Ninja Gaiden Black (xbx: 2005): Reviews

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Ninja Gaiden Black


8.5

based on 32 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 67 votes
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GAMES:

Ninja Gaiden

Cheat Code Central

Boasting new difficulty levels including "Ninja Dog" level and "Master Ninja" level, the new Mission Mode with a massive number of new action-packed missions to complete, and colossal amounts of special bonus features including content from both Hurricane Packs 1 and 2, the new Ninja Gaiden: BLACK is the game for all action lovers from casual to hardcore. Karma scores can be uploaded to the online leader boards via Xbox Live. Increased Levels of Difficulty: Five levels of difficulty for all kinds of gamers including "Ninja Dog" to "Very Difficult Master Ninja". Play in Story mode or Mission Mode with a massive number of missions to complete, including traditional enemy battles, time challenges, boss battles and more. [Tecmo]

PUBLISHER:	Tecmo
DEVELOPER:	Team Ninja
GENRE(S):	Action
PLAYERS:	1
ESRB RATING:	M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE:	September 20, 2005

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

1UP

If it were simply the original Ninja Gaiden with just some mission modes tacked on, it would still be worth full price. But chiming in at around $30 with new missions, new difficulty settings, new cinemas and new costumes to unlock -- on top of the already-awesome, original game -- it's practically a steal. Uncompromising and unabridged, Ninja Gaiden Black shows you how reissues could and should be done.

100

GamePro

While most of Ninja Gaiden: Black is the same as before, the little additions that have been added make a world of difference, especially for those hardcore gamers looking for more punishment. And if all that content isn't enough, you even get the old school arcade Ninja Gaiden, too.

100

GameSpy

It's amazing that Team Ninja was actually able to take one of the best games ever to hit the Xbox (or any console) and make it better in nearly every way.

100

Into Liquid Sky

Everything the original was but better. In fact, Ninja Gaiden Black proves to be one of the best action titles of this generation.

100

DarkStation

The hard-as-nails Ninja Gaiden is back, with improved camera system, a new mission mode and bonus game. At a budget price, you'd be crazy not let own this gem.

100

ZTGameDomain

For the price you simply will not find a better deal this year. Even if you beat the first game to death including both Hurricane Packs, NGB is still worth owning.

100

Digital Entertainment News

The new content alone more than makes it a worthy purchase even for those who have played the original release. A year on, Ninja Gaiden is still an extraordinary game. Game of the Year? Insulting. Game of the Generation.

Game Over Online

It will go down in gaming history as a classic that defined its generation.

BonusStage

This is probably the best thirty bucks you’ll spend on a game this year in terms of bang for your gaming buck.

Game Chronicles

It’s not very often I can recommend a game with virtually no reservation, but Ninja Gaiden Black is one of those few titles that everyone with an Xbox should at least play and probably own.

VGPub

Ninja Gaiden Black may very well be the pinnacle of video gaming this generation.

GameZone

The quick reaction time that Ryu has when you press a button is simply amazing and truly feels like you are playing with a ninja.

Team Xbox

Fifty segment Mission Mode, four difficulties, and a complete arcade ROM equal marathon game sessions in Ninja Gaiden BLACK.

Worth Playing

One of the greatest action games in recent memory. Upon further examination, it may be one of the best of all time.

Xbox Solution

This has to be one of the slickest, brutal, most breath taking games I have ever played! Frustration factor can be high when you start the game, but once you stop button mashing and start using the combo system as it was meant to be the game becomes very rewarding.

Play Magazine

It is arguably without peer, the ultimate game for the audience open to its madness. [Oct 2005, p.56]

Game Informer

Even if you already have a copy of the original game in your library, Black is an absolute necessity. [Oct 2005, p.140]

Xbox Evolved

On the enemies, you can see individual scales shining perfectly in each light source, see through their translucent wings, and be dazzled by their massive energy attacks.

IGN

I don't think I can possibly convey how much of an adrenaline pumping experience the new Mission Mode is with mere words. It has to be experienced. The missions are unadulterated action and if that's all there were to the game, I'd still recommend it.

GameSpot

But this new installment seems bent on achieving nothing less than perfection by using last year's game as a starting point and fine-tuning its few issues, while also adding lots of new options and content, such as a lengthy series of stand-alone missions that emphasize the game's unbelievably intense, brutal, lighting-fast combat.

Armchair Empire

Prepare to be challenged like you’ve never been challenged before to complete an action-adventure game. If you make it through Ninja Gaiden Black, be proud, because it definitely is one of the hardest games to complete that you’ll ever play.

My Gamer

An incredible game, but there are other, cheaper options that are available to cash-strapped gamers.

Extreme Gamer

Just beware that you have to run through the game to unlock the new mission modes, but if you're a big fan, you will probably welcome the idea.

Computer and Video Games

If we were stuck on a desert island with a TV, an Xbox and a generator, Ninja Gaiden Black is the only game we'd need. It really is that good! [Official UK XBox Magazine]

GamerFeed

It's also a lot more difficult than its predecessor, so if you didn't feel challenged enough by the prequel, this version promises to bludgeon the hell out of you.

Official Xbox Magazine

Black does what the original did best, and hits the elevator button and ascends to an even higher level. [Nov 2005, p.134]

Cheat Code Central

No one ever said that being a ninja was easy, but I can tell you for certain that being a ninja has never been this much fun. Don't wait, get your mitts on this game immediately.

Yahoo! Games

The action is superb, with silky smooth combos, lots of movement options, and intuitive control. The graphics are still tops on the market. The quest is fulfilling and varied.

Stuff

Making Ninja Gaiden harder is like ordering waffles fixed with broken glass, with a helping of broken glass on the side. It's downright tasty at times, but you better have a taste for it before scarfing it down.

Game Revolution

Kudos to Tecmo and Team Ninja for adding some great enhancements to an already great game. We just wish they would have released it like this in the first place.

eToychest

The most notable addition over the first outing is the aforementioned Mission Mode, though since it does not become available until completing the game once, many players are likely to throw in the towl long before even seeing this new content. Some might call it a feature, but it seems more like punishment.

NTSC-uk

On the technical side of things, Ninja Gaiden Black has a problem that wasn’t present in the original release. The game is prone to bouts of slowdown at impromptu moments and these aren’t particularly hectic instances either.

The average user rating for this game is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 67 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Dan A. gave it a10:
As far as Action games go, this is top dog next to God of War.

V. K. gave it a10:
Unbelievably smooth game play and great graphics.

Dig V. gave it an8:
Do not play Ninja Gaiden Black if you can't handle its difficulty.Quit whining. This game isn't for Sally and Suzy. Kozars like you can go play Ratchet and Clank with all the little tykes.I like the fact that the first two red ninjas can send Ryu back to hell on the most difficult first board I've ever played in the history of my 20 years of gaming. We need more Master Ninja difficulty settings in all our games.

L B gave it a10:
Lets face it, games have been lowering the complexity bar for a while now. And thusly, there are way too many people who don't know how to beat a game with out a cheat, or need that camera just perfect, or whatever special circumstances they come up with. But what I love about ninja gaiden black is that is the most difficult game I have played. Ever. Its pretty, sure. Sound Design, great. But I call me crazy, I like a challenge. Cant see whats going on off screen, adapt and overcome or die. Its that simplicity that I enjoy and the game is a puzzle in itself. Combat is repetitive? How when there are so many ways to kill something? And if its too hard for you, well, go play halo. Thats something you could do with your eyes closed. In short, all developer of action games should look to Ninja Gaiden as a model. Dont coddle your customers, challenge them.

Mark J. gave it a10:
I. Caliban you are an idiot, people who like ninja gaiden are good at it and have beaten it on very hard and want more of a challenge so they added master ninja, if you suck at the game (like I did for a while) put black on ninja dog mode and this game is not just for challenge being a ninja is really fun, flying around doing flips you just feel cool. If you suck at the game get over it and stop complaining.

Shane S. gave it a9:
First off, the game's not that hard. There IS an easy mode. You just have to know the code to unlock it. This is one of those rare games where the game guide is a must have. The bosses work in much the same way as boxers from Punch Out. They all have a weakness to exploit. It's just that the weaknesses in the bosses of NGB are less obvious than those of Punch Out. Overall the game is of superb quality. It's only downfall is that even the easy mode can be a bit tough for some. If you can beat RE4 on Professional, then you can beat this game on Easy Mode. Otherwise go run and hide back in your shelter of games that just roll over and die for you.

Rick gave it a10:
Rubbish game!! Well thats what I first thought. I couldnt play it. I thought this game is bloody crap Im trying to beat this dude (first boss) Im sure im doing all the right things and he keeps kicking my arse. So how wrong was I? I put it down for a good 8 or 9 months. Didnt even look at it again but my eyes kept stumbling over high score reviews of it...I was at a loss. I knew I wasnt doing something right, maybe it was just a steep learning curve and that im sure with practice I could get it down. I beat the first boss but then got doubly stuck on the second boss. What was I doing wrong? My mistake was I was looking at this game from too much of a hack and slash button mash point of view. I didn't really think of roll dodging as a first move defence then offence takes precedence in this game. The dudes a ninja he's not a barbarian! Once I started to pick up the thread, what a joy to behold did I find. Easily one of the best games on the console. Up there with HalfLife2, San Andreas, Halo. I agree with angry Andreas this is a gamers game and was so glad I picked it up and put more effort into it. If anyone has read my post on Galleon this is the same type of game - steep learning curve but worthy once you put in the time. Infact the gameplay elements of Gaiden are top notch. You dont want lay down easy dead beat battles handed to you on a plate. You want tough, thought provoking challenges that keep you coming back for more. I tell my nephew off for walking away at the first sign of a game with challenge. I tell him thats what makes a game more than a game and its what you look for in a title. Must have game.