Top 10 Greatest Samurai and Ninja Video Games Of All Time
Script written by Ty Richardson
Top 10 Samurai and Ninja Video Games
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today, we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Samurai and Ninja Video Games.
For this list, we’re looking at the games that best fulfill that fantasy of being a samurai or ninja! Get your katanas and shurikens ready - this may get messy!
Let us know if your favorite samurai-ninja games made it in the comments below!
#10: “Shinobi” Series (1987-2011)
The oldest series on this list, the “Shinobi” franchise may not be as mega-popular as SEGA’s blue blur, but it’s still managed to earn the respect of many players. In addition to difficult platforming and combat, the games manage to provide experiences that’ll make you feel like a badass ninja - whether that be through narrowly avoiding deadly bamboo spikes, or taking down baddies while riding a horse across the valley. It really is a shame that we haven’t had a new game since 2011, as a new entry developed with a AAA budget or taken under the wing of a great indie studio could be an excellent way to revitalize the franchise.#9: “Onimusha: Warlords” (2001)
If you’ve played any of the classic “Resident Evil” games, then you have a good idea of what to expect from “Onimusha: Warlords”...more or less. Yes, one could sweep this under the rug as “Resident Evil gameplay with a samurai theme”, but “Onimusha: Warlords” does have a few tricks up its sleeve. As you acquire new weapons and absorb the souls of enemy demons, you’ll be able to unleash different elemental attacks on your helpless enemies. Also, we’d be lying if we didn’t say we have a soft spot for the campy dialogue and voice acting. C’mon, you gotta love how absurd some of this sounds!#8: “Tenchu” Series (1998-2009)
The “Tenchu” games have been juggled around between various publishers and developers, including a studio that made another notable samurai title, but more on that later. The first “Tenchu” game, “Stealth Assassins”, introduced players to a savage and dark world where one wrong move could mean instant death. It was challenging, demanding, and relentlessly brutal, and we loved every second of it! Unfortunately, not every entry in the franchise has been a stellar hit. However, if it meant getting a remake of “Stealth Assassins”, we’d happily take a kunai to the face.#7: “Total War: Shogun 2” (2011)
Sure, we’ve all fantasized about being an unstoppable samurai. But what about becoming a shogun? Why settle for being the master of swords when we could be leading armies of samurai? Well, those looking to fulfil that fantasy have found solace in Sega’s “Total War: Shogun 2”. On top of stunning visuals and challenging gameplay, “Shogun 2’s” claim to fame lies in its historical accuracy, both in presentation and in how the AI behaves in battle. The developers consulted various historians to get the atmosphere right. This wasn’t just a stimulating strategy game - this was a history lesson, and one that’s still played years later.#6: “The Messenger” (2018)
The Greatest Samurai and Ninja Video Game of All Time
If you loved “Shinobi”, then you should absolutely pick up “The Messenger”. When your clan is slaughtered by the Demon King’s army, it’s up to you to take over the role of the Messenger and deliver a scroll to the top of a mountain named Glacial Peak. Thanks to its unique “cloud-stepping” mechanic, which allows players an extra jump for every successful hit, “The Messenger” offers up a new experience to let players feel like a deadly ninja. Couple that with a fun upgrade system and some hilarious writing, and you’ve got the makings of an entertaining title!
#5: “Samurai Shodown” Series (1993-)
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“Samurai Shodown” isn’t just another 2D fighting game that expects you to deliver combo after combo after combo. Instead, it replicates typical samurai duels by focusing more on defensive play and making hits more lethal. There’s more demand for patience and reading your opponent than most other fighting games, and delivering that fatal blow is satisfying every...single...time! The franchise’s 2019 entry “Samurai Shodown” even makes its super moves cinematic in a similar way to samurai-ninja films. So, those looking for the thrill of a duel need to give these games a shot! Besides, just look at that blue-haired hunk Ukyo!
#4: “Nioh” Series (2017-)
While a lot of “Soulslike” games can feel derivative, “Nioh” is NOT one of those titles. Yes, it has similar mechanics such as a stamina (or in this case, “Ki”) bar. But it distinguishes itself with the use of different combat stances, which becomes vital when dealing with certain enemy types. One stance may be racking up the damage, but if it’s draining your Ki or leaving you vulnerable too often, you’re gonna have a bad time. “Nioh” encourages players to mix up combat tactics throughout their journey, and it’s that approach that makes the game worth your time.
#3: “Ninja Gaiden” Series (1988-2014)
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“Shinobi” may have been the original samurai-ninja game, but “Ninja Gaiden” has been the grand daddy of them all! “Ninja Gaiden” has been kicking our asses for decades with its relentless AI and dependence on quick reflexes. You can’t just attack like a ninja - you have to move like a ninja! That even applies to exploration, as some of the games allow you to run on or kick off walls to reach higher ground. Oh, and if you’re a fan of over-the-top action, “Ninja Gaiden” has that, too! It’s just a shame that we haven’t seen Ryu Hayabusa and friends in a long time. Please, Koei Tecmo, can we have a new game on next-gen? Or, maybe...now?
#2: “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” (2019)
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Yeah, not too long ago we’d have been shocked that this isn’t number one … but more on that later. “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” was such a phenomenal game that we had to name it as our Game of the Year for MojoPlays. It wasn’t just for its unique aesthetics and ability to play as a sneaky shinobi, but the grappling hook provides a fast and thrilling method in traversing the world. On top of that, there are a wide variety of enemies that will test your mettle, whether they be colossal snakes or warriors that wield god-like power.
Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a few Honorable Mentions…
“Way of the Samurai” Series (2002-12)
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“Bushido Blade” Series (1997-98)
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For Tense Battles Where One Strike Could Mean the End
“Katana ZERO” (2019)
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Because Katanas Are Even More Awesome When Time Powers Are Involved!
“Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword” (2012)
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For a Unique & Beautiful Art Style
“Skulls of the Shogun” (2013)
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For Shoguns Who Like Simple Turn-Based Strategy
#1: “Ghost of Tsushima” (2020)
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Deciding between this and “Sekiro” was a tough one. However, “Ghost of Tsushima” comes out on top because it offers you the option to experience combat both as a samurai AND as a ninja. Will you maintain honor and take your foes head on, or will you use stealth and kunai to bring the Mongolians to their knees? “Ghost of Tsushima” wasn’t just another open world game either - it’s a celebration of Japanese culture, complete with locations where you can compose haikus and even a filter based on Akira Kurosawa’s samurai films. And as for that upcoming multiplayer mode? We’re pumped to step into Tsushima once more!
