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Tenchu IV to feature kittens, might be the best game ever

Posted Jul 23rd 2008 1:15PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News, Screens

While it may look like some Laser Cats to most of you, us history buffs know that Lasers were not discovered in Japan until 1714, much later than when Tenchu IV takes place. So, these cats can't shoot lasers, but they can do other awesome things. Like look cute and distract enemies.

Thinking of a ninja's arsenal, kittens don't really come to mind. They're prone to make noise (which could mean certain death for a ninja) and they take up a lot of space in a satchel. This space could be used for more deadly ninja stars. But, hey, we're not complaining. We love kittens. Even the fake kind in video games.

Gallery: Tenchu 4

[Via Go Nintendo]

Tenchu 4 screens: Stealth and miniskirts

Posted Jun 10th 2008 11:00AM by Eric Caoili

While this outfit is nowhere near as scandalous as what Tecmo's female ninjas have been wearing, we still have to question the appropriateness of Ayame's Tenchu 4 garb. Being a ninja is hard work, what with all the hiding, flipping, and killing people. Is it really in your best interest to show up for your ninja job in a miniskirt?

If you've an interest in ninja legs -- or if you just like seeing ninjas sneak behind stuff -- prowl into our gallery below for some stealthy Tenchu 4 screenshots.

Gallery: Tenchu 4

Read - Famitsu's Tenchu 4 screenshots
Read - GPara's Tenchu 4 screenshots

Tenchu IV being published by ... Ubisoft?

Posted Jun 6th 2008 12:30PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News, Screens

Famitsu has put up a slew of images, both directly from Tenchu IV and its announcement event, documenting the various ninja techniques, such as flipping out and killing people. For those of you that have lost faith in the Tenchu franchise (this blogger included), perhaps these screens will get you down from the fence? Still, we have yet to get to the big news surrounding this.

Ubisoft is set to publish Tenchu IV, both here in the United States and in Europe, taking up localization duties, as well. Given the flack that Ubisoft has taken recently for all of its casual titles, we're a bit surprised to see them so dedicated to this title, given the recent entries in the series being less than stellar, to put it politely.

And, as if that weren't enough, there's even more to all of this. Apparently, a Tenchu V and Tenchu VI are planned, although no consoles are mentioned. Could these titles also be Wii exclusives? We'll have to wait and see, we suppose.

For some basic facts about Tenchu IV, that come from the Famitsu magazine article about the game, head past the break.

Continue reading Tenchu IV being published by ... Ubisoft?

Hey Hey Let's Go! Tenchu 4

Posted Jun 4th 2008 11:45AM by Phil Larsen
Filed under: News, Screens

The Wii is currently Tenchu-less. Ninjas are cool, but not having them on your console is very uncool. And yet suddenly, from the depths of a Japanese scan, we find the first announcement of Tenchu 4, right here on Nintendo's home turf. It's a rumor for now, but there has been no word on development for other consoles -- this may be a Wii exclusive. Let's hope it fares better than the latest portable entry into the series.

The first shots of the game look pretty smooth, despite the magazine scan. In the second image after the jump, there's some chop-socky action with grappling moves and takedowns. It looks colorful and violent, which is always top stuff. Our keen eyes of power are ready for the Japanese release on October 23. Let's fighting love!

Continue reading Hey Hey Let's Go! Tenchu 4

VC Monday Madness: Ninja Gaiden III and Phantasy Star II

Posted Feb 18th 2008 9:45AM by David Hinkle
Filed under: VC Monday Madness

Well, the Virtual Console releases have hit our inbox and we're pleased to see two fan-favorites hitting the download circuit. With one of the most beloved RPG franchises depositing an installment, as well as the third title in the Ninja Gaiden releasing, we're sure going to enjoy giving these a play later on.

This week's Virtual Console releases are:

• Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (NES, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
• Phantasy Star II (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)

As always, be sure to stop back later for our video wrap-up of this week's content.

Virtually Overlooked: Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi

Posted Feb 7th 2008 9:00PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Virtually Overlooked

Welcome to our weekly feature, Virtually Overlooked, wherein we talk about games that aren't on the Virtual Console yet, but should be. Call it a retro-speculative.

This game isn't particularly obscure, being a first-party Sega release in one of its major (at the time) franchises. But it doesn't matter, because this game is also the most awesome release in that franchise. Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi answers the question of what could possibly be cooler than a ninja stalking around a gritty urban landscape: that ninja's dog. Seriously, you'd have to be a pretty cool dog to keep up with Joe Musashi (or his son, depending on the region).

This game violates an implicit Virtually Overlooked rule by having been released on the Virtual Console in Japan. This happened way back in December of 2006, so we actually feel more than justified in whining about its current unavailability outside of Japan on the Virtual Console. It would be incredibly easy to release it, since it's already been released on the Virtual Console, and Sega just refuses to get around to it.

Continue reading Virtually Overlooked: Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi

What does a four-player game need? Five players, of course!

Posted Feb 7th 2008 8:00PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Video

Not one, not five, but ... well, actually it is five. Five ninja; no more, no less for this trailer from upcoming game Ninja Reflex. And doesn't that strike you as odd? With a four-player game, it seems the odd-man-out isn't so much a friend of the four enjoying the game, but the group whipping boy, there only to serve drinks to thirsty players and watch them enjoy their Wii from afar, silent longing for a day when he too can experience the pleasure of motion-based gameplay.

And, dude: what is up with the kid with the chopsticks? Seriously?

Gallery: Ninja Reflex

Ninja Reflex boxart screams, 'No ninja, no ninja, no'

Posted Dec 29th 2007 4:00PM by Candace Savino
Filed under: News

What game will win the title of "Worst Ninja Boxart" this year? The battle is fierce, and only the most specially trained in the art of the bad box will prevail. In one corner is the stealthy Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword for the DS. So stealthy, in fact, that it remained hidden during its November release date. The challenger is Ninja Reflex, a game involving the most sacred of ninjitsu techniques: partying.

What box will reign supreme in the sacred art of fail? And will there be any newcomers brave enough to enter such a grueling competition? Patience, young student, will reveal the answers to these questions.

[Via GoNintendo]

Ninja Reflex screenshots stealthily sneak up behind you (and kill you)

Posted Dec 5th 2007 10:30AM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: News, Screens

Did you know that today is the Annual Day of the Ninja? So if you've been waiting for an excuse to flip out, hit on ninja babes, and assassinate pirates, consider today your excuse.

Electronic Arts is celebrating this sacred holiday by revealing new screenshots and details for its newest party game, Ninja Reflex. Developed by newcomer studio Sanzaru Games (former Activision developers), Ninja Reflex will feature "a series of martial arts challenges to test gamers' reflexes and measure their reaction times with millisecond precision." Up to four players will be able to participate, sharpening their skills and speed in this mashup of Brain Age and ninjitsu action.

The minigames shown so far are predictable, ranging from catch-a-fly-with-chopsticks contests to shuriken-throwing competitions. Hopefully, the final product will have more interesting activities -- and online support, too! Creep into our gallery under the cover of night and check out some of the screenshots EA has made available. Go ninja, go ninja, go!

Gallery: Ninja Reflex

[Thanks, Troy]

Ninja Reflex details revealed, hopes shattered

Posted Nov 27th 2007 7:00PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News

While we're still holding out hope that the game can be one of 2008's gems, the revelation today that EA is making yet another minigame compilation title for the Wii has us down in the dumps. We understand that they're trying to tap into the same audience that the Wii has appealed to (see: every living person on the planet), by making games that can be enjoyed by as wide an audience as possible, but can we cool our jets on the minigame compilations already? Please?

Hopefully, EA will understand that a ninja party isn't just a bunch of peeps dressed in black hanging around, playing with some hula hoops. No, a ninja party is something different, where a clan of ninja sneak onto a pirate ship in the dead of night, proceeding to murder every single drunken, disgusting excuse of life that is found within the confines of the creaky, wooden vessel. But, we're sure EA will replace the killing with cookies and milk, or some such other bit of nonsense.

The president has been kidnapped by Ghost Squad's unlockable mode

Posted Oct 31st 2007 9:45AM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Video

VC Friday: Nintendo chooses their horse

Posted Sep 21st 2007 12:44PM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: Video

Hmm. In the age-old debate regarding pirates v. ninja, it seems Nintendo clearly prefers the latter. What possible other reason could they have for following up International Talk Like a Pirate Day with ninja games? The two must be linked!

Now that we've had our daily conspiracy theory moment, let's get to the subject of what European gamers have a shot at this week, as the Hanabi Festival continues.

• Ninja Gaiden -- NES -- 600 Wii points
• Ninja JaJaMaru-kun -- NES -- 600 Wii points
• World Class Baseball -- Turbografx -- 600 Wii points

The VC Advantage: Totally sweet

Posted Aug 22nd 2007 6:45PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: The VC Advantage

The Internet has made it easy to find cheats for games, but we miss the tips pages from game magazines, when the discovery of a new code could inspire you to go back to an old game. These codes aren't exactly new, but oldness is the essence of the Virtual Console! We're bringing back the classic codes every week on The VC Advantage.

Everyone loves ninja, except for 1980's Europe. It's hard not to be taken with their style of dress, their pre-Bond gadgetry and, most of all, their silent ruthlessness. But gamers have grown up with a different kind of ninja: the kind who walks around a (usually futuristic) city in broad daylight wearing a dark mask and uniform, displaying blatant disregard for stealth in his battle against giant robots or ghosts or freaking birds.

Much like real-life ninja used anonymity and darkness to flout bushido, we enjoy using codes to violate the established laws of our favorite ninja games. This week's VCA features a selection of codes from the Virtual Console's already ninja-rich library.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES):
Share Boomerangs between turtles: It takes some serious Turtles devotion or NES nostalgia to convince yourself to play this game for more than five minutes, so we think it's a good idea to give you a little help. Short of a Make the Game Stop code that involves turning off your system, there's not too much that can be done, but there is at least a glitch that allows you to use the same set of boomerangs with multiple turtles. It's easy, too: just throw the boomerangs, switch turtles, and catch them.

Ninja Spirit (TG16):
Level Select: This is only appropriate for appreciating each level of the sumptuous Ninja Spirit as an individual work of art. We'll know if you use the level select code to fast-track through the game. We'll know and we'll tell IREM. And they'll cry. Press II, I, II, II, I, II, hold Select and press Run to access the level select menu.

Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (GEN):
Unlimited Shurikens: This code, also seen in Revenge of Shinobi, is one of the most iconic and satisfying cheats in any game, because it's so simple to input and remember, and it is immediately visually recognizable. In the options menu, if you set the number of shuriken to 00 and leave the cursor there, after a few seconds the "00" will morph into the symbol for infinity. Neat!

[Codes via GameFAQs]

Team Ninja's Hayashi 'not averse to developing a title for Wii'

Posted Jun 14th 2007 5:50PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News

This is potentially interesting future news: Team Ninja's Yusuke Hayashi, who is directing the re-remake of Ninja Gaiden, would maybe be okay with making a Wii game or whatever. If he had a good idea for one.

"There are several groups within Team Ninja. The PS3 group, the Xbox 360 group, and there are Wii fans in Team Ninja." At this point, any new Team Ninja game is, statistically speaking, most likely to be a port of either Ninja Gaiden or Dead or Alive 2. If you like either of those games (and why not?) then you can probably look forward to one of them on the Wii!

[Via Joystiq]

Taki's back in Soul Calibur Legends

Posted Jun 13th 2007 2:30PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News

We knew that in addition to Siegfried and Ivy, Soul Calibur Legends would feature other playable characters from the series. Everyone's favorite underdressed ninja, Taki, is joining the roster, to help the other two battle wave after wave of wimpy-looking mummies and three-foot-tall ninjas. Astaroth is also visible, though it's not clear if he's a player character or an enemy.

Of course, now that we think about it, putting a female assassin in the game hews even closer to Death By Degrees territory. Well, Soul Calibur was always better than Tekken, so maybe the spinoff action games will follow the same pattern!

Continue reading Taki's back in Soul Calibur Legends

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