Team Ninja Celebrates 30 Years

Team Ninja's 30th Anniversary: Big Plans on the Horizon

Team Ninja, the Koei Tecmo subsidiary renowned for its action-packed franchises like Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, has hinted at significant projects to commemorate its 30th anniversary in 2025. Beyond these flagship titles, the studio's portfolio also boasts successful soulslike RPGs, including the Nioh series and collaborations with Square Enix (Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty). The recent PlayStation 5 exclusive, Rise of the Ronin, further showcases their diverse capabilities.

While details remain scarce, Team Ninja's Fumihiko Yasuda alluded to upcoming releases "fitting for the occasion" in a 4Gamer.net interview. This cryptic statement has fueled speculation among fans, with many anticipating announcements related to Ninja Gaiden or Dead or Alive.

Looking at potential 2025 releases:

• Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound: Already announced at The Game Awards 2024, this side-scrolling title promises a return to the series' classic 8-bit roots, while incorporating modern gameplay elements. This marks a significant comeback for the franchise, following the divisive 2014 entry, Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z.

• Dead or Alive: The future of this iconic fighting game series remains uncertain. With no mainline entry since Dead or Alive 6 (2019), fans eagerly await news of a new installment to celebrate Team Ninja's milestone anniversary. Recent releases have been limited to spin-offs.

• Nioh: Another strong contender for a potential anniversary release, given the series' popularity and critical acclaim.

Team Ninja's 30th anniversary promises exciting developments. Whether it's a new Ninja Gaiden, a much-anticipated Dead or Alive sequel, a new Nioh installment, or a completely unexpected title, 2025 is shaping up to be a momentous year for the studio and its fans.