Summary
- Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, revived by Sega, offers a modern take on arcade action.
- Developed by Lizardcube, the game stars Joe Musashi on a quest for vengeance.
- Fans can preorder the game for digital release for $29.99 with a special edition available.
Unveiled during the PlayStation State of Play stream, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance marks the return of Sega’s long-running arcade franchise. The first footage of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance shows fans the fast-paced action, along with a stunning new art direction for the 2D action platformer.
The last Shinobi game was launched in 2011 for the 3DS and received mixed reviews from critics and fans, leading to a lengthy hiatus for the franchise. It wasn’t until the 2023 Game Awards that players got their first look at the franchise's comeback. In a brief trailer, Sega confirmed several of its IPs were being revived, including Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, and, of course, Shinobi. Now Sega has provided fans with an in-depth look at how the next installment in the ninja-filled series is shaping up.
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Developed in collaboration with Lizardcube, the same team behind the successful Streets of Rage 4, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a 2D action platform game set to be released across Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One on August 29, 2025. Featuring a striking new art style, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance offers a crisp modern look while honoring the arcade roots of the franchise. The game sees the return of longtime protagonist Joe Musashi, who embarks on a quest for vengeance after discovering his village in ruins, and features over a dozen environments to explore.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Announced by Sega
Players can preorder Shinobi: Art of Vengeance digitally for $29.99, though there is currently no information regarding a physical release. A special edition of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is also available for $39.99 and includes early access to the base game, a digital art book, and the game’s soundtrack. Also included is the Starter Pack, which unlocks the Ghost Outfit, the Medic Lite Amulet, and In-Game Currency for upgrades. A Sega Villains Stage featuring iconic bosses from Sega's expansive portfolio will be released in 2026 and rounds out the special edition package.
- Release date: August 29, 2025
- Standard edition RRP $29.99
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Special edition RRP $39.99
- Includes Base game
- Early Access
- Starter Pack with the Ghost Outfit, the Medic Lite Amulet, and In-Game Currency
- Digital Art Book + Soundtrack
- SEGA Villains Stage (Coming Early 2026) featuring bosses based on iconic SEGA villains.
The announcement of Shinobi’s return after 14 years will undoubtedly thrill fans, but it appears that Sega has more plans for the Ninja franchise. Following the huge box office success of three Sonic the Hedgehog movies, Shinobi is Sega’s next franchise slated to be adapted for Hollywood, with a film currently in early development.
The arrival of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance rounds off an already thrilling year for ninja enthusiasts. Last month, Team Ninja shadow-dropped Ninja Gaiden 2: Black onto PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, with the developers confirming Ninja Gaiden 4 is in the works. In March, players will see the awaited release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set in Feduel Japan, featuring duel protagonists in the form of a tanky samurai and stealthy ninja.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
WHERE TO PLAY
- PS5 Release Date
- August 29, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Action, Platformer, Hack and Slash
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
