Summary
Team Ninja is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025 with big plans. Beyond the iconic Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive franchises, the studio has also achieved success with soulslike RPGs like the Nioh series and collaborations such as Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. Speculation is high regarding what exciting releases Team Ninja might unveil this year.
Koei Tecmo's Team Ninja studio, renowned for its action-packed titles, is gearing up for its 30th anniversary. While famous for franchises like Ninja Gaiden (with its signature hack-and-slash gameplay) and the Dead or Alive fighting game series (though a new mainline entry hasn't been seen since 2019), Team Ninja has also branched out. The 2020s have seen the studio delve into the soulslike RPG genre with the critically acclaimed Nioh series, and collaborations with Square Enix on titles like Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin and the Chinese mythology-inspired Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. The PlayStation 5 exclusive Rise of the Ronin, another action RPG, further showcased their versatility in 2024. As 2025 marks their 30th anniversary, Team Ninja has hinted at exciting plans.
In a 4Gamer.net interview (reported by Gematsu), Fumihiko Yasuda of Team Ninja alluded to upcoming releases, stating the studio hopes to launch titles "fitting for the occasion." While details remain scarce, anticipation is building for potential new entries in the Dead or Alive or Ninja Gaiden franchises. Yasuda's statement: "In 2025, Team Ninja will celebrate its 30th anniversary, and we hope to announce and release titles fitting for the occasion," fuels this excitement.
Team Ninja's Potential 2025 Plans
One confirmed project is the return of Ninja Gaiden with Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, announced at The Game Awards 2024. This side-scrolling title aims to blend classic 8-bit gameplay with modern enhancements, bridging the gap between the series' past and present. The last mainline entry, 2014's Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z, remains a divisive title within the fanbase.
The Dead or Alive franchise, last seen with a mainline entry in 2019's Dead or Alive 6, has only received spin-offs like Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 Scarlet and Venus Vacation Prism: Dead or Alive Xtreme in recent years. Fans eagerly await news of a new mainline entry, hoping it will be part of Team Ninja's 30th-anniversary celebrations. Similarly, hopes are high for potential new announcements regarding the Nioh series.
