Ninja Gaiden is an unforgiving action game that’s really popular. If you like difficult action games like Sekiro, Dark Souls, or Elden Ring, you’d feel right at home with this game. But what’s the best way to play Ninja Gaiden on PS4 (and PS5 thanks to backward compatibility)?
On the PlayStation platform, the best version of Ninja Gaiden you can get is Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection
These games are action hack-and-slash games where you play as a ninja, as the titles of the games say. They’re relatively old PlayStation games and the Master Collection and the Master Collection Deluxe Edition contain the upgraded and remade versions of the games. They are just like the older games but the graphics, gameplay elements, bugs, and a lot of other issues are fixed.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is available on PlayStation Store. You can also find a physical version at Playasia. It includes three titles, which we will detail below.
NINJA GAIDEN Σ
Ninja Gaiden Sigma is the most complete and probably the best remake of the first Ninja Gaiden game. It also incorporates elements from the first redone version of the first game, Ninja Gaiden Black, which was released in 2005.
NINJA GAIDEN Σ2
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 was an improved and overhauled Xbox 360 version of 2008’s Ninja Gaiden 2.
NINJA GAIDEN 3: Razor’s Edge
2012’s Ninja Gaiden 3 completes the trilogy and it’s probably the most polished game of the three.
Issues with Ninja Gaiden 3
While Ninja Gaiden 3 is a polished game, it’s also somewhat of a weak entry. Launched as a Wii U exclusive in 2012, it has received mixed reviews, both from critics and players. The other two previous games are generally the best NG games there are. Mainly, the criticism of the third game was because of the story and the ending plus technical issues.
Are the games worth playing in the present?
Like I said at the start of the article, the Ninja Gaiden games are really fun experiences if you like difficult action games. But there are a few issues with the games that may put off some players. There are ports for the PC and the Master Collection is technically playable on PS5. But some features that were available on the PS4 version may be unavailable on the PS5. If it had a next-gen upgrade, for free or otherwise, many new players and old-timers coming to revisit would welcome the collection with open arms.
There are also some additions in the Master Collection, like four other characters to create tag teams and all the DLC items, meaning outfits and the like are also available in the collection. The Deluxe Edition has a digital art book and a soundtrack that includes visuals, static pictures, and various songs from all three games.
Similar games to play on PS5
The news of Ninja Gaiden not offering the same experience as it did on the PS4 when you play on the PS5 may put some of you off. I have two other suggestions that you might love, in that case. Also, you can play both the Ninja Gaiden games and the below ones, if you would like. I cannot stress enough that Ninja Gaiden is a really wonderful experience, and I highly recommend it.
Nioh and Nioh 2
The brilliant Nioh and Nioh 2 are something like spiritual successors to the Ninja Gaiden games. They were developed by Koei Tecmo games, the same people behind the aforementioned games. They offer a ton of gameplay opportunities and fun moments throughout. They’re also relatively new games so they’re optimized for the PC and PS5.
