How Sega’s Shinobi Games Have Evolved Throughout The Ages

Joe Musashi is arguably one of Sega’s primary mascots in the company. From the 80s until his series’ hiatus in 2011, his games have been 2D hack-and-slash and action-filled 80s ninjas experiences meant for arcades. The console Shinobi games were more detailed and tailored for replayability, while delivering the best visual and audio works through the Sega Megadrive’s powerful-for-its-time hardware.

Then after Shinobi Legions in the mid-90s during the Sega Saturn’s existence, the series took a long break until 2002, adopting the third-person action genre popularized by Capcom’s Devil May Cry in a Shinobi reboot. Then after two entries, we get a 3DS game a few years later. Then, nothing.

Until last week’s PlayStation State of Play event, where Sega and developer LizardCube revealed a new 2D Shinobi game in the works and slated for late August 2025. To celebrate this happy occasion for Sega heads and retro gaming fans, as well as ninja enthusiasts, here’s a video showcasing the graphical and gameplay evolution of all of Sega’s Shinobi games throughout the ages.

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