Exciting news for Ninja Gaiden fans: Ninja Gaiden 4 is officially on its way! The announcement came straight from the Xbox Developer Direct 2025, confirming that the highly anticipated addition to this legendary series is set for a fall release next year. This new chapter is poised to hit Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, with the added bonus of being available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from day one.
This announcement is perfectly timed as Team Ninja celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025. The renowned Koei Tecmo-owned studio has hinted at some big plans for its milestone year, suggesting several new projects are in the pipeline.
Among the buzzworthy announcements at the January 23 event, Team Ninja revealed they’re teaming up with PlatinumGames to bring Ninja Gaiden 4 to life. This next major entry in the storied franchise will see the light of day in fall 2025.
### Ninja Gaiden 4 Introduces a New Protagonist
While Ryu Hayabusa, the beloved series protagonist, is making a comeback in this installment, the spotlight will shine on a new hero—Yakumo. According to Yuji Nakao, PlatinumGames’ producer and director, introducing a fresh main character aims to make the game more appealing to new players who might not be up-to-date with the series’ lore. Even though Yakumo is front and center, Ninja Gaiden 4 directly follows the storyline of 2013’s Ninja Gaiden 3, with Ryu playing a pivotal role in the tale. You’ll be able to control Ryu too, although it seems his entry into the gameplay might not be immediate.
Ninja Gaiden 4 won’t just rest on its laurels; it’s introducing innovative traversal mechanics like using wires and rails to zip around. Combat remains as intense and exhilarating as ever, preserving many legacy skills while adding fresh, unique movesets. Players can expect the challenge to be as demanding as prior games in the franchise.
The eagerly awaited Ninja Gaiden 4 is slated for release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. Subscribers to PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will have the chance to dive into the action on release day at no additional cost. With the game earmarked for a late 2025 launch, more precise release details might drop around midyear, potentially during the next Xbox Games Showcase. Meanwhile, fans can tide themselves over with Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a newly remastered version for PC and consoles that’s now live and available on Xbox Game Pass.
