Part 95

Compare Ninja Gaiden Xbox, Black, and Sigma versions. Discover differences in mechanics, items, and features.

Xbox Version Differences:

• Karma Points: In the original Ninja Gaiden, Karma points gained from encounters would decrease by half with each subsequent encounter, eventually becoming untimed. After the Hurricane Packs and Ninja Gaiden BLACK, all encounters were timed only once, and skipping an enemy encounter meant forfeiting Karma points.
• Combo Counter: The Xbox version featured two types of Combo counters: one displaying the combo count onscreen and another on the Karma screen with a time limit. Large text would flash for 50-hit or 100-hit combos.
• Successive Play: After finishing Chapter 16 on a certain difficulty, a SUCCESSIVE PLAY game could be started with all 50 Golden Scarabs intact in Chapter 1. Muramasa would provide some prizes upon reaching his statue in Chapter 2.
• The Dark Dragon Blade (DDB): In the original Ninja Gaiden, the DDB was obtainable on a SUCCESSIVE PLAY file by reaching Chapter 13 and entering the storage room via the upper window in Hayabusa Village. In the Hurricane Packs and Ninja Gaiden BLACK, the SUCCESSIVE PLAY option was removed, and the DDB was obtained by giving 50 Golden Scarabs to Muramasa on harder modes.
• The Intercept Technique: Introduced in the Hurricane Packs DLC (downloadable content — extra missions or items released after launch) for the Master Ninja Tournament Round 2, this scroll allowed Ryu to perform a parry against unblockable attacks by pressing the Block Button at the right moment. It was helpful against larger enemies and bosses like Nicchae and Ishtaros. Team Ninja deleted this technique in Ninja Gaiden BLACK, and it was not present in Ninja Gaiden Sigma.
• Closed Captions and Text: In the original Xbox version, all accompanying text appeared within a caption box when interacting with NPCs or items.
• Ayane Kunai Scrolls: In the original game, Ayane threw kunai scrolls with helpful tips and hints.
• The Nunchukus: The Nunchukus were available for every difficulty in all Xbox versions. In the Hurricane Packs and Hard Mode for BLACK, they were in Ryu's inventory in Chapter 1.
• Ninja Gaiden Trilogy & Arcade Ninja Gaiden: Ryu could unlock and play the three NES versions of the Ninja Gaiden NES Trilogy at the arcade machine in Han's Bar. In Ninja Gaiden BLACK, the NES Trilogy was omitted and replaced by the Arcade beat-em-up version.
• The Movie Viewer: After defeating the game on Normal Mode, the Movie Viewer became available, allowing playback of all CG scenes (not FMVs).
• Costume Change Option: In Ninja Gaiden BLACK, unlocked costumes could be chosen when reloading a saved game or in Mission Mode.
• The Ultimate Technique: In the original Ninja Gaiden, Ryu could not perform an Ultimate Technique without absorbing Essence. After the Hurricane Packs and Ninja Gaiden BLACK, Ryu could perform the Ultimate Technique without needing Essence.
• The Water Run: The Water Run was performed by rapidly tapping the A Button as Ryu's feet touched the water. If Ryu fell in, the run failed.

PS3 Version (Ninja Gaiden Sigma) Differences:

• Karma Points: All encounters are timed only once. Skipping an enemy encounter forfeits Karma points.
• Combo Counter: The Combo counter has been omitted and only appears on the Karma screen. It is difficult to track combos when returning to farm encounters.
• Successive Play: This option does not exist. After finishing Chapter 19 of a specific difficulty, there are no further options for this mode.
• The Dark Dragon Blade: Obtained in harder modes only.
• The Intercept Technique: This scroll does not exist in Ninja Gaiden Sigma.
• Closed Captions and Text: All text is shown onscreen without a captions box.
• Ayane Kunai Scrolls: Ayane's kunai scrolls are fully voiced by Ayane.
• The Nunchukus: Only available for use on Ninja Dog, Normal Mode, and Master Ninja Mode.
• Ninja Gaiden Trilogy & Arcade Ninja Gaiden: The NES Trilogy and Arcade versions do not exist, and the arcade machine in Han's Bar has been removed.
• The Movie Viewer: This option was deleted. The only way to view CG scenes is to replay a specific chapter to trigger them.
• Costume Change Option: You cannot choose a different costume when reloading a saved game. A new game must be started to use a different costume for the rest of the game.
• The Ultimate Technique: The feature from Ninja Gaiden Black is used, allowing the Ultimate Technique without needing Essence.
• The Water Run: The method for performing the Water Run is the same as the Xbox versions.