Ninja Gaiden Ragebound Breathes New Life Into a Classic

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound reimagines the classic with pixel art flair and accessible action on multiple platforms.

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound Revives a Classic with Sharp Pixel Art

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is a retro styled side scrolling platformer from Dotemu and the team behind Blasphemous. Players control Kenji Mozu, a young ninja briefly inhabited by Kumori from the Black Spider clan, gaining new throwable kunai during battles. The game drops you into tight corridors filled with enemies you must dodge or defeat. Most foes die in a single hit, but tougher foes require more hits. A turquoise glow signals sword kills while magenta glows signal kunai strikes, guiding you through the action. Boss fights are large and thrilling, and the Assist Mode lets players adjust the difficulty. Levels showcase striking pixel art in settings like a pirate cave and a construction site, with hidden scarabs and scrolls that unlock upgrades and harder stages. The soundtrack blends heavy guitar, synth, and drums to create a 90s action vibe. Ragebound is available now on Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

The game invites exploration and rewards careful sequencing, with a design that favors deliberate play over brute force. It stands out in a crowded retro scene by pairing sharp visuals with solid level pacing and a confident tonal approach that leans into campy fun.

Nostalgia pulls players in, but Ragebound earns respect through tight controls and a modern accessibility feature in Assist Mode. The action is the main draw, and the boss fights provide a sense of scale that many retro titles strive for.

In a market crowded with retro revivals, Ragebound shows a clear identity through its visual language and sound. The risk is that the story may not carry as much weight as the combat and mood, potentially leaving players seeking a stronger narrative throughline.

Highlights

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound invites players to test a blend of old and new in a crowded retro scene.