Ninja Gaiden was a franchise that needed to be brought back, and Tomonobu Itagaki's decision to do so to the Xbox, is a welcomed arrival to the greatest game in the series, and to give credit where credit is due: one of the greatest games of all time. Ninja Gaiden packed a wallop with it's insane gameplay, bleeding-edge graphics, and it's robus difficulty forming one of the best games for the Xbox, and for any console. You didn't have to be a fan of the series, to enjoy Ninja Gaiden's flawlessly executed action.

Not only did Ninja Gaiden excel in nearly every practical game value, but it's boss battles we're spectacular, and it's difficult in one word: challenging. Ninja Gaiden's weapons always leveled the playing field, yet still retaining it's difficulty. The game's unique and well choregraphed cutscenes we're spectacular and still do day rivals of those seen even on newer platforms.

It's no easy task to develop a game like Ninja Gaiden, but when you have one of the more recognizable game director guru's on board, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better man at making such a finely tuned game. With all respect Mr. Itagaki, you owe it to yourself, because when it all boils down to it: Ninja Gaiden is one hell of a game.