titles, plus Vigoorian Emperor in Xbox.
* SequelDifficultySpike: Rather "rerelease difficulty spike" − the original Xbox game was hard but nothing scream inducing. The UpdatedRerelease Ninja Gaiden Black (and by extension Sigma) cranked the difficulty up a couple notches by introducing new vicious enemies, giving the existent ones a better AI (and a grab move for Black Spider Ninjas), throwing out the window what little MookChivalry they could have, significantly nerfing overly efficient moves like the Counter or the Flying Swallow, and adding the utterly sadistic Master Ninja Mode.
** Ninja Gaiden II is also infamous for being this, [[FakeDifficulty but not always in a good way]].
* SequelEscalation: Between the two Xbox/[=PS3=] games. Ninja Gaiden Black/Sigma sure is NintendoHard but it is moderately gore, has a relatively slow pace, you never fight more than three or four enemies at once and the strongest moves are restricted in use. [=NG2=] takes the gore to [[LudicrousGibs ridiculous levels]], is much faster, much more offensive, you frequently fight insane numbers, and the special moves, combos and weapons are cranked up to the point they would have been absolute {{Game Breaker}}s in the first game. Sigma 2 toned down the gore and number of enemies though.
* SingleStrokeBattle: The opening cutscene of NES Ninja Gaiden, where Ryu's father gets defeated via this. Of course, he later [[spoiler:turns out to be alive...]]
** The attract cinematic of the arcade version features a similar battle between the main character and a random mook. Never bring brass knuckles to a sword fight...
* SinisterScythe: The Vigoorian Flails from the Xbox title are essentially nunchucks with scythes on them, which return in the sequel. As well as the Eclipse Scythe and kusarigama in its sequel.
* SleevesAreForWimps: Ryu's arms are the only skin he bares.
** And his feet, in the "Level Start!" graphic of the first NES game.
* SliceAndDiceSwordsmanship: Both used and averted depending on which move you make Ryu do in the Xbox series.
* SlipknotPonytail: Ryu has been sporting one since the very first ''Dead or Alive'' game, he would only appear like this in his main series as of ''Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword'', it helps to cement Ryu's BadassLonghair status.
* SmashMook: Ogres from the Xbox remake.
* SmokeOut: Smoke bombs are used by both Ryu and enemy ninjas in the Xbox series.
* SpamAttack: Most of the Ultimate Techniques.
* SpinAttack: Ryu's movelist with the Dragon's Claw/Tiger's Fang consists of some hard cuts and a lot of spinning. Most other weapons also have a 360 degree input that usually turns out to be a spin attack.
** And the original NES game had the Jump and Slash Technique, a powerful art which turned Ryu into a flying buzzsaw and had the potential to take out Bosses with one good hit.
* SpinningPiledriver: Ryu is probably the most iconic user of this move in modern action games. Aside from the Izuna Drop, Ninja Gaiden 2 adds two variants: the Blade of the Archfiend's Underworld Drop and the Tonfa's Flower Garland Drop.
* SquishyWizard: In the Xbox games, the mages have annoying and potentially very damaging distance attacks, but are the weakest human enemies in terms of health. Of course, they are only squishy compared to the other Ninja, but still.
* StealthPun: This one's a bit of a stretch, but... "Florentine" is both an Italian identity (via its city) and a term used for dual wielding. Ryu receives the dual katanas in the Venice based chapter (a city in Italy).
** Before anyone starts, yes, I know he gets them in Venice and not Florence.
* {{Stripperiffic}}: Rachel's outfit. Enough said.
** Sonia's outfit in the sequel is just as much, if not more so - to the extent where the diaphanous gown-and-lingerie ensemble she ends up in at the end of the game is probably ''less'' revealing.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: Sonia, a CIA agent tasked to work with Ryu, who frequently straddles between ActionGirl and FauxActionGirl to DistressedDamsel status in the [[{{Xbox}} new]] series replaces Irene Lew, a CIA agent tasked to work with Ryu, who frequently straddles between Action Girl and Faux Action Girl to Distressed Damsel status in the [[{{NES}} classic]] series. In fact, they were so similar that eventually in ''Dead or Alive: Dimensions'' [[spoiler:it was revealed that Sonia was Irene's alias during the events of ''[[{{Xbox 360}} Ninja Gaiden II]]'', making Sonia and Irene one and the same for good]].
* SwipeYourBladeOff: Done by Ryu with all of his weapons in ''Ninja Gaiden 2''. ''Great'', more blood to clean up.
* SwordOfPlotAdvancement: Getting the Eye of the Dragon to upgrade the Dragon Sword to the True Dragon Sword.
* TakingYouWithMe: A good deal of the crippled enemies in ''Ninja Gaiden II''
* TeamPet: The Kelbeross are a villainous example, being Jaquio's pet dogs (well, they were before he mutated them into gargantuan monstrosities). This only gets described [[AllThereInTheManual in the manual]], though, leading people who didn't read said manual to consider them a GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere.
* TeleportSpam: Some of Ryu's Ultimate Techniques gained this in the shift between the first and second Xbox franchise titles.
* TenMinuteRetirement: While some elements of the OVA became CanonImmigrant for the ''Dead or Alive'' series (and by proxy the Xbox series), the fact Irene Lew retired from being a CIA agent to run an Antique Shop with Ryu didn't stick, in the {{Retool}} of the ''Dead or Alive'' series as of ''Dimensions'', Irene can be seen acting as MissionControl for Ryu during his mission, it's unclear if she still is involved with their Antique Shop.
* ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill: The combo system allows Ryu to keep mangling decapitated/delimbed enemies.
* ThrivingGhostTown: Tairon, capital of the Vigoor Empire, doesn't seem to have anyone other than a lone shopkeeper and a bunch of military personnel.
** Subverted when there ''are'' people in the nightclub, but they all run screaming when a giant dinosaur-fiend shows up. That, and the Vigoorian military imposes a curfew more or less as soon as Ryu shows up.
* TrapDoor: Ryu's constant nemesis in the NES games. Seriously - Worst. Ninja. Ever.
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: Ryu doesn't learn Agent Sea Swallow's real name until the very end of the first NES game. However, the manual already spoils this fact.
* TrickArrow: Lightly used - Explosive and Armour-Piercing varieties.
* TurnsRed: The Armadillo bosses in Ninja Gaiden II turn red and glow when their health is low, becoming somewhat more dangerous. When finally killed, [[MadeOfExplodium they explode]]. Also, Ogres and Berserkers in ''NinjaGaiden: Black''.
* UpToEleven: The first XBox Ninja Gaiden title was already a violent game, but its sequel makes the first game look pretty tame. Fights against large groups of enemies are essentially guaranteed to turn into bloodbaths as Ryu dismembers enemies and, with the right weapons, can cut enemies in two.
** Forget the clean cuts. Certain weapons can make body parts explode on impact. Extended use of those weapons can leave gibs on the floor as well as the walls everywhere you go.
** The blood and body parts remain on the ground (or walls) for as long as you are playing the level with any enemy that doesn't dissolve upon being defeated. Ah, the wonders of technology.
* UpdatedRerelease: Not one but ''three'' for the first {{Revival}} game, ''Ninja Gaiden: Black'' on Xbox, ''Ninja Gaiden: Sigma'' on [=PS3=], and ''Ninja Gaiden: Sigma Plus on ''Playstaion Vita'', there's also ''Sigma 2'' on [=PS3=]; Then the graphically-enhanced SNES versions of the NES titles can also be sort-of counted. Actually, the SNES versions had the same 8-bit graphics, except a couple levels in ''NGIII'' that had amazing 8-bit multiple parallax scrolling backgrounds became single static scrolling backwards. It was actually a downgrade.
** To be precise, ''Sigma 2'' was not so much an UpdatedRerelease than an almost different game. Because of an exclusivity contract with Microsoft, NG II could not be ported on PS3; the only way to do it after Itagaki left was to add, remove and change so many things that Sigma 2 would be considered an independent game rather than a mere port. It worked: although the levels, combat system and most enemies are the same, the playing experience is quite different.
* TheVerse: ''Ninja Gaiden'' and ''Dead or Alive'' are one in the same universe, with ''Ninja Gaiden'' (Arcade) marking earlier events, ''Ninja Gaiden'' (Xbox) marking early events, ''Ninja Gaiden'' (NES) marking later events, and the ''Dead or Alive'' series marking the latest events.
* VisibleSilence: Made famous by the NES titles, not the case in the Xbox titles where Ryu speaks frequently.
* WakeUpCallBoss: Murai, the boss of the first level of the Xbox game was a classic example of this.
** Almost every subsequent boss serves as this, popping up if only to beat the living shit out of you for thinking the rest of the game would be smooth sailing.
** Alma, easily.
* WallJump
* WallOfWeapons: In Muramasa's shop.
* WarmupBoss: Surprisingly, most of the early bosses in the NES games were this.
* WhatMeasureIsAMook: For a series that took much joy in slicing and dicing opposing mooks, ''Ninja Gaiden 3'' [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYjO2Hs1zRU&feature=player_embedded seems to be turning that]] into a plot point.
* [[OhCrap What the...?!:]] In the original trilogy, this is Ryu's version of an OhCrap Moment. He tends to draw these like a moth to a flame.
** Lampshaded by TheAngryVideoGameNerd when he says, "What was he gonna say? 'What the fuck?'"
** At the final boss battle against Clancy, Ryu instead stutters out Clancy's name upon seeing Clancy's monstrous form.
* WolverineClaws: The Falcon Talons.
* WorldOfBuxom: Only female children are exempt from it.
* WrestlerInAllOfUs: Guillotine Throw and Izuna Drop. Ayane in Sigma 2 has a scissor lock in place of the Guillotine Throw.
* YouDontLookLikeYou: After years in the shadows Irene Lew was brought back into the continuity in Dead or Alive: Dimensions, and she changed '''a lot''', being another character rescued from the classic NES series aside Ryu himself (who didn't change that much) Irene was updated in every single manner from FanServicePack and AdaptationDyeJob to NotAsYouKnowThem; just to hit the point home, you see Sonia from the Xbox series? [[spoiler:Irene Lew and Sonia are one and the same]].
* YouKilledMyFather: Ryu's motivation to fight Jaquio in the first NES game, all the more depressing because [[spoiler:his father, transformed into the Masked Demon by Jaquio, was a boss that Ryu had to fight and although he didn't end up killing him, his father still pulls a HeroicSacrifice from Jaquio's attack, pulling this straight]].
* YourPrincessIsInAnotherCastle: After releasing your father and defeating BigBad Jaquio, you still have to deal with the demon he was trying to release. Much easier than the previous boss fight, fortunately.
* YouShallNotPass: Robert's battle against the demons in the second NES game.
** Actually said by the spider-demon boss that ends the first level of the Xbox ''Ninja Gaiden II''.
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'''[[LampshadeHanging ''HARD TO BEAT!!'']]'''
