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Press release:
Berlin, 29th August 2024.
The wait is over. NatsumeAtari, in partnership with ININ, is proud to announce the global launch of Shadow of the “Ninja: Reborn“, the highly anticipated reimagining of the classic retro title. Available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S and Steam.

Reliving a Classic, Reinvented for a New Era!
Originally developed by Natsume and released in 1990 for the NES, Shadow of the Ninja (known as Blue Shadow or KAGE in some regions) stood out as a tough-but-fair side-scrolling action game that became a fan favourite among the retro gaming community. The game was praised for its challenging yet rewarding gameplay, two-player cooperative action, and atmospheric level design.

In this thrilling action-adventure platformer, you will use your striking katana, as well as the acrobatic finesse of a ninja to face the advance of powerful enemies. Our fearless heroes, Hayate and Kaede have undergone a major visual upgrade from their original 8-bit models. From the deadly foes to the no-less deadly stages, every part of this title has been faithfully remade in stunning high-quality graphics.

Special attention was dedicated to the already acclaimed 2-player mode, which now features upgraded cooperative gameplay dynamics, refined character interactions, and an overall optimised experience. So, grab a friend and engage in deadly shinobi combat to save the world in this dark action gem Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn!

This remake brings back Iku Mizutani, the star composer who helped create the iconic Natsume sound and renowned tracks for various NES games.

As with the original version, Dynamic Pro handled the illustrations!

The key visuals/character illustrations are also by Dynamic Productions, as was the case with the first version in 1990

Features and Innovations:

Reimagined Visuals: Fully remastered in stunning high resolution, the game features hand-drawn 2D art mixed with dynamic environments, breathing new life into every corner of the original world.

Enhanced Combat System: Refined combat mechanics introduce new ninja abilities, combos, and precision platforming that rewards skill and strategy.

Expanded Storyline: Dive deeper into the lore of the Shadow of the Ninja universe with a completely new designed and added level, providing a more immersive experience.

Co-op Mode Revamped: The beloved local cooperative mode has been reworked, offering seamless integration and more intense team-based action.

A Star-Studded, Rockin’ Soundtrack: Play along with the legendary Hiroyuki Iwatsuki and Iku Mizutani’s electrifying guitar riffs and fast-paced melodies.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is available digital for just €19,99 and physical for €29,99 (PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch). There is also a physical PS4 version available from SLG.

For the real retro game music lovers, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn will also release a Digital Deluxe Edition for PS4/PS5, NSW, and Steam priced at €24.99, that includes the electric digital soundtrack by legends Iku Mizutani and Hiroyuki Iwatsuki!

Even more information about the game can be found on the official website.

Step into the fascinating and challenging world of Shadow of the Ninja Reborn with this brand new Launch Trailer here! (Premieres at 5 p.m. CET)

About ININ
ININ, a subsidiary of United Games Entertainment GmbH, is a rising publishing label for high-quality retro, arcade, and indie games. With a passion for feel-good games, ININ brings classic titles back to life and creates future gaming gems. Known for titles like “Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World,” “Cotton Reboot,” and “CrossCode,” ININ is the Western publishing partner for iconic TAITO series such as “Bubble Bobble” and the legendary “Space Invaders.” In collaboration with partner label Strictly Limited Games, ININ offers limited and collector’s editions to die-hard gamers. As ININ continues to impact the gaming world, stay tuned for frequent announcements of new (or old but returning) games. Visit www.iningames.com for more information.

About NatsumeAtari
Natsume Atari Inc. has been consistently developing software for game consoles for the past 30 years. Using production techniques cultivated over many years of development, we continue to provide high quality software for both home and handheld game consoles and developing software on the latest gaming platforms as well. While working mainly as a contract development company, we also provide services from product planning to development. Created by our skilled development staff, our titles have been made with particular care to good game feel while playing and were well received by our clients and customers.
We also do the planning to smartphone applications and mobile content, while being highly flexible to handle a variety of needs, such as mobile site management for anime titles and smartphone game development.
Development is currently handled by two studios, one located in Osaka and the other in Nagoya.

About Dynamic Production
Since its establishment in 1969, Dynamic Productions has been engaged in the management of manga artists, novelists and manga authors, including Go Nagai, as well as producing newly drawn manga, planning various events and managing the copyrights of its artists.

About Mikio Tachibana
Born 11 May 1976 in Saitama Prefecture.

After working as an assistant to Go Nagai, he made his debut in 2004 and has since published serialised works such as Mazinger Otome and Mazinger Otome Taisen.He continues to publish short manga, newly drawn manga and illustrated works in all genres.