Modern Ninja Gaiden - where to jump in?

[Flake]

Title pretty much says it all. Ninja Gaiden is a series that I know literally nothing about save for playing a few levels at a friend's house back in 1989.

There seems to be half a dozen titles and remakes and tie-ins. Where should I start?

...and should I start?

[Kuruwin]

I don't know about the NES ones but i'm pretty sure the one on the XBOX still hold's up. Easily one of the best hack and slash games. If you get it for the XBOX then get black version.

There's version on the PS3 called Ninja Gaiden Sigma but i have no idea how that port is. Probably the definitive version but can't say for sure because i don't know what changes they made.

[Flake]

I guess for the context of my question, it is helpful to say that I have the PS3 and PS4. Pretty sure there are modern Ninja Gaiden games on those two.

[Kuruwin]

Well Sigma got great scores at least so i doubt that there's anything monstrously wrong about that port so get it.

Ninja Gaiden 2 sigma (PS3) version is better than the XBOX 360 game but it's a really disappointing sequel and not very good.

Ninja Gaiden 3 otherhand is just shite. The Razor Edge version supposedly fixes some issues of the game but i doubt it still good. I'm still thinking about getting it for the Wii U though so maybe i share my thoughts on it later on.

[Sarge]

Razor's Edge is pretty decent. It's not as good as NG2 (which is just fine on 360), and neither are as good as the first one, which you can get in three flavors: the original, Black, and Sigma. Go with Sigma just for accessibility, although both of the XBOX versions really show off what that system can do.

If you're talking NES, then if you want to start in relatively easier, go for NGII. The first game is the next hardest, and NGIII is brutal because of the removal of unlimited continues.

[Segata]

Sigma and Sigma 2 or NG2 on 360. Razors Edge is fun but not as good. DO NOT get Vanilla NG3.

[dunpeal2064]

Absolutely love Ninja Gaiden.

All 3 original NES games are good, but 1 is the best, so it should be where you start there. 2 is easier, but if you are looking for ease, Ninja Gaiden is not the place to go anyways.

The SNES compilation of these games is garbage, just play the NES ones. Its worth noting that, if you get into 3, there are some pretty extreme difficulty changes between regions (The US version being far more brutal)

As for the Modern games, I think Ninja Gaiden Black (xbox, works on a 360) is the best version of the first game. The Sigma release is fine though.

Ninja Gaiden 2, on the other hand, needs to be played in its original form. The Sigma release is absolute garbage, which is a shame since this is not only the best Ninja Gaiden game, but possibly the best action game ever made.

All versions of Ninja Gaiden 3 are subpar compared to the first two, and only worth playing as a curiosity once you have experienced the finer points of the series.

tldr; Play Ninja Gaiden (NES), Ninja Gaiden Black (Xbox), Ninja Gaiden 2 (360)

[Flake]

Okay, so Ninja Gaiden Sigma it is. I think I'll pass on the original ones. I just never got into them, tbh.

[ExedExes]

Dragon Sword on the DS. End of discussion.

No, really. It's short enough, not too difficult, and has some of the finest uses of the touch screen EVER. It's a very satisfying way to get back into the series.

[dunpeal2064]

Dragon Sword on the DS. End of discussion.

No, really. It's short enough, not too difficult, has you hold the DS like a book, and is some of the finest uses of the touch screen EVER. It's a very satisfying way to get back into the series.

Forgot about this one. Its pretty fun!