Part 40

Understand the differences between Ninja Gaiden II (Xbox) and its Sigma counterparts in the Remastered Collection. Learn why the original Xbox versions are not included.

In 2021, the modern Ninja Gaiden trilogy received remastered collections for next-gen consoles. However, these collections do not include the original Ninja Gaiden Black or Ninja Gaiden 2. Instead, they feature the Sigma versions, which are distinct games.

Team Ninja stated that the code for the original Ninja Gaiden Black and Ninja Gaiden 2 is too damaged to be used for the Remastered Collection. This raises questions, as the Xbox versions were enhanced for 4K and look comparable to the Remastered Collection content.

A possible reason for this exclusion is that Ninja Gaiden Black and Ninja Gaiden 2 were originally Xbox exclusives. Tecmo may have been obligated to keep them exclusive to Xbox, preventing their inclusion in multi-platform Remastered Collections. To experience the 4K-enhanced versions of Ninja Gaiden 2 and the non-Rachel chapters of Ninja Gaiden Black, an Xbox One X or Series X is required.

Owning both the enhanced Xbox versions of Ninja Gaiden Black and NG2, along with the Remastered Collection on PS4/PS5, provides access to all complete versions of the games. Players without an Xbox will have to accept this limitation.